I noticed something disappointing about local car groups tonight.

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/18/2014 at 21:50 • Filed to: car groups

Maybe this is just where I am and it might be the ST as well, but the car and I, we just don't seem to fit in anywhere. :(

We don't fit into any particular group other than a group of other Foci(plural for multiple Focus cars); and I don't even fit in with them!

I noticed this driving down Woodward tonight after work.

Driving all around Woodward, of course it's all about American Muscle and land yachts most of the time. But with the FoST, I couldn't see one place for me to actually park and talk to people about their cars. I feel as though I'd just spend the entire conversation talking about their car, or when they finally asked me about my car(s), I'd have no way to respond other than "it's just a Focus". And that's what hit me today..

It's just a Focus, a Focus with a turbocharger and body kit. Sure, it has amazing handling and good power and looks very sharp and other good things about it; at the end of the day, it's still a Focus.

The car won't ever get anyone's attention, won't spark any interest in a conversation, or even be interesting. It's just a Focus; that makes me sad.

When I was driving the 911, I got looks everywhere I went, or someone wanted to talk to me about it. I even got stopped in a Wal-Mart lot to answer some questions about it! I loved that feeling of being noticed and not being that one guy in the corner. I miss that feeling.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong? Or approaching this the wrong way? Or maybe it even has to do with my location. Not sure. Anyone else experience this kinda thing with their car groups?

Charlotte and I will be in a corner now.

DISCUSSION (100)

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 21:52

I heard a surprising amount of people talking about my car at Cars and Coffee, among the Spykers, Lambos, and CCC cars. I'd say it's well accepted and people really like it. EVERYONE loves the doge sticker.

dogisbadob > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 21:53

Kinja'd!!!

If this thing can fit in, so can you :)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 21:55

The car group i hang with on the west side of MI is pretty accepting of anything that shows up. We all just wanna hang. Whether its a stanced Subaru or a stock Mustang

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > dogisbadob
07/18/2014 at 21:55

I don't even remember what that is. It probably stood out much more than my car.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 21:56

But that may be where you are. Where I am, it seems no one gives any shits or fucks about a Focus or Fiesta in any shape or form; well, maybe an RS.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
07/18/2014 at 21:57

I wish I could go there, if it weren't a 3- hour drive and about more than half a tank to get there..

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 21:57

When they say, "It's just a Focus," take them for a ride! ;)

You may find some people who will simply brush you off, but for the most part I'm sure you will meet people who are genuinely interested. Good petrolheads are good petrolheads. Simple as that. I had some good ol' boy driving his lifted Jeep in the middle of Michigan start talking to me about my FR-S in the parking lot of a convenience store. He asked me all about it, and I talked with him about his jeep and trucks. It was a nice chat, and a little surprising from a country boy in the middle of domestics territory. lol

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 21:57

Maybe the FiST owners will let you in their groups and want to hang out?

Lots of FiST drivers out there.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:00

Yea we have a group that usually meets every sunday night. Most of us are WMU students too so that helps

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:01

From what I've learned by going to automotive events in my area, is that the car community is a very forward thinking group of people. Most of the cars are newer and more exotic. Not many classics. A lot of younger people, and people who keep up on the automotive news of the world. This is definitely a factor.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:01

Only one person has ever stopped me to appreciate or even comment on my car. A guy in a '79 911SC pulled up next to me at a light commenting on ho much he loved STs; that was the only time ever.. -_-

No one's ever wanted to talk about it either.

Your boy, BJR > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:02

Kinja'd!!!

my aunt had one of these with a car phone and suede seats and chrome ROHs back when these were new. She was a booking agent for Def Jam in miami so it was the shit lol. I miss it so much. (said no sober person about a lebaron ever.)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari
07/18/2014 at 22:02

You never see a FiST around here. There's only two I regularly see here and they're both in that Focus grou that I can never fit in with. :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
07/18/2014 at 22:04

I go to LTU and we have no car groups here. I've been thinking about starting one though..

I'd love to visit your group sometime.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:05

Unfortunately that's one of the downsides of a hot hatch in the U.S., most people don't notice them. Rest assured, if you were in the UK you'd be gettin' crooked teeth BJ's like crazy because of your car! lol

In all seriousness though, you got the car because you enjoy driving it. Other people's opinions be damned. They're the ones missing out.

Where are you located btw? I'm just curious about a place that has such a seemingly lame auto scene.

JR1 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:05

A Focus is one of the best cars on the market today. Furthermore an ST is going to be a cult classic mark my words. You got a sweet ride and I am very envious. So it's not a muscle car big deal it's still funnier and cooler than hell.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:06

It definitely seems to be the opposite here. More classics than modern even though that's not the case. Classics being more appreciated than moderns of course. It just seems to suck for me over here.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:06

If your out here on a sunday night drop in!

That is how ours started. Some kids here at WMU started it and made an FB group and just had meets then word started to get out

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:07

Do that! Spearhead it! I bet there are at least a few other auto enthusiasts like yourself who are wishing there was a better community.

Is there not a regional ST group near you?

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:07

Yeah. Everyone seems to hover towards the newer cars that come in, here. If you don't live in the metro-area northeast, heavily populated Florida, or California, then Classics will rule.

RotaryLover > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:08

That's how it is. When people see a car that is freely available right now and not rare, it won't get their attention, unless it's modified. Right now, everyone and their grandmas knows the specs of it, so why ask? But wait 10-15 yrs and it will turn heads. Or switch all the bumpers to the regular Focus ones. Say that you swap the engine yourself. Troll and get trolled.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:09

I swear, I could've gotten that V6 Stang and I would've gotten more attention. I don't care much about the oppinions, I just love being noticed for something.

I live very close to Woodward. Where the Dream Cruise is, in Michigan. It's not that it's lame, I just don't seem to fit in anywhere.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > JR1
07/18/2014 at 22:09

Maybe I'm just a sucker begging for attention... -_-

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:11

Not that I know of. It seems that every Ford Focus, regardless of generation is put into one group.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:11

Yeah, getting attention is nice... Wish I had a better answer for ya. :/ You could always go get a Toyobaru! lol I like the FoST a lot, that and the FiST were the only other cars I was considering when shopping.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:12

Time to move to where Brian lives!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:12

I think it's very specific taste here. Not sure what it is, but there's just so much here, it's hard to tell.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > RotaryLover
07/18/2014 at 22:13

Gooby, y u do dis....I shud troll nd get trolled. tht is a gud idea. :P

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
07/18/2014 at 22:14

I've only been to Kalamazoo twice in the past two years; because I never have a reason to venture out there. Maybe I'll make an adventure out of it before the summer's over.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:15

Well in modern days it seems like most cars do generally go into model specific groups. The group I hang out with is an FR-S/BRZ group, some other cars show up but it's mainly just Toyobarus.

Search the ST forums and find some other owners near you. Start developing a small group, and in time maybe it will grow.

jariten1781 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:15

You want people to stare at you and talk about your ride? Get a motorcycle with a sidecar. Doesn't matter if it's a POS, you literally can't stop anywhere without someone bugging you.

In the FiST I've been chased down by a dude in an Arnage and accosted by a guy in an M5 both of whom were interested in a new dd. It apparently attracts an interesting crowd. Certainly doesn't get a lot of general attention though, but I prefer that.

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:15

Hopefully it's 944 exclusively. Then you'll be famous as fuck.

RotaryLover > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:16

accualy is dolan

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari
07/18/2014 at 22:16

It's the only way? -_-

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:17

I wish I had considered one when I originally searched for anew car. I would've loved a BRZ. All I had on my mind was V6 Stang or FoST...

Louros > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:19

You should sell it and buy a 944 and a Taurus SHO.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:20

Yea not exactly the most exciting place lol. Its a smaller college town. It is on the way to Gingerman raceway tho... :)

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:20

I dunno, maybe!

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:21

V6 Mustang is meh in my book. Ecoboost Mustang is another story... lol

Do you auto-x your car? I will guarantee you that if you go out to some auto-x events you will meet people who appreciate your car.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:21

You probably wouldn't believe me, but the forum members that are local, are in that group that I can't fit in to.

Age might have something to do with it too. All the ST owners local to me are in their 20s-30s. Being 18 certainly creates many barriers for me..

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:23

Ah gotchya. Yeah, I can see that playing a factor. You may just need to go, and kind of put up with not having your car noticed. Ask people about their cars and just enjoy the automotive talks. In time I'm sure people will start to see that you know your stuff, you're not just some young punk kid who wants to be F&F, and they will probably respect you more for being young and having such a great outlook on cars.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jariten1781
07/18/2014 at 22:23

I was actually chased down by a PT Cruiser once and the guy thought I was driving a test car ver. of the new ST or RS because of my Yellow calipers, exhaust, and noticed that it set off and went much faster than any ST he saw; I was running a stage 1 tune at the time. I loved that.

I haven't interested anyone with my FoST. But I would love for people to occasionally stare at me and my car and talk about it at least once! :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:25

There aren't even any Porsche groups out over hear that isn't PCA; which only has occasional meets and such. I've never seen a group of Porsches get together at any point EVER! :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > RotaryLover
07/18/2014 at 22:25

Gooby, u in cahuts wit Dolan? Y?

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:26

Really? I see Porsche groups all the time! Sometimes they meet up in parking lots then drive to Cars and Coffee together, cool stuff.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
07/18/2014 at 22:26

I see what you did there.... -_-

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
07/18/2014 at 22:27

I only had to go out there for Varsity Tennis finals(States).What's that Gingerman raceway?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari
07/18/2014 at 22:28

I'm not ready to move. -_-

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:29

I can't auto-x my car. Not allowed to; should something ever happen, my dad would have my head on the wall. -_-

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
07/18/2014 at 22:30

Tried that, with that group and some others. Nothing changed. I just need to find another group if there are any left..

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:32

I WISH THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ME!! :_(

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:32

MOVE TO A COOL PLACE

RotaryLover > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:33

Carhl, pls.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:34

ONE SIMPLY DOES NOT FUCKING MOVE TO A COOL PLACE!! -_-

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:34

Not even with the other hot hatches?

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:35

Just live vicariously through others on the internet then!!

Louros > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:35

Then you'll get the attention you deserve...

Stop bitching, bro. The Focus ST is a fantastic car.

No Prius Needed > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:35

Stance it and add stickers. You will get plenty of attention.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > RotaryLover
07/18/2014 at 22:36

Gooby, I cnt ft in wer I am, wht du i du.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/18/2014 at 22:37

Nope. Not with GTI's or Speed3s or anything else.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:37

IM GOING TO LIVE YOUR LIFE NOW!!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:38

Its a road course in south haven MI. by the lake. Its pretty sweet there

twochevrons > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:38

Back when I was shopping around for my first car, my father gave me some very wise words: "Buy the car that you like, not the car that you think will impress others. It won't." I ignored it and bought something outrageous anyway, but he had a point.

I won't deny, it is a great feeling to drive a car that turns heads and gets people talking – that's one of the things that I love about driving my MGA. But if that's what you are expressly wanting to get out of owning a car, you're looking for pleasure in the wrong place. The vast majority of people simply don't care. Furthermore, people's tastes are different – I wouldn't expect the American muscle crowd to be all that interested in hot hatches. Sure, in an ideal world, we'd all be welcoming and interested – I'd never see myself owning an older American car, but I can totally understand the appeal – but in reality, people tend to dismiss things outside their own circle.

My daily driver is a Volvo 850R wagon, and that is a similar (if more extreme) case to your Focus ST. When people ask me what I drive, and I say that I have a Volvo 850R, nobody knows (or cares) that the R is a fire-breathing monster compared to your regular Volvo 850 brick. But I'm a bit older and wiser now, and my Dad's wisdom makes sense. Sure, it's great to talk to a fellow enthusiast who knows what it is, but I like it on its own merits. Call me a hipster if you may, but I actually LIKE that it's a bit obscure.

TL;DR: If you're looking to other people's reactions for car-ownership satisfaction, you're doing it wrong. True satisfaction can only come from within.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:39

Why?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:40

First off, having something different in the crowd is cool.

Secondly, the FoST is a modern interpretation of many of the old muscle cars, which took an "ordinary" and typically "small" car and put more power in it. The Mustang was based on the Ford Falcon, after all. Similar stories for other muscle cars.

You're ahead of the curve. If someone's not willing to pay attention to your car because it's from a more modern formula, it's their loss.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:40

I was just kidding!

Don't worry you'll find cool car people!

Have you tried cars and coffee ?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
07/18/2014 at 22:40

I have never said it wasn't a fantastic car.

Is it bad that I wish people would notice me for once? It's not that I deserve any attention, I just wish that people would actually see me without me having to be obnoxious to get any attention. That's all.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > No Prius Needed
07/18/2014 at 22:41

I will never drive an impractically stanced car bro. I would lower the car some, but never stance or slam one. I don't understand how that's even a popular thing...

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:42

Kewl. Just picked up a GoPro today. Took a test video in the Boxster today, about 10 minutes long. It fell off the mounting point 3 times because I was using the wrong thing to mount it.

Saturday:

I have to buy a hose to wash the cars tomorrow in preparation for Cars and Coffee on Sunday. I also need a haircut.

Also, the BMW Ultimate Driving event at 6pm. Driving a 228i.

Sunday:

Cars and Coffee. Probably going to go driving on the back roads with the dudes from the Classic car club like last time. Last time they brought the 964 ducktail and the E30 M3. Wonder what I'll be following this week!

GET ALL THAT

No Prius Needed > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:43

Buht brah ull get so much pu$$y with it bro.

Louros > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:43

I'm sure you get plenty of attention on this forum for having that car. If you wanted a bunch of uncultured mouth breathers to notice you, then yeah, go buy a Mustang.

RotaryLover > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:45

opan top Carhl, youl ft in god. opan buut chek to.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > twochevrons
07/18/2014 at 22:45

Then I'm not satisfied with the ST then? I've bought the wrong car? I did kinda buy it because I was pressured by the fact that I was told it was a great car, but maybe I did something wrong there? I would've liked a car that I both liked and impressed people with. I'm definitely doing something wrong here...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/18/2014 at 22:46

I DON'T KNOW! :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
07/18/2014 at 22:46

I guess.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari
07/18/2014 at 22:46

I've never been...

Dsscats > Louros
07/18/2014 at 22:47

Hit the nail on the head with these comments

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:48

Is it you?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:49

Why can't my life be that interesting....

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > No Prius Needed
07/18/2014 at 22:49

Lol no. Lifted trucks and 4x4s bro.

Actually I hate those too.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Louros
07/18/2014 at 22:50

Umm.....Ow. :(

I don't think I'm that much of a prominent person around here. I just post and comment when I can.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > RotaryLover
07/18/2014 at 22:51

buut I am nt a wman Gooby, I cnt du dat. It is vry ilegl.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
07/18/2014 at 22:53

Maybe.....

Kinja'd!!!

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:53

Well I was doing nothing every weekend before I discovered how much information the internet had.

Just suck the internet dry for any piece of info on meets and such in your area. You're bound to find something you didn't know about before. The reason I found out about this track day next weekend is because I was bored out of my mind at work.

I'm contemplating whether or not to sign up for it. $225 for first timers since I've never been on a track before. Then it's $125 for people with experience after that. Choices!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 22:55

Do dat track day bruh.

RotaryLover > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 22:58

woh karez? opan buut chek Carhl. won tak lon.

Brian Silvestro > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/18/2014 at 23:02

Living the fun life is not cheap, my friend. But for you, I'll think about it.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > RotaryLover
07/18/2014 at 23:02

It jst sems wong. vry wong.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Brian Silvestro
07/18/2014 at 23:04

And GoPro it too.