I was driving through campus today...

"Bandit" (2bandit) 10/31/2013 at 19:13 • Filed to: Purdue

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And I saw THREE Nissan GT-Rs within two minutes! In that time I saw more GT-Rs than prii. Let that sink in for a moment. I am totally okay with that. Also, on my way home I saw another GT-R. I now know there are at least five GT-Rs at Purdue - there is a white one with tastefully applied tuner parts stickers that I didn't see today.

PatBateman > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 19:27

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You need to become friends with these dudes.

Dudes, right?

TheOnelectronic > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 19:34

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Nice! We've only got 2 GTR's, both "black" editions here in Champaign. Both were bought as status symbols and have likely never seen an apex.

Bandit > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 19:36

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Take that Illini fan!

TheOnelectronic > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 19:39

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We do have a 1M coupe and a RS5, though. Even if they are both basically handbags.

Seriously, pretty much every "nice" car here is a fashion accessory. It's disheartening.

Hindered23 > PatBateman 10/31/2013 at 19:41

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chances are they're international students with that dont know shit about their cars. that's how it is at most colleges

Bandit > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 19:43

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Yeah, we have a 1M, several M3s, an M5, a couple Ferrari 430s, a 458, a Jag F-type, 3 Maserati GTs, an Audi R8, and probably others that I am missing. Almost all are accessories or symbols of a Student's parent's wealth.

Leadbull > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 19:53

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You go to U of I? I'm in my second year of college right now, and I'll be transferring to 4-year university next year. Illinois is in my top three. Do you like it? I mean, any info would be great if it's not any trouble.

TheOnelectronic > Leadbull 10/31/2013 at 20:15

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Well, I mean, I've never gone to anywhere else, but I like it quite a bit.

The campus is really beautiful. That's more or less what sold me. When I visited, it just felt like a place I wanted to stay.

The academics are pretty top-notch, and especially with in-state tuition, it's a great value. I've also yet to have a class A) taught by a TA or B) taught by a professor I couldn't understand, which going by friends' facebook posts seems to be common complaints about other places.

Bus system is pretty great. Buses are usually within 1-2 minutes of schedule, are quick, very frequent, and the stops are well distributed. If you live off campus or in one of the farther dorms, it's very useful.

The campus is quite large, so getting places without the buses can involve quite a hike. Parking is available, but it's hard to get a permit and usually more hassle than it's worth. After 5pm and on weekends, however, all university lots are open, so for afternoons and weekends, parking is pretty easy. If you're the type, motorcycles can park in any of a multitude of motorcycle lots around campus with a single, $60 year-long permit. It's the best way to get around, in my experience.

In terms of Car stuff... There's a shop in town that seems to get good reviews, and the parking lot regularly sees old 911's, GT3's, Turbos, and other interesting "enthusiast" cars. The roads, sadly, are boring. Incredibly boring. Literally just a grid. I know of two S-turns that can be fun at speed, but that's about it. Also there's a spot where you can catch some air onto gravel, but that's why I'm missing quite a few underbody panels. Driving around campus is not too bad, although during passing times the crosswalks are impenetrable. Champaign especially has some really, REALLY stupid one-way streets.

The population is... well, I live on the north side of campus, where it seems to be about 60% international students. South of campus is where all the bros live. You would also become well acquainted with Chicago elitism here...

There are a ton of extra-curricular groups. There's Formula SAE as well as Mini Baja, and a group that was/is working on a hydraulic hybrid go-kart. (I was the only one who knew how to repair an engine, lol)

I have no idea what flavor of social life you have, but there's a pretty huge bar/party scene. I don't know, not really my thing.

Champaign and Urbana both also have "downtown" areas separate from campus. Both have some really cool restaraunts and shops that most of the students don't get around to.

Lastly, in case it's an issue, the campus is moving to smoke-free next spring. That means you can't even smoke outdoors while you're on campus grounds. Plenty of people are unhappy with this.

That's about everything that came to mind. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I can try to narrow things down a bit.

TheOnelectronic > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 20:18

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Damn, that's really quite the collection.

WE ONLY HAVE 2 MASERATI GT's QQ

Although we do have an E60 M5 with straight pipes. He parks in the same garage I do. I'm considering finding a brick.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 21:03

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There's only one GT-R here and it's owned by an international student. I'm more interested in meeting the the teachers who own the two 944s and the 300TD wagon than I am the GT-R guy.

PatBateman > Hindered23 10/31/2013 at 21:25

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Okay. Become friends with them by showing them what they are truly driving.

When I was in banking, I had a young dentist that suddenly became hot shit in his profession and started making big bucks overnight. I financed a Viper for him. He let me drive it around a big, empty parking lot. I stopped the car and asked, "Have you opened it up yet?" He said "No, haven't gotten it up past 55 yet. I'm kind of scared of it." I responded: "Hold on, and don't scream."

I then proceeded to drive it around the parking lot like a mad man, laying copious amounts of rubber my tracks and made him crap his pants as I drifted it around a light pole. I smiled and told him to take it to a track so he could learn how to drive it.

Hindered23 > PatBateman 10/31/2013 at 21:30

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I've only driven automatics, and these people rev their cars haha. my college has way more bro trucks and regular cars. I've seen nice euro cars, but nothing sporty or exotic. one Ferrari and one Bentley on campus somewhere. Tennessee is mostly bro truck though haha

Leadbull > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 21:52

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Wow, thanks.

Thats good to know about the TA thing. I went to Carbondale my first year, and that was a huge problem for me. I actually dropped a Chem class because, in part, I could not understand or communicate with the TA. Do you know if this varies by program? Got any liberal arts friends who complain about their TAs?

The bus service sounds like good news sine I won't have a car while I'm there (unless I buy a cheap ~$2,000 one, which I very well might). Carbondale's busses suuuuccckked.

So whats the surrounding country like? Is it just corn fields like I assume, or are there any forests or hills around?

f86sabre > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 22:07

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Purdue certainly has gone upscale since I went there.

f86sabre > Bandit 10/31/2013 at 22:10

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Purdue certainly has gone upscale since I went there.

TheOnelectronic > Leadbull 10/31/2013 at 22:24

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A lot of classes will have a recitation or discussion section taught by the TA. That can be a little more hit-or-miss in terms of understanding, but it's generally not as critical as being able to understand the lecturer.

I think if anything the situation is better in the liberal arts areas. You're more likely to get a professor who actually takes time to TEACH and not just speak, and apart from a few german/russian accents, you aren't as likely to get into full-on incomprehensibility.

The country is basically all flat, all corn. There may be interesting roads, but I've yet to find them within a 100 mile radius. I think there's a nature preserve/forest of sorts in Allerton. I only know this because it's a popular place for people to go and stargaze, since it's very, very dark.

Leadbull > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 22:37

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Is Peoria less than 100mi away? I know they have some VERY nice roads.

TheOnelectronic > Leadbull 10/31/2013 at 23:04

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Heh. 89.9 miles

Leadbull > TheOnelectronic 10/31/2013 at 23:20

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In the northeastern (I think) part of the city, there're some pretty respectable river bluffs. Just g-maps search "Detweiler Park" and look around the area... on the east side of the river, as well.

Elevation change = funzies

Where have all the lightweights gone? > TheOnelectronic 11/01/2013 at 00:22

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Yeah that area is flat and dull and, in my experiences down there, the cars on campus are pretty spectacular. I'm making a bold assumption you've been to Zorba's for gyros?

iLikeCarsAndSkiing > Bandit 11/01/2013 at 12:48

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I bet they are Asian students who own them. Maybe a professor owns one.