Do You Ever Hate Our Passion?

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213) 01/04/2015 at 12:40 • Filed to: rant, discussion, passion

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I've been thinking a lot about this lately. The fabric that brought us together, a passion for all things automotive, is tearing me apart. Do you ever feel that being a gearhead just isn't smart? Note: this is actually somewhat of a lengthy piece and I really want to engage in some actual discussions here.

2014 in particular really made me question my passion. I bought a used Volvo which is just a total piece of shit. This car singlehandedly ruined the fun from looking at cars on Craigslist. It made me hate cars in general.

Where I live in Florida, we are what seems like the snowbird capital of the state. Our roads are so congested and filled with rental cars and out of state plates driving is more of a chore. I cannot tell you the last time I had a fun drive. I invested in a dashcam just to record the stupidity I witness on a daily basis. We've had four accidents in our work parking lot this past month. I watch drivers shoot across lanes and slam on their brakes in the middle of intersections because they are lost. Driving is just plain annoying at this point.

I've also lost many people because of cars. Close friends, family, and countless others all killed by cars. Many times it wasn't even their fault. Two really close friends of mine died when they were hit head on by someone who was texting and driving. I lost a classmate just a few months ago when he lost control in the rain and rolled his truck down an embankment. There have been more as well but I think I made my point.

Our passion is just plain expensive. Cars in general are very expensive. Getting new parts or upgrades quickly adds up. Very few cars will appreciate so you are almost always losing money.

Hell even the government doesn't like us very much. They are adding more and more regulations and restrictions to our cars and driving. New emissions and safety regulations are making our cars more and more boring and generic. They want us all to be replaced by self-driving cars soon enough anyway.

And lastly is the ridicule and mockery I suffer. My dad doesn't understand and makes fun of me for liking cars so much. He's the main reason I'm driving an automatic Civic sedan right now. Because to him cars are just to get from Point A to Point B. I'd easily get bored of driving a manual and I don't need something with a little bit of power. I wanted to go into the mechanic program my school offers for free and he told me that I couldn't because it's a program for idiots and he expects more out of me. Kinda ironic considering his college degree got him a gig bartending. Kids at school don't understand it and I take shit from them for it. To them, the only cool car is a lifted truck that rolls coal. Otherwise beer and hard liquor is all that's cool.

Without Oppo I wouldn't be able to have anyone to talk to this about. Without you I wouldn't be able to keep my passion going. It just seems like we are a dying breed and it just seems better to give in. I think I'll just get a beige Camry next. At least it'll get me from point A to point B.

Brian Silvestro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 12:43

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Of course it's awful, it's like one of the most expensive hobbies out there

PS9 > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 12:47

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You forgot to add the part that explains why it's worth it. You were totally gonna do that in a follow up reply right?....

...

RIGHT?!

TheHondaBro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 12:48

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My dad was ridiculed for his passion towards airplanes and flight. Since then he's put it aside and has regretted it ever since.

Don't give up your passion for cars. Hell, I almost did. Luckily I stuck through it. My mom very much hates my liking of cars, as was evident when I spent a lot of money just on RC stuff. Ignore all the flak you receive and just follow your passion.

And for god sakes, don't get a beige Camry!

ACESandEIGHTS > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 12:53

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Lifted truck that rolls coal... Florida... Check.

Well, it's an experience. It keeps you young, keeps you an indivdual. Don't let up, try not to buy boring.

I know the beige Toyota is the symbol of ridicule here, the Holy Grail of Yawn. Know what's right up there with it? Honda. You already know what a tired old trope the Civic is, but everything else is just as lacking. The CRZ is like a slightly more attractive Prius, and just as sporty and fast. CRVs, Pilots, everything... They're either modeled on the Civic or the Odyssey. Know what's their version of funky and cool? The Element. That's like PBS saying they're hip and dialed-in.

Remeber detestable little Kevin Spacey and his Keyser Soze routine about "what's the biggest deceit the Devil ever succeeded in perpetrating on humanity? Convincing them he didn't exist"?

Honda somehow convinced a few people that they're hip and happening and more than just an overgrown lawnmower business. Don't you believe it though.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 12:55

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This is why its fun. people dont get it and thats what i like.

It can be expensive but thats why its fun

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 12:57

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I get what you're saying. But I also think you're missing something. Yes, your Volvo is treating you poorly, but at the same time you're treating it poorly. Not directly, or even intentionally. From what I understand you just have electrical gremlins. If you poured 2k into this car it could be perfect. You just don't have that kind of money to spend on this kind of thing (I can't either). Was it a bad idea for you to buy this car? Probably. I bought a convertible Saab this summer and went through the same thing. I though it would be fun but it ended up making me hate it. I sold it at a profit (maybe my market is just better than yours.).

Just don't give up on cars yet. Buying a Beige Camry will only make you part of the problem. Camry is fine, get it in that dark green color. Or get something that isn't a Volvo. They're not the most reliable things out there.

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Don't let this one car ruin it all for you. Try getting a truck. I bought a clapped out Tacoma with my convertible money and it's been a blast. This way you can relate to your Coal rolling counterparts and maybe they'll understand cars.

Just don't give up. Cars can be fun. Volvos can be too. But not as reliably.

Slant6 > Slant6 01/04/2015 at 13:00

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Trucks also don't break as easily and they can haul stuff. Like bikes.

Slant6 > Slant6 01/04/2015 at 13:01

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And with a small truck you can get better millage than your v70r and you have rwd (or 4x4 if you want to have fun off road, probably more fun than the kids at school who never go off road).

rad_mike > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:03

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I think there's different ways to come at cars as a hobby. If you're not tinkering with relatively inexpensive cars with a load of cheap, accessible parts for replacing/upgrading, then you have to pay to play. It sounds like that's part of the drag you have with your V70R. She's a fickle beast with expensive parts, relatively speaking of course, it's not a Ferrari. But the flip side is that once you've paid, there's nothing better to play with (this comment not specific to your R)…until you have to pay again.

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:05

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I think all the things you listed are reasons to keep investing our time, money, and resources into this passion. The cars themselves challenge us. And even when they give us headaches, they bring us joy the rest of the time. And some of the best moments are when you fix whatever gremlin (or multiple gremlins) are giving you trouble. Government action and emissions regulations are all the more reason to get the most out of our hobby. We are defenders of a dying breed (and a dying breed ourselves), and need to do whatever we can to preserve the cars we love from being eliminated. As far as your friends not getting it, that's something that I find to be a bonus. You can take pleasure in the fact that you know better, and have an enlightened understanding of cars. You're on an elevated plane in this regard, and can't expect the coal rollers to understand. People get what they value. If cars are important to you, and you thoroughly enjoy them, then make it your duty to do whatever you can to make that automotive enthusiasm a pillar of your life. But, if you think all this over and find that's not the case, then don't waste your time, energy, and money, on this hobby anymore. Your civic won't mind, it will still get you from A to B.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:07

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I'm thinking of getting rid of my car since it broke down too. Waiting for parts to get it on the road now then when this years insurance is up I'll likely get rid. Will just buy something simpler and newer probably depending on finances.

fhrblig > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:07

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I'm going to go on a bit of a tangent, though it's related.

While I am an enthusiast, I am also sort of allergic to actually buying and owning a performance car. Last January I finally broke down and got something somewhat sporty. My Fiat 500 Sport is probably the closest to an actual performance car as any other car I've owned (including the '87 CRX DX I had), and it only has 101 hp.

Then I had to replace a tire and it cost $180. Then the iPod interface starts having a mind of its own. And the automatic climate control. Then the clutch showed me that it hates subzero temperatures. I'm not going to lie, I'm seriously considering getting something else even though I love driving it and it averages close to 40 mpg. I get nervous thinking about how its Italian pedigree is going to cost me in the long run, the fact that the tires absolutely suck in the snow and wet, and the fact that I can't afford winter tires for it. Add to it the fact that it's a pain in the ass to try to take my dog anywhere in it and also my partner hates riding in it (though he does like driving it), and it's pushing me toward something else.

I also have a deep tolerance for beige. I've actually been looking at the last-gen Chevy Impala because it's so cheap, and it's big and floaty, and will still get around 30 mpg highway. I don't hate them. I have a 45-60 minute commute both ways and I'd love something comfortable, and also something my partner wouldn't hate riding in and that's easier for my dog to deal with. Also I know from experience with GM cars that it will be about as reliable as a Camry, at least the mechanical bits. Door handles might fall off, speedometers might fail, the trunk may stop opening altogether, but it will keep running. I enjoy wringing fun out of vehicles that aren't designed for fun.

Back to your post... As far as your dad, maybe take him for a drive and show him what it is you like about it. He may not ever get it, but that's ok. He might be into something you can't understand either. My stepdad loves basketball and I can't get into it at all. We find other things to talk about and enjoy.

Birddog > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:09

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If your hobby floats, flies or has wheels it's going to cost you money and it's going to break your heart.

Why do it then?

When it's fun, it's really, really fun. From cruising a winding back road, Drag Racing to flying down muddy, rocky trails on a quad or trike nothing beats the feeling you get.

area man > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:09

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I was super into cars from the moment I could talk to around middle school - then I had trouble making friends, and combined with pressure from my parents to excel at academics I pretty much put aside my passion until I rediscovered it by chance (through finding and reading early Jalopnik) in college. I will always regret those 6+ years where I tried to ignore that cars were pretty much the only thing it was passionate about - my mechanical and historical knowledge reflects that I'm still playing catch-up to most car people my age.

So I guess I would say ignore your parents and take comfort in online communities like this one, which exist because there are a lot of people like you who can't get into their passion with people in their immediate surroundings. And whatever you do, even if it's taking a loss, get rid of that Volvo before it sucks the life out of you.

Brian Silvestro > PS9 01/04/2015 at 13:10

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I thought that was already implied...

this is oppo isn't it

PS9 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:11

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Well you had one bad experience so far with the V70R, and you're surrounded by dickheads who don't give two shits about who you are and what you care about. Of course being who you are in those circumstances is going to make you feel like ass, and it still would, no matter what hobby you chose to take part in instead. I bet the kids at your school who are into computers, playing cards, science fiction, or anything not approved by the mainstream trendsetting cohort have similar stories to tell about taking shit for who they are.

Listen: There are consequences to being who you are, and becoming a person isn't 100% choice; who's choice was it to put you on this Earth at all? Not yours, that's for damned sure, and because of that, some of the things contributing to your development as a mature human being won't be 100% under your control. The things you find passion, excitement, and happiness in might be one of them, and if that's the case, then the solution isn't to suppress who you are clearly becoming; it's to tell the people who don't agree with or - even worse - actively using their power and influence to suppress you where the door is and to get the fuck out.

This post might read too seriously, but I am 100% not joking when I tell you that choosing to fight yourself to please everyone else who sees something they don't like in you is a road to hell paved with bad decisions and even worse outcomes. You won't have the mettle you'll NEED to pass the grand tests life has in store for you as it does everyone. Go on ahead and get a camry, if you want. Leave oppo and auto enthusiasm behind, if you want. But ONLY if that's what will bring happiness and satisfaction to you , not because doing so will help you blend in. Never choose to make sacrifices for those who have none to offer you themselves. Only misery and self-loathing will accompany you down that lonely path if you choose to start walking it.

FastIndy > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:13

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My dad told me this: do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.

You are here because you love cars. That will never change. People you know will live, then will die. That won't ever change.

The truth is that now there are more gearheads than ever before. Our passion is still the minority but it drives the auto industry to constantly improve and become more exciting.

If you want to go to the free mechanic school, make it happen.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:13

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As hobbies go, ours is dangerous, expensive, pointless, and generally unhelpful to any "greater good" you might care to think of.

But for those who love cars, even though we can't explain why, none of that matters.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 13:14

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Then there is fishing, hunting and golf.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > PS9 01/04/2015 at 13:15

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A classic is always going to be a money pit haha, but I just keep doing things little by little on my 240Z, it drives fine but little things need to be restored so it doesn't hurt the car over time. I have a W123 diesel Merc as a more normal car, its an interesting car because it's kind of a bridge between classics and modern cars. It feels like a classic car and I like chugging along in it, totally opposite of the Z. The Z has pissed me off, so has the Merc for different reasons. I have a 94 Accord for commuting to the city, its not a bad car, but its also not very interesting so it keeps me appreciating the other two. Cars are art, they are an experience, interactive art. I like having cars on either end of the spectrum, sometimes I want to plant my ass in the sheepskin seat covers and just chug along relaxed or I can take the Z which is triple carbed and set to move, roar up the mountain or along the coast, its not a relaxing car at all. I think its like anything, you have to find the one for you, or two haha.

Brian Silvestro > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/04/2015 at 13:17

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I'm not interested in any of those

TDogg > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:17

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In the end, it doesn't matter who likes it (we're talking anything here- not just cars). If you enjoy it and it makes you happier, then it's worth it. I think 'MOAR CAMBER BRO' crap is crap, but that doesn't (and shouldn't) make someone deterred from doing it to their car if that's what they like. Same thing with you buying a Volvo - if you like it, keep it. It's probably gonna be a PITA for a good while while shit gets worked out, but IF you enjoy it in the end, is it worth it to you? Guaranteed you'd get some experience and stories from fixing it up. And it'd probably treat you reasonably well once you bring it to a known state.

Don't let your parents or kids at school get you down too much. Parents are supposed to do what they think is best for you. Your dad wants you to get a good education and a good stable job (assuming here, but we'll go with it). You may have tried already, but if you explain to him that you're wanting to participate for the experience and show how it will benefit you in the long run, then he might go for it. Just explain that's not your end goal (unless it is and he should accept that that's something you really want to do long term).

All I'm gonna say about it is: don't let other people define your passions.

Mr. Edward Mann-Polandballer > TheHondaBro 01/04/2015 at 13:17

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Don't get a beige Camry, get a brown, manual, diesel, wagon Camry.

mazda616 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:18

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Just because it isn't smart doesn't mean it isn't fun. Actually, that can be applied to lots of things. I used to get made fun of for my passion for all things automobile, but now my family and friends see it as who I am. If I changed and started not caring about cars, they'd probably have me mentally evaluated at the psychiatrist's office haha.

And they all enjoy having someone to refer to when they have various car troubles.

TheHondaBro > Mr. Edward Mann-Polandballer 01/04/2015 at 13:30

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I want to see that.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 13:36

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I wasn't asking if you were, I was just saying they are on a whole new level expensive. With cars, at least they can be used for things other than just as a hobby. Golf cannot. Sport hunting is freaking expensive as well, if you don't already own the property you wish to hunt on. Then, have you ever priced a boat? Holy shit.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TheHondaBro 01/04/2015 at 13:38

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If I'm not mistaken, you used to be able to get a Camry diesel wagon.

ly2v8-Brian > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 13:46

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no

DipodomysDeserti > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 14:21

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Sounds more like a Florida problem than a car problem.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 14:36

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Do what makes you happy. No one can tell you what that is but you. A "mechanic" class wouldn't be a bad idea whether that's what you want to do for a living or not. I was in a similar position as you when I was younger, but my parents didn't push too hard against me one I decided what to do. My job can't be outsourced, I can't be replaced by a machine, I make way more than money than the "average" person in this country, I have decent benefits, I can get a job anywhere very easily. Could I have chosen a more prestigious line of work and succeeded at it? Yes, I think so. I've dabbled in engineering, architecture, stocks and ForEx; but none of that held my interest for very long. The point is, being a "mechanic" (slightly offensive term by the way), isn't just about tires and tune ups. Real automotive technicians need need to understand engineering, electricity, computers, chemistry, and have strong critical thinking skills as well as memories. I'm sure lots of us here on Oppo could name plenty of people with dusty college degrees who work menial jobs for less than the mmedian American income. You don't have to tell us it's expensive, we all know the deal, but we enjoy cars. That's where you need to decide what you value. Do you value putting along through life pinching every penny, maybe never enjoying yourself; or would you rather let a few pennies go so you can have fun? I would rather enjoy myself, whether it be cars or even crochet conventions if that were my thing. I take risks to get as much out of life as I can and I have no regrets because I've always made decisions only for myself, and if things didn't work out then it was a learning experience.

Tldr: do what makes you happy. there are far worse industries to learn than automotive.

wkiernan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 14:46

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I always hate being a car nut while in the middle of a repair, because it never goes without unexpected problems and ill-fitting or mislabeled parts and missing tools, and I always end up bleeding here and there from various small scratches and gouges and burns, and tools and fasteners always disappear mid-repair or fall down into unreachable locations, and there's always a tricky easy way to remove otherwise inaccessible parts which I only figure out putting them back in, and there are mosquitoes like you wouldn't believe , and half the time right in the middle when everything's completely apart it starts to rain .

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 15:09

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Im in a similar position. My mom tells me on a regular basis "your truck has so many issues, I think you over payed and it was bad purchase. You should have just taken our offer and driven the Odyssey around" Neither of my parents are gearheads, they dont get it. They also dont have a DIY mentality. They'd rather pay someone to do something they dont know how to do than learn a new skill. The sad part is we arent that well off and we really cant afford to do that. Yet my parents still pay a service $75 bi-annually to turn our sprinklers on and off, that process includes flipping a lever and pushing a button. Its not that hard. It took screaming and yelling just to get my dad to let me even look at the truck. But its worth it, Sure I get flack from everybody I know but Driving makes me happy and thats what matters

MysticStick > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 16:10

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Man I have been there. Literally thought these same thoughts.

I wanted to go into the mechanic program my school offers for free and he told me that I couldn't because it's a program for idiots and he expects more out of me. Kinda ironic considering his college degree got him a gig bartending. Kids at school don't understand it and I take shit from them for it.

Get yourself into this program. I took auto-mechanics despite facing very similar ridicule. Try this: if anyone asks why you are taking it, tell them that one day you want to own a car-related business. Explain that you need to learn cars inside-out so that your employees will respect you and so you can know when they are goofing off. (It worked for me, at least to get them off my back about it. Girls went from 'eww' to 'ohhh', lol.)

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > MysticStick 01/04/2015 at 16:45

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Well my plan, not that my parents know, is to open a car dealership and hopefully have a few franchised. I want to try and knock down Carmax. Thats the ultimate dream.

its a shame now that I cant get into the program. I wouldve needed to start this year so its a goner now. And it really does suck because maybe I wouldn't hate high school so much.

now im just focusing on business and marketing. Its boring as hell but at least to my dad its universal and practical.

MysticStick > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 17:15

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A car dealership is a great idea. While a Carmax-killer is really shooting for the moon, that's how you are supposed to dream. I might disagree with your Dad about the auto-mechanics class but he's right that business and marketing are a good thing to study and this knowledge will serve you well. Especially in your car dealership venture!

It might also help to be a bit coy around those who can only criticize your plans, some people are just dream-killers who call themselves 'realistic'. They don't realize the harm it does.

evil2win > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 17:21

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On the upside you have a parent that cares and is worried about your future. On the down side you're not being allowed to chase your passion. Is an obsession with cars a healthy thing? It's like most things in life it seems to work well for some people and not so well for others.

Me personally I mostly kept my love of cars on the back burner for years at first due to being broke all the time (I rode motorcycles and called them a poor man's sports car), then later due to raising a family (a period of minivans and boring sedans). Finally the kids are grown I have a little cash and I play around with entry level vintage sports cars. People still think I'm crazy for spending my time and money on these damn things, but I really don't care. It's my money and my time and this what I like to do with it.

The complaint that it's an expensive hobby? Cars are expensive anyway you look at them. Buy a new one from a dealership and you are spending tens of thousands of dollar that will be gone through the process of depreciation in a few years time. By classic that will hold its value but there will be time and maintenance costs. If it brings joy into your life to drive something you like go for it. If you can't do what brings you joy in your life than what are we doing here?

RallyWrench > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/04/2015 at 17:32

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Every damn day, but for mostly different reasons.

My automotive obsession runs back before my earliest memories. But I feel it's waning irreversibly. The variety of Oppo & Speedhunters help maintain what's left of it.

I'd give more detail as to how I've reached this point , because you've raised a good question, but doing this on my phone is pissing me off so it'll have to wait for later.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > PS9 01/04/2015 at 18:08

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I think that Brian would imply that it is worth it to him, but it's for you to decide if it's worth it to you . It's really up to you to decide if what you get out of any hobby is worth what you have to give up to indulge in it. I'd say that it sounds like you're being made pretty miserable, not by your love of cars, but rather because of how much weight you're assigning to society's perceptions of yourself. The balance between self-image and societal self is one of the hardest to strike, but also one of the most important. It mostly just takes time, patience and a good attitude. My favorite bit of advice to give people who are having issues dealing with other people, and this ties into that good attitude bit, is this: If someone cuts you off in traffic, you know half of the information. You know the what, but not the why. You can't control the what, but you can control the why of the situation. So if you're driving into Seattle's arboretum (a place with a lot of really pretty flowers, trees and wildlife) and someone cuts you off, instead of thinking, "That jackass doesn't give a shit, what a fuck!" or something negative like that, think, "This person really couldn't wait to see the flowers." Controlling your perceptions of the what (and really, controlling what you perceive as "reality") will change everything, trust me. I am a sufferer of chronic dysthymia, and this strategy has been the main part of rehabilitating myself after a four-year low, but it has worked for my friends who are just upset or unhappy about something. This is kind of long and wordy, but I hope that it helps give you the mindset to find the freedom to explore whether cars are a good hobby for you, although I think they definitely are.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Brian Silvestro 01/04/2015 at 18:17

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art collecting is pretty expensive. At least we get some sort of thrill out of it and if you have the right car and a window to your garage you could admire your car just like a piece of art

PS9 > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 01/04/2015 at 19:45

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Can you sum this up in three sentences or less?

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > PS9 01/04/2015 at 20:09

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Lemme give it a shot. (That doesn't count as one of the three, and this doesn't either.)

1. There is no one universal reality because everyone controls their perceptions of others' reactions (driving is a big one), which in turn affects your outlook's tone, so you might as well be sympathetic and make yourself happier.

2. Doing this will allow you to care less about what other people think of your interests, looks, dress, etc. which allows you to be happier and freer in your pursuits.

3. Cars are probably a major interest of yours (Oppo and all) and giving your self-image a little more attention than your societal self will let you explore whether or not the benefits you derive from being a gearhead are worth the prices, literal and figurative, you have to pay to derive said benefits.

Those were kind of run-ons, but I did my best!

Nothing > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/05/2015 at 14:54

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I routinely hated our passion when my DD was also the car I needed to work on to keep it going from A to B. I hated the stress of taking it apart and knowing it HAD to be together by a specific date/time because it was needed as transportation. I hated waited for parts that had to be ordered because they weren't in stock anywhere locally.

It made me give up, briefly. I was tired of working on cars, and needed reliable transportation. So I bought a new vehicle and toodled around in that for a while. It wasn't a fun vehicle (a CrewMax Tundra, it's main attribute was size). I was lucky enough to find a project car that was cheap enough and fun enough that I was able to buy it.

I know it's not feasible for everyone, but it really is the best of both worlds if you have the money and space to have 2 vehicles. A reliable daily driver, and your fun, passion vehicle. My DD now is a FoST, ST1, bought new under $20k, so even the reliable practical DD can be a fun car. My project, the Miata, is a fun little car in its own right. It's not my dream car, and will eventually be replaced with another fun project. I have a few car folks locally that like to hang out, turn wrenches, and grab a beer on occasion. That helps.

As far as driving experience itself, traffic sucks. Drivers suck. They do everywhere. I have yet to take either of my cars on what I'd consider a fun backroad drive. Even the Miata has seen mainly commuting duty. Hopefully that changes this year. I live too close to mountain/canyon roads to not take advantage of them.

So you know what, get that Camry. It's not a bad car. Having reliable A to B transportation is not a bad thing. Fuel your passion to have a fun vehicle (and if you like to work on cars) by finding a fun second vehicle that you can spend money and time on when you have spare time and money.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 01/07/2015 at 12:29

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Being a gearhead isn't stupid.

Letting your love of cars cloud your judgement and buying a raggly ol' euro performance car when you really don't have the money to, however, is.

I got 2 hard rules I live by: don't buy European cars off of craigslist, and don't buy used cars from sketchy ass Russians.