Will Generation Z Be Car Enthusiasts?

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown)
09/08/2014 at 11:06 • Filed to: None

"Generation Z", sounds like a documentary funded by Nissan doesn't it? But it refers to anyone born from 1995 to present. Adios Millenials, and your supposed disdain for cars. I was reading a recent article, and accompanying infographic, on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and I got to thinking, will Gen Z be car enthusiasts ? I think yes, and here's why.

Click Here to Read the Original Article (Opens in a new window).

First, and perhaps most importantly, members of this generation are entrepreneurs and do-it-yourself'ers, they spend more time online looking at how-to videos and online lessons than average. Growing up in a post-9/11 era, and experiencing a recession, they learned that traditional choices and paths, like college, do not guarantee success. They are (assessed to be) driven workers and, according to the infographic, 76% want their hobbies to become their full-time job. This is the type of mindset that creates places like Local Motors, Singer, etc..

They are also more ensconced in social media than previous generations, that includes crowdsourcing and virtual collaboration, both of which can facilitate a motivated car enthusiast's project. Whether its something like the aforementioned Local Motors, and their !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , or simply using YouTube to figure out how to install a short shifter in your GTI, Z could use the internet to its fullest potential in order to build something special. They are supposedly more mature, self-directed, and resourceful which lends itself to car modification and innovation. Perhaps we'll get a few more Tesla-like companies out of the deal.

Click Here to Read the Original Article (Opens in a new window).

According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , they will have a disposable income, even as kids. This large group of our population is estimated to have $44 Billion a year in cash to spend and are eager to start working full-time to make even more. One of my favorite aspects of Z is the overall mindset of "build it" or "go after it" vs. an entitled "well I should just get it" which many Millenials are accused of having.

All this seems very optimistic, and I'll admit, I'll believe it when I see it. This is also a group of go-getters that may actually make the autonomous car a reality. This could be good or bad for enthusiasts. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . But regardless, the concepts seem solid, and if automakers and aftermarket companies can successfully reach this group, we may have some hope for the enthusiast community after all.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

// !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on Twitter

Header Image by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (100)

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:08

1997 reporting in, am car enthusiast.

505Turbeaux > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:08

I am damn sure trying my hardest to make sure my offspring are becoming enthusiasts...

Vimto > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:09

I was born in 1995, and I approve this message. My stick shift vehicles (plus Panther) that I work on myself also approve this message.

HiredDriver > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:13

My daughter just started walking but you can bet i'll take every opportunity to surround her with my passion for autos. If she grows up to have no interest in cars that's fine but she'll at least know how to change a flat, check the oil, and perform basic maintenance!

William Byrd > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 11:17

You had the pics up of your daughter working on the car right? Admittedly I thought about your posts when I was writing this!

Justin Young > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!

I am a 1997 boy, and I am proud to be a petrolhead. Even a few of my Grade 9 friends are proper enthusiasts!

P.S. That is not my 911 GT3! The owner let me take pictures of myself inside.

505Turbeaux > William Byrd
09/08/2014 at 11:30

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/5-years-ago-to… you bet man! See there probably is space in the Jaloposphere for a raising kids to be gearheads blog. Hmmmm (and thanks!)

KirkyV > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 11:34

OOOOOH! I get to be part of a new generation—if only just.

For Sweden > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:01

What comes after Gen Z? Gen A1? Gen AA?

MultiplaOrgasms > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:02

I'm a gen Z, too.

MultiplaOrgasms > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:02

Gen 2JZ.

Dubblewhopper > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:03

Oddly enough, when I start quitting the oxygen habit, my son born in '99 gets my Z. He loves it already.

Taylor Nelson > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:05

I hope this is the case. Really and truly. And if my son (born 2011) gets lumped in with GenZ or with the Gen after, I can already tell this kid is going to be mechanically inclined. He loves going out and working with me on my VW, he's into his Duplo/LEGOs, and just last weekend we were identifying parts of an airplane and what they do.

Tt3Sheppard > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:07

My friend was born around that time. He has watched all of his friends come out of college with junk underpaid jobs and student loans (myself). He is focusing on his trade career and is making good money. Seems to enjoy the job, the DIY culture of cars, and the potential career of the trade. So its a good sight to see considering all of the recent articles about declining enthusiasts.

Tt3Sheppard > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:09

Side note, being part of the millennial generation sucks. Not fun being part of the car hating phone obsessed generation!

AdmiralAkbar > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:09

Title pic should be a Z car. That Infinity doesn't count.

Kinja'd!!!

William Byrd > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:09

haha I was wondering that as I wrote it. Figure maybe AA?

shieldsdb > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:10

My daughter, 17, is a pretty hard core gear head and has been for quite a few years. I really haven't pushed car culture on her, it is something she picked up on her own. I think she was further inspired by the story of the teenage girl restoring the Fiero.

I'm not saying I didn't encourage it. But she really started getting into it on her own. The majority of the time she is the one telling me about car events in the local area!

oldirtybootz > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:11

My brother is only 11 but he's just as car crazy as his older brother. And I'm part of the "car hating" millenial generation.

zackarytb > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:13

Well, I am part of gen Z and I love cars more than just about anything and I have a few friends who are also big enthusiasts. We build our vehicles with the help of the internet and our fathers and we love going to car meets just as much as older enthusiasts.

Tegyauto > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:13

In the same way computing has become less hands on so will the automotive hobby. Just looking at the difference between my generation (born in 86) and the Gen Xers we are half the car enthusiasts they were. Its all downhill from here folks.

However, all the new cars coming out such as electrics have me super pumped for the future!

orangedrink > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:13

AA most likely... I'm following what Microsoft Excel put forward...

LeadfootYT > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:15

To answer the headline, yes. I've been meaning to write a column on this very subject, having had some experience with the matter. But the cliff notes version of that article would be yes - but stop trying to sell us new cars. We don't want those. We want things from before we were born, like my 1986 BMW 635CSi, or my neighbor's Mk1 VW Cabrio, or my friend's restored E30 iX, or another friend's unrestored E30 iX. We want things we can afford ourselves, too, like my girlfriend's low-mile Mustang GT Convertible. We want things in manual, like all those cars I mentioned, plus the Subaru Bajas that two classmates of mine drove. We don't want muscle cars, necessarily - although that group is rather interestingly present, if only in the "build and restore" interest sector - but we love '80s and early '90s Euros and Japanese vehicles.

And all those cars (and more, like a Saab Viggen, lots of manual Subaru wagons, a built Corrado, an old Beetle California-roof, and many, many others) were present in the last few years in a school of 600 kids in Vermont, and coming from people of various interests and skill sets and social circles. The "car guys" are not a specific group at the school, or amongst Generation Z'ers (naming generations after the final letters of the alphabet was a terrible idea...). And even the kids who didn't have something interested loved the old BMWs (at one point there was an E28, an E30, an E24, and a 5-speed E46 xiT in the parking lot at the same time), VWs, and the various other retro or unique vehicles that would end up there.

So in the meantime before I get a chance to write a proper article, it's worth saving some hope for my generation, and the next few years that follow. Just stop trying to sell us boring new cars.

T5Killer > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:16

My very young (8yo and 1.5yo) kids are part of Gen Z and they already love cars, I think the future is bright for their car love.T he reports of older Gen Z'ers not being into cars seems overblown to me since, I see quite a bit teens at car events and always saying nice car/questions at drive-thrus and gas station stops.

Keith Moon > MultiplaOrgasms
09/08/2014 at 12:17

Perfect.

cazzyodo > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 12:18

Oh. My. God.

Princess mechanic.

That is pure gold.

Mike Librizzi > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:19

Born in 1995, and as soon as I got my license, spent a generous portion (some would say "all") of my college fund on a Crown Victoria despite my mom's pleading for me to buy an old Altima. Once the idea of having a V8, RWD sedan was in my head, there was no going back. So my sacrificing fuel efficiency, practicality, education and other things in the name of spinning at the rears approves this message

MannyBones > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:19

Well, I'm an X ('77) and my son is a Z ('12) and based on his insistence that I "go fast" on my drive this morning, sounds like he'll be just fine. On the other hand, his uncles are Millenials, but since they built a Model-A hotrod before they turned 21, I suspect they won't be a bad influence.

DonKeybals > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:19

My son was born in 2009, so I guess that makes him a Gen Z. He loves cars. I'm into German cars, but he's more into American muscle and trucks. Not my cup of tea, but hey, at least he's into cars and machines. He thinks my neighbor's Jeep CJ is cooler than my M3, and I'm ok with that. We watch TGUK together, and he steals my car magazines before I can even get to them.

I'm proud of my boy!

JR1 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:21

I was born in 1994 and I can very much relate to the do it yourself via internet mindset. After the recession I have also become very cautious with my money. The depression era generation had a similar save money attitude. While it won't be as severe in the Z generation I can see it being a factor in many peoples lives

T5Killer > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 12:21

Same here. I was so proud my 8yo Daughter this weekend she was looking at my current copy of "Hot Rod" and stopped at a '72 GTO and said "These are my favorite cars!"

WINGZERO > Justin Young
09/08/2014 at 12:21

Luuuuckkyy !! I want to sit in a Gt3rs myself one day

CAR_IS_MI > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:21

I saw that movie. I know how it ends...

William Byrd > orangedrink
09/08/2014 at 12:22

yep, I think that's where I got it too. haha

Collin Maley > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:23

I'm 18 and I'm working as a car salesman at a Hendrick dealership. I definitely agree with this article, a lot of us are most definitely car enthusiasts.

365Daytonafan > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:23

Gen ZX, they will be similar but slightly fatter and have more power. They will be less appreciated by the generations that follow them than the gen Z people were.

LongbowMk2 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:23

1995? What do they know? They're just now in 6th grade.

*checks calender*

....shit.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:24

I'm a 94 baby, I think I've successfully made my entire life revolve around cars.

cazzyodo > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:24

I read the description of Gen Z and think my brother is a complete disappointment to his generation...experiencing a recession, he learned shit. It took him half the summer to get off his ass and find a summer job. He thinks he'll have a job out of college and when he told me that I said, "Fuck you."

It took me three years to get a full time job after college courtesy of this recession. I carried three part time jobs in that time...at once. And he has the balls to tell me he'll have a job out of college. It's good to have confidence but if you have nothing to show me to support that theory then shut up.

End rant.

DasWolf13 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:25

I think the car and the love for cars is 89% DNA, if you mom and dad are not into cars you have only a 10% chance that you will have cool friends that will show you the way and maybe 1% chance you will find it on your own.

But I have hope in the "Z" gen number one its 2014 and still not one Back To The Future flying car, so don't let up down!

And if the "Z's" aren't into cars, they may only be into eatin the occupants.

Sorry Z's will always be zombies in my book now. Thank you Mr. Max Brooks!!!...

RiddldedTomcat > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:27

No because they wont be able to afford it

factsonly1 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:29

I certainly hope they aren't car enthusiasts as that will just drive up the price of collectibles for me.

themushman > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:29

Great article. I think "Generation Z" will indeed be enthusiasts. The widespread dissemination of information and media and social activities online has made it much easier for people to connect to like minded individuals. And I think sharing enthusiasm towards anything with others only helps push it forward

505Turbeaux > T5Killer
09/08/2014 at 12:30

NICE! I got corrected by my eldest...daddy your car isn't a station wagon...it's a Mer-CE-des. Hahahaha

WillyJimmy > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:32

Crappy car, crappy movie, self-aggrandizing generation. But it's been a crappy day.

William Byrd > 365Daytonafan
09/08/2014 at 12:32

LOL, well played

T5Killer > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 12:33

Awesome! My 8yo rocks we saw a Grand National on the way to school last year and she said "That is a ROCK STAR car!"

reidlos > JR1
09/08/2014 at 12:33

Heck, I was born in 1990 and I relate more to this than the usual millenial description.

HarrietWGaddy > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:33

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

www.jobs700.com

nealsoad > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:34

My first son/child will be born sometime between the end of October and the first week of November. As it stands I currently have a small car collection(not counting daily drivers) consisting of two muscle cars and a vintage caddy. All purchased new by family, garaged their whole lives, near mint original and have low miles(36k, 64k, 25k). I have plans to add a few select vintage imports and unique first runs(Elio, Polaris Slingshot, etc.).

I'm hoping my son becomes a car guy, otherwise.. well, I don't even want to think about it.

William Byrd > cazzyodo
09/08/2014 at 12:35

Yeah, I ended the article with some pessimism, but probably not quite as much as I have in reality. The bit you mention is what I'm most concerned about, the entitlement and the expectation that, even if you don't try, you'll get what you want.

I hope the overall population of this generation will start to angle up towards trying harder and building/producing something new and useful.

Brian, The Life of > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:37

Will they be? Welp, using the random sample of my born-in-'95 son and his car, imma say yes.

Kinja'd!!!

Conan > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:38

There's hope. These kids like cars and many of them are enthusiasts already. I never thought tiny rednecks and future G's of America would love Top Gear but they do. Even if nobody would give them credit, I'd credit Ken Block, Travis Pastrana, Rick Ross, Frank Ocean, and a bunch of entertainers for it.

505Turbeaux > T5Killer
09/08/2014 at 12:41

lol damn sure is too

I Crash Expensive Cars > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:41

This article is a breath of fresh air. I'm a member of Generation Z (just barely) who, to be honest, has never heard the term before. I always assumed that I was a Millennial. However, I've never seen the typical Millennial mindset in any of my friends, acquaintances, or enemies that were in my age group. I really disliked whenever people assumed we all felt entitled to everything because the generation before us gets that reputation. What I have observed are many surprisingly humble, industrious people. There is definitely a mindset of do-it-yourself, and anything that you made yourself is a source of pride. People my age will respect something you made yourself much more than something you bought for 10 times the price, no matter which one is nicer.

I can also tell you that there is a huge car enthusiast culture in my generation, but it's much more like you described. It's not restorations, it's restomods. The more ridiculous the home-made concoction the better.

Diesel > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:45

Generation Zombie Apocalypse.

Dr_Watson > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:46

It's a placeholder, they'll just reuse Y again now that millennials have a proper name. X was a placeholder variable but my generation was so disjointed and small remaining unnamed seemed the most fitting name. So we took that out of the pool.

Ark > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:50

Nothing makes my eyes roll like generation pieces...

Highball! > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 12:52

Generation Z will eventually be revised and known as Generation Z Kai

terry_gu5da > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 12:52

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

JayHova > 365Daytonafan
09/08/2014 at 12:54

Kinja'd!!!

BabyClaude > MultiplaOrgasms
09/08/2014 at 12:56

No shit.

terrunt > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:00

I'm a 1995 kid, and I drive an Alfa! :D

I'm definitely a car enthusiast haha.

OmegaEGG > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:01

Wait, I'm born on '98...And I like cars...And so do many of my friends...

I am your proof the Gen Z has a lot of car enthusiasts.

overheated579 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:02

I was born in 1995 and am literally addicted to cars. I just recently got a VW Golf R and I had to take lessons at a driving school to learn how to drive a manual, because I didn't know of anyone with a manual car to teach me. I know plenty of car enthusiasts my age. I think we will be fine, different from the big block V8's most of you guys grew up with but I don't see anything wrong with turbo's and electric motors as long as the car is engaging and fun to drive, I think a lot of people would agree with me on that.

OmegaEGG > Justin Young
09/08/2014 at 13:03

You sir are a lucky sonuvabitch.

BUT! I, too, am proud to be a '98-born petrol/gear/whateverhead. :)

OmegaEGG > LeadfootYT
09/08/2014 at 13:03

Is it okay if I want both new and old? Yes, I am a Gen Z, born on '98.

ADDVanced- > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:06

No. Gas has going up 300% in the past 10 years, registration is now $75 a year per vehicle, insurance costs are going up, the minimum ticket is now $175 (even for 5 over), the costs are just fucking obnoxious for owning a car now, yet wages and salaries have not moved in 15 years.

TheDouble-ClutchBandit > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:15

No because evolution will have caused them to develop extra small thumbs for touch-screen typing, and extra fat pockets on their asses and under their necks so they can text more comfortably. Let's not forget the entire loss of the left leg and right arm, since that's become vestigial with the lack of manuals on the road.

dave the swede car guy > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:18

My kid is a GenZ. born in 96, major car nut, loves 60's and current Mustangs, been watching top gear since 2005, into robotics and tech in general. No driver's license yet, but wants one. So for my sample size of 2 (girl , 1 year younger is geekier, but not into cars) I'm batting .500

Turbo Donuts > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:18

I'm 17, almost 18 now, and have been a car lover for over a decade. It all started with hotwheels and legos. 250+ hotwheels and 40+ lego cars later, plus countless hours playing Forza 1 as a little kid, I have been hooked. I was one of three kids in my grade during middle school that was actually passionate about cars. Then I started to influence my friends. I can now confidently say that ~50% of my friends are interested in cars. I think it definitely picks up around the age of 15 when people start to drive. I've got a buddy who works with me on my SVT Focus, and I lend a hand for his Prelude. A few of my other friends are tweaking their 5mt Imprezas (yeah, I live in WA haha). I have a part time job that helps me pay for gas, maintenance, and general upkeep. I love my car, and will always take good care of whatever I own. DIY ftw!

TL;DR: I'm gen Z and my friends and I appreciate enthusiast-driven cars

PS: stancing cars is one of the biggest disasters of a trend, ever.

Turbo Donuts > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:18

TL;DR: I'm gen Z and my friends and I appreciate enthusiast-driven cars

PS: stancing cars is one of the biggest disasters of a trend, ever.

RallyWrench > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 13:19

Gen Z3, which will be sort of a funny looking mishmash of old & new generations and has a good heart, but doesn't do anything very well. Especially not for as much money as it wants, when Gen MX-5 does everything better for less.

raygone > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:22

As a member of this Generation Z, I can confirm that this generation will have a number of car enthusiasts; but the schools (or at least my school) will try their hardest to stop it.
I wanted to take auto tech really bad at my highschool, and I took it all 3 years I was there (Transferred in my sophomore year), and my guidance counselor was always surprised I took it. Even more surprised when I took double periods my Senior year. My school used it as a dump for the kids who they had given up on/had given up on school, or the problem kids. This left us with a auto class where I and 3 other people out of the 10 that took it had a clue what they were doing. They pushed Culinary and other more "useful" things than Auto Tech, and that frustrates me. Auto Tech is just as useful if not more useful than Culinary, especially since cars are much more expensive than food; even if you took auto tech just to learn how to fix your own car you can save TONS of money later on in repairs. Hell even just by doing your own oil changes.
/rant
/my $0.2

MowtownMuscle1996 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:23

as a gen zier ( I guess that's how you'd say that) they're some pretty hardcore enthusiast, some normal enthusiast, some who just think cars are cool, some how don't give two shits, but an alarming amount of some how don't want their lisences and are even scared to drive.

EonLeader > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:26

No.

stridenttube > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 13:32

I'm a 1994 baby and I'm definitely a car nut! I bought my 2011 3 series BMW after I got a job as a software engineer. I sometimes just hop in my car on the weekend and drive out of state to find some good driving roads. I'm borderline obsessed, as were all of my classmates growing up. My generation definitely has the auto enthusiast gene. No public transportation for me!

stridenttube > 505Turbeaux
09/08/2014 at 13:32

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > For Sweden
09/08/2014 at 13:34

I can't believe the world's only been alive for 26 generations. Crazy!

Local Miata Bro > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:39

Well I'm an auto enthusiast, and I converted a bunch of friends Gen Z represent

bernard > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:40

As a Gen Xer, I'm characteristically bitter and jaded that my generation's day in the sun was so short, but at least I get the smug satisfaction of seeing Millenials supplanted even more quickly. Now can we all band together to complain some more about how the Boomers fucked things up?

scoob > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:42

Well, here's my opinion. I think it depends on where you or the rest of these kids live.

I was born in 1996, and I live in one of the worst places and times to be a so called gearhead, which are NYC and 2014. Yes, I'll explain.

Out of every single person I know (in real life) I am the ONLY so called gearhead. No one else gives two shits about cars. To normal people here, cars are just cars. Cars aren't fun; cars pollute and driving is boring. Manhattan has terrible roads and the curves are all 90 degrees. No one young WANTS to drive. We have trains, buses, taxis, etc. That's the geographical element of this.

Now for the time part. New cars are pretty much becoming worse and worse for gearheads. Look at all the dumb tech in cars these days. Backup cameras, anti swerve protection, automatic braking, and the idiotic gesture control crap. This "safety" tech is a terrible thing, I believe. This is because it basically teaches people that it's OK to be distracted and a bad driver. Why? Simple, the computers in the car will save you, so go ahead and drink that Starbucks, eat that Chipotle and text your friends about it. Simultaneously, of course.

Of course, there are exceptions. I like to think of myself as a gearhead even though I don't own a car, I've never done any engine swaps, I've never stripped a car down in any record time, etc. But I do know a lot about them, enjoy them, and appreciate them, especially compared to my friends.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:51

Kinja'd!!!

I love this.

Stupidru > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 13:53

There will always be car enthusiasts, but the real "gearheads" are a dying breed. This comes from a 25 y/o, whatever-you-wanna-call-it

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Brian, The Life of
09/08/2014 at 13:54

100%!

ihm96 > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:02

Is it bad I never realized I wasn't considered a millenial? I was born in 1996 so I am pretty close to the line

ihm96 > cazzyodo
09/08/2014 at 14:04

To be fair every generation thinks the one below them is worse than them, has lost their way and doesn't share any of the same value, while usually humans don't actually change very much

A.DrewWilliams > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:10

""Generation Z", sounds like a documentary funded by Nissan doesn't it? But it refers to anyone born from 1995 to present."

So uh, since I was born in '94, what does that make me?

ICantStandNewJalopnik > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:12

I hope to perpetuate automotive knowledge to my nephews. I'm getting them this for Christmas. They WILL be car kids.

http://gizmodo.com/this-playset-t…

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:17

Yes. Gen Z WILL BE AROUSED BY CARS. Main reason: The Fast and Furious Franchise. My generation (born in 1998) LUSTS for any JDM vehicle. WE STARTED THE JDM NATION. Now most of my fellow gen Z wants a: RX-7, R35 or R32-33 Skyline GTR, MK IV Supra 2JZ, Lexus SC300/400, STI VS. EVO, Mitsubishi 3K GTO or a Clown Shoe if you're a hipster.

Kinja'd!!!

or an RX8. Now also my gen saw the revival of Herbie so we have THE DUB LIFE. Also these cars more than any other have sparked more love of cars than any other:

Kinja'd!!!

(Bugatti Veyron SS, Bentley Continental GT, RR Ghost EWB)

cazzyodo > ihm96
09/08/2014 at 14:18

True. Humans don't change but the resources at their disposal and the overall environment do. We, a specific generation, will not be able to understand another generation simply because of the biases we developed through looking at our past.

"Kids today don't go outside enough...I was outside all the time."

How often do you hear that? I say it. Hell, I think kids are soft in comparison to how I grew up, and that wasn't even long ago! But was my childhood really that different or am I alienating myself from what I see because I disapprove and do not want to lump myself in there?

That being said, shorts have become shorter.

Barry Howard Woolfson > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:23

My two daughters are Generation Z and the only they seem to argue about is which one is going to get my mustang convertible, when I get another car. I think there's hope.

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > overheated579
09/08/2014 at 14:23

FUCKING SWEET CAR MAN. What gen? MK 6 are depreciating down the toilet. Or is it a..... R32?!!!

JackieDing > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:24

Yes, of course we will! I grew up watching Formula 1 and Initial D, Michael Schumacher and Fujiwara Takumi, and Ferrari and Hachi-Roku. Now, I am a racing driver (just got my first win BTW) and recently bought my first car, an AE86!

Kinja'd!!!

nelbol > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:31

Watch for decline in Honda's and Toyota's vehicles, as we don't know about the likes of S2000, NSX, MR2, Celica, etc.

bre92ser > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:38

i initially read the headline as "will generation car be Z enthusiasts?"

King Ginger, not writing for Business Insider > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 14:40

A big factor will be authenticity. Millenials and Gen Z view things from the old guard with a very jaded sense of perspective. If manufacturers want their money, they will need to not pander so damn much. "Look at our kickin' stereo bros!" - no. This line of thinking will be seen right through.

This generation is the most hyperaware of how information is used and how marketers push their products (especially in the digital space); while selling to the teen versions of the Millenials/Gen Z was accomplished through simply garnering the word of mouth, as they get older the cynicism that is already prevalent will take hold. Only products that make their purpose known (and do it understanding that they may not win every customer) will be able to capture a piece of this market.

At the end of the day it will be good, useful, quality products that LAST that will matter.

brickulator > 365Daytonafan
09/08/2014 at 15:01

But they will come with a digital dash option. And T-Tops.

greg_to4o > RightFootDown
09/08/2014 at 15:25

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

JR1 > reidlos
09/08/2014 at 15:29

I had no idea millennial ended at 1994. I thought it would go to 2000. But that makes too much sense