It's rant time.

"Argent" (argent)
09/09/2013 at 09:02 • Filed to: Car culture, camaro

Hello Oppo, I have a confession to make. I drive an F-body, V6, automatic, convertible Camaro.

(This was taken a few years ago on my phone, which explains the horrible quality..)

Yes, it is admittedly not the most Jalop car ever. Yes, its body flexes more than an olympic gymnast's. Yes, I know the engine isn't beastly powerful. I do not have any plans on modifying it, it is completely stock. But I enjoy driving it and maintaining it (it's easy as shit). Hell, I enjoyed every minute of the 6 1/2 hours I spent yesterday lovingly washing, shampooing the top, claying, waxing, and vacuuming it. Do I need a reason why I love my car so much, even though it may not be the best? Sure! It's my car, that's why.

What I don't understand is why some people (not you, Oppo) believe that a true meter of an auto enthusiast is what you drive, or how much you mod your vehicle, and if you drive a car like mine, you "aren't a true car nut". Car culture is, unfortunately, tainted with this elitism and filled with annoying superiority complexes. This really is a disease that scares people off and keeps them from partaking in our culture. And it's not just coming from one group either; I've noticed it in many different groups, young and old. I just wish everybody could grow up, and stop with the irritating dick measuring contests and just enjoy the art of the automobile.

-Rant over-

DISCUSSION (22)

. . > Argent
09/09/2013 at 09:05

So telling people that their opinions don't count because they drive an auto is not cool? :( I thought it was attitude like this that made me the coolest person ever. :'(

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Argent
09/09/2013 at 09:05

Automatic? You're not a true enthusiast.

/sarcasm, sorry had to

/have to use these because apparently some people don't get my sarcasm

/not necessarily you

/but some people

/I'll stop now

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > . .
09/09/2013 at 09:12

It's only cool if you're talking to a Prius owner. Any automotive opinion is completely invalidated by that fact.

Kickplate > Argent
09/09/2013 at 09:17

v8corvairpickup > Argent
09/09/2013 at 09:33

I agree with your sentiment. Sometimes an enthusiast is in a position where the only vehicle they can afford is not very sporty or need to haul a large family and cannot finance a fun car.

What year is your Camaro? 3.4 v6?

AbigGRNboot > Argent
09/09/2013 at 09:45

As long as you have the bug, you're a Jalop.

Unless you start parking across multiple spaces. :-)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Argent
09/09/2013 at 10:49

Nah you're DD is much more Jalop than mine! I drive an automatic V6 Mercury Milan. I get great gas mileage and a nice safe ride for my 7 month old.

The fun car is the 1968 Mercury. BTW it also has an automatic, people love stick shifts but in classics the auto actually increases the value because it was a high dollar option.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Argent
09/09/2013 at 10:50

"Yes, it is admittedly not the most Jalop car ever."
Depends on the extent of your use of the word "car". F-bodies are Jalop as all fuck. Slushbox V6s, on the other side, nowhere as much.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/09/2013 at 10:53

What did you ever decide on that Grand Marquis?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
09/09/2013 at 11:02

Good memory! I'm going to drive it when I'm down in SC visiting family in November and decide then. Car isn't going anywhere because it isn't listed for sale. If I don't take it (and keep it as a daily driver) my dad will take it though. So either way it's staying in the family as a driver.

I haven't driven it since I was 17 (10 years ago) so I don't want to commit to taking the car without taking it for a spin. I lose a lot of features going to it, but I have the potential to have no monthly payment. Features lost: Air bags, CD player (lol), center console (bench seats), gas mileage, possibly garage parking depending on it's length. CD Player is an easy fix tho. Gas mileage isn't that big of a drop and balances out vs no car payment.

We'll have to see...

Bullitt417 > Argent
09/09/2013 at 11:27

You love your car. You take pride in how you take care of your car. You recognize the limitations of your car and embrace them, rather than claim it is Gods gift to the world. Most importantly you love driving you car. Therefore you are a Jalop. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Argent > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/09/2013 at 12:37

Yep, but it's fun as hell in the cool spring and fall months, not having to worry about a third pedal, and just cruising on a nice day after a long day of work. Very few things beat that simple pleasure.

Argent > v8corvairpickup
09/09/2013 at 12:38

2001 3.8l. My dad bought it new, and it's been in the family ever since.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Argent
09/09/2013 at 12:39

"not having to worry about a third pedal, and just cruising on a nice day after a long day of work." Having a third pedal beats that "pleasure."

Argent > Bullitt417
09/09/2013 at 12:42

Thanks!

Argent > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/09/2013 at 12:53

Cool! I'd love to get a classic Mercury once I get outta college. I love me some '68 Cougars, no innuendo intended. ;)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Argent
09/09/2013 at 13:10

LOL.

The Cougars are a GREAT deal right now, and will probably stay that way for a bit.

They have all the awesomeness of 60's Mustangs with more style. They are also different. That's why I love Mercury. Everyone shows up to a car show in a Mustang, how many in a Cougar? How many in a Montego? (less than the cougars!!!haha)

I love having a different car with incredibly common mechanicals, makes repairs easy and cheap, but still gets the "what the hell did you just pull up in?" question.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/09/2013 at 13:14

I'm also 27 and have no shame or problems with daily driving a Grand Marquis. Even if it does need some work, repairs/parts are generally pretty cheap. Either way it is good that you guys are keeping it in the family. My mom has an 06 Milan V6. I definitely prefer the Grand Marquis despite the shortcomings you mention. Good luck!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
09/09/2013 at 13:15

Thanks, honestly the safety factor is the biggest, i wouldn't have shame in driving it at all, it's a great car.

I don't think it has any airbags and it definitely doesn't have LATCH which means its just a little harder to put in the car seat (or in the future....seat S ).

Horkin' Up Dangle Hams > Argent
09/09/2013 at 13:50

I drive a 1998 Mazda B2500 pickup. I love her to death, even though, as my friends put it, she has "three Mexican power under the hood" (not sure what that means, but the idea is she is incredibly slow). I get asked all the time, "what do you drive?" This is usually after I have ranted for 15 minutes about why Camrys are awful and everyone should drive M5 Wagons instead.

They always expect to hear that I drive something far more interesting than a little Mazda truck. They even seem disappointed. I hate that I am measured by such a ridiculous metric. I want an M5 Wagon! I want a new Ferrari F12! But I am a poor college student, so those dreams will have to wait. I guess I am saying that I completely agree with your post, and please enjoy that slow, flexing beauty for as long as you can.

Argent > Horkin' Up Dangle Hams
09/09/2013 at 14:18

Haha, I have a very similar dream car: An E46 M3 wagon! They were never produced, but I'd sure love to swap in the engine and suspension.

pianomanzero > Bullitt417
09/09/2013 at 23:31

This! It's not the car that makes a Jalop, its the person, their passion, their honesty, their dedication and their heart!
Love the hell outta that camaro!
This quotes about friggin spaceships but it describes exactly how a true Jalop feels about their car, no matter what that car is:
"But it ain't all buttons and charts, little albatross. You know what the first rule of flying is?...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'Verse, but you take a boat in the air that you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her a home." -Capt. Malcolm Reynolds