Car owners clubs - A bit sad or not?
Discussion
Wifey and I took our boys to the viewing section at Manchester Airport today. It's great for the children with all the noise and planes taking off/landing etc.
There is a big, well spaced car park and at the top right hand corner is a smaller road with a 'no cars past this point sign'. Said small road leads up to a large cafe, Concorde viewing building and a small shop selling plane related crap. It's full of pedestrians; as you would expect.
A group of around 10 porsches pulled in, drove around the outside of the car park, down the little road and all reverse parked along the path (not really hindering anyone) all in a line and then the owners got out. It was a mix of people but mainly older blokes, some with their wives etc.
After walking past and admiring a few of them (cars not wives) I went on and spent a while watching the planes, went in the cafe and bought some plane crap from the shop for the boys - generally had a nice few hours.
So, getting to the crux here; on the way home we discussed the car club thing and my wife (not in any way a petrol head, but reasonably fond of cars) felts it was a bit of a thing for 'geeks' and a bit silly they had to find their own space away from the plebs in the rest of the car park and stand around looking at their cars.
It's not my bag either and not something I'd fancy joining up to do, but can see that it's something for people who share a common interest and a good way of socialising.
So what's the PH view?
Car clubs - geeks wearing car manufacturer branded coats and hats and chatting about build dates, spec changes and different colours of mechanical fasteners?
or
A nice way to meet up, spend time and admire their own cars?
There is a big, well spaced car park and at the top right hand corner is a smaller road with a 'no cars past this point sign'. Said small road leads up to a large cafe, Concorde viewing building and a small shop selling plane related crap. It's full of pedestrians; as you would expect.
A group of around 10 porsches pulled in, drove around the outside of the car park, down the little road and all reverse parked along the path (not really hindering anyone) all in a line and then the owners got out. It was a mix of people but mainly older blokes, some with their wives etc.
After walking past and admiring a few of them (cars not wives) I went on and spent a while watching the planes, went in the cafe and bought some plane crap from the shop for the boys - generally had a nice few hours.
So, getting to the crux here; on the way home we discussed the car club thing and my wife (not in any way a petrol head, but reasonably fond of cars) felts it was a bit of a thing for 'geeks' and a bit silly they had to find their own space away from the plebs in the rest of the car park and stand around looking at their cars.
It's not my bag either and not something I'd fancy joining up to do, but can see that it's something for people who share a common interest and a good way of socialising.
So what's the PH view?
Car clubs - geeks wearing car manufacturer branded coats and hats and chatting about build dates, spec changes and different colours of mechanical fasteners?
or
A nice way to meet up, spend time and admire their own cars?
Have you not been to a PH meet then where you can actually meet real people rather than Internet usernames and talk about cars and other things of mutual interest ?
I organise a few Porsche meets too. The car itself is just a common theme. Sometimes we have breakfast, sometimes lunch, sometimes we have a session on a rolling road, sometimes we go to another big event.
I organise a few Porsche meets too. The car itself is just a common theme. Sometimes we have breakfast, sometimes lunch, sometimes we have a session on a rolling road, sometimes we go to another big event.
Edited by edc on Sunday 15th February 21:11
I joined the MX-5 OC to take advantage of various benefits such as hugely discounted labour days at a local garage etc and discounted trackdays. Don't tend to get too involved with the car-geek small talk that definitely goes on, but there are plenty of advantages if you can tolerate a bit of that. Bought a set of really nice lightweight enkei rims with brand new federal RSR tyres from a bloke we met at one of the garage events. Win.
Fancy going to the Big Baz Birthday Meet? (generic example)- Not so much.
Fancy going to the Big Baz Birthday Meet? (generic example)- Not so much.
Hey, before we carry on re read my post - I'm not judging, merely asking a question!! FFS
Also people can enjoy car ownership in other ways AND socialise (face to face) in other ways too.
Personally I'm a family and friends man on the socialising front and enjoy taking the fast car on quiet roads for a drive. That's just me though
Also people can enjoy car ownership in other ways AND socialise (face to face) in other ways too.
Personally I'm a family and friends man on the socialising front and enjoy taking the fast car on quiet roads for a drive. That's just me though
I can see what the OP is getting at (reminds me of Harley owners comparing tassels) but as was stated earlier it's people in glass houses who shouldn't throw stones when they're spending a nerdtastic day looking at planes at the airport. 
Unless of course the idea was to spend the day showing the lads how to pick up air hostesses.
Unless of course the idea was to spend the day showing the lads how to pick up air hostesses.
Dunno about car clubs, but despite owning three old Yank motors (I love 'em) I mostly stay away from any related shows etc. I went to few and they were populated by know-alls and people sneering - the Yank scene seems even worse than (say) dubbers for fashions and trends.
Also, I like the cars, I am not interested in wandering around with a confederate flag or a stars and stripes or listening to a marching band, or dressing like some 50s (or 30s or 40s) throwback. A lot of these people put in a lot of time and effort and fair play to'em, but it's just not my thing really.
Also, I like the cars, I am not interested in wandering around with a confederate flag or a stars and stripes or listening to a marching band, or dressing like some 50s (or 30s or 40s) throwback. A lot of these people put in a lot of time and effort and fair play to'em, but it's just not my thing really.
"Geeks wearing car manufacturer branded coats and hats and chatting about build dates, spec changes and different colours of mechanical fasteners?"
That's a fairly accurate description of the exact people I avoid in the club of which I'm chairman. For me 'admiring my car' is somewhere below clipping my toenails on my list of exciting things to do whereas for others, collecting tinware for the most highly polished dipstick is what most floats their boat but each to their own, it's my club's 90th anniversary this year so I guess we must be doing something right.
That's a fairly accurate description of the exact people I avoid in the club of which I'm chairman. For me 'admiring my car' is somewhere below clipping my toenails on my list of exciting things to do whereas for others, collecting tinware for the most highly polished dipstick is what most floats their boat but each to their own, it's my club's 90th anniversary this year so I guess we must be doing something right.
I went along to an Impreza meeting once. Spent an hour or so listening to what they were going to do with the club caravan and who was doing what with it. Then spent a bit longer talking to a few others about mud flaps.
Never went again. I enjoy the online aspect and enjoy going along to shows etc but one make clubs just no.
Never went again. I enjoy the online aspect and enjoy going along to shows etc but one make clubs just no.
I guess I can see how people would *think* they're a bit geeky but.. having been an active member of a couple of car communities for the last 13 or so years, I've met so many people who've gone on to be good friends I see often, and have had the chance to drive all round Europe and have some of the best holidays of my life.
The car is sort of the gateway to a big range of social activities. I can't understand why someone would consider that geeky or sad really.
The social aspect is most important, and then there's the technical help keeping an old car on the roads. It's a total win/win.
The car is sort of the gateway to a big range of social activities. I can't understand why someone would consider that geeky or sad really.
The social aspect is most important, and then there's the technical help keeping an old car on the roads. It's a total win/win.
This happened this morning:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There was some geekery, some bacon and egg butties, some coffee, some old friends caught up with and some new friendships made.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There was some geekery, some bacon and egg butties, some coffee, some old friends caught up with and some new friendships made.
Chicane-UK said:
I guess I can see how people would *think* they're a bit geeky but.. having been an active member of a couple of car communities for the last 13 or so years, I've met so many people who've gone on to be good friends I see often, and have had the chance to drive all round Europe and have some of the best holidays of my life.
The car is sort of the gateway to a big range of social activities. I can't understand why someone would consider that geeky or sad really.
The social aspect is most important, and then there's the technical help keeping an old car on the roads. It's a total win/win.
This reflects my thoughts on the subject quite well.The car is sort of the gateway to a big range of social activities. I can't understand why someone would consider that geeky or sad really.
The social aspect is most important, and then there's the technical help keeping an old car on the roads. It's a total win/win.
I think some people are too prone to believing that the whole story is presented at face value on a whole host of things. The world must seem a rather empty place if you judge everything like that.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff