When you can get a Tesla family car that can do 0-60mph in 2 secs....Yeah it kinda of renders scratch builds meaningless...I remember when 7 secs was fast.
The car culture is so different here in the Northern VA DC and Maryland area than around the VA Beach area. The scene has changed a lot since the late 90s/early 2000s. Some of the change I like. I love seeing all the enthusiasm over automotive performance. But there are a lot of people who aren't serious but have money, they ruin the scene IMO. They are the ones who have no skill or knowledge just deep pockets and they talk the most s**t making other people loath going to meets and engaging in the social media automotive groups. I enjoy doing my own thing and do it to impress myself now. I gave up on meets and or trying to impress others. Because of that change in attitude I have more fun and buy much more interesting cars now.
Lithium is not burnt into atmosphere like oil and so the damage to the environment is localized and not adding to global warming. It's also not anywhere near as damaging to the local environment as the damage done by oil spills. Also the picture you showed was an open cut coal mine, not a lithium mine
As someone in their mid-30s, I'm starting to feel like an old man by saying this all the time, but - social media has ruined a lot, changed people's mentality and the way they carry themselves in a public setting. For many things beyond car culture, what once felt like a warm and welcoming community, has now developed to a group of different clicks and lack of random engagement between people. As connected as we now are, it seems we are the most disconnected we've ever been.
The amount of people that do stuff because it looks good on social media even if it is something they genuinely not something they wanted to do blows my mind
No, it's just 90s cars. Most of everything from 80s is still affordable. Half of the stuff from the 2000s - 2010s are affordable, and pretty much most if not all American and euro cars are still affordable. Edit: Hell even with that statement I was just thinking to myself it's not even all 90s cars cuz you can still find most of them for cheap like sc300/400, 3000gts, eclipses, Celicas, wrxs. Pretty much as long as you stray away from the popular stuff/ rarest trim levels you'll still find plenty of cars.
@@magigooter2096 price of tools are ridiculous now. Shit I needed 3 hose clamps yesterday, $7!! Wtf. Also good luck finding eclipses, Subaru, Nissan that haven't been beat half to death, otherwise people decide to slap a fat premium on it
Dude no your wrong, I’ve been in the car game sense I was 16, I’m 30 now, when I was growing up all you can get with 4k was a little Honda or eclipse, now with 4k you can buy a 300hp 350z 😂 one thing that has happened is cars are way faster now. Like he said in the video if you had 400hp 15 years ago you were probably one of the fastest cars at the meet but now any little Hyundai turbo with a tune makes close to that.
The Death of the IRL Underground scene hurts me the most. I loved those endless nights. Back then, it was about NOT being seen, nowadays it's ALL about being seen...
There's also the mention of car centric media. Need For Speed went from this cool, outlaw, tuner, nu-metal soundtracked game to this soft "I express myself through cars" "street racers are the victims not the perpetrators" bullshit. Fast and Furious was never really about the cars, but the actual depiction of the meets are definitely long gone.
I feel like currently we're at a point where more and more people are realising how social media has messed up so many parts of our daily life and cultures. It's a good thing because I also feel like more and more people are getting off the platforms and society starts to learn handling it.
I was at the brink of it thank god, you could still go to a party, wild out, get fucked up, and not end up all over the internet the next day. In fact I was filming a party on a little dv cam one time and that was a baaddd idea. Some big folks were not happy. It's a complete 180 now it seems, they would posture and peacock to be filmed doing stupid shit.
I dont think social media tends to ruin a lot of cultures the way people think it does, it just has a habit of streaming only the extreme aspects of things bc that's what people want to see
Complexity has increased. Prices on vehicles have increased. Regulations have increased. Available tuners have decreased. Parts have decreased. Culture has decreased.
@PacmanBrunner This has to be a bot account because nothing in the original comment can even be connected to ethnicity. Or you're just really dumb and insecure.
I'm glad he mentioned track culture because that's where that 2010 -2012 feeling is still at. Just car guys racing and not gatekeeping tips, just hanging out, grilling out and racing
This is why I dedicated my life to motorsports. Being able to travel to different tracks around the US, nothing but great people and great times at real racetracks. Even having dinner with our competition after race day, putting the cars aside and meeting new friends. Nothing beats this part of the industry! 🏁
One of the biggest things plaguing the scene now is in all honesty it's no longer about the cars with a lot of people, it's about how much attention they can pull from people who also don't know what they're talking about, the moment people start thinking "what can I do to this car to make it more fun to drive" even when nobody's around is when the problem will be solved
Exactly, too many people are just insecure and constantly need attention and perceived validation from random strangers. The sad part is, the crowd is gonna forget all about that burnout you just did in less than 2 minutes. Its honestly sad and has serious soy boy energy about it. Not to mention people constantly trying to 1 up each other and just talking shit and being toxic. I used to love going to car meets back in the day, but it just isn't fun anymore. Just immature D bags acting like clowns and running their mouths.
This was interesting to listen to. I am from the late 90s early 2000s car culture. The "Touge" and backroad racing groups. Engine swaps were like meeting someone with a Lambo. If you saw an actual JDM import it was mythical. so on... I miss the early 2000s of many things, not just car culture, the world was... different and in a more positive way.
I'm 35 and I feel the same, I really miss the "before times" prior to social media. I bought my first car in 2004 after searching on Autotrader for months. I used to "window shop" cars on Craigslist and find good deals on parts. I spent countless hours on forums researching how to work on my cars to save money.
I am also from that era that was an inspiration for the Fast & Furious movies. Back then as a young car enthusiast on a budget you had to build your fast car based on a sporty platform that had potential. Hondas were the go to platform for many because that was what was redaly available with a good aftermarket support. To me that era was the peak of the car culture in the US with the exception of Puerto Rico which is another world of die hard car enthusiast.
As an Australian, early to mid 2000s car culture was truly a magical time. Huge supply of every JDM cars, mixed with Aussie muscle and it was all cheap and affordable. My First factory JZA80 RZ Supra cost me $18k AUD and it was mint.... the forum days were fantastic and so were the late night mountain runs.
As an Aussie enthusiast seeing what's happened to our car scene has just made me depressed, when I first started getting into cars I had a lot of hope about getting something nice or even just something at all but now prices (at least near me) are stupid expensive and I don't really think I'll ever get something good at least for a long time (even if I get to drive it at all).
There are still pockets of these late night mountain run groups but they are cautious with who they let in to keep a low profile, these groups are what I imagine as a 20yr old, those days were like.
I'm 40 and been in the car scene for about 25 years. I stopped going to night meets about 5-6 years ago due to these "takeovers" and people being glued to their phones instead of interacting with others. This video is spot on. The immaturity, lack of knowledge and disconnected behavior just ruins it.. Daytime meets tend to have more adults, better cars, people who conduct themselves right and actually possess knowledge and stories worth hearing and sharing..
Being a younger person new-ish to the car scene, is it ok that im still learning? I work on my car myself, but im still in highschool and simply dont know as much as someone who has been in the field or the culture itself longer. I love learning from others with more experience, but i’m sometimes afraid to ask because i feel that i will be looked down upon for a “lack if knowledge”.
@@Blonded_Eclipse never hurts to educate yourself on forums or here on youtube, but any decent mature member of the car community should be welcoming regardless of your level of expertise. Best bet is to try and find a club that's full of your specific car and go from there. They will be immediately accepting and you'll learn a lot quickly.
I'm a relatively newer car enthusiast, I liked cars before but didn't know much about them, so I started working as a lube tech at a dealership, and I've been learning a lot about how cars work, and personally it has skyrocketed my interest in them, I find engines and transmissions so fascinating with how they work, and I enjoy being able to apply my newly acquired knowledge to test at work
I'm glad I grew up on a farm with lots of older cheaper vehicles to learn on and rebuild, way easier to figure out how they work and how to fix things and 95% of that knowledge is transferable for modern vehicles (internal combustion engines have actually changed very little from 30 years ago, biggest difference is all the engine management stuff slapped on top) Starting out on modern cars is starting on hard mode
@@archygrey9093 I think most cars use hydraulic clutch system and past 90's they used cable clutch system,also finding jacking points is difficult now
I think you nailed it with social media. In 2002 (when I got into the scene), there were barely any recordings so the secrecy heightened everything. Amazing street races that may or may not have happened. Impossible JDM builds that were passed down like lore. It was a magical time.
Fast and Furious made everything too public. Cops began the onslaught of shutting any meet down. Local tracks got closed due to noise and city expansion. Sadly car culture is less accessible today up in Canada.
For sure, that's about when I got into it. The only way you heard about a meetup was a friend through word of mouth or someone on a forum might give you a heads up if they trusted you. People didn't want shit filmed, your plate is on that as evidence. If you won it didn't matter, everyone knew soon enough.
@@joshuakhaos4451 While I do believe there are still some solid bargains out there (for instance, I've seen ZZW30 MR2s go for less than £2k in the UK), I'm gonna have to agree with you that cheap fun cars are a dying breed, especially with FR, MR and AWD platforms. No new Mid engined cars for less than £30k, period The cheapest new FR cars cost £25-30k depending on the weather And for new AWD, you have to pick 2 between cheap, easy/cheap to maintain and fun to drive And the used market is like looking for a needle in a haystack and once you found the right car, some rich guy will come around, force a markup so they can price you out of the car and buy it as an "investment"
@@Icemann336 100%. And it, and along with the out of control takeover/clout crowd, are going to be what destroys the subculture in the near future. There are still some affordable fun cars, like new edges, early S197s, Cobalt SS's, and some others(If your in America. but you guys in the UK have way more options than here), but the pocket of air known as affordable fun cars is quickly running out. Yeah, You guys are experiencing it like us over there in the UK. But Its really bad here in America.. Like really bad. The Greed here is suffocating. I call it Investment culture, and its everywhere and is super toxic.
@@Icemann336 Im in the middle of finalizing on a 1987 ford thunderbird 5.0 with less than 100k miles on it for 4k. Plan on rebuilding the engine with a flat plane crank, keeping it NA and going dual carb, and going titanium high flow exaust to make it sound amazing but last me a really long time. Sometimes the best street cars are the practical but still special ones. Also to note: Im 23 and just getting into proper cars after being around my dad with his 57 El Camino growing up he used to do something similar with.
When you said:"car culture is a fashion now" it just hit me like a train. I'm not old. I'm not even an adult yet. But I'm a car enthusiast. I realised that most of my friends started to just discover and love stuff like the supra or the RX7 when I have known about them for a couple of years,it was weird seeing them love cars all of a sudden when they had no clue about them months ago! I realised that all of these tiktok edits and cars being featured on album covers and everything made them like cars because its a fashion now. It's the new way to be cool.
This is why Gatekeeping is a good thing, we used to call those types posers and shamed them put or till they got their act correctly. But nowadays it's somehow a bad thing. Nobody invites their entire school if they are having a movie night with friends but those "types" who invent a negative label for everything are trying make it be the norm. You have to include everyone or your a bigot homophobe racist etc etc.
@@RAAM855 I don’t think it’s a bad thing, especially going into a hybrid and ev era, this may be one of the last ice booms before it fades, besides, those ricers are what brought a lot of people into car culture to begin with, it is wrong to gate keep because isolation is the death of innovation.
My take on "cool" is that you don't get to be cool by trying to be cool. You're cool when you're capable of being awesome, but not doing that right now; just on standby. Like a race engine on idle, you're "cool".
From being in the car culture from 2008 I can pretty much agree with everything you said. Over here in UK it's exactly the same. Cars are now built for Instagram rather than people's desires etc. I work for a company with like 20 dudes who are into cars... most under 25 so il be showing them this video tomorrow! Well done brother!
when you said that a whole big group of people couldnt tell that the guy had a supercharger and just a whiny belt.. i felt that. I had to tell a guy he had a v6 and not a v8 and dude actually got scammed lmao
To me it's startling because I remember thinking or being fooled by the same sort of stuff, but that was when I was around 12 or so, to see grown men especially car guys thinking a whiny belt is a supercharger just doesn't process in my brain. I've been coming across more and more car guys who need help changing a tyre too which is just wild, my sister knows how to do that and she has zero interest in cars.
@@jenkathefridge3933 I have bluntly told guys on the side of the road that I'm helping "If you can't change your own tire or fell a tree, you need to shave off your beard". I can't tell you how many guys just want to wait for roadside assistance. It's always the females that get excited to learn how to change their own tire.
Another big factor happening in 2022 and now into the future will be financial related. I've been drifting for 4 years now in my 370z but with prices on tires, diesel/gas, and entry fees plus the distance i have to travel to a drift event I'm spending $1000 a weekend or more. I have a good paying job but it's not keeping up with inflation. I enjoy it but I'm also not wanting to work to death for a weekend of drifting when I can enjoy one of my other hobbies for less.
Yeah, I quit doing a lot of fun stuff since this inflation hit us hard.. I'm in California and it's just too damn expensive in every aspect, I ended up building my own sim rig and have found quite a bit if joy in it... not the same as drifting IRL but It still provides a lot of entertainment for me
This is why I went to Sim racing from drifting / track days. I know it's not the same, but the investment is pocket change compared to real life and the experiences / Interaction you can have is just as fun sometimes. Also driving any car, any discipline on any track is amazing. All from my lounge room.
This is an interview with a dealership, predicting the car loan crush. I hope that would correct the car price eventually ua-cam.com/video/zSjb08Z8J24/v-deo.html
@@scorps0326 my friends have sims and i've played on one that was trackside one night. I couldn't get the hang of it didn't feel natural or like my car but I'm interested in trying another sim rig to see if it was the setup or settings.
My biggest problem (and I hope no one makes fun of me but whatever) is I’m shy and a lot of the car meets around are just groups of friends standing around with just their friends. As someone that doesn’t know anyone in to cars like that and being shy it’s nearly impossible to get in to the scene. Unless you just walk up to a circle of people and start talking which to me is weird.
everyone gotta have a faster car than the guy next to him, no one wants to talk and meet new people anymore. car scene became toxic and less friendly:(
Same. But I've found car people to be pretty friendly usually. If you start asking someone about their car they'll usually open up and start talking away. I know it's easier said than done for people like us but if you get the courage i bet you'll meet some new friends in no time!
The point of a car meet is to hang out. So if you don’t know anyone, you can part with other cars of the same model. And you will be welcomed. If your alone. Then park, and socialize once ppl approach you.
I feel like part of the change is just my own perception of the world. Nothing is ever as exciting as the beginning of when you really start to get into it…Call me jaded. The rose colored glasses. Build a car that’s exponentially faster than anyone you were previously trying to compete with and it’s extremely fun. After enough time you’re kinda like “alright that was fun…now what” I’ve proven the point to myself that I can do it.
I feel like the Car Community puts mare interest in how a car looks and what kind of figures the car has/can produce as opposed to just enjoying the cars like everyone did in the past. Modifying a car is fun, but thats most everything the car world is about nowdays. Most car youtubers seem to be more into modifying their cars than driving and enjoying the world with them. The most exciting thing they do with them is drift nowdays and thats about the extent of the fun. then its back to the shop/garage for months of modification content. Theres so many cool places to go and see, and can be done with fun cars, But apparently Roadtrip content or non baisc content doesnt sell well with most people on youtube.
@@EnhancedTrashBin Pretty much, or you Have Harry's garage over in the UK. He drives Classic cars/exotic cars on roadtrips around Europe like theyre brand new. But him and Gear and Gasoline are really the only 2 that I know that do it. Everyone else is a shop or hype car channel thats always buy the newest super car or car for views. Dont get me wrong, I love seeing a modified car. But even thats boring content at some point. Theres so much you can do with cars and so much to see with them, Instead people just use them for likes and views.
I beg to differ. For me it's not about having the fastest car out there. I genuinely like building my cars to my liking and taking them to the track as well as going on all day cruises. I build my cars so I can truly enjoy them. I've been in the car scene since 1992 and currently building my next project. 48yrs old and building my 2004 Acura TSX to again, not be the fastest thing out there. I just want it to handle nice, have a little extra pep, and have it put a smile on my face. I like enjoying my cars for years. I don't get bored once I've achieved a certain goal. I think to many just don't understand what it is to just enjoy a piece of machinery just for the pure enjoyment of it.
@@nasimwehbe8410 That’s where I’m at now. The current projects are build around a specific sound for the enjoyment of it. I wouldn’t have been able to get there though without going fast first
Everything feels like a hollowed out version of what it used to be. Be it cars, movies, video games, food, housing, cities, towns, computers, phones. Between the shallowness of social media, and the short sightedness of "shareholder value" it's all trash.
@TheAxio300 don't do it, I don't have Facebook or Instagram or whatever other antisocial media is out there on my phone. Whenever I find myself overusing youtube I remove the app for a few days. Spend the time you would have been scrolling making an airbox for a ram air intake off the front bumper or something :)
It’s the left-wing run world we all voted for: No community, no religion, and having big families and thirsty cars is bad for the environment. You get your social media posts, so long as you say the right words. Enjoy.
@bryguy306 I think you are mostly right, but the left vs right is a misdirection by the people and media you dislike because it directs blame away from them.
All I’m hearing is, the gatekeeping you hated so much was working. Refusing to “respect all builds” was the right choice. This is what happens when you force inclusion into the scene, you get everyone that comes with that inclusion.
Unfortunately, that's the reality now and there is no going back, I remember when cars were a niche to a point where in most cases older enthusiast vehicles cost just as much as older regular traffic. How times have changed not just for cars but for all hobbies in general
This true of almost all subcultures. The nature of a subculture is that it is a specified culture with certain factors that qualify you to take part in it. When you broaden those rules you generalize the culture and there is no specificity to it. So nowadays just like how you can't blame all black people for crime I'm black neighborhoods, you can't blame all car people for illegal activity at meets. But those two cultures are VERY different and shouldn't have to follow the same rules of inclusion. Subcultures should be allowed to be prejudice because that's how they stay around. Black culture can't die as a result of peoples actions, but car culture can. That's why car culture is a different kind of culture that can't play by the same rules of inclusion that the general cultures we have everywhere play by. We need to go back to being picky. Sounds weird, maybe even mean, but it's true.
The scene has definitely changed, and i believe that you touched on one of the major points of it. Social media has played a huge part in the "blow up" of the "takeover" scene, where idiots with APRs and IQs on roughly the same level show nothing but disrespect and disregard for others and give the entire car scene a bad name, which leads to legit meets and events getting shut down. Another aspect of that social media explosion is you get the people who are only in it for the attention, and like any hobby or culture where the people who are in it just for the attention, they quickly tire of it, and the hangers on who follow them are just as wishy-washy and inauthentic. Social media also killed off the majority of the forums, which are a useful tool, along with Photobucket fucking over tons of build and advice tutorials. The instant gratification of SM has spoiled people too, leading them to think that 8 second street cars are a dime a dozen and quickly turning off the newbies when they start getting into the hobby and quickly realize that they're in way over their heads. Another, more existential crisis that nobody wants to come to terms with is alot of younger people just aren't into cars anymore. Even the local hangout spots in my area which used to be popular with generations of car nuts for years, are all but abandoned. Too many people have moved onto games, drugs, or something else that captures their interests. Cars are just looked at as expensive appliances to many people anymore, and the fact that many aftermarket parts, as well as gas and regular maintenance items are increasingly more expensive than ever before. 😔
I would disagree on the last part a little bit: We are very much interested in the hobby and the culture, even with how fast it is changing. However, besides all the points you said. News reaches us fast, and besides the used car market betting the same as the new car market, what's the point of buying a tuner vehicle that you'll cherish forever when you'll get penalized for having it by 2035? We do wanna get our fun in before then, but if support dies out for the vehicle you just got and want to learn, you might as well could've just went to vocational school to gain the knowledge. There are a lot of other things I can't remember right now, but as someone who has admired tuner culture since childhood and am on the verge of getting into it, it's going to be an uphill battle from now on.
@@Zeratsu takeovers typically happen in larger American cities where a bunch of people illegally occupy an intersection or parking lot and drift. Most of the people drifting don’t know how to drift and it’s super dangerous and aggressive. People are always getting into fights or getting injured at these events.
"Young car guy" (24) here. Modern cars are fast with stock parts, low hp and great economy, stock parts are better now than custom ones in the 90s, voiding the need to mod. Also modding got more difficult because parts are getting more and more digitally controlled by the car (this is why they are faster with 300hp than a 90s bagged car with 800hp). Modern cars just use their power more efficiently and intelligently. Gas prices got up. Another reason we love to stay with low hp small engine cars. A new Golf MK8 R with a 4cyl 2.0 engine 300 and something hp is faster than a 90s EVO with 800hp, zero gas mileage, and $30.000 of mods (almost same price as the Golf R, used but like new). In my 18s I got a E36 318is as my first car and modded the heck out of it. It was fast and fun. Some years after I tried a ultra boring but new renault clio from a family member. In sport mode, it was FUN. A "boring car", stock, was fun to drive. This was the start of the change. Now I have a Golf MK7 GTE (yes, hybrid plugin) with just a small tune (300hp), and it destroys everything 0-60 that comes close that was not made in the last 10 years. The small 1.4L engine with the instant torque of the electric engine helping, absolutely shoots. This is the modern fun. Electric is here. Still not 100% electric, but damn is it fun to do your daily commutes absolutely shooting off roundabouts and stop signs. And those who tried the power of electric stopped seeing "loud" cars as being equal to fast. Loud is just... loud. There are bagged 90s honda civics around here that you can hear them approaching in the horizon and they still do like 6-7s 0-60, absolutely modded up. Like, thats a 2021 Honda Jazz hybrid territory (my gf's car). It's just very hard for us to see those JDM loud clunky fully mechanical cars as "fast" for today's standards. They look cool, but don't tell me they are fast. Fast is a Model S Plaid, 1.9s 0-60. That's fast. And if you want cheap fast buy a used 2012-2016 Model S Performance (P) or Model 3 Performance and go destroy every oldschool car guy ou there. No we don't care about loud sound. Why? Because its freaking illegal in most of the world. Takes me to point 2: rules got a lot stricter. In Europe where I'm from there speed radars almost EVERYWHERE, you get distracted for 3 sec and you pass too fast on a radar. There are now average speed radars which are the absolute worst. On a highway, it calculates how much time it took for you to pass radar A and radar B and calculates your average speed. This nullifies the "slow down to the radar, then accelerate" trick. You now just need to go slow, always. You almost have zero places to have fun with your fast cars. Also, 90% of mods are now illegal. Removing cats, reworking the exhaust in any way, modding the engine, being loud, having wrong wheels for your car, racing seats, changing more than 5% of the color of your car, big stickers, even small details like removing the brand logo from the front is illegal. What is there to mod? If you get caught, you literally lose your car, right away, you need to call a taxi home. Then you can only get your car after you convert it ALL to stock again and go do a special inspection to get your car legalized again. Not worth it. TLDR New stock cars are good, new sport stock cars are better than modded up old cars, stock parts now are better than old custom parts, now almost every mod is illegal, if you get caught you lose your car right at that moment, there are now average speed radars everywhere, and gas prices are insane. We now want small engine, modern cars that still are fun and fast. And EVs are here, most of us young car guys like them.
Agreed, that or small private groups that avoid big meets. I've got an FD, and all the local rotary guys just meet up from a group chat of about 30 total people and avoid 99% of big meets other than the local big garage meet they do every year.
@@YanDaddyy same here. I got a z32 and I just take it to ZDayz and Znationals. Wish there were more people with them where I lived that way I'd have a group lol.
@@DriftingTeamAR dude I say to myself more and more each year. It surely was ahead of it's time especially with events like hyperfest and the alpine horizon festival.
I graduated in 2002. Born and raised in Montana....as you can imagine the car culture was limited but nevertheless it was present. All my friends were Honda fanatics & my cousin & I were into Mazda rotarys. I have such fond memories all through high school of late night wrenching, cruising down main streets, car clubs & their nerdy "club window stickers", Checker Auto car meets, car stereo system bass competitions, drag racing out of town on old 2 lane highways.......and the excitement of always trying to learn and improve whatever chassis you owned. Lord knows owning an RX-7 teaches you how to manage your money & become a hell of a good mechanic haha! The best part of the whole process has always been the appreciation & enjoyment of improving your car. Seeing your efforts bear fruit. Fast forward 2 decades and I have still have my RX-7, performed multiple engine swaps, continue to learn and improve my mechanical skill set, STILL use forums (contribute more than search) and have my own LLC for PCM tuning & calibration. Through all these years I have watched the car scene change. I am now the older guy that has the clean desirable car that I used to fantasize about owning. I have met a ton of different personalities at local car meets.... The diehards are still out there and yes, the younger generation that actually have grasp on the depth and difficulty of achieving high horsepower setups with RELIABILITY are around but there are way too many dumbasses present who are in the car scene for the wrong reason. This has ultimately put a bad taste in my mouth. Now when I am out cruising on the rare occasion and am flagged down by a bunch of young enthusiasts in a parking...I just wave and keep cruising. I have grown tired of constantly being asked to do burnouts, asked if I have ever raced a Skyline or Supra, asked why I "took my car's soul away" and the worst question; kids seriously asking if they could drive it. Just seems like there is a ton of entitled kids who lack any perspective or understanding what is involved in building a car...Definitely an instant gratification generation out there today. And don't even get me started on the lack of manners or being polite. Anyway, without a doubt things have changed BUT I am thankful the "itch" is still out there for some young men and women. I am always happy to teach and guide those who ask.
My friend..everything you said resonates with me so well... im a 24 year old car enthusiast from croatia..a small but beautiful country in europe... the car scene here was thriving from 2015 up until 2021 when in covid there were a lot of tik tok kids with a desire to be seen and liked.. they started doing dangerous stuff on the streets and meets until one rich kid did a burnout in an amg gtr (left TC on) and ran down a couple and killed a guy... now police are on our ass there are no car meets.. nontheless.. times are changing and not for the better.. i just hope there will be enough people like us so that the world cant ban ICE vehicles for those stupid electric cars..
As someone in the Virginia Beach area it is very different. I started going to meets in 2018/2019 and it really got bad after Covid. The crazy thing is it’s not really teenagers causing the trouble. It’s guys in their late 20s in Chargers and challengers for the most part.
I also live in vb and i’ll agree, they used to have the cars and coffee at the convention center and we’d have huge chill meets with like 300-400 cars and it was always a good time with great cars, then covid happened and cars and coffee did some cruises me and some buddies attended now this takeover stuff is taking over and sumospeed events are the only good ones or jax wax
I could do a 20 year retrospect. Things are waaaay different now. The secrecy aspect is spot on. We have a spot in town that everyone goes to on weekend nights. But back in the day you would go and see cars that were hard to find during the daytime. Or you would see car clubs roll in that were hard to track down. It was everyone's goal to get into a car club back then. I'll say the best time was probably 2008-2015.
This is spot on. My friends and I would drive around until 3-4 in the morning running from spot to spot trying to find the never seen cars that our local scene pulled in. The local car washes were a mix of domestic, euro and Japanese cars and 80% of us drooling over each others stuff rather than talking shit about each other. People street raced, but it wasn’t about that. It was late night parking lots and cruising up and down the main strip all night.
I remember getting into cars in middle school at age 13. My older brother had bought a mk3 golf for 500 bucks off my sisters friend and it was garbage. She said if he fixed it he could have it for 500 bucks, and so he did. After that I remember lots of freezing late nights in the garage holding the flashlight for him watching mighty car mods tutorials while attempting to replicate them. I also remember stumbling across initial d with my brother while scrolling through youtube. That made us want to go and drive nearby mountain roads that little did we know would have a lowkey thriving community of drivers actively running those roads as fast as they could. I remember somehow getting involved with some of them and somehow going to meets that were not known about other than by word of mouth. God those days were so awesome. Especially as a 13 year old, all you wanna do is grow up and have your own car already. I remember everyone walking around in a dimly lit parking lot filled with about a dozen cars all spec’d out with mods favoriting their drivers. Talking about different mods and driving techniques, roads, etc. Finally i turned 21 in October and ive tried to be involved in the car community as i once was with my brother. But its just not the same. The scene is filled with the same clone cars, tiktokers, sideshow losers and posers. Not only that but it is rare to be able to walk up to someone whos car you like and talk to them about it without them feeling like you’re testing their knowledge. People used to be so honest about whether or not they knew anything about their car or whether they just threw a shit ton of random mods on that they just like the look of. Honestly, I don’t think the scene is ever going to go back to that. Itll forever now be filled with antisocial chronically online people, and its sad. But atleast we can still attempt to talk to others at meets and create a small friend group with like minds.
Confession time. Since I don't have many car friends anymore that just come over to help me work on my car I just put on your videos and it's like having someone there and listening to great topics. I felt this video! Thank you!
As someone who got into cars around that same ~2012 time frame as a high schooler, this seems pretty accurate. I got into them because I liked the technical aspect of them as machines and this time period seemed to favor that mindset. Fast forward 10 years, I'm now a mechanical engineer and while it's awesome to see how far the OEM's and aftermarket have progressed, clout seems to be running the show more than I'd prefer. This clout mindset is what drives a lot of those tasteless trends and stupid decisions IMO. That supercharger story had me facepalming hard 🤨
Woah buddy we all don’t like hellcats but ya I see what you older car guys be talking about I’ve seen a lot of people say they want hellcats literally even my freinds me tho I want a Supra rx7 and rx8 s and shi everybody else’s is a follower these days😂 not me
@@reezydrips_drips6823 everyone just wants cars that everyone else has or just copies if your into slow cars like me and hook em up I think it's fun but people think it's stupid
@@reezydrips_drips6823I like hellcats but its not the only car in the world. I think they are over hated , but thats just my opinion. I personally have always loved the M series BMWs and SRT family, and some JDM here and there
@@Jac735Legit man. I been working and slowly saving for a 240. Surprisingly it's popular since everyone wants to drift but it's a slow JDM car and kids these days would probably want a scatpack or some shit these days
I was fortunate enough to be stationed in Japan from 96-99 and got to experience Japanese car culture before it was even thought about in the States. Running better technology, turbos, and other things. We would meet up, and there were areas for drifting, drag racing, and course racing. The best thing is not everyone had a cell phone in their hand. Good times.
This was spot on. I miss the starbucks meet ups of 2010-2012 to just hang out with friends and talk car talk and have someone actually understand you when your talking compression ratios, turbo sizes, and what coilovers you want to go with next. The last car meet I went to, I had a younger kid tell me his 370z was the fastest because it had a "rebuilt engine" so therefore it could smoke any subaru there. Forums were where you went to get knowledge and actually understand what you were doing while also getting roasted for posting what kind of oil to use. I will be honest.. I have no idea how stance culture has survived all these years..
Those people have always existed and will continue to exist. It's just someone who is new to the scene and doesn't know. I'm sure in 5 years that will stick in their mind as one of those cringey things that they can't believe they said. I mean as long as they're not a complete smooth brain.
I think my biggest gripe with car culture now is that there's so much focus on looking cool or having the coolest stuff on your car. Reps versus real wheels, takeovers, 2-stepping at a car meet, etc. You're starting to see meets once held by the older car enthusiasts get taken over by the younger and rowdier crowds who do stupid stuff. I think social media is fine tbh. It's how I met a lot of cool people that shared the same hobby. I think it's a problem when people try to chase clout, but end up going down the same road. It doesn't feel like there's a lot of individuality with cars anymore.
@@WalrusWinkingnah street take overs really fucked up the scene... makes car people look bad to regular people. Also all the gang shit is real serious now. Their were always bangers but it wasn't as bad... fist fights occasional stabbing but for the most part it wasn't bad. In Cali alot of square older and not street dudes don't even go to meets anymore myself included. The street takeovers and the gang activity and the fact people are quick to shoot its just not worth it anymore.
@@trevorshark16doesn’t matter what people buy though, why can’t you understand that? A lot of “rep” brands hold up perfectly fine. And that’s coming from someone who’s on “real” wheels 🤦
The culture has absolutely changed, and I think its because those looking for validation have taken center stage. Those of us who don't need to feel validated, just don't participate.
Exactly, seems like the people who actually know a thing or two about a car just sit back, all it is now is clout chasing and wanting attention online, but not truly having the passion for these machines.
In 2012 I was in college going to car meets and stancewars with my stock Honda Civic because I was too broke to mod it but enjoyed hangout with people and learning about other peoples cars. Now in 2022 I enjoy the offroad and overlanding, going on trail runs with my lightly modded 3rd gen Toyota Tacoma.
You summed it up pretty well there. In 2012 import car culture and modding hadn't reached the peak. Now there's so much media filled with insane builds. Back then, any race mods were very rare in the community. We were all just dudes in a parking lot sipping coffee and getting to know one another. Also, good point on the track scene. It's stayed pretty lowkey and cool
Cool vid. As someone 15 years ahead of you, you’d have totally lost your mind in late 90s / early 2000s Atlanta with the annual NOPI Nats at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Enthusiasts will stay true, those into the culture for attention/fashion will come and go. Always have. Don’t stress, stay in ur lane and keep the passion alive ❤
My favorite memory was back in 2019 when I had my '01 SS I met up with a group of guys to cruise out to a night meet about an hour away. There was a couple fast N54 BMWs, a Mk4 Supra, a GTI, a 528i, a Lexus IS 300 and myself. We meet up in a random parking lot for a few minutes to let everyone come and we hung out, talked and checked out each others cars. 0 judgment from everyone. Eventually we headed out, I got lost with 1 or 2 other cars but we eventually found the other guys on the highway and we all cruised as a pack, made sure everyone was together and even did a few impromptu races when it was clear. Some people recorded them but I never found them online. We pulled up to the meet there was at least 50 other cars and everyone was chillin and just having a good time. Now in 2022 I wouldn't dare go to a night meet in my area because now the main car group that sets it up has huge meets that always end up in being a takeover with a ton of bs happening and getting shut down by cops and ends up spot hopping 10 times a night.
I thought it was a change between east and west coast culture. Apparently it’s not. I mean, the PNW has some real dog shit drivers and dog shit people. So when these idiots started doing take overs, I knew there was nothing resembling the culture I’d grown up with. But I also grew up in the North East with VWs. So I was in the epicenter of VAG culture between 1998-2010. Early waterfest, early H2Oi, etc. It’s so different now.
Take overs are not a new thing. A shopping park near me would attract so many cars in the mid 2000s and if races were going on then the park was closed off, they would drag race up a half mile straight near my house, honestly the scene was great, but there has always been that toxic element to the scene. A lot of people look back at their heyday with rose tinted glasses ;)
@@smithyMcjoe sadly, this kind of behavior is not new. Back in the late '80's and early '90's, before cruising was banned in AZ, it would only take a few idiots drag racing on Speedway or Central Ave (Depending on weather you lived in Tucson or Phoenix, AZ) before the cops would show up and whisk everybody off. It was a real shame, because there's nothing like getting in your car and cruising in a line, at 20 mph up and down the road passing other clubs parked at local businesses along the way. Just the sight of 15 to 50 custom cars and trucks cruising by, while you're parked is an awesome sight to behold!
@@dragonladyz290 This is why I'm all for gatekeeping. Allow those that benefit the community, exclude those that harm it, but apparently that's not allowed hahaha
Well said. I’ve had a passion for cars my entire life. Coming up in the scene in the early 2000’s the culture around the hobby was magnetizing. The enthusiasts of the past seemed to be more welcoming and open to sharing ideas. While you’re absolutely right about forum culture and trolls, once people got together and spent time with one another talking about their ideas and passions, the walls came down. Now pushing 40, I’m just an old dude who’s out of touch, but I still look back on the good ol’ days as the absolute best time of my life. Thursday night car meets, weekend auto-x events and trips to Atco raceway to run 12 second 1/4 miles where what we lived for. Again to date myself, I’m happy to have experienced the scene then vs. now.
I'm almost 27 and was never into cars growing up, but I always loved the Honda Civic. To me, it was the perfect car, and I always wanted one. When the 10th generation Civic came out, something changed in me, especially when its Type R dropped. My brain literally had some kind of firmware update. Since then, I have certainly become much more of a car fan, but I still wouldn't describe myself as a "car guy."
I agree with the night meet scene, used to go all the time to meet up with friends and see their car progress. Now it's all bought cars, ready to go, no one really wants to talk to you and they all have their little cliques and if you try talking to them they look at you like you're weird. You do get the occasional good one where you have a nice chat with someone about their car but it's rare.
this is a great point...before Social Media, you had to go to a meet to see a friends progress on their build. Maybe a new wing, wheels, even an engine swap. Now, you wake up, get a notification on everything your car clubs members have done...no reason to go see it in person lol
Most of these morons don't even know shit out of what's in a catalogue. They're too glued to social media hype, which is what changed everything about the current 'culture' from what it once was.
I’ve been into car culture since 06 when I got my drivers license. I’ve seen a lot of things change over the years. Social media is the main reason for the explosion in popularity since 2012. But it’s been really funny to watch the style of 03-09 come back. Clear taillights, underglow, mirrored/colored window tint, chrome wheels, big wings, wild bodykits, powerful stereos and vinyl graphics are all trendy and cool again. I love the scene (hate the takeovers) and I’m so here for it. I was so bored with nothing but lowered nardo gray cars with te37’s and calling it a build. I’m so glad to see the tuner spice back into the import culture. Let’s keep the scene accountable, respectful and fun. We can fix the takeover problem if we stop giving them the attention they crave. Takeover cars always suck anyways lol
your right about that, never thought underglow and and graphics will make a comeback. Back in 2012 it was about keeping the exterior close to stock with subtle things like Lip kits.
@@MaxxVelo lol 2012 lol wow I had a GSR 01 turbo charged back in 2003 in VA! This 2012 talk is when it changed trust me before then it was waaaay more cool. I have tones of footage the only thing that has changed is the people be honest man it’s the people. Social media is the issue yes but it’s the people first and for most. You young cats respect level is different these days and 4 cyc cost $40k now which is ridiculous lol!! I’m old now and drive MK3 TT RS with a stage 2 by myself remembering when it was a group of us those where the days but this TT RS is a great way to Reminisce
The thing you feel about cars just being a fashion statement for alot of the "car guys" in 2022 is something I felt in 2012. It was like that in the VW scene in 2012 where people would do 3 "projects" a year where they would buy a car, buy the cool hip wheel from rotiform, bag it and ad a bunch of stickers.
Funny now that I'm thinking about it, it was mainly VW when started to see the stretched tires, camber, bags. And now I've owned 2 VW's, however none are bagged or had rotiforms. Always been a more function guy though.
The only Rotiform I like is the ZMO on the 488 GT3 EVO or 488 Challenge EVO. And those are racecars. Outside of that I have no particular liking towards Rotiform. BBS all the way.
It was the same for many even in 2002 people would buy run of the mill civics and V6 mustangs. Throw some after market rims and under hood dress up items and that was it. As long as it impressed some random girls or their friends that new nothing about cars (and didn't care to learn either) it was done. Simply something that looked trendy.
Man this is so accurate. I remember back on 2006 when I just got my ‘91 Camaro and thought I was awesome. People would meet up, and the challenges started. Everyone would then either cruise or race to the site of the challenge, and drag races would begin. My first was against a Lexus IS300 and I won, twice. After my camaro’s engine went to crap and I was a broke 17 year old, I basically got out of the car scene until 2022. I picked up one of my dream cars, an ‘05 STI that was already built really well (cause ya can’t find one stock anymore) and hit the Ave that weekend. What I found was both cool and sad. A lot of awesome cars and everyone loved mine, but no one DID anything except wait to get kicked out of one Kum and Go to go to the next and just sit around. No races, no anything. It’s like everything went PC and like always, everyone outside of car culture hated on it. Always with the cops, always with the gas station managers getting mad for no reason cause like I said, no one was doing anything lol I guess to me, part of what made car culture so attractive was the rebelliousness of it. It’s not like I want to constantly race in an empty warehouse parking lot, but your damn right I want to be there when the races are on! What’s life without some thrill?
@@burnoutbruce925 Jesus I hope not man, I wouldn't wish the bs we have to deal with here on other hobbyists, but then again maybe just maybe it'd be the catalyst needed to actually fight the ridiculous laws and legislation targeting our assault vehicles.
Well Done Brother! I started modding cars in the mid 80's. I had a whale tail supra/ celica with fender flares and Kambi front noise. And from there it's been nonstop. But to say it's all about Haning with you buddies is an understatement. Track friends become family, and car clubs become a life.
Dude you hit it right on the nail. I miss the good ol 2012 meets. Helping out friends and enjoys the chilled vibes and hearing everyone’s story…. I have one to share…. 2014, I had a 98 Civic. Pulling up to the meet about 5 blocks away I notice my dash lights dimming, music cutting in and out and headlights getting weak. I make it to the lot where the meet was, and my dash goes black. Find my friends, my car is still barely running but I already knew and told them, If I turn off my car… I’m stuck. Did it just as I parked and little do you know I turn the key and absolutely nothing! Say fuck it and enjoy the night a few hours…. While talking amongst each other I’m asking any one with a Honda if they had an alternator laying around, stubbled across a random guy who just pulled an exact engine out of another civic! We make moves and I go with some friends to follow him back home. Dude was so chilled about it and just wanted to help by giving me the alternator free! We make it back to the spot by now people are all gone I have my friends around me and luckily kept hand tools in my trunk. Grabbed some beer and just got to work. Finished my car with the help of friend and new people I met and couldn’t be any more thankful for simply the moments we shared!… and to me that’s what it’s all about. Helping out and and giving a hand when in need. Most definitely wish It could go back to it. Now with 3 kids of my own and hearing the shit going on I much rather stick to cars and coffee mornings.
Thank you for commenting this, im a bit younger than you Im 21, I just got into car’s recently when I started driving. Seeing everyone in the comments in sorrow upsets me a bit, because I feel like I missed out, on a lot right before social media took over. The idea of cars and coffee makes me optimistic for the future, Its up to the younger generation to set the tone for a better change.
I feel like a lot of people get into the scene not because they’re into cars but just because it looks cool, like you said a fashion statement. Proper enthusiast meets and clubs are, imo, still like what you described in 2012 before I got into it. The difference is probably they have stayed much more underground than what you see viral on TikTok
I'm still a member of my local corvette club, bunch of older gentlemen, all incredibly nice people. I would say that yes, looking cool is a part of it, but I would like to see some more substance. Like, talk blowers, turbos vs. N.A. or even how your car is numbers matching.
Investment culture is definitely harming car culture. They care more for the possible value of a car than the enjoyment of the car and culture surrounding it. Then you have dudes who are in it for the clout and nothing else.
@JoshuaKhaos precisely, enthusiast cars are falling out of the hands of enthusiasts and ending up in the hands of resellers and collectors, it's a domino effect. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that some desirable cars are artificially inflated in turn creating huge amounts of FOMO leading to wealthy collectors who are more than willing to ruin the fun for everyone else to minutely benefit in the long run at the expense of others and the economy
As someone who got into the car culture “late”, it’s not familiar. Im an enthusiast who enjoys vehicles from every manufacturer. The car culture is just about who is the fastest, who is the richest, and who has the most clout. Cars are just statements. They care about what the car says about them rather than what the car is. Its sad. I dont go to many car meets because of it.
@@dragos-ioancraciun9810 People feel it and see the issues but nobody has an outlet to vent their frustrations. Unfortunately, it’s not going to get better. If anything, its being strangled by the OEMs and the EPA.
You absolutely nailed it, man. I got into cars ~2014 when I got my first classic car while in high school, and the car scene has absolutely changed. Some for the better, and some for the worst. I’ve been lucky enough to meet my best friends I’ve ever had through car meets, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I love the car community and the people I’ve met through it, but some things I wish wouldn’t have changed.
Damn, I was only 11 in 2012 and my first proper introduction into car culture was Forza Horizon and it’s Colorado setting. Everything looks so magical and cool in that game and it significantly shaped how I approach cars today. Even tho I was a kid back then, I look back at the early 10’s with fondness and nostalgia. It’s crazy how much that game and it’s story influenced my tastes still to this day.
You brought tears to my eyes as i find this completely true. I'm italian, in Italy things for us are never been easy, but yes, in 2012 it was as you have stated in your video. Helping friends, cruising around, knowing people and sharing knowledge with each other... now it is just unbearable. If i'll go to a meet i'm probably spending the entire night alone near my car, or walking across the parking lot in the middle of another thousand people that is just waiting for the first dumbass with a 2step going off or to drift the nearest rundabout. It's just so sad, and i'm suffering a lot from this. I feel alone.
its insane, in EU every cool car has atleast doubled in price since 2019 and most meets just have boring ass vag and bmw diesels with rep wheels, shitty airride or cheapest coilovers
You are certainly right on youtubers making it look easy, cheep and quick lol. I have a mini shop where I work on my car every night for a few hours and progress creeps along at a snails pace.
Yep, it took my dad four months to completely rebuild a VA STI that was a complete shell. It took hours of late-night work and two different STIs to build one complete car. Project cars is no easy task and now the car is in great condition just need to finish a few things 💪🏽
I’m 33 and this is one of the best videos you’ve done. I’m sure there were more points we could have brought up, and some of them are hard to explain. But the community makes me cringe and is kinda trash now. Maybe it’s not even 10 years difference, but more like 15. Let’s say 2007- 2010 vs 2022. That’s where we see the big difference. Pre stance days. Pre ostentatious builds days. Something was so much difference.
My favorite memories have to be all the crazy long no sleep nights with Allen, Kyle, Edwin and of course YOU DAVID! Getting cars ready for either meets or events, working on cars all night, living off adderal and monsters and taking a nap in my MK4 Supra getting ready for import alliance. You guys will always be my family and it’s all thanks to the car scene.
I belonged to a few car clubs in the late 2000s through my University. While there were some cool guys in the group, there were some massive egos and even bigger trust funds for some of these kids. Still, it was pretty fun and was cool seeing people have cars like MK4 Supras, NSXs, and old M3s because they were all still relatively affordable. That affordability is what I miss the most as well as everyone not feeling constantly fomo'd by limited production, social media, and clout.
Cool video man. Been doing cars since 2002 and up till 2012/2013 was the best it was. Too many show offs attention seekers and totally agree the take overs are so stupid.
I was born ten years too late. I grew up waiting for the day where I could finally buy a car of my own and becoming a part of car culture as I knew it. I loved the idea of being able to form a bond with those with a similar passion but now it feels impossible. There’s so many people I know that are suddenly into cars who used to make fun of me for it.
It's never too late, mate. It's still possible to just find some mates that share your same simple passion for cars and just do your thing. There are always down-ass people who keep it honest and low-key. Harder to find, mind you, but they are out there. Just hit up the servers and forums. Those still exist for more than bragging and trolling. That's what this video is trying to share. Car culture has become too public. It's not about gatekeeping, it's not about people "ruining it" for the rest of us. Those things always existed, just not as robust as we experience it now. It always comes up when something becomes popular enough. Nothing or nobody can tell you who and what to love. Just surround yourself with the right people and you'll experience what it is you truly desire.
I miss the car scene of the late 2000s. 2008 to around 2011 were some of the best times for car meets. It didn't really matter if you had a 93 Honda with an intake and exhaust you still felt cool and a part of the group. When I go now, unless you have an exotic or 1000 hp you don't feel like a part of the group. It reminds me of groups in grade school. Except that now it's not enough to just love cars.
Yeah you guys said it I'd rather have something unique abd that's why the car scene is boring now too many super cars now rather than appreciate cars that were non turbo built from ground up not caring about horsepower now it's about how fast your car is 😕😞
Something kinda heartbreaking as a younger enthusiast, now being 20 and growing up on early 2000s car culture it's hard too see cool cars of that era get thrashed around and destroyed and not taken care of. Being a part of the dsm scene now is much harder than it was in the early 2000's. Something that should change in car culture is taking care of your car just as much as you thrash on it. Like it was said in the video tho, the possibilities of what you can do to a car nowadays are endless so even tho it's hard I look forward to the future of car culture
@@TonyCrispruby I definitely feel there's a balance in there somewhere, letting them rot in some rich guys shed isn't any good but seeing enthusiast cars being destroyed and revved to death at takeovers is bad for all of us
This fks me up I just got into the scene Im 19, all the cars I really dreamed of having as a kid are seeming unrealistic to get with the way market is going hopefully shit changes
I relate with this a lot. At this point I've decided it's more fun to do uncommon builds because they don't carry a bad rep. Also cause it's too expensive for me to get the cars I've dreamt about in my childhood. Not just upfront cost for buying, but also repairing the damage done from someone thrashing it.
I'm 32 I grew up in all of ot. Had a evo 9 in 2011 that had 400 hp. A civic hatch had 650. My buddy has his 1g eclipse he has had sense 2008 it's up in the 600 hp now. And he just baught a 2g eclipse for like 8 grand
You pretty much encapsulated the best years of modern time car culture in this video. As a 2010 high school graduate in Charlotte NC my youth was all about flipping and wrenching on JDM project cars in my parents garage and connecting with people to fit in with a like minded group of friends back then. Night time car meets in 2009 were all the rage and it was a place to collaborate, talk shop and get to know new buddies in a parking lot. I can only describe the meets as kick back, chill and super friendly back then with little disturbances from the cars attending. Japanese cars took a strong hold of the car scene when I was young as a lot of my buddies were ragging on me for owning "ricer honda's" and telling me to buy a V8 to go fast. I had little interest in v8's or wanting to go faster; I was after the unique experience of wrenching on a car and turning it into a functional masterpiece that reflected who I was as a creative kid back in my teenage years. --- (Spoon Sports, Mugen, AEM, Skunk2, NOPI Tuner Vision, Hot Version, Hot Import Nights, Modified Mag, Super Street and Ken Blocks very first Gymkhana) all key words that described the era of my late teenage years growing up on the East coast of the US. Drifting on the East coast was becoming a huge hit in 2009 and had a few friends running S13 240's and AE86's in the scene but for some reason I was more into building Honda's for fun cone courses while investing my time in the balance of function and form. I was a good wrench at an early age, learning a lot about cars in the online forums while swapping on brand new Japanese exhaust systems onto friends cars on the weekends at 16-17 years old. Unfortunately these times are long gone but thankfully we still have our generation forming Car's and Coffee events today bringing back the nostalgic atmosphere of our youth to continue to connect and form lasting bonds within the car community while teaching the new kids how it's done. Much love and thanks for making this video for the car guys.
Dash cameras are very commonplace nowadays You can't do any late night highway runs without some bystander whom you cleanly overtook sending footage of you to the authorities or those local "vigilante" social media pages.
@@nategray4989 appearently he runs no plates or fake plates on the car, but I still don't get how he can be arsed with it, well over 200k subs now and hasn't been caught driving like that, unreal lmfao
Lastly, I think 2014-15 was the peak of culture. You had drifting becoming big, cars were starting to make HUGE power, social media at that point had JUST enough reach to bring true car people together, and organized/broadcasted meets JUST enough to get people there. But still had great community, and the only time I saw phones out was to take pictures of cars people loved just for the sake of having the picture. It truly was a great time.
Making me feel real old because I was in the car culture of 2002, ten years prior. Before there was even at all UA-cam or Facebook. Solidly into forums or just having to network with your face hole to discover people. Having been in the car culture in 2012 as well, I totally thoroughly agree with your statements. It was about the people and kicking it. I think it changed somewhere around 2016. I don't know what the catalyst was but probably something to do with all of the things you mentioned. Internet clout and the true rise of UA-cam builds. I've gone to a few meets in the last few years and people are legitimately straight morons, like you said about the supercharged car. There's no knowledge, nothing, and it's groups of people like that. It's all a scene. It's a fashion, not a culture. And with car prices being so high, I don't know what the future will hold for it. Sure, as you say, there is any configuration of car available but the price to play is so high that it is just not really accessible. Gone are the days of pristine 240 at $2000. Look through Craigslist now for exactly and rusted out total pos cars are still $5000. Idek. What a world. Sad for you younger folks coming into your adulthood. I'm sorry that all you have are appliances, and absurdly expensive piles of junk.
@@NewDesignVinylGraphics judas priest lol. in around 2009, i had a 98 240sx in pristine condition that i sold for 7k. that thing would be worth a retirement now lol. My friends at the time had s13's that were in fine passable condition and ended up trading them straight up or selling for around 3k, which we thought was a heck of a good deal then. so wild
I miss the forum days. And meets. Been driving/building/modding since 2005 and the biggest factor I notice is indeed Social media and its influence on what’s cool, what’s not and what’s respected. When I was younger I’d show up trying to soak up info from the older dudes and that meant taking constructive criticism on things to get me in the right direction with power, suspension etc. In the social media era you publicly correct someone or give out feedback not favourable to them they either call you a hater, delete your post or delete the entire post all together 😂 everyone’s pride seems to be at an all-time high.
Forums days were good because people posted genuine comments, didn’t creep on your pictures of you/ your spouse, and immediately shit talk your car over a simple question.
that's what I remember back in 05 when I first purchased my 280z. the few older people on MySpace at the time for that particular group was very tight knit and would offer a massive amount of advice. car shows or being an idiot meant staying away from other people and not bringing attention in my case was midnight mountain runs. it was fun amd very different from today for sure.
Watching this video, I'm so glad the car culture in my small town seems to be a blend of 2012 and 2022. Chill, tight-knit meets where you're looked down on for doing donuts in the parking lot, but we learn about the meets through the host's social media. A variety of builds that are both import or domestic, but most people do it simply for their own tastes, not for validation. IF a race were to happen, it would be on an empty country backroad and no one outside of the meet would know exactly what happened, if they knew about it at all
Hooning occasionally is fine it's when you get the idiots that think that's what a meet is all about is when it goes south. I've even been to meets where the police allow people to do donuts and burnouts because people have been respectful. There's a place and a time for having fun but sometimes people have no chill aka the small dick takeover boys.
This video is actually kinda relatable, to be honest. Im still in high school, but I have always loved cars and the culture. Sadly, takeovers exist and they really put a bad name in car culture. Other than that, it’s awesome to see that people are so involved. Thank you very much for making this video
@@phoenixlacey1857 I can’t buy a car yet because I don’t have the money and my parent’s won’t let me buy one, but I saw a short on UA-cam by Carbuzz that said the Acura RSX Type-S was a good beginner enthusiast car. At the time, the price of the damn thing was only $5,000. Not the cheapest, but not bad at all. Nowadays, the prices are double that. I look back and I think, what the hell happened that an Acura RSX Type-S, a car that only the small enthusiast community wants, has doubled in price within just 2 years? I might just try to find some old Mazda instead. I hear even the boring ones are fairly fun to drive, offering communicative steering and emotional design in a car that manages not to be a sports car. Hell, I would even go as far as to call them Japanese baby Porsche
One of the hardest thing for me to accept is that I paid 1k for 2 separate 240sx and they both worked perfectly fine and had no cracked dashes. WRX's, 300ZX's and most all JDM cars were easily under 6k running and in great condition, now some teenager is trying to sell their ragged out, frame bent, missing most interior and mismatched exterior panels for like 5k, not to mention trucks with 150k miles for like 25k, I'm so sad we can't easily access these items as much anymore for a great price.
This video hit home man. I'm glad you brought this into the light... I've been soo close to leaving the scene I've been into for 10+ years due to the negatives, but keep in it for the new people in the hopes that things can get back to the good things in our culture. Appreciate you and you sharing your insight to your viewers. Cya out there everyone.
younger driver here, I never knew the 2012 scene, let alone anything before that. I literally live for cars at this point (mostly driving/car control and not so much the mechanical side, though it's proving more and more useful to know that side as I become a better driver) but I have never dared calling myself a "car guy". It's practically (if not completely) an insult at this point, given the current mindset of most car people. I fully agree this generation is pathetic and I really wish I could hop back in time to 2010 for 24hours, to check the vibe there 😝
For me cars hasn't changed. Never was really into meets mostly to working all the time. And I always built cars for myself and sometimes a buddy of mine that wanted something done like a body kit installed and painted but didn't have the money to get it done. So I did it for free. He just the materials I asked for and I spent months off and on because he only had the 1 car. So it had to be assembled every night and driven to work. Except on our days off when I could stay up till 2am blocking and sanding the car down. He got a $6k platinum white pearl 350z with a gloss black roof. That was buffed and polished till you could see your reflection in the white paint. For like $300 in paint and some time lol.
I had the most fun doing basic things hanging out in the secret parking lot meets in 2015-17. Once I got out of my hometown in 2019 I witnessed some of the same community aspects in other cities and that was nice. It’s not the same once people want to be your friend because they think you’re popular. It began to feel like a high school clout contest without any substantial value behind it. It’s extremely hard to find authentic connection with anybody. That’s how I ended up in NASCAR world talking about racing with guys who retired when I was in elementary school.
Wow, mad respect for this clip. I completely agree with your reasons on what is important, the people and the friends you gain. This is exactly what we're trying to bring back with our Summer Accord Meet and new Accord Car Club that will be unveiled this upcoming year.
I got into this culture with a 97 civic in 2013 that i basically had to rebuild while i was daily driving it. Today I’ve branched out so far because information is so readily available it’s crazy. I’ve got a Jeep I use as a daily till I find suspension for it My toys are a 47 Chevy truck, a 76 k10 a 55 Chevy truck, a 66 belair sedan I plan on daily driving once it’s back together, and a Harley funny enough looking back I want another civic
You nailed it when you said to get out in the garage with your buddies and build something. You’re not just building a project you can all take pride in, you are building life long friendships. Get that garage therapy
I was in the culture in the late 1980's into 1993. It was all about drag racing, tubed muscle cars as far as the eye could see. 8 second quarter mile times in street trim, ahh what a time to be alive.
I recently moved states and decided to join the car scene here. I gotta say, it still feels like the early 2000 era here. Everything is lowkey, people have garages for their friends to come by and build, NO TAKEOVERS, true love for JDM cars (it's harder to get here because it's a small state), and it's like VA Beach where there's a ton of outside influence. There's maybe one or two shops that can help with your car build (and it's expensive) but otherwise, you'll need to grab your friends and beer to build it as best as you can. Car meets aren't posted on social media (unless it's the big major ones) because everyone knows each other. The most mind-boggling thing is that everyone I talked to are significantly younger than me. It shocks me because these kids carry themselves so well. They give us older folks the due respect and try to pick my brain. I truly truly love the car scene here. I won't share the state because I personally would want to keep out-of-towners out.
Excuse my ignorance, I’m an old car guy, 58yo. I started with a Mazda RX2 when I was 18yo. What do you mean by takeover ? I’ve been into Subarus since 2006, tried going to some local Subaru meets but was much older than everybody else and was never able to really fit in. I still have 2 Subarus that I love driving but just keep to UA-cam and a forum for car related content. It’s the first time I hear the term takeover. Thank you.
@@dougrodriguez4977 a takeover is a when a bunch of dumbasses crowd around in the middle of a busy intersection and do donuts, mostly in stolen vehicles, look it up and you'll see plenty of videos of people crashing and getting run over, so basically they aren't real car enthusiasts, just a bunch of criminals doing stupid shit for clout and making the car community look bad.
Sam had a good viewpoint. I remember going to meets and everything was simple, and we all loved it. Now, it feels like nobody at the meet wants to even talk to you unless you've got thousands into making your car textbook Instagram influencer style. Being in your early 20s in the car scene sucks now because we merely got a taste of how chill it was when we first started loving cars, and the very next we're here... The old car scene still exists though, it's just harder to find
Yeh its def kinda shitty now, without social media the meets were down to earth. Everyone now at them just wants to feel validation and bullshit. Coolest people i meet are when im at autocross and im on the track or after when we hang at the show or in the lots. The car meet and shows for the most part have gone to crap.
Well said. The sideshows ruin a lot for us true car enthusiasts. The social media attention seeking builds are frustrating and the people seeking that attention are typical egotistical and shallow. Those guys are easy to spot because they only want to talk about themselves, their car, and how many followers they have. BUT Cars are faster than they have ever been and if you can find the right crowd to hang and trust you can have a lot of fun whether thats street racing, track racing, drifting, building cars, or just hanging out and talking cars.
Being 28 now i have been going to night car meets with my dad since i was roughly 8-9 years old and was always begging my dad to bring every time he went out with his friends. Once he finally brought me out it changed my life, being with all his friends and all them being in the 60’s to late 80’s muscle car groups, everything was so much fun, everyone was respectful to the other people there, respectful to the property wherever it was held and following the rules of the road other than a little launch or short little roll. Everyone just cruised from location to location throughout the night and just had a great time with friends. I always was so excited to experience that in my own experience as i grew up. Saved up every penny i had and bought my dream car an 87 buick grand national. First summer of having it to get that experience, my generation absolutely ruined the car scene here in Canada where I’m from. Littering everywhere all over the parking lot, doing burnouts in the lot with other peoples pride and joy parked directly behind it( including mine) street racing right by the meet, and two stepping/reving their cars all night long, smoking weed( whoever does nothing against them but for someone who doesn’t i wanted nothing to do with that) and so all my dads friends anytime there were just out cruising around would get pulled over and ticketed for the dumbest reasons and ruined the scene to which if you had any car that had any visual modifications or exhaust mods would get you pulled over no matter what. It’s been 5 years of owning my car and all the friends of my dads have found a new spot to hangout and just park our cars and chat. The cars don’t start until we leave and there are no shenanigans during the meet or leaving. I can finally enjoy my car without worrying about getting pulled over for no reason, but hoping to god they young kids don’t start showing up and ruin our new spot because they’re spot have police telling them to leave the lot the moment they pull in because it was so bad. Too many people wanting all the attention and wanting to show off and be reckless. If you want to do burnouts, drift, street race there are tracks for that, don’t ruin it for everyone else. Let’s all just park our cars and chat and hangout and all will be good!
Was into the car scene (VW) back between 2009-2017. It’s unrecognizable now. The social media age really has taken a toll on most of society. Most of these young kids in it today only do things for social media and the image. The takeovers that I have seen online are a big sign of that. I remember going to H20i, SoWo, etc, and I watched even back then - those shows slowly turn from good, respectable car meets into events that people when full anarchy mode.
My very first introduction to car culture was fast and furious, which released when I was 5. Been obsessed since. Got my first car at 16, so I also got into cars in 2012. The difference is I grew up in socal, and found a group of people online who were for all intents and purposes, organized street racers in my area. Mostly it was just scenic routes, my most memorable night I will probably ever have was visiting every location in LA where F&F scenes took place and recreating the races. We would go up to Little Tujunga and organize togue runs every month. Wasn't until 3 or 4 people from this group of about 20 died going off the mountain that I stopped going to those and started going to car meets. But I never liked them. Spent most of the time either wandering around with nearly everyone on their phone and not talking or just in their own pre-made cliques. So now I don't really do anything in the car scene here. Kind of depressing.
I'm kind of the same way. I was always into cars, but when got my first car at 17 in 2012 that's when I really dove deep into cars. Back then, me and my friends would just gather at the top of various parking garages around the city and play soccer or just chill. Occasionally, we'd hit up the mountains for a spirited drive. I stopped going to nightly meets after new people started showing up to our hangouts. They started getting shut down by cops due them doing burnouts and donuts after being told not to. Just lack of maturity and respect for property. We slowly ran out of places to drive to and chill, and I haven't been to a nightly meet in 5-6 years. It got old driving 30-40 minutes to a spot just to get it shutdown in 10. I've been to a few recently and its just like what you said, everyone is on their phone or with their pre-made cliques
I agree. I go to car shows with my clicque/car club and most get mad at me for spending time talking to random people I meet at the car show. It is always fun getting to know a new person and hearing about their build
With today's car culture it's hard to find good friends at all. Like you said, the car culture for everyone is everybody trying to one up each other and chasing clout no matter how shitty the things they do are
I remember walking around car meets talking to people about mods and going on drives with strangers in 500HP cars. Now when you go to a meet, all you see is people on their phones and talking shit about other peoples builds for not having 1000HP. We use to respect purpose build cars even if they were “slow”.
Thanks D, just about teared up from this with how accurate it was. Thought I was the only one who thought it was dying in pretty much every level of the scene as I was just having a convo this weekend about doing work/builds together with friends over drinks were the best, like swapping my R8 from awd to rwd while we drank as many four lokos as possible. Hope you're doing well - Parker from Corsa
Really glad you made this video. It feels the same here in Australia, and we do talk about it a fair bit amongst our groups. The current generation of new car people are really changing the vibe, and it's not good. It's not necessarily their *fault* I guess, since it is a result of the social media culture, but yeah. I miss the mid-late 00's
Does Australia still have a big rotary engine culture? As someone that grew up around a strong car culture in the late 80's into the 90's in Puerto Rico, Rotary engines were all the rave and still have a good presence. The only other place I have heard of it having a big love for the rotary engine has been Australia.
@@evoman44 I'm not a huge car culture guy but can confirm there are a few rotaries here. Occasionally I'll see stuff like an RX8 in the wild or meet someone who owns one. While I don't know if we have a huge scene based on these experiences I'm sure one does exist.
Exactly to your point - I noticed a change where cars became “stylish” and people weren’t driven by passion for their cars and how things actually worked. It was the new cool thing on social media. All it did in my eyes was increase prices through the roof.
I’ve been a car enthusiast since grade school, late 90s early 2000s; The primary change I’ve witnessed is many car enthusiast. Don’t know anything about cars… they only value the newest car trends, or the hottest subculture; Little value on building up what you have or even building something yourself to begin with…..
Being a old head I witnessed the birth of the import scene. Back in the mid 80's in the valley of So Cal. We were building Datsun 200sx and 510's, Suszuki Samari's , Celicas Pintos, Escort GT's and mini trucks. Running down Ford's 5.0's, Mustang and Capri on Foothill in San Fernando, and cruising Van Nuys with the lowriders. Back than the scene was brand new. It was about street fame and enjoying what you had. I moved to Atlanta in the 90's and again witnessed a small VW show called Nopi transform in to the east coast biggest Lowrider show in the mid 90's. By 2k it once again transformed in to the countries biggest import show. Back than car meets we basically a group of friends meeting up. Everyone one was about showing up and showing out at Nopi. It was all love. Back then Everyone had a true appreciation for each build. Extreme builds were seen as the exception not the rule. Work In Progress builds were the best. As they returned each year with more improvements. To finally they were these amazing high-end builds and you felt a true excitement for the owner. Who was like you a regular Joe working a 9-5 and had a passion for cars. 2022 like everything else car culture is flex culture.
I began getting into building engines and modding cars in 2004 right after high school, but it didn’t really take off until around 09 for me. It’s changed SO much since then. I didn’t have much money and worked as a daytime manager during college at a supermarket to save up enough to do a proper H22 swap. Those were the days…It was a fun stint and I’ve made lifelong friends from the old scene and subculture. Most of us got out of cars and have families now and instead got into trucks 😂
This is probably my favourite video you've posted yet, honestly. I grew up in the car culture dating back to the early 2000s here in Toronto, during the original F&F days, before I could legally drive. I went to a lot of shows and meets, back when even car audio was part of the show. Importfest with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine was the biggest one. By the time I got my license and my first car, the scene was exactly as you described in 2012. Smaller, niche meets, people I met randomly or at gas stations. The forums, the meets hosted by those forums. Even when meets got bigger with Ertefa on Wednesday nights, the community was growing but it was diverse and welcoming. Meeting experts on your platform, becoming an expert yourself on your platform as a result. Car culture now, to me, is completely unrecognizable from what it was even just 10 years ago. Accessibility is great, but unfortunately ignorance comes with it - whether it's as harmless as a whiny belt "supercharger" on a VQ or an intersection takeover with a bunch of punk asses.
Man talk about memories here.. I remember how awesome Darknights used to be at Markham Fairgrounds... You'd have car shows in Vaughan and even cool cars meeting up at various places off highway 7 like la paloma/Tim's near collossus to the west and various spots at east beaver creek area to the east.
@@sikguitarist Darknights!! That's the one I was trying to remember! Everyone had that banner across their windshield 🤣 Those were good times for sure.
Good, as an auto tech i spent too many hours fixing a car that should be working, because some self proclaimed "car guy" cant even do basic maintenance, or doesnt actually know shit about cars. If you cant rebuild a car from scratch you shouldnt be modifying anything. Period.
This is wild, I remember back in that time my friends and I were into different cars with different forums. We all decided to post about a night meet in a local parking lot ALL over different forums, expecting just a few cars. Over 500 (I’m guessing) cars showed up and created a huge traffic jam and cops showed up and it turned into a huge ordeal 😂
I must say I do find it hard to make good friends in the car community, I realised recently that despite being obsessed with cars my entire life none of my friends really are and we bonded over things other than cars. When I go to night meets I find it extremely cliquey. Maybe it’s just my area, but it does make me a bit sad that as someone that’s loved cars their entire life that I’ve never really experienced working on cars with friends or just going for a drive and hanging out
Same here. I even took auto shop classes in high school for a few years, and felt that I couldn’t relate to anyone. It didn’t help either for me knowing that I had zero mechanic background. Other students seemed to be much more popular, or had an extensive knowledge from somewhere. Usually their parents or a family member. Not to mention I was one of the only students, who didn’t have a ride or had his license. Add in very protective Asian/American parents into this, and I haven’t experienced even half the things my peers were experiencing. I did however realize that I still enjoy working on my own car alone, with what little amounts of knowledge I have. I still have an interest however the passion itself definitely ended up turning into more of a casual diy sort of hobby. Only when I have a lot of extra money or time though. I feel like I’m literally burning money away sometimes, but the work itself is in a way just like therapy for me, so sometimes the money spent is worth it. That all said sometimes I think it would be nice to be more involved, but I think I’m probably much too introverted and sheltered to properly be a part of anything. Not to mention the community itself can be pretty toxic or wild sometimes, and that’s never been my thing. I guess it was just meant to be this way for some of us, and that’s okay.
Watching this makes me miss my '08 Mazdaspeed3 so bad. It was not a crazy car by any means, but SO MUCH FUN ! My local car meet helped me gain the confidence to start putting a wrench in my hand to learn how to better appreciate my car and mods done too it. I enjoyed going to my local meet from 2010-2013. I appreciate those times more then ever now.
@@surrealtom cheapest way to make more power. Justin at freektune does a great job at tuning it with boost by gear so putting the power down isn’t too hard
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
View Part two to this video here! Thanks so much for watching. ua-cam.com/video/wERTl2HJa54/v-deo.html
When you can get a Tesla family car that can do 0-60mph in 2 secs....Yeah it kinda of renders scratch builds meaningless...I remember when 7 secs was fast.
You can't even buy a fucking 1985-89 Acura Integra without it being over 3k.
Unless the radiator is broken and the engine cylinders had oil leaks.
The car culture is so different here in the Northern VA DC and Maryland area than around the VA Beach area.
The scene has changed a lot since the late 90s/early 2000s. Some of the change I like. I love seeing all the enthusiasm over automotive performance. But there are a lot of people who aren't serious but have money, they ruin the scene IMO. They are the ones who have no skill or knowledge just deep pockets and they talk the most s**t making other people loath going to meets and engaging in the social media automotive groups.
I enjoy doing my own thing and do it to impress myself now. I gave up on meets and or trying to impress others. Because of that change in attitude I have more fun and buy much more interesting cars now.
I try to be supportive of the younger generations of auto enthusiasts. It doesn't take much to say something kind to your fellow car lover.
Lithium is not burnt into atmosphere like oil and so the damage to the environment is localized and not adding to global warming. It's also not anywhere near as damaging to the local environment as the damage done by oil spills. Also the picture you showed was an open cut coal mine, not a lithium mine
As someone in their mid-30s, I'm starting to feel like an old man by saying this all the time, but - social media has ruined a lot, changed people's mentality and the way they carry themselves in a public setting. For many things beyond car culture, what once felt like a warm and welcoming community, has now developed to a group of different clicks and lack of random engagement between people. As connected as we now are, it seems we are the most disconnected we've ever been.
Amen to that!! We are def heading in the wrong direction and it’s only looking worse and worse esp since the tik tok trash
I used to hear about these crazy meets in washington near seattle, are they still around?
Amen to that, I've seen people get guns pulled on them at car meets just for showing up in an " uncool " car
You are 100% right coming from a 38 year old who had a CRX Si in 2012.
The amount of people that do stuff because it looks good on social media even if it is something they genuinely not something they wanted to do blows my mind
Cars are just becoming way too expensive. The days of a person in their early teens or twenties getting a fast car and tuning it up are fading away.
No, it's just 90s cars. Most of everything from 80s is still affordable. Half of the stuff from the 2000s - 2010s are affordable, and pretty much most if not all American and euro cars are still affordable.
Edit: Hell even with that statement I was just thinking to myself it's not even all 90s cars cuz you can still find most of them for cheap like sc300/400, 3000gts, eclipses, Celicas, wrxs. Pretty much as long as you stray away from the popular stuff/ rarest trim levels you'll still find plenty of cars.
@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS You're looking at just the cars themselves when literally every part of owning a car has skyrocketed in price
Bmw 328i e36 is still cheap, z3s too
@@magigooter2096 price of tools are ridiculous now. Shit I needed 3 hose clamps yesterday, $7!! Wtf. Also good luck finding eclipses, Subaru, Nissan that haven't been beat half to death, otherwise people decide to slap a fat premium on it
Dude no your wrong, I’ve been in the car game sense I was 16, I’m 30 now, when I was growing up all you can get with 4k was a little Honda or eclipse, now with 4k you can buy a 300hp 350z 😂 one thing that has happened is cars are way faster now. Like he said in the video if you had 400hp 15 years ago you were probably one of the fastest cars at the meet but now any little Hyundai turbo with a tune makes close to that.
The Death of the IRL Underground scene hurts me the most. I loved those endless nights.
Back then, it was about NOT being seen, nowadays it's ALL about being seen...
Dude yes!!! Back in the day when it was just about getting together with the guys! Chillin
100% 😭
There's also the mention of car centric media. Need For Speed went from this cool, outlaw, tuner, nu-metal soundtracked game to this soft "I express myself through cars" "street racers are the victims not the perpetrators" bullshit. Fast and Furious was never really about the cars, but the actual depiction of the meets are definitely long gone.
@@J.PC.Designs this so much
Totally agree.
In fact back then it was cooler to be “unknown”
I feel like currently we're at a point where more and more people are realising how social media has messed up so many parts of our daily life and cultures. It's a good thing because I also feel like more and more people are getting off the platforms and society starts to learn handling it.
I was at the brink of it thank god, you could still go to a party, wild out, get fucked up, and not end up all over the internet the next day. In fact I was filming a party on a little dv cam one time and that was a baaddd idea. Some big folks were not happy. It's a complete 180 now it seems, they would posture and peacock to be filmed doing stupid shit.
I dont think social media tends to ruin a lot of cultures the way people think it does, it just has a habit of streaming only the extreme aspects of things bc that's what people want to see
@@scars2167but there in lies the problem. Folks only see the extremes, instead of the true middle ground life is actually
also, things are getting way too expensive now
@@scars2167yeah, and people see the extremes. and the more they see it, the more they think its normal
Complexity has increased.
Prices on vehicles have increased.
Regulations have increased.
Available tuners have decreased.
Parts have decreased.
Culture has decreased.
@PacmanBrunnerbot
Based @@adamhaug564
@PacmanBrunner This has to be a bot account because nothing in the original comment can even be connected to ethnicity. Or you're just really dumb and insecure.
@PacmanBrunner bro just said facts and mfs got racist
@PacmanBrunner fr mfs just envy and hurt
I'm glad he mentioned track culture because that's where that 2010 -2012 feeling is still at. Just car guys racing and not gatekeeping tips, just hanging out, grilling out and racing
@ThatDudeinBlue2BE GONE BOT
99-2013 imo lots more action..for sure after that shit started getting whack.
This is why I track my car whenevr I can in the summer. I've met so many genuine people, you got this spot on👏🏁
This is why I dedicated my life to motorsports. Being able to travel to different tracks around the US, nothing but great people and great times at real racetracks. Even having dinner with our competition after race day, putting the cars aside and meeting new friends. Nothing beats this part of the industry! 🏁
@@gearfest7555 facts I was a shorty back in the o0s once fast and furious got everyone influenced into dum iiiish that's when it became worse
One of the biggest things plaguing the scene now is in all honesty it's no longer about the cars with a lot of people, it's about how much attention they can pull from people who also don't know what they're talking about, the moment people start thinking "what can I do to this car to make it more fun to drive" even when nobody's around is when the problem will be solved
Exactly, too many people are just insecure and constantly need attention and perceived validation from random strangers. The sad part is, the crowd is gonna forget all about that burnout you just did in less than 2 minutes. Its honestly sad and has serious soy boy energy about it. Not to mention people constantly trying to 1 up each other and just talking shit and being toxic. I used to love going to car meets back in the day, but it just isn't fun anymore. Just immature D bags acting like clowns and running their mouths.
That’s not new. Nobody knew what they were talking about in the 90s either, there just wasn’t any way to practically fact check at the time.
The difference is antisocial media. Used to be about cars not your profile and likes
This was interesting to listen to. I am from the late 90s early 2000s car culture. The "Touge" and backroad racing groups. Engine swaps were like meeting someone with a Lambo. If you saw an actual JDM import it was mythical. so on... I miss the early 2000s of many things, not just car culture, the world was... different and in a more positive way.
I'm 35 and I feel the same, I really miss the "before times" prior to social media. I bought my first car in 2004 after searching on Autotrader for months. I used to "window shop" cars on Craigslist and find good deals on parts. I spent countless hours on forums researching how to work on my cars to save money.
Couldn't have said this better. The Pre-stance era, starting in the mid to late 90s was the golden age of car culture, at least in the US.
Well said. We're living in a hell of a time when the post-9/11 years are brighter than today.
I am also from that era that was an inspiration for the Fast & Furious movies. Back then as a young car enthusiast on a budget you had to build your fast car based on a sporty platform that had potential. Hondas were the go to platform for many because that was what was redaly available with a good aftermarket support. To me that era was the peak of the car culture in the US with the exception of Puerto Rico which is another world of die hard car enthusiast.
@@Motivationstation82 The same thing happened in Brazil too, so sad.
As an Australian, early to mid 2000s car culture was truly a magical time.
Huge supply of every JDM cars, mixed with Aussie muscle and it was all cheap and affordable.
My First factory JZA80 RZ Supra cost me $18k AUD and it was mint.... the forum days were fantastic and so were the late night mountain runs.
Hey don't their "take over" vids seem like Aussie videos filmed on a "private road or industrial estate somewhere in Mexico" but with guns?
Mid 2000's sex-spec culture was king.
As an Aussie enthusiast seeing what's happened to our car scene has just made me depressed, when I first started getting into cars I had a lot of hope about getting something nice or even just something at all but now prices (at least near me) are stupid expensive and I don't really think I'll ever get something good at least for a long time (even if I get to drive it at all).
There are still pockets of these late night mountain run groups but they are cautious with who they let in to keep a low profile, these groups are what I imagine as a 20yr old, those days were like.
Yeah. This kid talking about 2012 😅
I'm 40 and been in the car scene for about 25 years. I stopped going to night meets about 5-6 years ago due to these "takeovers" and people being glued to their phones instead of interacting with others. This video is spot on. The immaturity, lack of knowledge and disconnected behavior just ruins it.. Daytime meets tend to have more adults, better cars, people who conduct themselves right and actually possess knowledge and stories worth hearing and sharing..
I recently went back to my roots and got into rc trucks crawling to be exact. Made new friends inside the store within minutes great community.
39, and stop about 8 years, the rusted hoods and sticker bombs were the writing on the wall haha
Being a younger person new-ish to the car scene, is it ok that im still learning? I work on my car myself, but im still in highschool and simply dont know as much as someone who has been in the field or the culture itself longer. I love learning from others with more experience, but i’m sometimes afraid to ask because i feel that i will be looked down upon for a “lack if knowledge”.
There’s always coffee too!!!
@@Blonded_Eclipse never hurts to educate yourself on forums or here on youtube, but any decent mature member of the car community should be welcoming regardless of your level of expertise. Best bet is to try and find a club that's full of your specific car and go from there. They will be immediately accepting and you'll learn a lot quickly.
I'm a relatively newer car enthusiast, I liked cars before but didn't know much about them, so I started working as a lube tech at a dealership, and I've been learning a lot about how cars work, and personally it has skyrocketed my interest in them, I find engines and transmissions so fascinating with how they work, and I enjoy being able to apply my newly acquired knowledge to test at work
nice man! lucky you honestly. id love to turn my enthusiasm for them into contribution like you did.
I'm glad I grew up on a farm with lots of older cheaper vehicles to learn on and rebuild, way easier to figure out how they work and how to fix things and 95% of that knowledge is transferable for modern vehicles (internal combustion engines have actually changed very little from 30 years ago, biggest difference is all the engine management stuff slapped on top)
Starting out on modern cars is starting on hard mode
@@archygrey9093 I think most cars use hydraulic clutch system and past 90's they used cable clutch system,also finding jacking points is difficult now
I think you nailed it with social media. In 2002 (when I got into the scene), there were barely any recordings so the secrecy heightened everything. Amazing street races that may or may not have happened. Impossible JDM builds that were passed down like lore. It was a magical time.
Back when you could "realistically" have "gone to mexico"?
Fast and Furious made everything too public. Cops began the onslaught of shutting any meet down.
Local tracks got closed due to noise and city expansion.
Sadly car culture is less accessible today up in Canada.
@@mr2_mike Yeah, I hate it, I just wanna drift man, and the only club for that I dunno if it's open.
@@zachsilby4569 couple autoX events in Alberta, that's about it.
New track or two has opened but seems to be a rich man's game for those places.
For sure, that's about when I got into it. The only way you heard about a meetup was a friend through word of mouth or someone on a forum might give you a heads up if they trusted you. People didn't want shit filmed, your plate is on that as evidence. If you won it didn't matter, everyone knew soon enough.
I miss cheap Japanese cars. As a Canadian. a good r32 gtst would cost you $5k. Importing a car from Japan was only 1500 bucks
I miss cheap fun cars in general. So many cars now are treated as investments and nothing else.
@@joshuakhaos4451
While I do believe there are still some solid bargains out there (for instance, I've seen ZZW30 MR2s go for less than £2k in the UK), I'm gonna have to agree with you that cheap fun cars are a dying breed, especially with FR, MR and AWD platforms.
No new Mid engined cars for less than £30k, period
The cheapest new FR cars cost £25-30k depending on the weather
And for new AWD, you have to pick 2 between cheap, easy/cheap to maintain and fun to drive
And the used market is like looking for a needle in a haystack and once you found the right car, some rich guy will come around, force a markup so they can price you out of the car and buy it as an "investment"
@@Icemann336 100%. And it, and along with the out of control takeover/clout crowd, are going to be what destroys the subculture in the near future. There are still some affordable fun cars, like new edges, early S197s, Cobalt SS's, and some others(If your in America. but you guys in the UK have way more options than here), but the pocket of air known as affordable fun cars is quickly running out.
Yeah, You guys are experiencing it like us over there in the UK. But Its really bad here in America.. Like really bad. The Greed here is suffocating. I call it Investment culture, and its everywhere and is super toxic.
@@Icemann336 Im in the middle of finalizing on a 1987 ford thunderbird 5.0 with less than 100k miles on it for 4k. Plan on rebuilding the engine with a flat plane crank, keeping it NA and going dual carb, and going titanium high flow exaust to make it sound amazing but last me a really long time. Sometimes the best street cars are the practical but still special ones.
Also to note: Im 23 and just getting into proper cars after being around my dad with his 57 El Camino growing up he used to do something similar with.
@@KadiusFTW Flat plane 5.0... Buddy real life is not forza. Please do some research before saying things like this.
When you said:"car culture is a fashion now" it just hit me like a train.
I'm not old. I'm not even an adult yet. But I'm a car enthusiast.
I realised that most of my friends started to just discover and love stuff like the supra or the RX7 when I have known about them for a couple of years,it was weird seeing them love cars all of a sudden when they had no clue about them months ago!
I realised that all of these tiktok edits and cars being featured on album covers and everything made them like cars because its a fashion now. It's the new way to be cool.
This is why Gatekeeping is a good thing, we used to call those types posers and shamed them put or till they got their act correctly. But nowadays it's somehow a bad thing. Nobody invites their entire school if they are having a movie night with friends but those "types" who invent a negative label for everything are trying make it be the norm. You have to include everyone or your a bigot homophobe racist etc etc.
@@RAAM855 I don’t think it’s a bad thing, especially going into a hybrid and ev era, this may be one of the last ice booms before it fades, besides, those ricers are what brought a lot of people into car culture to begin with, it is wrong to gate keep because isolation is the death of innovation.
My take on "cool" is that you don't get to be cool by trying to be cool. You're cool when you're capable of being awesome, but not doing that right now; just on standby. Like a race engine on idle, you're "cool".
@@schwarzwolfram7925 I don’t know if I agree, because genuine effort is also cool. For reference, drifting of almost any kind, it’s just subjective.
You just hit me with the train
From being in the car culture from 2008 I can pretty much agree with everything you said. Over here in UK it's exactly the same. Cars are now built for Instagram rather than people's desires etc.
I work for a company with like 20 dudes who are into cars... most under 25 so il be showing them this video tomorrow!
Well done brother!
Max power era needs to make a comeback
@@Richa98 well we don't need to go that crazy!
when you said that a whole big group of people couldnt tell that the guy had a supercharger and just a whiny belt.. i felt that. I had to tell a guy he had a v6 and not a v8 and dude actually got scammed lmao
Itsuki IRL
To me it's startling because I remember thinking or being fooled by the same sort of stuff, but that was when I was around 12 or so, to see grown men especially car guys thinking a whiny belt is a supercharger just doesn't process in my brain.
I've been coming across more and more car guys who need help changing a tyre too which is just wild, my sister knows how to do that and she has zero interest in cars.
@@archygrey9093if your a car guy shouldn't you know how to change a tyre?
@@jenkathefridge3933 I have bluntly told guys on the side of the road that I'm helping "If you can't change your own tire or fell a tree, you need to shave off your beard". I can't tell you how many guys just want to wait for roadside assistance. It's always the females that get excited to learn how to change their own tire.
@@gened9632 maybe they can't take off a tyre who knows
Another big factor happening in 2022 and now into the future will be financial related. I've been drifting for 4 years now in my 370z but with prices on tires, diesel/gas, and entry fees plus the distance i have to travel to a drift event I'm spending $1000 a weekend or more. I have a good paying job but it's not keeping up with inflation. I enjoy it but I'm also not wanting to work to death for a weekend of drifting when I can enjoy one of my other hobbies for less.
Yeah, I quit doing a lot of fun stuff since this inflation hit us hard.. I'm in California and it's just too damn expensive in every aspect, I ended up building my own sim rig and have found quite a bit if joy in it... not the same as drifting IRL but It still provides a lot of entertainment for me
As a fellow drift enthusiast having to travel for events because there's nothing local to me I feel this 100%. It sucks.
This is why I went to Sim racing from drifting / track days.
I know it's not the same, but the investment is pocket change compared to real life and the experiences / Interaction you can have is just as fun sometimes. Also driving any car, any discipline on any track is amazing.
All from my lounge room.
This is an interview with a dealership, predicting the car loan crush.
I hope that would correct the car price eventually ua-cam.com/video/zSjb08Z8J24/v-deo.html
@@scorps0326 my friends have sims and i've played on one that was trackside one night. I couldn't get the hang of it didn't feel natural or like my car but I'm interested in trying another sim rig to see if it was the setup or settings.
My biggest problem (and I hope no one makes fun of me but whatever) is I’m shy and a lot of the car meets around are just groups of friends standing around with just their friends. As someone that doesn’t know anyone in to cars like that and being shy it’s nearly impossible to get in to the scene. Unless you just walk up to a circle of people and start talking which to me is weird.
everyone gotta have a faster car than the guy next to him, no one wants to talk and meet new people anymore. car scene became toxic and less friendly:(
Same. But I've found car people to be pretty friendly usually. If you start asking someone about their car they'll usually open up and start talking away. I know it's easier said than done for people like us but if you get the courage i bet you'll meet some new friends in no time!
You are shy so of course it’s weird to you. You got online to comment what’s the difference?
The point of a car meet is to hang out. So if you don’t know anyone, you can part with other cars of the same model. And you will be welcomed. If your alone. Then park, and socialize once ppl approach you.
Not a weird thing to say, there are lots of people just like you. It's not a bad thing.
I feel like part of the change is just my own perception of the world. Nothing is ever as exciting as the beginning of when you really start to get into it…Call me jaded. The rose colored glasses. Build a car that’s exponentially faster than anyone you were previously trying to compete with and it’s extremely fun. After enough time you’re kinda like “alright that was fun…now what” I’ve proven the point to myself that I can do it.
I feel like the Car Community puts mare interest in how a car looks and what kind of figures the car has/can produce as opposed to just enjoying the cars like everyone did in the past. Modifying a car is fun, but thats most everything the car world is about nowdays. Most car youtubers seem to be more into modifying their cars than driving and enjoying the world with them. The most exciting thing they do with them is drift nowdays and thats about the extent of the fun. then its back to the shop/garage for months of modification content.
Theres so many cool places to go and see, and can be done with fun cars, But apparently Roadtrip content or non baisc content doesnt sell well with most people on youtube.
@@joshuakhaos4451The only UA-cam channel that comes to mind with just driving/traveling with cars is Gears and Gasoline.
@@EnhancedTrashBin Pretty much, or you Have Harry's garage over in the UK. He drives Classic cars/exotic cars on roadtrips around Europe like theyre brand new. But him and Gear and Gasoline are really the only 2 that I know that do it. Everyone else is a shop or hype car channel thats always buy the newest super car or car for views.
Dont get me wrong, I love seeing a modified car. But even thats boring content at some point. Theres so much you can do with cars and so much to see with them, Instead people just use them for likes and views.
I beg to differ. For me it's not about having the fastest car out there. I genuinely like building my cars to my liking and taking them to the track as well as going on all day cruises. I build my cars so I can truly enjoy them. I've been in the car scene since 1992 and currently building my next project. 48yrs old and building my 2004 Acura TSX to again, not be the fastest thing out there. I just want it to handle nice, have a little extra pep, and have it put a smile on my face. I like enjoying my cars for years. I don't get bored once I've achieved a certain goal. I think to many just don't understand what it is to just enjoy a piece of machinery just for the pure enjoyment of it.
@@nasimwehbe8410 That’s where I’m at now. The current projects are build around a specific sound for the enjoyment of it. I wouldn’t have been able to get there though without going fast first
Blame social media, slowly ruining everything you love one by one.
new comment lol but i see the same thing happening with our local rave scene
Everything feels like a hollowed out version of what it used to be. Be it cars, movies, video games, food, housing, cities, towns, computers, phones. Between the shallowness of social media, and the short sightedness of "shareholder value" it's all trash.
@TheAxio300 don't do it, I don't have Facebook or Instagram or whatever other antisocial media is out there on my phone. Whenever I find myself overusing youtube I remove the app for a few days.
Spend the time you would have been scrolling making an airbox for a ram air intake off the front bumper or something :)
It’s the left-wing run world we all voted for: No community, no religion, and having big families and thirsty cars is bad for the environment.
You get your social media posts, so long as you say the right words.
Enjoy.
@bryguy306 I think you are mostly right, but the left vs right is a misdirection by the people and media you dislike because it directs blame away from them.
All I’m hearing is, the gatekeeping you hated so much was working. Refusing to “respect all builds” was the right choice. This is what happens when you force inclusion into the scene, you get everyone that comes with that inclusion.
Sigh all my other hobbies that went that way got fscked at well.
That basically applies to everything in life now days
Gee, that sounds familiar
Unfortunately, that's the reality now and there is no going back, I remember when cars were a niche to a point where in most cases older enthusiast vehicles cost just as much as older regular traffic. How times have changed not just for cars but for all hobbies in general
This true of almost all subcultures. The nature of a subculture is that it is a specified culture with certain factors that qualify you to take part in it. When you broaden those rules you generalize the culture and there is no specificity to it. So nowadays just like how you can't blame all black people for crime I'm black neighborhoods, you can't blame all car people for illegal activity at meets. But those two cultures are VERY different and shouldn't have to follow the same rules of inclusion. Subcultures should be allowed to be prejudice because that's how they stay around. Black culture can't die as a result of peoples actions, but car culture can. That's why car culture is a different kind of culture that can't play by the same rules of inclusion that the general cultures we have everywhere play by. We need to go back to being picky. Sounds weird, maybe even mean, but it's true.
The scene has definitely changed, and i believe that you touched on one of the major points of it. Social media has played a huge part in the "blow up" of the "takeover" scene, where idiots with APRs and IQs on roughly the same level show nothing but disrespect and disregard for others and give the entire car scene a bad name, which leads to legit meets and events getting shut down. Another aspect of that social media explosion is you get the people who are only in it for the attention, and like any hobby or culture where the people who are in it just for the attention, they quickly tire of it, and the hangers on who follow them are just as wishy-washy and inauthentic.
Social media also killed off the majority of the forums, which are a useful tool, along with Photobucket fucking over tons of build and advice tutorials. The instant gratification of SM has spoiled people too, leading them to think that 8 second street cars are a dime a dozen and quickly turning off the newbies when they start getting into the hobby and quickly realize that they're in way over their heads.
Another, more existential crisis that nobody wants to come to terms with is alot of younger people just aren't into cars anymore. Even the local hangout spots in my area which used to be popular with generations of car nuts for years, are all but abandoned. Too many people have moved onto games, drugs, or something else that captures their interests. Cars are just looked at as expensive appliances to many people anymore, and the fact that many aftermarket parts, as well as gas and regular maintenance items are increasingly more expensive than ever before. 😔
upvote for the best insult I've seen in a long time. "APR and IQ on the same level" .....roasted
I would disagree on the last part a little bit: We are very much interested in the hobby and the culture, even with how fast it is changing. However, besides all the points you said. News reaches us fast, and besides the used car market betting the same as the new car market, what's the point of buying a tuner vehicle that you'll cherish forever when you'll get penalized for having it by 2035? We do wanna get our fun in before then, but if support dies out for the vehicle you just got and want to learn, you might as well could've just went to vocational school to gain the knowledge.
There are a lot of other things I can't remember right now, but as someone who has admired tuner culture since childhood and am on the verge of getting into it, it's going to be an uphill battle from now on.
I'm foreign and i don't get what's "takeovers" means in this particular context. Can you explain please?
@@Zeratsu takeovers typically happen in larger American cities where a bunch of people illegally occupy an intersection or parking lot and drift. Most of the people drifting don’t know how to drift and it’s super dangerous and aggressive. People are always getting into fights or getting injured at these events.
"Young car guy" (24) here. Modern cars are fast with stock parts, low hp and great economy, stock parts are better now than custom ones in the 90s, voiding the need to mod. Also modding got more difficult because parts are getting more and more digitally controlled by the car (this is why they are faster with 300hp than a 90s bagged car with 800hp). Modern cars just use their power more efficiently and intelligently. Gas prices got up. Another reason we love to stay with low hp small engine cars. A new Golf MK8 R with a 4cyl 2.0 engine 300 and something hp is faster than a 90s EVO with 800hp, zero gas mileage, and $30.000 of mods (almost same price as the Golf R, used but like new). In my 18s I got a E36 318is as my first car and modded the heck out of it. It was fast and fun. Some years after I tried a ultra boring but new renault clio from a family member. In sport mode, it was FUN. A "boring car", stock, was fun to drive. This was the start of the change. Now I have a Golf MK7 GTE (yes, hybrid plugin) with just a small tune (300hp), and it destroys everything 0-60 that comes close that was not made in the last 10 years. The small 1.4L engine with the instant torque of the electric engine helping, absolutely shoots. This is the modern fun. Electric is here. Still not 100% electric, but damn is it fun to do your daily commutes absolutely shooting off roundabouts and stop signs. And those who tried the power of electric stopped seeing "loud" cars as being equal to fast. Loud is just... loud. There are bagged 90s honda civics around here that you can hear them approaching in the horizon and they still do like 6-7s 0-60, absolutely modded up. Like, thats a 2021 Honda Jazz hybrid territory (my gf's car). It's just very hard for us to see those JDM loud clunky fully mechanical cars as "fast" for today's standards. They look cool, but don't tell me they are fast. Fast is a Model S Plaid, 1.9s 0-60. That's fast. And if you want cheap fast buy a used 2012-2016 Model S Performance (P) or Model 3 Performance and go destroy every oldschool car guy ou there.
No we don't care about loud sound. Why? Because its freaking illegal in most of the world.
Takes me to point 2: rules got a lot stricter. In Europe where I'm from there speed radars almost EVERYWHERE, you get distracted for 3 sec and you pass too fast on a radar. There are now average speed radars which are the absolute worst. On a highway, it calculates how much time it took for you to pass radar A and radar B and calculates your average speed. This nullifies the "slow down to the radar, then accelerate" trick. You now just need to go slow, always. You almost have zero places to have fun with your fast cars. Also, 90% of mods are now illegal. Removing cats, reworking the exhaust in any way, modding the engine, being loud, having wrong wheels for your car, racing seats, changing more than 5% of the color of your car, big stickers, even small details like removing the brand logo from the front is illegal. What is there to mod? If you get caught, you literally lose your car, right away, you need to call a taxi home. Then you can only get your car after you convert it ALL to stock again and go do a special inspection to get your car legalized again. Not worth it.
TLDR
New stock cars are good, new sport stock cars are better than modded up old cars, stock parts now are better than old custom parts, now almost every mod is illegal, if you get caught you lose your car right at that moment, there are now average speed radars everywhere, and gas prices are insane. We now want small engine, modern cars that still are fun and fast. And EVs are here, most of us young car guys like them.
Most of the good enthusiasts have moved on to time attack, drifting, and drag racing. All the good car culture is at the track now.
(This is a joke) Nfs prostreet predicted the future
Agreed, that or small private groups that avoid big meets. I've got an FD, and all the local rotary guys just meet up from a group chat of about 30 total people and avoid 99% of big meets other than the local big garage meet they do every year.
@@YanDaddyy same here. I got a z32 and I just take it to ZDayz and Znationals. Wish there were more people with them where I lived that way I'd have a group lol.
@@DriftingTeamAR dude I say to myself more and more each year. It surely was ahead of it's time especially with events like hyperfest and the alpine horizon festival.
@@LOVE-VIBES-X-PROJECT-CARS that’s what I’m saying mann
I graduated in 2002. Born and raised in Montana....as you can imagine the car culture was limited but nevertheless it was present. All my friends were Honda fanatics & my cousin & I were into Mazda rotarys. I have such fond memories all through high school of late night wrenching, cruising down main streets, car clubs & their nerdy "club window stickers", Checker Auto car meets, car stereo system bass competitions, drag racing out of town on old 2 lane highways.......and the excitement of always trying to learn and improve whatever chassis you owned.
Lord knows owning an RX-7 teaches you how to manage your money & become a hell of a good mechanic haha! The best part of the whole process has always been the appreciation & enjoyment of improving your car. Seeing your efforts bear fruit.
Fast forward 2 decades and I have still have my RX-7, performed multiple engine swaps, continue to learn and improve my mechanical skill set, STILL use forums (contribute more than search) and have my own LLC for PCM tuning & calibration.
Through all these years I have watched the car scene change. I am now the older guy that has the clean desirable car that I used to fantasize about owning. I have met a ton of different personalities at local car meets.... The diehards are still out there and yes, the younger generation that actually have grasp on the depth and difficulty of achieving high horsepower setups with RELIABILITY are around but there are way too many dumbasses present who are in the car scene for the wrong reason.
This has ultimately put a bad taste in my mouth. Now when I am out cruising on the rare occasion and am flagged down by a bunch of young enthusiasts in a parking...I just wave and keep cruising.
I have grown tired of constantly being asked to do burnouts, asked if I have ever raced a Skyline or Supra, asked why I "took my car's soul away" and the worst question; kids seriously asking if they could drive it.
Just seems like there is a ton of entitled kids who lack any perspective or understanding what is involved in building a car...Definitely an instant gratification generation out there today. And don't even get me started on the lack of manners or being polite.
Anyway, without a doubt things have changed BUT I am thankful the "itch" is still out there for some young men and women. I am always happy to teach and guide those who ask.
My friend..everything you said resonates with me so well... im a 24 year old car enthusiast from croatia..a small but beautiful country in europe... the car scene here was thriving from 2015 up until 2021 when in covid there were a lot of tik tok kids with a desire to be seen and liked.. they started doing dangerous stuff on the streets and meets until one rich kid did a burnout in an amg gtr (left TC on) and ran down a couple and killed a guy... now police are on our ass there are no car meets.. nontheless.. times are changing and not for the better.. i just hope there will be enough people like us so that the world cant ban ICE vehicles for those stupid electric cars..
As someone in the Virginia Beach area it is very different. I started going to meets in 2018/2019 and it really got bad after Covid. The crazy thing is it’s not really teenagers causing the trouble. It’s guys in their late 20s in Chargers and challengers for the most part.
We know who you mean, the usual suspects💀
Usually their name is Tyrone or Jamal.
Dang, you missed out on some of the best years here. Around 2018 is when everything really started changing and getting worse for the most part.
And trust fund Edgar in their mommy’s bmw 🤦♂️
I also live in vb and i’ll agree, they used to have the cars and coffee at the convention center and we’d have huge chill meets with like 300-400 cars and it was always a good time with great cars, then covid happened and cars and coffee did some cruises me and some buddies attended now this takeover stuff is taking over and sumospeed events are the only good ones or jax wax
I could do a 20 year retrospect. Things are waaaay different now. The secrecy aspect is spot on. We have a spot in town that everyone goes to on weekend nights. But back in the day you would go and see cars that were hard to find during the daytime. Or you would see car clubs roll in that were hard to track down. It was everyone's goal to get into a car club back then. I'll say the best time was probably 2008-2015.
I'm 37 had my first car in '98. Yeah definitely 2008-2015 is spot on.
@@FrankZR1you had your first car at like age 13?
@@richeyrich2203 just turned 14 and yeah drivers permit and worked my ass off at Kroger most of the year
This is spot on. My friends and I would drive around until 3-4 in the morning running from spot to spot trying to find the never seen cars that our local scene pulled in. The local car washes were a mix of domestic, euro and Japanese cars and 80% of us drooling over each others stuff rather than talking shit about each other. People street raced, but it wasn’t about that. It was late night parking lots and cruising up and down the main strip all night.
Awesome take.
I remember getting into cars in middle school at age 13. My older brother had bought a mk3 golf for 500 bucks off my sisters friend and it was garbage. She said if he fixed it he could have it for 500 bucks, and so he did. After that I remember lots of freezing late nights in the garage holding the flashlight for him watching mighty car mods tutorials while attempting to replicate them. I also remember stumbling across initial d with my brother while scrolling through youtube. That made us want to go and drive nearby mountain roads that little did we know would have a lowkey thriving community of drivers actively running those roads as fast as they could. I remember somehow getting involved with some of them and somehow going to meets that were not known about other than by word of mouth. God those days were so awesome. Especially as a 13 year old, all you wanna do is grow up and have your own car already. I remember everyone walking around in a dimly lit parking lot filled with about a dozen cars all spec’d out with mods favoriting their drivers. Talking about different mods and driving techniques, roads, etc.
Finally i turned 21 in October and ive tried to be involved in the car community as i once was with my brother. But its just not the same. The scene is filled with the same clone cars, tiktokers, sideshow losers and posers. Not only that but it is rare to be able to walk up to someone whos car you like and talk to them about it without them feeling like you’re testing their knowledge. People used to be so honest about whether or not they knew anything about their car or whether they just threw a shit ton of random mods on that they just like the look of. Honestly, I don’t think the scene is ever going to go back to that. Itll forever now be filled with antisocial chronically online people, and its sad. But atleast we can still attempt to talk to others at meets and create a small friend group with like minds.
I feel you bro it’s mostly social media took over and ruined aka corporatized it.
Confession time. Since I don't have many car friends anymore that just come over to help me work on my car I just put on your videos and it's like having someone there and listening to great topics. I felt this video! Thank you!
Cringe get friends weirdo
I don't have a car but I feel like I do that with a lot of my hobbies. I have videos of the thing I'm doing in the background to keep me company
As someone who got into cars around that same ~2012 time frame as a high schooler, this seems pretty accurate. I got into them because I liked the technical aspect of them as machines and this time period seemed to favor that mindset. Fast forward 10 years, I'm now a mechanical engineer and while it's awesome to see how far the OEM's and aftermarket have progressed, clout seems to be running the show more than I'd prefer. This clout mindset is what drives a lot of those tasteless trends and stupid decisions IMO. That supercharger story had me facepalming hard 🤨
Woah buddy we all don’t like hellcats but ya I see what you older car guys be talking about I’ve seen a lot of people say they want hellcats literally even my freinds me tho I want a Supra rx7 and rx8 s and shi everybody else’s is a follower these days😂 not me
@@reezydrips_drips6823 everyone just wants cars that everyone else has or just copies if your into slow cars like me and hook em up I think it's fun but people think it's stupid
@@reezydrips_drips6823I like hellcats but its not the only car in the world. I think they are over hated , but thats just my opinion. I personally have always loved the M series BMWs and SRT family, and some JDM here and there
@@Jac735Legit man. I been working and slowly saving for a 240. Surprisingly it's popular since everyone wants to drift but it's a slow JDM car and kids these days would probably want a scatpack or some shit these days
Well are all of them tasteless trends bad then? Cause you just sound you hating
I was fortunate enough to be stationed in Japan from 96-99 and got to experience Japanese car culture before it was even thought about in the States. Running better technology, turbos, and other things. We would meet up, and there were areas for drifting, drag racing, and course racing. The best thing is not everyone had a cell phone in their hand. Good times.
This was spot on. I miss the starbucks meet ups of 2010-2012 to just hang out with friends and talk car talk and have someone actually understand you when your talking compression ratios, turbo sizes, and what coilovers you want to go with next. The last car meet I went to, I had a younger kid tell me his 370z was the fastest because it had a "rebuilt engine" so therefore it could smoke any subaru there. Forums were where you went to get knowledge and actually understand what you were doing while also getting roasted for posting what kind of oil to use. I will be honest.. I have no idea how stance culture has survived all these years..
Those people have always existed and will continue to exist. It's just someone who is new to the scene and doesn't know. I'm sure in 5 years that will stick in their mind as one of those cringey things that they can't believe they said. I mean as long as they're not a complete smooth brain.
@@SkylinesR34-t9t 🤣
I think my biggest gripe with car culture now is that there's so much focus on looking cool or having the coolest stuff on your car. Reps versus real wheels, takeovers, 2-stepping at a car meet, etc. You're starting to see meets once held by the older car enthusiasts get taken over by the younger and rowdier crowds who do stupid stuff. I think social media is fine tbh. It's how I met a lot of cool people that shared the same hobby. I think it's a problem when people try to chase clout, but end up going down the same road. It doesn't feel like there's a lot of individuality with cars anymore.
Real wheels are better though
"who do stupid stuff" depends what you mean by that. Also the older people were also called "stupid" by the generations before them back in the day.
Those that buy reps always learn the hard way
@@WalrusWinkingnah street take overs really fucked up the scene... makes car people look bad to regular people. Also all the gang shit is real serious now. Their were always bangers but it wasn't as bad... fist fights occasional stabbing but for the most part it wasn't bad.
In Cali alot of square older and not street dudes don't even go to meets anymore myself included. The street takeovers and the gang activity and the fact people are quick to shoot its just not worth it anymore.
@@trevorshark16doesn’t matter what people buy though, why can’t you understand that? A lot of “rep” brands hold up perfectly fine. And that’s coming from someone who’s on “real” wheels 🤦
The culture has absolutely changed, and I think its because those looking for validation have taken center stage. Those of us who don't need to feel validated, just don't participate.
Exactly, seems like the people who actually know a thing or two about a car just sit back, all it is now is clout chasing and wanting attention online, but not truly having the passion for these machines.
@mystic7692 so why care then? Some people do have passion for machines but let me hear you use that social media excuse
@@mystic7692and isn't wanting attention online always been that way? Even then why care about that?
In 2012 I was in college going to car meets and stancewars with my stock Honda Civic because I was too broke to mod it but enjoyed hangout with people and learning about other peoples cars. Now in 2022 I enjoy the offroad and overlanding, going on trail runs with my lightly modded 3rd gen Toyota Tacoma.
You summed it up pretty well there. In 2012 import car culture and modding hadn't reached the peak. Now there's so much media filled with insane builds. Back then, any race mods were very rare in the community. We were all just dudes in a parking lot sipping coffee and getting to know one another. Also, good point on the track scene. It's stayed pretty lowkey and cool
Cool vid. As someone 15 years ahead of you, you’d have totally lost your mind in late 90s / early 2000s Atlanta with the annual NOPI Nats at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Enthusiasts will stay true, those into the culture for attention/fashion will come and go. Always have. Don’t stress, stay in ur lane and keep the passion alive ❤
Exactly!!! This comment needs to be pinned lol
Idk I hope so lol
Facts
True, all of the Fast and furious fake tuners that came alone with FF1, eventually faded by FF3 if not 4.
I hope :(
My favorite memory was back in 2019 when I had my '01 SS I met up with a group of guys to cruise out to a night meet about an hour away. There was a couple fast N54 BMWs, a Mk4 Supra, a GTI, a 528i, a Lexus IS 300 and myself. We meet up in a random parking lot for a few minutes to let everyone come and we hung out, talked and checked out each others cars. 0 judgment from everyone. Eventually we headed out, I got lost with 1 or 2 other cars but we eventually found the other guys on the highway and we all cruised as a pack, made sure everyone was together and even did a few impromptu races when it was clear. Some people recorded them but I never found them online. We pulled up to the meet there was at least 50 other cars and everyone was chillin and just having a good time. Now in 2022 I wouldn't dare go to a night meet in my area because now the main car group that sets it up has huge meets that always end up in being a takeover with a ton of bs happening and getting shut down by cops and ends up spot hopping 10 times a night.
I thought it was a change between east and west coast culture. Apparently it’s not. I mean, the PNW has some real dog shit drivers and dog shit people. So when these idiots started doing take overs, I knew there was nothing resembling the culture I’d grown up with.
But I also grew up in the North East with VWs. So I was in the epicenter of VAG culture between 1998-2010. Early waterfest, early H2Oi, etc.
It’s so different now.
Take overs are not a new thing. A shopping park near me would attract so many cars in the mid 2000s and if races were going on then the park was closed off, they would drag race up a half mile straight near my house, honestly the scene was great, but there has always been that toxic element to the scene. A lot of people look back at their heyday with rose tinted glasses ;)
@@smithyMcjoe sadly, this kind of behavior is not new. Back in the late '80's and early '90's, before cruising was banned in AZ, it would only take a few idiots drag racing on Speedway or Central Ave (Depending on weather you lived in Tucson or Phoenix, AZ) before the cops would show up and whisk everybody off. It was a real shame, because there's nothing like getting in your car and cruising in a line, at 20 mph up and down the road passing other clubs parked at local businesses along the way. Just the sight of 15 to 50 custom cars and trucks cruising by, while you're parked is an awesome sight to behold!
@@dragonladyz290 This is why I'm all for gatekeeping. Allow those that benefit the community, exclude those that harm it, but apparently that's not allowed hahaha
Well said. I’ve had a passion for cars my entire life. Coming up in the scene in the early 2000’s the culture around the hobby was magnetizing. The enthusiasts of the past seemed to be more welcoming and open to sharing ideas. While you’re absolutely right about forum culture and trolls, once people got together and spent time with one another talking about their ideas and passions, the walls came down. Now pushing 40, I’m just an old dude who’s out of touch, but I still look back on the good ol’ days as the absolute best time of my life. Thursday night car meets, weekend auto-x events and trips to Atco raceway to run 12 second 1/4 miles where what we lived for. Again to date myself, I’m happy to have experienced the scene then vs. now.
I'm almost 27 and was never into cars growing up, but I always loved the Honda Civic. To me, it was the perfect car, and I always wanted one. When the 10th generation Civic came out, something changed in me, especially when its Type R dropped. My brain literally had some kind of firmware update. Since then, I have certainly become much more of a car fan, but I still wouldn't describe myself as a "car guy."
bro even if you just like looking at cool cars and it makes you happy, you're a car guy
It basically comes pre-riced
You do realise you are what he's talking about in the video.
Same
Saw the type r and I fell in love with hot hatches
@@se7en910not even close
I agree with the night meet scene, used to go all the time to meet up with friends and see their car progress. Now it's all bought cars, ready to go, no one really wants to talk to you and they all have their little cliques and if you try talking to them they look at you like you're weird. You do get the occasional good one where you have a nice chat with someone about their car but it's rare.
this is a great point...before Social Media, you had to go to a meet to see a friends progress on their build. Maybe a new wing, wheels, even an engine swap. Now, you wake up, get a notification on everything your car clubs members have done...no reason to go see it in person lol
This is how it is in my area now
Sounds bad, obviously the culture needs to change or else it's over.
Most of these morons don't even know shit out of what's in a catalogue. They're too glued to social media hype, which is what changed everything about the current 'culture' from what it once was.
I try to talk to people about cars but my gender bothers them. I found a few good friends though!
I’ve been into car culture since 06 when I got my drivers license. I’ve seen a lot of things change over the years. Social media is the main reason for the explosion in popularity since 2012. But it’s been really funny to watch the style of 03-09 come back. Clear taillights, underglow, mirrored/colored window tint, chrome wheels, big wings, wild bodykits, powerful stereos and vinyl graphics are all trendy and cool again. I love the scene (hate the takeovers) and I’m so here for it. I was so bored with nothing but lowered nardo gray cars with te37’s and calling it a build. I’m so glad to see the tuner spice back into the import culture. Let’s keep the scene accountable, respectful and fun. We can fix the takeover problem if we stop giving them the attention they crave. Takeover cars always suck anyways lol
your right about that, never thought underglow and and graphics will make a comeback. Back in 2012 it was about keeping the exterior close to stock with subtle things like Lip kits.
@@MaxxVelo lol 2012 lol wow I had a GSR 01 turbo charged back in 2003 in VA! This 2012 talk is when it changed trust me before then it was waaaay more cool. I have tones of footage the only thing that has changed is the people be honest man it’s the people. Social media is the issue yes but it’s the people first and for most. You young cats respect level is different these days and 4 cyc cost $40k now which is ridiculous lol!! I’m old now and drive MK3 TT RS with a stage 2 by myself remembering when it was a group of us those where the days but this TT RS is a great way to Reminisce
Thank you for commenting this, as a young enthusiast. It made me optimistic for the future .
The thing you feel about cars just being a fashion statement for alot of the "car guys" in 2022 is something I felt in 2012. It was like that in the VW scene in 2012 where people would do 3 "projects" a year where they would buy a car, buy the cool hip wheel from rotiform, bag it and ad a bunch of stickers.
Funny now that I'm thinking about it, it was mainly VW when started to see the stretched tires, camber, bags.
And now I've owned 2 VW's, however none are bagged or had rotiforms. Always been a more function guy though.
The only Rotiform I like is the ZMO on the 488 GT3 EVO or 488 Challenge EVO. And those are racecars. Outside of that I have no particular liking towards Rotiform. BBS all the way.
It was the same for many even in 2002 people would buy run of the mill civics and V6 mustangs. Throw some after market rims and under hood dress up items and that was it. As long as it impressed some random girls or their friends that new nothing about cars (and didn't care to learn either) it was done. Simply something that looked trendy.
Man this is so accurate. I remember back on 2006 when I just got my ‘91 Camaro and thought I was awesome. People would meet up, and the challenges started. Everyone would then either cruise or race to the site of the challenge, and drag races would begin. My first was against a Lexus IS300 and I won, twice. After my camaro’s engine went to crap and I was a broke 17 year old, I basically got out of the car scene until 2022. I picked up one of my dream cars, an ‘05 STI that was already built really well (cause ya can’t find one stock anymore) and hit the Ave that weekend. What I found was both cool and sad. A lot of awesome cars and everyone loved mine, but no one DID anything except wait to get kicked out of one Kum and Go to go to the next and just sit around. No races, no anything. It’s like everything went PC and like always, everyone outside of car culture hated on it. Always with the cops, always with the gas station managers getting mad for no reason cause like I said, no one was doing anything lol I guess to me, part of what made car culture so attractive was the rebelliousness of it. It’s not like I want to constantly race in an empty warehouse parking lot, but your damn right I want to be there when the races are on! What’s life without some thrill?
You are so right. I went to a car meet at my university in Southern California and it was a little meh 😕
these small little movies or documentaries you make with your insight and opinions is by far my favorite content that you put out
You nailed absolutely everything in this video. it isnt all bad as you mentioned, now tuning potential is absolutely insane. great vid as always
Unlimited unless you're in CA and everything is blocked from being shipped to you. Never move to CA. I'd move if it were easy to do but it's not.
@@mrlt1 it across the US lol he gonna find out soon enough 🤣
@@burnoutbruce925 Jesus I hope not man, I wouldn't wish the bs we have to deal with here on other hobbyists, but then again maybe just maybe it'd be the catalyst needed to actually fight the ridiculous laws and legislation targeting our assault vehicles.
Well Done Brother! I started modding cars in the mid 80's. I had a whale tail supra/ celica with fender flares and Kambi front noise. And from there it's been nonstop. But to say it's all about Haning with you buddies is an understatement. Track friends become family, and car clubs become a life.
Dude you hit it right on the nail. I miss the good ol 2012 meets. Helping out friends and enjoys the chilled vibes and hearing everyone’s story…. I have one to share…. 2014, I had a 98 Civic. Pulling up to the meet about 5 blocks away I notice my dash lights dimming, music cutting in and out and headlights getting weak. I make it to the lot where the meet was, and my dash goes black. Find my friends, my car is still barely running but I already knew and told them, If I turn off my car… I’m stuck. Did it just as I parked and little do you know I turn the key and absolutely nothing! Say fuck it and enjoy the night a few hours…. While talking amongst each other I’m asking any one with a Honda if they had an alternator laying around, stubbled across a random guy who just pulled an exact engine out of another civic! We make moves and I go with some friends to follow him back home. Dude was so chilled about it and just wanted to help by giving me the alternator free! We make it back to the spot by now people are all gone I have my friends around me and luckily kept hand tools in my trunk. Grabbed some beer and just got to work. Finished my car with the help of friend and new people I met and couldn’t be any more thankful for simply the moments we shared!… and to me that’s what it’s all about. Helping out and and giving a hand when in need. Most definitely wish It could go back to it. Now with 3 kids of my own and hearing the shit going on I much rather stick to cars and coffee mornings.
Thank you for commenting this, im a bit younger than you Im 21, I just got into car’s recently when I started driving. Seeing everyone in the comments in sorrow upsets me a bit, because I feel like I missed out, on a lot right before social media took over. The idea of cars and coffee makes me optimistic for the future, Its up to the younger generation to set the tone for a better change.
I feel like a lot of people get into the scene not because they’re into cars but just because it looks cool, like you said a fashion statement. Proper enthusiast meets and clubs are, imo, still like what you described in 2012 before I got into it. The difference is probably they have stayed much more underground than what you see viral on TikTok
I'm still a member of my local corvette club, bunch of older gentlemen, all incredibly nice people. I would say that yes, looking cool is a part of it, but I would like to see some more substance. Like, talk blowers, turbos vs. N.A. or even how your car is numbers matching.
Agreed, not just car meets but enthusiast car prices are way to high due to trend hoppers
Investment culture is definitely harming car culture. They care more for the possible value of a car than the enjoyment of the car and culture surrounding it. Then you have dudes who are in it for the clout and nothing else.
@JoshuaKhaos precisely, enthusiast cars are falling out of the hands of enthusiasts and ending up in the hands of resellers and collectors, it's a domino effect. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that some desirable cars are artificially inflated in turn creating huge amounts of FOMO leading to wealthy collectors who are more than willing to ruin the fun for everyone else to minutely benefit in the long run at the expense of others and the economy
As someone who got into the car culture “late”, it’s not familiar. Im an enthusiast who enjoys vehicles from every manufacturer. The car culture is just about who is the fastest, who is the richest, and who has the most clout. Cars are just statements. They care about what the car says about them rather than what the car is. Its sad. I dont go to many car meets because of it.
True.
Glad i'm not the only one who sees it like this.
@@dragos-ioancraciun9810 People feel it and see the issues but nobody has an outlet to vent their frustrations. Unfortunately, it’s not going to get better. If anything, its being strangled by the OEMs and the EPA.
You absolutely nailed it, man. I got into cars ~2014 when I got my first classic car while in high school, and the car scene has absolutely changed. Some for the better, and some for the worst. I’ve been lucky enough to meet my best friends I’ve ever had through car meets, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I love the car community and the people I’ve met through it, but some things I wish wouldn’t have changed.
Damn, I was only 11 in 2012 and my first proper introduction into car culture was Forza Horizon and it’s Colorado setting. Everything looks so magical and cool in that game and it significantly shaped how I approach cars today. Even tho I was a kid back then, I look back at the early 10’s with fondness and nostalgia. It’s crazy how much that game and it’s story influenced my tastes still to this day.
You brought tears to my eyes as i find this completely true. I'm italian, in Italy things for us are never been easy, but yes, in 2012 it was as you have stated in your video. Helping friends, cruising around, knowing people and sharing knowledge with each other... now it is just unbearable. If i'll go to a meet i'm probably spending the entire night alone near my car, or walking across the parking lot in the middle of another thousand people that is just waiting for the first dumbass with a 2step going off or to drift the nearest rundabout. It's just so sad, and i'm suffering a lot from this. I feel alone.
its insane, in EU every cool car has atleast doubled in price since 2019 and most meets just have boring ass vag and bmw diesels with rep wheels, shitty airride or cheapest coilovers
@@gabrielpokrajac3955 that’s true, it’s almost impossible to find a cheap project car.
you're definitely not alone feeling that way. its just depressing.
@@gozfthr1593 i’m glad to hear that but i’m also sad about it…this is not right
@@gabrielpokrajac3955 True. Im German. I don’t know how many clapped out Golf GTIs ive seen. It’s like Golf and 3 Series BMW is all there is :‘(
You are certainly right on youtubers making it look easy, cheep and quick lol. I have a mini shop where I work on my car every night for a few hours and progress creeps along at a snails pace.
Yep, it took my dad four months to completely rebuild a VA STI that was a complete shell. It took hours of late-night work and two different STIs to build one complete car. Project cars is no easy task and now the car is in great condition just need to finish a few things 💪🏽
I’m 33 and this is one of the best videos you’ve done. I’m sure there were more points we could have brought up, and some of them are hard to explain. But the community makes me cringe and is kinda trash now. Maybe it’s not even 10 years difference, but more like 15. Let’s say 2007- 2010 vs 2022. That’s where we see the big difference. Pre stance days. Pre ostentatious builds days. Something was so much difference.
justed posted something similar lol, imo stance ruined everything so the same things can be said 2002 vs 2012
My favorite memories have to be all the crazy long no sleep nights with Allen, Kyle, Edwin and of course YOU DAVID! Getting cars ready for either meets or events, working on cars all night, living off adderal and monsters and taking a nap in my MK4 Supra getting ready for import alliance.
You guys will always be my family and it’s all thanks to the car scene.
I belonged to a few car clubs in the late 2000s through my University. While there were some cool guys in the group, there were some massive egos and even bigger trust funds for some of these kids. Still, it was pretty fun and was cool seeing people have cars like MK4 Supras, NSXs, and old M3s because they were all still relatively affordable. That affordability is what I miss the most as well as everyone not feeling constantly fomo'd by limited production, social media, and clout.
Cool video man. Been doing cars since 2002 and up till 2012/2013 was the best it was.
Too many show offs attention seekers and totally agree the take overs are so stupid.
I was born ten years too late. I grew up waiting for the day where I could finally buy a car of my own and becoming a part of car culture as I knew it. I loved the idea of being able to form a bond with those with a similar passion but now it feels impossible. There’s so many people I know that are suddenly into cars who used to make fun of me for it.
Its never too late. Just change the people you keep around you! If they are disrespectful or immature, find another group.
It's def not too late. I have a local off road Subaru group that meets up often! Everybody just spread out into small groups
It's never too late, mate. It's still possible to just find some mates that share your same simple passion for cars and just do your thing. There are always down-ass people who keep it honest and low-key. Harder to find, mind you, but they are out there. Just hit up the servers and forums. Those still exist for more than bragging and trolling. That's what this video is trying to share. Car culture has become too public. It's not about gatekeeping, it's not about people "ruining it" for the rest of us. Those things always existed, just not as robust as we experience it now. It always comes up when something becomes popular enough. Nothing or nobody can tell you who and what to love. Just surround yourself with the right people and you'll experience what it is you truly desire.
You can still organize and be exclusive. You just might have to lead it.
I worked my 20’s away and couldn’t afford anything. I’m in my 30’s now and finally have a turbo charged 2nd gen Tacoma I build. That’ll do I guess
I miss the car scene of the late 2000s. 2008 to around 2011 were some of the best times for car meets. It didn't really matter if you had a 93 Honda with an intake and exhaust you still felt cool and a part of the group. When I go now, unless you have an exotic or 1000 hp you don't feel like a part of the group. It reminds me of groups in grade school. Except that now it's not enough to just love cars.
I agree with this except ill go back to 2005. It was more about people than the show they would just put on for views
Yeah you guys said it I'd rather have something unique abd that's why the car scene is boring now too many super cars now rather than appreciate cars that were non turbo built from ground up not caring about horsepower now it's about how fast your car is 😕😞
Something kinda heartbreaking as a younger enthusiast, now being 20 and growing up on early 2000s car culture it's hard too see cool cars of that era get thrashed around and destroyed and not taken care of. Being a part of the dsm scene now is much harder than it was in the early 2000's. Something that should change in car culture is taking care of your car just as much as you thrash on it. Like it was said in the video tho, the possibilities of what you can do to a car nowadays are endless so even tho it's hard I look forward to the future of car culture
@@TonyCrispruby I definitely feel there's a balance in there somewhere, letting them rot in some rich guys shed isn't any good but seeing enthusiast cars being destroyed and revved to death at takeovers is bad for all of us
This fks me up I just got into the scene Im 19, all the cars I really dreamed of having as a kid are seeming unrealistic to get with the way market is going hopefully shit changes
I relate with this a lot. At this point I've decided it's more fun to do uncommon builds because they don't carry a bad rep. Also cause it's too expensive for me to get the cars I've dreamt about in my childhood. Not just upfront cost for buying, but also repairing the damage done from someone thrashing it.
I'm 32 I grew up in all of ot. Had a evo 9 in 2011 that had 400 hp. A civic hatch had 650. My buddy has his 1g eclipse he has had sense 2008 it's up in the 600 hp now. And he just baught a 2g eclipse for like 8 grand
You pretty much encapsulated the best years of modern time car culture in this video. As a 2010 high school graduate in Charlotte NC my youth was all about flipping and wrenching on JDM project cars in my parents garage and connecting with people to fit in with a like minded group of friends back then. Night time car meets in 2009 were all the rage and it was a place to collaborate, talk shop and get to know new buddies in a parking lot. I can only describe the meets as kick back, chill and super friendly back then with little disturbances from the cars attending. Japanese cars took a strong hold of the car scene when I was young as a lot of my buddies were ragging on me for owning "ricer honda's" and telling me to buy a V8 to go fast. I had little interest in v8's or wanting to go faster; I was after the unique experience of wrenching on a car and turning it into a functional masterpiece that reflected who I was as a creative kid back in my teenage years. --- (Spoon Sports, Mugen, AEM, Skunk2, NOPI Tuner Vision, Hot Version, Hot Import Nights, Modified Mag, Super Street and Ken Blocks very first Gymkhana) all key words that described the era of my late teenage years growing up on the East coast of the US. Drifting on the East coast was becoming a huge hit in 2009 and had a few friends running S13 240's and AE86's in the scene but for some reason I was more into building Honda's for fun cone courses while investing my time in the balance of function and form. I was a good wrench at an early age, learning a lot about cars in the online forums while swapping on brand new Japanese exhaust systems onto friends cars on the weekends at 16-17 years old. Unfortunately these times are long gone but thankfully we still have our generation forming Car's and Coffee events today bringing back the nostalgic atmosphere of our youth to continue to connect and form lasting bonds within the car community while teaching the new kids how it's done. Much love and thanks for making this video for the car guys.
Dash cameras are very commonplace nowadays You can't do any late night highway runs without some bystander whom you cleanly overtook sending footage of you to the authorities or those local "vigilante" social media pages.
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Text me on telegram I have a prize for you 🎁🎁.
So true dude dash cams and cameras are everywhere nowadays
Yeah I still have no clue how dudes like wheres981 on youtube with that type of driving gets around lol
@@henrik1743 either the dude has found areas with no cameras or he pays for it to be empty
@@nategray4989 appearently he runs no plates or fake plates on the car, but I still don't get how he can be arsed with it, well over 200k subs now and hasn't been caught driving like that, unreal lmfao
I'm literally standing here in my garage alone wishing I had help I couldn't agree more with that last part
Lastly, I think 2014-15 was the peak of culture. You had drifting becoming big, cars were starting to make HUGE power, social media at that point had JUST enough reach to bring true car people together, and organized/broadcasted meets JUST enough to get people there. But still had great community, and the only time I saw phones out was to take pictures of cars people loved just for the sake of having the picture. It truly was a great time.
Making me feel real old because I was in the car culture of 2002, ten years prior. Before there was even at all UA-cam or Facebook. Solidly into forums or just having to network with your face hole to discover people. Having been in the car culture in 2012 as well, I totally thoroughly agree with your statements. It was about the people and kicking it. I think it changed somewhere around 2016. I don't know what the catalyst was but probably something to do with all of the things you mentioned. Internet clout and the true rise of UA-cam builds. I've gone to a few meets in the last few years and people are legitimately straight morons, like you said about the supercharged car. There's no knowledge, nothing, and it's groups of people like that. It's all a scene. It's a fashion, not a culture. And with car prices being so high, I don't know what the future will hold for it. Sure, as you say, there is any configuration of car available but the price to play is so high that it is just not really accessible. Gone are the days of pristine 240 at $2000. Look through Craigslist now for exactly and rusted out total pos cars are still $5000. Idek. What a world. Sad for you younger folks coming into your adulthood. I'm sorry that all you have are appliances, and absurdly expensive piles of junk.
5k lmao there's a 240sx for sale near me for 88k, rx7 for 79k. These cars are completely unattainable now
@@NewDesignVinylGraphics judas priest lol. in around 2009, i had a 98 240sx in pristine condition that i sold for 7k. that thing would be worth a retirement now lol. My friends at the time had s13's that were in fine passable condition and ended up trading them straight up or selling for around 3k, which we thought was a heck of a good deal then. so wild
I miss the forum days. And meets. Been driving/building/modding since 2005 and the biggest factor I notice is indeed Social media and its influence on what’s cool, what’s not and what’s respected.
When I was younger I’d show up trying to soak up info from the older dudes and that meant taking constructive criticism on things to get me in the right direction with power, suspension etc.
In the social media era you publicly correct someone or give out feedback not favourable to them they either call you a hater, delete your post or delete the entire post all together 😂 everyone’s pride seems to be at an all-time high.
I used to live on Honda-tech in 03-04, such fun times, never wanted to get flamed!
Forums days were good because people posted genuine comments, didn’t creep on your pictures of you/ your spouse, and immediately shit talk your car over a simple question.
that's what I remember back in 05 when I first purchased my 280z. the few older people on MySpace at the time for that particular group was very tight knit and would offer a massive amount of advice. car shows or being an idiot meant staying away from other people and not bringing attention in my case was midnight mountain runs. it was fun amd very different from today for sure.
Forums are still being used, at least for Volkswagens
Forums were an amazing wealth of information. I have no idea where people will go now.
Watching this video, I'm so glad the car culture in my small town seems to be a blend of 2012 and 2022. Chill, tight-knit meets where you're looked down on for doing donuts in the parking lot, but we learn about the meets through the host's social media. A variety of builds that are both import or domestic, but most people do it simply for their own tastes, not for validation. IF a race were to happen, it would be on an empty country backroad and no one outside of the meet would know exactly what happened, if they knew about it at all
My mid sized city is pretty chill too
Sound like you're from Victorville
@@rickybobby.gaming Never heard of it
Almost sounds like Myrtle beach
Hooning occasionally is fine it's when you get the idiots that think that's what a meet is all about is when it goes south. I've even been to meets where the police allow people to do donuts and burnouts because people have been respectful. There's a place and a time for having fun but sometimes people have no chill aka the small dick takeover boys.
This video is actually kinda relatable, to be honest. Im still in high school, but I have always loved cars and the culture. Sadly, takeovers exist and they really put a bad name in car culture. Other than that, it’s awesome to see that people are so involved. Thank you very much for making this video
🎯🎯🎯
tbh the people who do takeovers are kinda the reason its still known
same bro, hate how shitboxes are so expensive
@@phoenixlacey1857 I can’t buy a car yet because I don’t have the money and my parent’s won’t let me buy one, but I saw a short on UA-cam by Carbuzz that said the Acura RSX Type-S was a good beginner enthusiast car. At the time, the price of the damn thing was only $5,000. Not the cheapest, but not bad at all. Nowadays, the prices are double that. I look back and I think, what the hell happened that an Acura RSX Type-S, a car that only the small enthusiast community wants, has doubled in price within just 2 years? I might just try to find some old Mazda instead. I hear even the boring ones are fairly fun to drive, offering communicative steering and emotional design in a car that manages not to be a sports car. Hell, I would even go as far as to call them Japanese baby Porsche
@@mrsoisauce9017 what’s a good old mazda that wont scar my bank account, mind you i’m only 15 but still saving for my car when i’m 17
One of the hardest thing for me to accept is that I paid 1k for 2 separate 240sx and they both worked perfectly fine and had no cracked dashes. WRX's, 300ZX's and most all JDM cars were easily under 6k running and in great condition, now some teenager is trying to sell their ragged out, frame bent, missing most interior and mismatched exterior panels for like 5k, not to mention trucks with 150k miles for like 25k, I'm so sad we can't easily access these items as much anymore for a great price.
This video hit home man. I'm glad you brought this into the light... I've been soo close to leaving the scene I've been into for 10+ years due to the negatives, but keep in it for the new people in the hopes that things can get back to the good things in our culture. Appreciate you and you sharing your insight to your viewers. Cya out there everyone.
younger driver here, I never knew the 2012 scene, let alone anything before that. I literally live for cars at this point (mostly driving/car control and not so much the mechanical side, though it's proving more and more useful to know that side as I become a better driver) but I have never dared calling myself a "car guy". It's practically (if not completely) an insult at this point, given the current mindset of most car people. I fully agree this generation is pathetic and I really wish I could hop back in time to 2010 for 24hours, to check the vibe there 😝
So 2012 or 2022?
Or..are we just too nostalgic?
Theres nothing wrong about being nostalgic
02
For me cars hasn't changed. Never was really into meets mostly to working all the time. And I always built cars for myself and sometimes a buddy of mine that wanted something done like a body kit installed and painted but didn't have the money to get it done. So I did it for free. He just the materials I asked for and I spent months off and on because he only had the 1 car. So it had to be assembled every night and driven to work. Except on our days off when I could stay up till 2am blocking and sanding the car down. He got a $6k platinum white pearl 350z with a gloss black roof. That was buffed and polished till you could see your reflection in the white paint. For like $300 in paint and some time lol.
I'd take last generations meets over today but I'll definitely take today's track events over last decade. If anything they're ever growing.
I had the most fun doing basic things hanging out in the secret parking lot meets in 2015-17. Once I got out of my hometown in 2019 I witnessed some of the same community aspects in other cities and that was nice. It’s not the same once people want to be your friend because they think you’re popular. It began to feel like a high school clout contest without any substantial value behind it. It’s extremely hard to find authentic connection with anybody. That’s how I ended up in NASCAR world talking about racing with guys who retired when I was in elementary school.
Wow, mad respect for this clip. I completely agree with your reasons on what is important, the people and the friends you gain. This is exactly what we're trying to bring back with our Summer Accord Meet and new Accord Car Club that will be unveiled this upcoming year.
I got into this culture with a 97 civic in 2013 that i basically had to rebuild while i was daily driving it.
Today I’ve branched out so far because information is so readily available it’s crazy. I’ve got a Jeep I use as a daily till I find suspension for it
My toys are a 47 Chevy truck, a 76 k10 a 55 Chevy truck, a 66 belair sedan I plan on daily driving once it’s back together, and a Harley funny enough looking back I want another civic
You nailed it when you said to get out in the garage with your buddies and build something. You’re not just building a project you can all take pride in, you are building life long friendships. Get that garage therapy
I was in the culture in the late 1980's into 1993. It was all about drag racing, tubed muscle cars as far as the eye could see. 8 second quarter mile times in street trim, ahh what a time to be alive.
I recently moved states and decided to join the car scene here. I gotta say, it still feels like the early 2000 era here. Everything is lowkey, people have garages for their friends to come by and build, NO TAKEOVERS, true love for JDM cars (it's harder to get here because it's a small state), and it's like VA Beach where there's a ton of outside influence. There's maybe one or two shops that can help with your car build (and it's expensive) but otherwise, you'll need to grab your friends and beer to build it as best as you can. Car meets aren't posted on social media (unless it's the big major ones) because everyone knows each other. The most mind-boggling thing is that everyone I talked to are significantly younger than me. It shocks me because these kids carry themselves so well. They give us older folks the due respect and try to pick my brain. I truly truly love the car scene here. I won't share the state because I personally would want to keep out-of-towners out.
Excuse my ignorance, I’m an old car guy, 58yo.
I started with a Mazda RX2 when I was 18yo.
What do you mean by takeover ?
I’ve been into Subarus since 2006, tried going to some local Subaru meets but was much older than everybody else and was never able to really fit in.
I still have 2 Subarus that I love driving but just keep to UA-cam and a forum for car related content.
It’s the first time I hear the term takeover.
Thank you.
Googled it, got my answer. Thank you.
Idaho is lovely... you don't have to worry about out-of-towners.
@@dougrodriguez4977 a takeover is a when a bunch of dumbasses crowd around in the middle of a busy intersection and do donuts, mostly in stolen vehicles, look it up and you'll see plenty of videos of people crashing and getting run over, so basically they aren't real car enthusiasts, just a bunch of criminals doing stupid shit for clout and making the car community look bad.
WOW this video brought tears to my eyes... So much memories, and I agree with everything, loved it.
Sam had a good viewpoint. I remember going to meets and everything was simple, and we all loved it. Now, it feels like nobody at the meet wants to even talk to you unless you've got thousands into making your car textbook Instagram influencer style. Being in your early 20s in the car scene sucks now because we merely got a taste of how chill it was when we first started loving cars, and the very next we're here... The old car scene still exists though, it's just harder to find
Yeh its def kinda shitty now, without social media the meets were down to earth. Everyone now at them just wants to feel validation and bullshit. Coolest people i meet are when im at autocross and im on the track or after when we hang at the show or in the lots. The car meet and shows for the most part have gone to crap.
Alaska is like the old car scene
Well said. The sideshows ruin a lot for us true car enthusiasts. The social media attention seeking builds are frustrating and the people seeking that attention are typical egotistical and shallow. Those guys are easy to spot because they only want to talk about themselves, their car, and how many followers they have. BUT Cars are faster than they have ever been and if you can find the right crowd to hang and trust you can have a lot of fun whether thats street racing, track racing, drifting, building cars, or just hanging out and talking cars.
Being 28 now i have been going to night car meets with my dad since i was roughly 8-9 years old and was always begging my dad to bring every time he went out with his friends. Once he finally brought me out it changed my life, being with all his friends and all them being in the 60’s to late 80’s muscle car groups, everything was so much fun, everyone was respectful to the other people there, respectful to the property wherever it was held and following the rules of the road other than a little launch or short little roll. Everyone just cruised from location to location throughout the night and just had a great time with friends. I always was so excited to experience that in my own experience as i grew up. Saved up every penny i had and bought my dream car an 87 buick grand national. First summer of having it to get that experience, my generation absolutely ruined the car scene here in Canada where I’m from. Littering everywhere all over the parking lot, doing burnouts in the lot with other peoples pride and joy parked directly behind it( including mine) street racing right by the meet, and two stepping/reving their cars all night long, smoking weed( whoever does nothing against them but for someone who doesn’t i wanted nothing to do with that) and so all my dads friends anytime there were just out cruising around would get pulled over and ticketed for the dumbest reasons and ruined the scene to which if you had any car that had any visual modifications or exhaust mods would get you pulled over no matter what. It’s been 5 years of owning my car and all the friends of my dads have found a new spot to hangout and just park our cars and chat. The cars don’t start until we leave and there are no shenanigans during the meet or leaving. I can finally enjoy my car without worrying about getting pulled over for no reason, but hoping to god they young kids don’t start showing up and ruin our new spot because they’re spot have police telling them to leave the lot the moment they pull in because it was so bad. Too many people wanting all the attention and wanting to show off and be reckless. If you want to do burnouts, drift, street race there are tracks for that, don’t ruin it for everyone else. Let’s all just park our cars and chat and hangout and all will be good!
Was into the car scene (VW) back between 2009-2017. It’s unrecognizable now. The social media age really has taken a toll on most of society. Most of these young kids in it today only do things for social media and the image. The takeovers that I have seen online are a big sign of that. I remember going to H20i, SoWo, etc, and I watched even back then - those shows slowly turn from good, respectable car meets into events that people when full anarchy mode.
My very first introduction to car culture was fast and furious, which released when I was 5. Been obsessed since. Got my first car at 16, so I also got into cars in 2012. The difference is I grew up in socal, and found a group of people online who were for all intents and purposes, organized street racers in my area. Mostly it was just scenic routes, my most memorable night I will probably ever have was visiting every location in LA where F&F scenes took place and recreating the races. We would go up to Little Tujunga and organize togue runs every month. Wasn't until 3 or 4 people from this group of about 20 died going off the mountain that I stopped going to those and started going to car meets. But I never liked them. Spent most of the time either wandering around with nearly everyone on their phone and not talking or just in their own pre-made cliques. So now I don't really do anything in the car scene here. Kind of depressing.
Fast and Furious ruined the car scene forever
I'm kind of the same way. I was always into cars, but when got my first car at 17 in 2012 that's when I really dove deep into cars. Back then, me and my friends would just gather at the top of various parking garages around the city and play soccer or just chill. Occasionally, we'd hit up the mountains for a spirited drive. I stopped going to nightly meets after new people started showing up to our hangouts. They started getting shut down by cops due them doing burnouts and donuts after being told not to. Just lack of maturity and respect for property. We slowly ran out of places to drive to and chill, and I haven't been to a nightly meet in 5-6 years. It got old driving 30-40 minutes to a spot just to get it shutdown in 10. I've been to a few recently and its just like what you said, everyone is on their phone or with their pre-made cliques
Those movies are trash.
I agree. I go to car shows with my clicque/car club and most get mad at me for spending time talking to random people I meet at the car show. It is always fun getting to know a new person and hearing about their build
With today's car culture it's hard to find good friends at all. Like you said, the car culture for everyone is everybody trying to one up each other and chasing clout no matter how shitty the things they do are
So true! I started getting into my local car scene in 2013 and it has been almost 10 years now. Definitely a big change!
I remember walking around car meets talking to people about mods and going on drives with strangers in 500HP cars. Now when you go to a meet, all you see is people on their phones and talking shit about other peoples builds for not having 1000HP. We use to respect purpose build cars even if they were “slow”.
Thanks D, just about teared up from this with how accurate it was. Thought I was the only one who thought it was dying in pretty much every level of the scene as I was just having a convo this weekend about doing work/builds together with friends over drinks were the best, like swapping my R8 from awd to rwd while we drank as many four lokos as possible. Hope you're doing well - Parker from Corsa
Really glad you made this video. It feels the same here in Australia, and we do talk about it a fair bit amongst our groups. The current generation of new car people are really changing the vibe, and it's not good. It's not necessarily their *fault* I guess, since it is a result of the social media culture, but yeah. I miss the mid-late 00's
Does Australia still have a big rotary engine culture? As someone that grew up around a strong car culture in the late 80's into the 90's in Puerto Rico, Rotary engines were all the rave and still have a good presence. The only other place I have heard of it having a big love for the rotary engine has been Australia.
@@evoman44 I'm not a huge car culture guy but can confirm there are a few rotaries here. Occasionally I'll see stuff like an RX8 in the wild or meet someone who owns one. While I don't know if we have a huge scene based on these experiences I'm sure one does exist.
Yes lots of folks love the Rotory in the land of Oz. RX 3 and 4s . All the models.
@@evoman44 yes we are rather fond of the 'Rota
Exactly to your point - I noticed a change where cars became “stylish” and people weren’t driven by passion for their cars and how things actually worked. It was the new cool thing on social media. All it did in my eyes was increase prices through the roof.
I’ve been a car enthusiast since grade school, late 90s early 2000s; The primary change I’ve witnessed is many car enthusiast. Don’t know anything about cars… they only value the newest car trends, or the hottest subculture; Little value on building up what you have or even building something yourself to begin with…..
Being a old head I witnessed the birth of the import scene. Back in the mid 80's in the valley of So Cal. We were building Datsun 200sx and 510's, Suszuki Samari's , Celicas Pintos, Escort GT's and mini trucks. Running down Ford's 5.0's, Mustang and Capri on Foothill in San Fernando, and cruising Van Nuys with the lowriders. Back than the scene was brand new. It was about street fame and enjoying what you had. I moved to Atlanta in the 90's and again witnessed a small VW show called Nopi transform in to the east coast biggest Lowrider show in the mid 90's. By 2k it once again transformed in to the countries biggest import show. Back than car meets we basically a group of friends meeting up. Everyone one was about showing up and showing out at Nopi. It was all love. Back then Everyone had a true appreciation for each build. Extreme builds were seen as the exception not the rule. Work In Progress builds were the best. As they returned each year with more improvements. To finally they were these amazing high-end builds and you felt a true excitement for the owner. Who was like you a regular Joe working a 9-5 and had a passion for cars. 2022 like everything else car culture is flex culture.
Flex culture is the true ruining factor
I began getting into building engines and modding cars in 2004 right after high school, but it didn’t really take off until around 09 for me. It’s changed SO much since then. I didn’t have much money and worked as a daytime manager during college at a supermarket to save up enough to do a proper H22 swap. Those were the days…It was a fun stint and I’ve made lifelong friends from the old scene and subculture. Most of us got out of cars and have families now and instead got into trucks 😂
Odysseys and siennas now lol😅
@@Davidchendavid lmao!!!!!!!!!
I have a SHO now lol although, I sold my Grand National, I have a 73 Trans Am. It needs twins and a Butler 468. 🤞🤞🤞🤞
I feel like it was easy back then to do things without a lot of money. Now it seems those days are over.
This is probably my favourite video you've posted yet, honestly. I grew up in the car culture dating back to the early 2000s here in Toronto, during the original F&F days, before I could legally drive. I went to a lot of shows and meets, back when even car audio was part of the show. Importfest with Performance Auto & Sound Magazine was the biggest one. By the time I got my license and my first car, the scene was exactly as you described in 2012. Smaller, niche meets, people I met randomly or at gas stations. The forums, the meets hosted by those forums. Even when meets got bigger with Ertefa on Wednesday nights, the community was growing but it was diverse and welcoming. Meeting experts on your platform, becoming an expert yourself on your platform as a result. Car culture now, to me, is completely unrecognizable from what it was even just 10 years ago. Accessibility is great, but unfortunately ignorance comes with it - whether it's as harmless as a whiny belt "supercharger" on a VQ or an intersection takeover with a bunch of punk asses.
I remember back in those days we would go to Kennedy Commons for car meets. Those were the days.
Man talk about memories here.. I remember how awesome Darknights used to be at Markham Fairgrounds... You'd have car shows in Vaughan and even cool cars meeting up at various places off highway 7 like la paloma/Tim's near collossus to the west and various spots at east beaver creek area to the east.
@@AnhNguyen-ms3hi Kennedy Commons was the sh!t until it wasn't! Lol man, those were good times.
@@sikguitarist Darknights!! That's the one I was trying to remember! Everyone had that banner across their windshield 🤣 Those were good times for sure.
@@mgopaul27 I never had the decal but I did have the shirt 🤣
i think cars have kinda saved my life, this video made me tear up. just wanna work on a car with my buddies again
They saved mine for sure
It sure kept a lot of people off the streets doing dumb things. Now…. It’s not so same anymore.
Good, as an auto tech i spent too many hours fixing a car that should be working, because some self proclaimed "car guy" cant even do basic maintenance, or doesnt actually know shit about cars. If you cant rebuild a car from scratch you shouldnt be modifying anything. Period.
This is wild, I remember back in that time my friends and I were into different cars with different forums. We all decided to post about a night meet in a local parking lot ALL over different forums, expecting just a few cars.
Over 500 (I’m guessing) cars showed up and created a huge traffic jam and cops showed up and it turned into a huge ordeal 😂
I must say I do find it hard to make good friends in the car community, I realised recently that despite being obsessed with cars my entire life none of my friends really are and we bonded over things other than cars.
When I go to night meets I find it extremely cliquey. Maybe it’s just my area, but it does make me a bit sad that as someone that’s loved cars their entire life that I’ve never really experienced working on cars with friends or just going for a drive and hanging out
Same here. I even took auto shop classes in high school for a few years, and felt that I couldn’t relate to anyone. It didn’t help either for me knowing that I had zero mechanic background. Other students seemed to be much more popular, or had an extensive knowledge from somewhere. Usually their parents or a family member. Not to mention I was one of the only students, who didn’t have a ride or had his license. Add in very protective Asian/American parents into this, and I haven’t experienced even half the things my peers were experiencing.
I did however realize that I still enjoy working on my own car alone, with what little amounts of knowledge I have. I still have an interest however the passion itself definitely ended up turning into more of a casual diy sort of hobby. Only when I have a lot of extra money or time though. I feel like I’m literally burning money away sometimes, but the work itself is in a way just like therapy for me, so sometimes the money spent is worth it. That all said sometimes I think it would be nice to be more involved, but I think I’m probably much too introverted and sheltered to properly be a part of anything. Not to mention the community itself can be pretty toxic or wild sometimes, and that’s never been my thing. I guess it was just meant to be this way for some of us, and that’s okay.
Watching this makes me miss my '08 Mazdaspeed3 so bad. It was not a crazy car by any means, but SO MUCH FUN ! My local car meet helped me gain the confidence to start putting a wrench in my hand to learn how to better appreciate my car and mods done too it. I enjoyed going to my local meet from 2010-2013. I appreciate those times more then ever now.
Fellow Mazda3 & Protege owner here. The speed3 and it's little brother Mz3 were fun cars. Mazda 247, M3F & Speed forums was the spots.
Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 owner here. The support on mazdaspeeds is absurd. Going big turbo next month!
@@lsx646 May I ask why big turbo? (I don't like big turbo, I like small turbo or no turbo)
@@surrealtom cheapest way to make more power. Justin at freektune does a great job at tuning it with boost by gear so putting the power down isn’t too hard