On cars and self-identity

"RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire" (ricerocketeer2)
07/02/2014 at 19:58 • Filed to: None

This is my car. Has been for the last 8 years and 101k miles. I wasn't really attached to it at first — it doesn't have a name besides 'the car' or 'ricebucket' — but now I'd be hard pressed to let it go.

I try to buy cars for just me . Of course I bought the car partially to try to impress others, but the days of anyone being impressed by this thing are long past. I also try not to identify myself by my possessions; I'm not my clothes, my watch, my tech gadget du jour. And yet, somehow, this thing has become my emotional center through numerous ups and downs while it's been with me. I get the feeling that years from now I'll end up like those car fetishists on Petrolicious, and viewers will go, "Wow, I haven't seen an unmolested RSX for ages!"

Anyway, after 12 years and 207,000 miles of existence it's finally getting some dents pulled and the wet dog smell shampooed out. Maybe some paint and replacement plastic bits for the originals that went brittle in the sun and fell off. I'm not just repairing my car, I'm patching my ego as well.

DISCUSSION (30)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 20:05

This was a big issue for me when buying my car. I know that in high school, if you buy something outside the normal, boring car, people associate you with it and start to make assumptions about you. That's one of the only things I don't love about my car; A lot of people, even teachers and coaches, just think of me as "the rich Jew". My new car, despite not being that expensive, did not help that. It's frustrating, because people assume that I and everyone else get a luxury car as a status symbol. And a lot of people do, but I (obviously, since I'm on here) bought it because it's a terrific car.

dogisbadob > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 20:07

Kinja'd!!!

It's got VTEC yo!! This is why it has been your center :)

mazda616 > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 20:09

That's awesome, man. I know what that's like. I'm 24, and I've had three cars. A '92 Beretta from '06 to '07 (first car), a '99 Grand Am from '07 to '09 and my current car, an '08 Mazda3 that I bought in August 2009. I've become so accustomed to driving the 3, that I know all of its quirks and particularities. It is also a ton of fun to drive hard, since I know the limits of myself and the car so well after five years. I can't see myself getting rid of this car anytime soon, either, unless something awful happens and it's totaled or something.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 20:09

There is a name for it: Integra :p

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 20:09

What kind of car do you have?

GhostZ > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 20:11

Cars are an extension of one's self. You'd be amazed at what you can learn about a person just by looking carefully at their car.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/02/2014 at 20:11

Audi

AM3R > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 20:21

I was in a similar boat. I was "the rich middle eastern kid with a bimmer."

phenotyp > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 20:21

Guh, I know exactly what you mean. When I bought my MR2 almost 9 years ago, a friend of mine said "oh, that's so you." And over the years it really started to be that. I was just laughing with another friend of mine yesterday, whose automotive love was his Evo (sold 2 years ago for an M3), about how we'll never really love a car again, no matter what it is.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 20:32

A reasonably new one? Wow you're lucky! Even if they're not my favorite cars, being able to afford one in high school is awesome. Shit, even for anyone to be able to afford that you gotta be rich as fuck.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/02/2014 at 20:35

It's a 2001. And not sure if being jokingly sarcastic, or just extremely unhelpful.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 20:58

Oh. Never mind then. I had thought you had like at least an 09 or something.

Carry on.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 21:02

Its hard to explain to non car people because they see the badge and judge. For instance, my friend saw some kid driving an older Jaguar X type (circa 2002) and I parked my 2013 Civic next to him. My friend went crazy judging him since he has a Jag and its so expensive. But I had to explain to him that they depreciate so much, he most likely didn't pay more than $7000 for it, and that my Civic is worth more.

Its an issue with any kid driving an older, luxury car

thebigbossyboss > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 21:06

I always feel good about fixing my car. Sure a Cavalier with a fart cannon, and now looking like it's on a one inch lift is a stupid terrible car. But it's mine and I try to care for it the best I can. When people see me I want them to go "damn that cavalier is in really good shape considering how old it is"....hahaha.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/02/2014 at 21:13

* rolls eyes * Thank you.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/02/2014 at 21:14

It is.

dogisbadob > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
07/02/2014 at 21:21

The Civic friend got all jealous because the X-Type is an awesome luxury car and built ford tough and shit. I mean, a cool luxury car that's a wagon and has a cute cat on the hood is awesome. And you could even get this luxury wagon with its cute cat on the hood with a manual transmission!!!!!!!!!!!

But it doesn't have VTEC. Or reliability.

But my ES300 has luxury, prestige, *and* reliability :)

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/02/2014 at 21:24

I have a 96 ES300 (Camry) and it's the best car ever made, but with a more prestigious name, and gold badges which are awesome.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
07/02/2014 at 21:26

I've never loved the ES300, but there can be no doubting that it is a superbly well-made car.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > mazda616
07/02/2014 at 23:20

Yep, exactly. I travel and drive quite a few rentals which, frankly, are better cars than mine. But when I get home, everything wrong about my car just feels right.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > GhostZ
07/02/2014 at 23:20

Especially in SoCal where everyone drives instead of walks ... cars are more important than clothes here.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > dogisbadob
07/02/2014 at 23:21

Did you notice the car parked in front of the RSX in that picture? :)

ly2v8-Brian > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/02/2014 at 23:35

I know what you're saying. My current DD is an 09 Silverado. I worked hard to afford it. I searched for a long time to find the perfect used one. And I love it because it is mine (my previous two cars were bought for me, which I greatly appreciated).

PG; the scalpel wielder > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/03/2014 at 06:41

in the same boat with my car, until I step upto an NA1...

dogisbadob > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/03/2014 at 09:56

I did not. The picture is kinda dark, and I had to blow it up to notice.

Grigore > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/24/2014 at 11:34

I totally feel you bro... The car that I drive is part of me. I choose it strictly based on my personal desires.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

So what do you guys think,

e28

Kinja'd!!!

e30

Kinja'd!!!

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Grigore
07/24/2014 at 13:53

Isn't that an E24 and not an E28?

Buick Mackane > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
07/24/2014 at 19:32

I don't understand why most Jewish people prefer to drive German cars (Mercedes and BMW). Both BMW and Mercedes used Jewish slave labor during WW2 (working them until they dropped dead) and also built the engines for tanks and fighter aircraft that killed our Allied soldiers. Why?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Buick Mackane
07/24/2014 at 19:59

There is nothing of "those" companies left. Most of us have forgiven them and realize they make some really good cars.

Grigore > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
07/25/2014 at 16:04

Yeap, typo.