It all used to mean something...

[spetz]

Hi guys,

Has anyone noticed the excitement gone from cars?
I remember when I was younger finding a rare JDM part would make my day, hell, my week. Parts going into my car HAD to have a brand name to it and nothing was too good, no cost was too great.

I am 28 now, and everything has to make sense, it has to be financially viable and spending money on a depreciating asset just isn't logical.
The only car I feel is "worth it" is a 1994 E class coupe Mercedes I have in pristine condition. I drive it about 800km a year (I am obsessed with keeping it's kilometers low, now at 102K), but I have no problem spending money on it. But this is only "worth it" as I will keep it forever and it's value is no longer dropping (in fact it should start going up soon).

So, just wondering, has anyone noticed as they get older they care less about these things? And how has this affected their lives? For me it has made life much less exciting and I feel that even if I were to start spending money on cars, I am too old for such things.

[Astron_Boy]

That's just cause you're older and ultimately you've figured where your priorities lye.

The car scene hasn't changed really, it's not as active as I remember it from early 2001 and the Fast and Furious earlier days, but it's still there and strong.

Want that cane now?

Also, nothing against this club at all, I love the atmosphere, but this is sleepy town compared to the more commonly modified cars *cough, hooonda, cough*

[Storm]

28? My god, I can't remember that far back! Lol

[Astron_Boy]

28? My god, I can't remember that far back! Lol

lol, I can't remember that far forward.
Though I'm not that far from it at all.

[Bennoz]

I must have the petrol head gene then, I love it I trawl Ebay & Import monster almost daily for good bits

Admittedly, I tend not to be as vocal here or as active in events like cruises these days, after a while you do get sick of answering the same questions & doing the same things. I tend to leave that to the new genre of enthusiasts here.

Im satisfied with having been at the helm here for almost 8 years, and have guided countless P platers through to what I hope will be a safe, yet spirited driving future with some enthusiasm & know-how for car mods & maitenance. After all, what you learn on an FTO can be quite easily adapted to any other car.

[shadowarrior]

Just like Astron said, with age comes responsibilities...even additional person's responsibilities if you have a partner. This results in prioritizing your expenses. Every cost has now an 'opportunity cost' attached to it. $10,000 on a car, or move that $10,000 towards the initial deposit of a home loan.

Jobs and other chores would mean you will have less time to spend on hobbies which occupied most of your teenage or early 20s life. As a result, you will let go off some hobbies and cling on to a selected few.

But hey, if you love something, you can't really skip that. I had been riding motorbikes since I was 15, and still do. And I still troll through forums and ebay for good mods. Only difference is now I think and analyze my purchase more than I did when I was in my teens and early 20s. Only recently I have been planning to learn how to drive a car hence bought a FTO

[dstocks]

I must have the petrol head gene then, I love it I trawl Ebay & Import monster almost daily for good bits.

Me too. Funny thing is good bits mostly end up in other members cars.... This sort of works for me as the excitement is still there when I get them, even if I just post them to someone else.

Admittedly, I tend not to be as vocal here or as active in events like cruises these days, after a while you do get sick of answering the same questions & doing the same things. I tend to leave that to the new genre of enthusiasts here.

^^^This^^^

For me, I found that rather than have to justify the expense, I have had to finance it. And what better way to do that than by doing something that you enjoy. My car improvement thing is cost neutral. Wish it was time neutral too sometimes.

[BearOnFire]

Being 30 me head is always telling me to do the wise/sensible way too, but the heart say's otherwise.
Maybe it's the blood,sweat and premium fuel that was invested must say something-Passion.
A good trait in life.
Trading knowledge/jokes been a fun ride.
Cheers.

The car scene hasn't changed really, it's not as active as I remember it from early 2001 and the Fast and Furious earlier days, but it's still there and strong.

Not a night person? Young people!
'Running on empty' is better

[phi-tec]

I'm 20. Iv had my fair share of car problems so I know the impractical-ness of spending on your car instead of the "needs" - e.g house because in the end the car will always lose you money (except certain cases -e.g stated above with old cars increasing in value). My priorities ATM is to get my car to a state where it is as reliable as cab be while also satisfying my basic wants (comfortabillity and music) Then save up for house deposit! I like my cars and all. I like seeing people with nice cars etc etc but I can't see myself doing similar things till I have myself a house and my finances. Im assuming most people my age are in the same position learning the difference between needs and wants yet there's still them hardouts who have to prove everything with their car =_=

[Bennoz]

'Running on empty' is better

I love that movie

"A 57 Chevvy, 2 door!" and my personal favourite line from it "Ok Cheryl, getcha tits out!"

[phunkydude]

but I can't see myself doing similar things till I have myself a house and my finances.

When you got a house and tied to home loan in your 20s, you'll only start to have extra funds for car earliest by 30. That's if you're not pushing everything to pay up your loan faster.

Then, you could either be driving a lambo in your 40s when mid-life crisis kicks in,
Or, your rationale overrules your passion and drive a family suv till you can't drive anymore.