Why do we do what we do?

[SLOWZ]

Honestly, what is it about this hobby that makes it so addicting. The people/friends you meet, is always number one in my books. But just in terms of the car itself. What does it? The desire to be just slightly different then the rest of the crowd? Maybe the desire to just do something others can't? Or is it the need to just be faster than someone else, or maybe even everybody else? Of course there is always someone else faster who has the cash to do so. That i'm sure we are all aware of. But how about that point in which you just envy someone's car and that envy turns into something in which you just have to beat that car. Is it a particular person's car that does it? Or just a general group of cars?

Since i've picked up this new car, i've just enjoyed driving it. And I haven't even driven it all that much. I fixed some small probs that it had. Got rid of some ghetto wiring for the stereo and the aftermarket stereo stuff itself too. It's in the body shop right now getting buffed out and a section of it that had been repainted (very poorly) by the first owner. Just that desire to have another really nice, clean car. I'm loving how it's looking right now. For the first time in my life, I did something the correct way. I took that year and a half off from racing and I SAVED!! Do you believe that crap? I actually saved money. It was gonna go towards the red car, but I got offered rediculous money for what it was. probably $1500 more than what it was worth in a rolling chassis condition. That and then selling the Land Rover for a bit of profit helped out with the purchase of this Z. But now is the question of how far does one go? I've gotten my life in gear and am living on my own(well with a roomie) but still under my own income for everything. Got a raise at work, and am in the process of getting my A+ certification to start off as an "Entry Level Help Desk Technician". Working from there to Network+ and then onto something having to do with Internet/Network Security.

But back to the main topic... What drives YOU guys to do this? For me, honestly, it's to prove that certain things can be done and to shut up the naysayers. And especially to shut up those that think that nothing else could touch their car. Will I always win, NO WAY. But i'll give it a run for the money.

Chris

Comin' out with a BIG STICK this year....

[Greg@GLD]

Nice post Chris... Why do we do this? Hell if I know. Case in point- it made ZERO sense for me to get that Mach1. I already had a paid-for car that I have had great times with and like very much, but something about that Mach1 just captivated me and I made the mistake of test driving it. Am I glad I did buy it? YOU BET!!! We do these things because man cannot live by work alone, he needs an outlet (as do the women enthusiasts out there!) Days like yesterday and Saturday are why, or Saturday night. Racing, cruising, hanging out, just like you said man...

[Kirk]

It's the combination of everything you mentioned.

[Jim]

i totally agree with the outlet theory greg. my job gets very frustrating at times, and it helps to be able to drag race.

[Kirk]

Just getting out in the car & cruising does the mind & spirit good.

I don't mind working long shifts when I can drive home with the top down at night.
It's so relaxing.

[SLOWZ]

That's what my motorcycle always was. An outlet. A private time in which all thoughts of the world passed by like the yellow lines on the pavement. And now it's gonna be the same with the car. I just find it funny that i'm about to lay down for mods the same amount i paid for the car. And why? Just to go quicker in only a 1/4 mile stretch of pavement. And the funnier thing.... there's even MORE that i can buy :) Who said choice and selection was a bad thing? I guess it's just that time of year. Everyone's out racing and I'm used to a car that was a full second quicker than what this one is.

Greg you are definitely right about the "Days like yesterday and Saturday are why, or Saturday night. Racing, cruising, hanging out" I don't think i've had as much fun as I have had in just the past two weeks with the car, and the weather hasn't even broke yet. Can you say excitement?!!

[Jesse James]

Being with oneself, alone and the machine.
Timeless, intrigued, happy. The look, the feels, the smells of a car. Each person relates "as an enthusiast extremis" aka one who likes cars to begin with. The "love affair" with the american automobile is one of the few iconic things left in this country. For me, earlier in life the need for speed and the challenge was extremely addicting, to a point where I spent crazy amounts of $$ for my "obsession". A few years have went by, my love for cars is still very real, although the way I see things has changed a bit. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase. My outlets are many, my guitars are very similar in all ways, I just can't drive em. LOL. I guess the best way for me to sum it up, guitars and music are my personal out, cars are my in. They bring me back to a common ground if you will. People by nature "herd". To join in the herd in your car, is being different, as seen fit by each individual. Mustangs, Herd. You can be alone, or together, to share in the herding platform we all call the car. What better way to share our experiences? It's only natural.

[dufkis]

Wow these are some good posts. I like cars and doing things to them that most people can't. Like this winter taking apart the car. Spending the nights up till 2am woking on. The to have it all come together and with the turn of a key the heart beat comes to life like you are giving birth to some fire breathing monster. That is one of the things that I love is being able to do this when most of the people that come into my work can't change a headlight/wiper blade. Also like Greg said an outlet and eacape from everyday. Also to come together with people like you guys to share our hobby.

[BP Convt]

This car hobby seems to be the only way that I can express my creativity. I'm definately not in it to make money. Making noise and laying down patches of rubber is what it's all about.

[drag79stang]

Just always 'done it', I guess. Don't drink, (much), don't smoke, don't hunt, don't carouse in bars, don't do anything I guess but tinker with cars, and race.
Meeting all the new people at different tracks/forums, is great,, seeing all the great cars, and racing at all the different tracks is just a HUGE turn on for me.
Showing the car off, (here goes that ego trippin' again), is always fun. Answering questions, learning stuff........it's all good.

[347 LX]

It's a way for me to escape reality sometimes. It's kinda a goal to make my car somewhat quicker each year. If I didn't have my car, I don't know what I would do with my time or money. I can't imagine life without it.

[Greg@GLD]

I would agree that these are GREAT responses, this is the stuff I love to read about.
Been on the web a LONG time and have come and gone over that time. I know a few maybe three-four years ago, I got kinda sick of the web and just spent most of my time at GLD. I lived much closer to GLD than I do now, so I worked every day were were open and almost never was online much. I know 100's (yes 100's) of people from my years at GLD, and I have such a good time when I am there. I lost count at 1,000 timeslips . :D Learned so much just hanging out there, seeing all the combos and different people, and watching and learning. This past weekend was like old times there, I had such a good time, it was great being able to RACE!!!! I spent a lot of time in the lanes and just watching and talking to people and it reminds me of the very topic of this thread- WHY DO WE DO THESE THINGS?
:D ;)

[Someguy]

Why I do it??? The need for speed. The fact that I dont have many bills and I cant save money for the life of me. If I didnt spend a lot of it on the car I would just blow it at the bars with my buddies or some other stupid stuff. At least this way Ill have something to show for it and I've met some great people that are now good friends along the way.

[jefflouis]

Just always 'done it', I guess. Don't drink, (much), don't smoke, don't hunt, don't carouse in bars, don't do anything I guess but tinker with cars, and race.
Meeting all the new people at different tracks/forums, is great,, seeing all the great cars, and racing at all the different tracks is just a HUGE turn on for me.
Showing the car off, (here goes that ego trippin' again), is always fun. Answering questions, learning stuff........it's all good.

i'm kinda the same way, i chose my car over drinking constantly and doing drugs. :D it also makes me feel like i accomplish something by working on my car. like joel said, some people dont even know how to change a light bulb or wiper blade and actually pay people like my dad to do basic maintinance like that to their cars. just learning how to do things to my car and knowing that i can do more things to it, makes me feel like i have some sort of skill at it. granted when it comes to cars, my knowledge base still isn't that big... someday though. someday i'll know a thing or two about them and by that time, i'll probably have a kid wanting to do the same thing i'm doing right now... :rolleyes: *sigh*

[SMOKD U]

well i like when other people get a kick out of what you did. plus i really love nice cars. i would rather have a clean looking car than a fast car and thats why my car looked good first. you guys remember when i was just going to bolt some stuff on. but after some red Z28 blew my doors off. hehe thx i decided that the ford could not loose that battle. hehe. good luck and spend it wisely. i made to many changes that cost me double.

[SLOWZ]

but after some red Z28 blew my doors off. hehe thx i decided that the ford could not loose that battle.


HAHAHAHA.... My BAD!!

[Tim Russell]

LOL, the FORD can never loose :thumbs_up

Why do we do it? For me I've always liked cars, it's a fun hobby. Right now I don't care if the guy in the next lane is faster or slower (although it's more fun if they're slower, Kirk 1 sec + RT to my .579 :p ). I'm racing against myself, and trying for better times, fewer missed shifts, etc. :burnout: :burnout: