Greed4Speed

iTrader: (7)

Spoken like a true product of the information age.
"The info isn't dropped in my lap so its hard to get." How do you think we learned anything before the innernetz? Books, magazines, and heaven forbid...talking to people in person and yes, even trial and error.
All the info anyone needs is out there readily available at their fingertips if they care to look. I've met many newbs over the years. If they start asking questions, I'll answer as do many other older guys. I've even helped them work on their cars, but I'm not going to work on it for them. There are more information resources now than ever if someone want to take advantage of them.

BadxLS1

iTrader: (1)

I'm 20 also and I love American muscle, modern or classic. I have a 2000 z28 and a 69 Chevelle. My son who is 18 months also loves cars. So I think I'm starting him off right!

TWS

iTrader: (63)

Yep, before the proliferation of Internet Chat Rooms, Forums, IM's, etc. we actually had to socialize with people face to face!!!

Car club meetings, track outings, weekly BS sessions out in the garage with buddies, etc. Often my clubs held "install parties" where a few knowledgeable members would do the wrenching while the rest turned it into a good social event in the driveway or backyard with lawn chairs and coolers of beer. Usually the guy or guys who were mechanics for a living would kinda direct or lead the action. If they weren't available, we had plenty of weekend warriors like myself and we would pick the guy who had done the exact same install (successfully lol) most recently.

Unreal93Trans

Im 19 years old and have loved cars my whole entire life. I had always played with hot wheels as a child with my older brother and we have both grown to love cars.

When I was 15 I was trying everything in my power to get my license and i finally did get it at 16, I was working and going to school playing football as well. I finally got enough money and bought a 85' BMW 325e that was a 5 speed. I have had 5 other cars since then from hard work and trading on craigslist. So the technology helped me build up my cars too lol

Im currently going to school at Sam Houston playing football and still working on cars. I have a 87 Supra 1jz that I did the single turbo build and a whole bunch of other things to it myself. I really miss my trans am and am currently looking into selling my supra to get a LS1 f-body. So i wouldn't blame it on the generation entirely because there are still alot of gear heads that are young. Its more of an issue of affording these cars than not having an interest in them.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

i grew up around my uncle and his car buddies and bizness. He was/is a hardcore bbc guy. He thinks every bbc car is gotta be at least a 9sec n/a car,nothing else is acceptable. I watched/helped him put together a low 11sec lt1 car, and this was around 98. Mostly thru common knowledge,trial and error and networking eith other car guys. He sent pcm to ed wright for a tune. resourced from ad in a chevy mag. He would have install gtg at the shop after hours on the weekend. We would wrench one someones car,sometimes till early in the.morning. Ususlly had the grill going also. I dont know anyone nowadays thats still into that. Back in early 00s before tech, would meet other car guys out on the streets. Met bunch of guys usually on westheimer or sat nite races in sw. Hung out and worked on cars and then hit the streets. Lost touch, but it was cool when it wad going on. everyone moved on i guess. I still do it on my own pretty much on a daily basis. After work i get home and work on the current project for a few hourd

old93ta

I agree that the car culture has gone away, but i can't really blame them. Cost is a an issue for sure, but cruise nights around here have more police than anything else.

With the increased fines and jail time for racing on the street it's a lot less hassle to be playing games online instead.

stoverz28

iTrader: (8)

Thats not the reason its been on the decline, probably doesn't even contribute anything. Drug/alcohol laws have gotten steadily worse since the 70's yet drugs and alcohol are more popular than ever among kids.

My 17 year old brother likes going to the meets and to the drag strip with us but for some reason would rather buy the new World of War Craft than save for a car. I really don't get it. I'm 24 and when I was his age video games were only for rainy days or a quick break from the heat. Could never play that crap for longer than an hour.

jimbos'ss

iTrader: (6)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...oms/57414464/1

interesting read. I grew up working on cars. I've been turning wrenches for 25 years now. None of my friends have the experience or knowledge I have at my age. Sadly it's just a hobby for me. At least I know I'll never hurt for work lol.

westtexasbuff

iTrader: (40)

Computer and car brah checking in. You mad?

ysb02

Using the interwebs to complain about the interwebs

UTzo6

In 10 years we will be driven to work by our cars? this reminds me of the back to the future movies. We should all have flying cars by now.

(I know they are working on and already have some of this technology. That doesn't mean joe blow will have it in a decade..)

Nine Ball

iTrader: (38)

A lot of the problem with today's younger people is that they grew up as the "disposable generation". They have grown used to just throwing products away once they have expired or aren't the newest thing. Think about how many younger people stand in those stupid lines for the latest telephone or video game, even though they have fully functioning phones in their pocket that do 99.9% of what the new phone does.

These kids don't appreciate taking a worn out vehicle that they can afford, putting the blood and sweat effort into restoring it to something to be proud of. They'd rather just buy a newer cheap vehicle, like a Honda Civic. Because it has less miles on it. Because they are deemed more reliable. Usually misinformation that gets handed down to them by their non-auto enthusiast boring set of parents.

I was in high school in '88-91. I couldn't afford the new 5.0 Mustangs or IROC Camaros. I could afford a $1400 1969 Camaro though. I took pride in the fact that I restored that car with my Dad, and I didn't abuse the car like most kids in their new cars did. If these kids had stood outside in 90F+ temps after football practice, sanding on the body of their car to make it smooth again, and tightened every bolt in that car themselves, I guarantee they would have more respect and pride of the vehicle.

Some things never change. I still have more pride in cars that I build, not buy.

Tony

01 ss vert

iTrader: (1)

I agree with you. The internet is a HUGE source of information.

HeavyMetl

iTrader: (2)

The internet has made hot rodding easier than ever. It's easy to find ideas, results, events, etc. But the internet hasn't changed one thing at all, you still can't be afraid to get in the shop and get dirty.

jiveass

i thought the mustang was designed for women...

LS1_Disciple

iTrader: (1)

That's what I thought, too. It was certainly marketed as "the secretary's car."

TWS

iTrader: (63)

My buddy's mom told me she remembered this ad campaign:

texas94z

I didn't want to bash on the Mustang crowd to hard. Their feelings get hurt very easily.

ss4chad

iTrader: (26)

When I was in High School (81-83) my parents bought me a 1970 Chevy Impala for $500. I pulled everything off of the motor I could to lighten it up. I sprayed (or soaked) the engine bay with Purple Power, bought a Weiand Air Breather, mowed enough lawns and worked at Kroger to buy a set of Rally wheels and used Kelly tires and an Alpine cassette player with Jensen speakers and a Rockford Fosgate amp.

This car was as ugly as a mud fence but it was mine and I worked on it myself. This is when I found out about 'Torgue' and how it applies to bolts on the motor! I thought a properly torqued bolt was a cheater bar and everythinmg you could put behind it. Nay, I was wrong and it cost me dearly, but I learned something.

I hope I can pass the last 30+ years experience working on cars on to my daughters. Just because they are chics doesnt mean they cant learn how to keep their cars running. If nothing else, they can learn enough so a Garage cant rip them off when Dad is long gone.

I also hope they dont fall in love with a ***** that drives a Honda or doesnt know where the dip stick is on his Corvette. I guess we will see in another 15 years!

Chad

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Reasons like that I take friends for a ride and kids I do not know. Get them interested and motivated.