What is it about cars?

[grkify]

Was having a discussion about hobbies at work a guy asking me why I was in to cars and why I spent such a large percentage of my income on them. I tried to explain it was just the joy of being able to turn a key go where I want, the accomplishment I feel when I fix it and the st your pants moments when you push it just a little to far. I then made the mistake of asking about his hobbies. He then went on to lecture me on his wine collection which was boring to me but each to there own. So what is it about cars that you enjoy?

[ChemicalChaos]

Being able to push the boundaries of what is possible in a given vehicle. Be that in the single seater I time trial, or in one of my Land Rovers off road

[jayemm89]

I think nearly anyone that grew up outside of a major metropolitan centre probably lusted after a car from an early age because they represent freedom of sorts. Motorbikes for the same reason.

I imagine some wine-drinking folk think I'm a pratt for driving a V8 bmw rather than a "nice sensible ford" in the same way I can't possible understand how a bottle of wine can possibly be well into three figures (or more). Pretty sure there's plenty of cross-over though

[Poopipe]

I just tell people i like to go fast - everyone understands that.

I like wine too - it makes me charming

[Sump]

Being able to buy cars that others could only dream about.

[RedBull]

I don't think I can really define why I love cars and bikes, I just do. I can't point to my upbringing as my Dad liked cars but was never actually in to them at all, and he positively hates me having motorcycles.

I just fell in love with them when I was about 2 or 3 (apparently) and have never fallen out of love. Bikes came later, I think I was around 12 when I really started liking them.

[Klippie]

Imagine the feeling the guy had when he mated an engine to a cart and he went for his first drive...that's what cars do for me.

They are just brilliant, everyone should have one...

[R_U_LOCAL]

They're just lovely things.

And you can get in them, press pedals and move levers and do mechanical stuff and they move!

What could possibly be better?

[Mr Gear]

I like the fact that some cars represent a moment in time - technologically, stylistically and even politically. What could be more 50's than a pink Cadillac, and what could be more 2000's than an Insight for example?


And I enjoyed the excitement of driving in heavy snow last week, while some of my fellow travelers thought it the worst
thing in the world.

I also love the motorsport side of things.

[TehRin]

Being able to go/get away from anywhere I want (within limits).

Working on, modifying, lay-bys, brown pants moments - I could go on.

[6cylGolf]

I'm actually not that fussed about driving cars. I love the engineering and owning a complete mobile mechanical object I can maintain and modify. Just happens to be handy for getting places.

[johnxjsc1985]

Its a feeling of freedom you get as a young man a feeling of independence.
Later as you can afford more exotic cars it becomes about engineering and performance and history

[zarjaz1991]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Its a feeling of freedom you get as a young man a feeling of independence.
Later as you can afford more exotic cars it becomes about engineering and performance and history

This.

I'm 22, I own two cars, ok both are Mondeos so they don't fit the usual PH "company director with four Ferraris" model, but they are mine, and I'm proud of them. One of them I bought brand new about two years ago, which is no mean feat at my age.

I spend a lot of my income n them, and I work hard for that, but the pleasure I get from having the freedom to go wherever I like, whenever I like, is immeasurable. I also enjoy giving lifts to people who need them....call it a minor philanthropic streak....

[VeeFource]

Because they're incredibly powerful machines that show off their power by catapulting me from my doorstep, accross the land to pretty much anywhere of my choosing. I never tire of thinking of the amazing amount of power it takes to accelerate over a ton of metal up a steep hill or sustain err 70mph on the motorway. It's almost like being Iron man, the car or (even better) motorcycle is an extension of me.

Also, the sheer amount of ingenuity that goes into these machines is incredible, it far exceeds any other product the average person owns at any rate.

Personally I can't understand how anyone couldn't get excited about having the equivalent power of well over 100 horses they control at their right foot and how all that precise mechanical processing can happen at over 100 times a second.

Edited by VeeFource on Sunday 28th December 21:31

[Jasandjules]

The freedom they bring.

ETA - I can't quite explain what it is about starting up the TVR. I mean, I don't need to drive her fast at all, just potter about, but that rumbling engine, wow. I just love it.

Edited by Jasandjules on Sunday 28th December 21:56

[JuniorD]

Some of the above statements would fit perfectly into the script of a certain video about a 964 C4

[PositronicRay]

6cylGolf said:

I'm actually not that fussed about driving cars. I love the engineering and owning a complete mobile mechanical object I can maintain and modify. Just happens to be handy for getting places.

I'll go with that.

[talksthetorque]

If you do decide to give each other a 'taster' of your respective hobbies, make sure you go first

[Debaser]

jayemm89 said:

I think nearly anyone that grew up outside of a major metropolitan centre probably lusted after a car from an early age because they represent freedom of sorts.

I grew up inside a major metropolitan centre and wanted a car from an early age. It was still freedom!

[johnxjsc1985]

Debaser said:

I grew up inside a major metropolitan centre and wanted a car from an early age. It was still freedom!

Yeas I agree not sure what that has to do with anything riding on a bus is not a sign of independence and its something I have always tried to avoid