Went to my first Cars and Coffee

"Jay, the practical enthusiast" (jay-m)
03/02/2020 at 11:10 • Filed to: None

Actually, I went to Sam’s and was a little annoyed that half the parking lot was blocked off and it took 15 minutes to find a parking space. But, after shopping I did go check out the cars.

If you’ve never been to a Cars and Coffee event let me paint a picture for you what it sounds like: rev, rev, rev, rev, rev, rev, reeeeev, rev. Rev, rev, rev, reeev, reeeeeev, rev. Rev, rev, rev, and repeat. While I’m sure each individual car there had a great sounding exhaust, when EVERYONE is revving their engines at the same time it just becomes noise pollution.

Which brings me to the cars themselves. Cars and Coffee doesn’t really describe the event. A better name would be Sports Cars and Coffee. Or maybe Sports Cars, Supercars, and Coffee.

It’s not that I don’t like seeing sports cars, but there were so many Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, and Porsches (all parked together by make) that none of them really stood out and they all seemed to blend together. Don’t get me wrong, they were almost all special editions with crazy colors but I would have liked some variety.

There were a few random interesing cars out there, most of which I couldn’t take a picture because there were too many people. An 80s Ford LTD stood out with a gigantic engine under the hood. It wasn’t flashy at all and must have been quite the sleeper.

My favorite vehicle was this Chevy truck. I don’t know much about trucks, but in a sea of sports cars it was unique, had a presence, and definitely stood out .

Since I was just there to shop I didn’t have my nice camera so I only took a few pics.
Also I had my kids with me so we didn’t stay very long (the constant engine noise was too much). I am going to try and find out when the next event is and see what other cars are out there.

DISCUSSION (20)

Tripper > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 11:16

My local CnC doesn’t allow engine revving at all. You’re not really even allowed to pop the hood. It takes away from it a little, but it keeps it civil. People come in hot and then back off in a low gear so everyone hears it, but that’s it. Totally agree that the new/newish super cars are usually the least interesting as are their drivers. Not all of them, obviously.

Jesus Arias > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 11:20

First cars and coffee I went to had no supercars. There however was a lot of muscle cars and classic pickups. Also a few newer sports cars.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 11:30

That reminds me. A neighbor of mine’s only car is a vinyl roofed 80s Ford LTD Crown Victoria in pale blue. It has never seen a garage that I know, yet it just looks mint somehow, even down to the vinyl. No pictures, but they also have a strange vanity plate.

jimz > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 11:40

I don’t get why dickasses sit there revving their engines constantly.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > jimz
03/02/2020 at 11:51

I wouldn't have minded at all if it were just 1 car. I happened to be walking past a Ferrari as it started up and it sounded glorious! But with so many cars with so many loud exhausts it was overwhelming.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Jesus Arias
03/02/2020 at 11:53

I’m in Florida so I wonder if we have more super cars than other states just because of the weather to drive them.

Jesus Arias > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 11:57

Possibly? I mean I live in California so there are quite a bit of supercars roaming around

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
03/02/2020 at 11:57

The one I saw was grey, but also looked like it just came off the assembly line. What's the vanity plate say?

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Tripper
03/02/2020 at 12:02

I love looking at the engines and I would have enjoyed the engine sounds more if it wasn't everyone trying to out compete each other. And seeing a super car on the road is cool, but seeing so many together seemed rather dull. I don't know why.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Jesus Arias
03/02/2020 at 12:05

My image of California is that everyone still dives around in cars from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I feel like you don't see classic cars much in Florida anymore.

Jesus Arias > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 12:27

I wish everyone here still drove classic cars. Although classic cars are quite abundant.

Tripper > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 12:31

Yeah, that is a bummer. Some are good, some aren’t. My local one did not used to be so local or sow low key. I forget what happened but now it’s closer and better. Lots of people bring kids/dogs. You can get away with throwing the hood up for a minute or two if people ask. It’s a good mix of cars, but the super cars all park and generally chat together.

Even the guy who chairs it, walked up when I first arrived and said. “That thing got side drafts on it?” “Yep” I said. “Ok, start it up and let me hear it...twice. T hen don’t do it again while you’re here. We’re trying to keep a real low profile at this venue.” Haha

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Tripper
03/02/2020 at 12:46

I just looked up the next event and the times and I think the problem was we got there just about as it was ending. So maybe it was quieter earlier, but most people were leaving (and therefore revving their engines).

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 13:03

That revving sounds really annoying. I prefer seeing cars at HDPE events, autocross, or rallycross where the cars are actually doing something and are built for a purpose. Seeing a Lamborghini at an HDPE is far more exciting than in traffic or a parking lot. Flames come out! R allycross builds especially are entertaining because none of those cars were originally meant to be going fast on dirt.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 13:47

C&C-style events are a great way to trigger someone’s interest in cars, or a particular type of car.

But after seeing these amazing cars all packed together and trying to one-up each other time after time, it becomes tired and played out. Lots of gatherings are marred by ridiculous advertising, attention seekers and IG/YT/shop/sponsor rivalries. Some go out of control and become dangerous stunt venues, and eventually get shut down by the property owners or cops.

Smaller groups and cruise events are the best way to enjoy cars in the long term; I don’t even go to C&Cs that much anymore. But when I do, it’s still a good excuse to clean up the car and impress myself all over again.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > jimz
03/02/2020 at 13:50

It’s a generalisation, but they tend to be the a ttention seekers.

These are the kids who take their parents’ cars , slap IG handles all over them and get distressed when someone else got more subscribers .

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/02/2020 at 13:51

I would love to see that. The truth is that since I hadn't expected to see a bunch of exotic cars that day it was pretty neat. But seeing them in action would have been better.

jimz > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
03/02/2020 at 13:58

and are probably named “Parker.”

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
03/02/2020 at 15:00

I feel like your description was exactly how this event was. T here were about 30 people just standing at the exit to the parking lot waiting to see the cars leave. Each car left revving their engine and / or foot to the floor.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jay, the practical enthusiast
03/02/2020 at 16:39

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