Comments on: Why I Love The Automobile http://www.carthrottle.com/why-i-love-the-automobile/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:47:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian DR1665 http://www.carthrottle.com/why-i-love-the-automobile/#comment-1440 Brian DR1665 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:38:02 +0000 http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=4644#comment-1440 I don't think you can be a "car guy" and not have this question pop into your mind regularly. Like you said, James, for the most part, cars are depreciating assets. Even if the value of the vehicle remained constant, the increasing costs of maintenance and repairs would quickly offset things. So why do we do it? For all the reasons you stated above. It doesn't matter if you're into Saab and I'm into Volvo (but stick with Mitsubishi). It doesn't matter if you study all night long for that final exam and still get a B- or if you dropped out of high school. Doesn't matter if you work at McDonald's or own one. When you're a real car guy, you can connect across just about any border with ease. Some will dismiss those enamored with platforms other than theirs, but eff those guys. They don't get the half of it. Maybe, one day, they'll realize that it doesn't matter if you're into Italian monocoque, Japanese steel, or American iron; when you turn those wrenches yourself, you appreciate that your fellow gear head's been there too, even if you can't imagine anyone being into the car he drives. For most people, the only thing they can control in this life is how they allow change to affect them. Car guys have to deal with change all the same, but we also play a role in how our vehicles perform. Direct effort in - direct results out. That's a rare luxury in this life. So, yeah, uh, what HE said. I don’t think you can be a “car guy” and not have this question pop into your mind regularly. Like you said, James, for the most part, cars are depreciating assets. Even if the value of the vehicle remained constant, the increasing costs of maintenance and repairs would quickly offset things. So why do we do it?

For all the reasons you stated above. It doesn’t matter if you’re into Saab and I’m into Volvo (but stick with Mitsubishi). It doesn’t matter if you study all night long for that final exam and still get a B- or if you dropped out of high school. Doesn’t matter if you work at McDonald’s or own one. When you’re a real car guy, you can connect across just about any border with ease.

Some will dismiss those enamored with platforms other than theirs, but eff those guys. They don’t get the half of it. Maybe, one day, they’ll realize that it doesn’t matter if you’re into Italian monocoque, Japanese steel, or American iron; when you turn those wrenches yourself, you appreciate that your fellow gear head’s been there too, even if you can’t imagine anyone being into the car he drives.

For most people, the only thing they can control in this life is how they allow change to affect them. Car guys have to deal with change all the same, but we also play a role in how our vehicles perform. Direct effort in – direct results out. That’s a rare luxury in this life.

So, yeah, uh, what HE said.

]]> By: James http://www.carthrottle.com/why-i-love-the-automobile/#comment-1415 James Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:53:04 +0000 http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=4644#comment-1415 Peter, I look forward to it. I've really been enjoying your posts as of late. The site is coming together nicely. Just let me know when you want to get together on a guest-posting setup with CarEnvy, i'd love to do some writing for your site. Peter, I look forward to it. I’ve really been enjoying your posts as of late. The site is coming together nicely. Just let me know when you want to get together on a guest-posting setup with CarEnvy, i’d love to do some writing for your site.

]]> By: PeterD http://www.carthrottle.com/why-i-love-the-automobile/#comment-1412 PeterD Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:56:15 +0000 http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=4644#comment-1412 I've also been asking myself this question recently. I like your answer, James. When I get my act together, I'll have an article up on CarEnvy.ca with my response :) I’ve also been asking myself this question recently. I like your answer, James. When I get my act together, I’ll have an article up on CarEnvy.ca with my response :)

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