What got you into cars, Oppo?

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94) 09/23/2015 at 13:22 • Filed to: None

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What were the thing or things that got you interested in cars? Or were you always that way :)

I wasn’t really to0 concerned with cars until I was 14. I liked mechanical things in general, but as far as cars went I was the diehard GM fanboy AND THEY ARE THE BEST BECAUSE I SAID SO YOU POS FORD LOVER. Actually I wasn’t that vocal, because like I said I knew almost nothing and couldn’t counter any points others would make. However, when the ‘09 ZR1 was announced... the ultimate Chevy (or so I percieved at the time) I went through every magazine, always looking for something new about it. In the process I got picked up an interest in cars in general. It may have helped that the next issue of the same magazine had a review of the SRT4 Caliber. “Hey dude, it’s not just GM that makes interesting stuff!!”

That said, still a GM fanboy for preference. Come at me brah

Jcarr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:26

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My last name is Carr. I was destined to be into them.

TheHondaBro > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:26

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My dad’s old 1986 Toyota Celica GT liftback. It was red and sexy.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Jcarr 09/23/2015 at 13:26

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Your first isn’t Jimmy by any chance?

/s

Tripper > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:27

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I’ve been into cars as long as I can remember. Both of my parents are also into cars, I’m sure that had a lot to do with it. I remember masking up my red powerwheels corvette with my mom when I was 4 or 5 so that we could re-spray it British Racing Green!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > TheHondaBro 09/23/2015 at 13:27

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But, Toyota

You, Honda

TheHondaBro > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:28

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I was a Toyota fanboy in high school.

Margin Of Error > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:30

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My mom left us a s kid to move close to a race track and live her dream of being a racetrack enthusiast.

She lived the dream, and it inspired me.

I’m not mad she left us with her ex-boyfriend. Despite being a raging alcoholic, he never molested us.

Lat news I had she was married to a successful local stock car driver in Northern Manitoba.

Party-vi > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:31

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Dad put a V8 in his Wrangler and I wanted ridiculously impractical things ever since.

djmt1 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:31

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NFS: Underground and Chris Harris.

wiffleballtony > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:32

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I had Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars but this is really what got me going.

citizennick > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:32

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I don't remember when exactly, always liked them, but I think model kits helped a lot.

Tripper > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:32

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Trip circa 1990

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:33

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I've been helping my dad rotate tires and do work on cars since I could talk basically. Over time I got more into the specs part of it and like you was hardcore GM until high school basically. Now look at me, I drive a BMW and want a Charger.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Margin Of Error 09/23/2015 at 13:34

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This is just too wierd not to get a star.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Party-vi 09/23/2015 at 13:36

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My dad refused to believe that four wheel drive was any use. I wonder if I was trying to prove something unconsciously...

Milky > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:37

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I wrote a little story about this once, but essentially a Viper.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > citizennick 09/23/2015 at 13:38

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I think I've finished one model in my life... I don't have issues starting, but...

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:39

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I was born a Chevy man, but became enlightened to accept all makes and models.

Wacko > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:40

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My parents told me I made car sounds while playing with hotwheels before i started to talk.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 09/23/2015 at 13:41

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I did that too...

strangely, as I got more into cars I started enjoying it less. Possibly when I realized he didn't know as much as he thought. (no disrespect intended. working with him definitely helped)

Wacko > TheHondaBro 09/23/2015 at 13:41

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then beige happend

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Milky 09/23/2015 at 13:42

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I read that. That was cool.

itschrome > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:42

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Doors mostly. but one time I jumped into a Lebaron when the top was down.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem 09/23/2015 at 13:43

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I'm still a Chevy guy. I will stand up for certain other cars, and when you hear it you know it's honest praise

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > itschrome 09/23/2015 at 13:43

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Not even a sunroof?

You've disappointed me.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:44

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Hotwheels, I remember loving cars for as long as I can remember, and I think those were kind of the spur of that.

itschrome > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:45

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I’m too fat... I’ve tried.. :/

Punk_Girl_98 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:46

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My dad would take me to car events since I was little.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > not for canada - australian in disguise 09/23/2015 at 13:47

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My favorites were a pair of 1980’s style Chevy pickups. I guess the do have some influence (Currently drive a Chevy pickup).

Second best were crash cars. (Hope those don't have any influence.)

64Mali > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:47

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2 movies.

“The Blues Brothers”

“Bullet”

Jcarr > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:48

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Nope

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:49

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Motorcycles

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Punk_Girl_98 09/23/2015 at 13:49

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Mine was interested in classics, but not much else. Never went to any events unless there was some other reason to be there though. I did end up dragging him to the Autoshow here after the ZR1 was announced, now he's the one going back every year :)

spanfucker retire bitch > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:51

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Apparently when I was very little (like 2 years old or less) I was in the car with my Mom on a road trip to visit family up in Rochester, NY. The whole ride up I was evidently pointing out cars on the road - including a vehicle that was literally the same color, make and model that my Dad drove.

I can’t say what really got me into them in the first place. I just always had a shallow fascination with them. I like the way they look and drove but didn’t really get into much detail beyond that. Between late high school and college I sort of fell out of interest with vehicles though.

However that all changed when I was doing research for purchasing my first car after I graduated college. All of that reading up on vehicles, engines, transmissions, vehicle weight, the new tech systems that are used in the drivetrains - and more - rekindled my love of automotive technology and engineering even stronger than before.

I have no interest in working mechanically on my car. If it doesn’t involve filling it up with gas or wiper fluid, I don’t really care about fixing it. But I love reading up on articles like the one here on Oppo that discussed the differences between AWD and 4WD. The differences between how CVTs, DCTs, torque converters, and especially those nifty “hybrid” transmissions that combine torque converters with DCTs or single-clutch manumatics are utterly fascinating. And don’t even get me started on the CFRP mold process that BWM uses for its i-Series of vehicles.

JR1 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:51

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Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and the yellow Lamborghini Murcielago on the front.

Sneaky Pete > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:51

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The first time I saw a Viper GTS in person, which was around 1997 or 1998. Palmdale, Marie Kerr Park. They had these concerts at the park once in a while and had a little car show with a bunch of classics etc parked out on rhe grass. I still remember staring at the gorgeous curves, the squat appearance, the vents in the hood over the front wheels, the big, round shift knob, the gauges going across the middle of the dash. This sighting coincided closely with the launch of the original Gran Turismo, which presented me with hundreds of amazing cars at my fingertips.

Prior to that, cars were appliances that got me from point A to point B.

I haven’t been the same since.

Punk_Girl_98 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:51

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Cool! Yeah my dad is a big muscle car kind of person. I am also but am quickly branching away.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:53

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Hotwheels cars. And riding bikes. Because I always loved going fast.

Milky > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:55

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Im sure my ever wanting desire for a Viper somehow subconsciously got me into the Crossfire. As in the closest I could get for under $10k. Probably why I’m also a FCA fanboy.

Milky. Need. Viper.

…. I just started applying for new jobs, you think Chrysler has employee discounts on the viper? Don’t tell me no, just let me dream a bit longer.

Sn210 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:55

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Hot Wheels, Dad, Dad’s old Hemmings catalogs, Cruisin’ USA on N64, and hours on AOL looking at car pics

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 13:57

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I was so bad that when I was 6 my grandfather threatened to make me get out and walk when I wouldn’t stop giving him a hard time about owning a Ford.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CalzoneGolem 09/23/2015 at 14:00

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Mine hasn't really got preferences other than the fact that he will defend his Grand Caravan (and once he realized that I didn't like them, for the most part, FCA products in general) to the hilt. Bit of Scottish blood+constant arguement=fun

jariten1781 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 14:00

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No clue...always been a thing. It’s funny too because no one in my immidiate family was interested in them in the slightest. My dad still bitches about when I’d drag him to the car area at the State Fair when I was barely walking then throw a fit whenever he tried to make me leave no matter how long we’d been there.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 14:05

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Top Gear...and video games

CalzoneGolem > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 14:10

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I’m making sure my kids love all the cars.

TheHondaBro > Wacko 09/23/2015 at 14:27

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My car is far from beige.

Wacko > TheHondaBro 09/23/2015 at 14:31

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I meant that toyota became Beige and you became a honda fanboy after.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 14:54

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My dad’s TL. I explained it in a little bit more detail when I wrote about it (“In Defense of Acura”), but that car really made me like cars seriously. I had always liked Hot Wheels cars as a kid (as opposed to fire trucks and stuff) and always went to the Philly Auto Show. After my dad got that car, I got my first Car and Driver subscription, and it only escalated from there.

TheHondaBro > Wacko 09/23/2015 at 15:22

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I’m not a Honda fanboy. Also, Toyota lost my interest after high school.

Wacko > TheHondaBro 09/23/2015 at 15:39

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All i wanted to say is that toyota lost your interest when they became beige? so you’re a honda bro, but not a fanboy, what’s the difference.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 15:46

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Going to Vintage races at Watkins Glen with my grandfather when I was young got me into it originally, along with the old NFS games. Then there was a few years we didn’t go to races and baseball became more important to me. Then in 2011 we went to the 6 Hours of the Glen and it got me back into cars at a probably more obsessive level lol.

Sam > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 16:09

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My first toys were the Hot Wheels that I played with on the classic ‘city scene rug’.

When I was about four, I would stand the drivers seat of my dads’ SL450 and pretend I was driving (there’s a photo of it, somewhere).

TheHondaBro > Wacko 09/23/2015 at 16:43

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Toyota was beige when I was interested in them. I stopped believing that they may one day bring back the Celica. A Honda Bro drives a Honda. Any interest in JDM is optional.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 16:51

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I had a Ferrari F40 poster when I was younger. Don’t remember where I got it, but I loved that poster. This was just a superficial thing until years and years later...

It was around the seventh grade where my dad had brought home a car magazine put out by the CAA (basically the Canadian equivalent of AAA) which outlined all of the cars for sale in that model year. I got to see all sorts of stuff I had no idea existed - I would leaf through that magazine all the time since I just enjoyed looking at cars and reading up on their specs. I think it was also around this time where BMW was touting it’s ‘BMW Films’ ad campaign, where they had a website with a short film series which was basically just a BMW ad built into action scenes. It was silly, but I loved that generation of BMW - I think they looked perfect (this would’ve been the E46 generation). It was from that point onwards where I just kept reading and learning about cars until today, about 16 years later - now I know a lot more, have done at least basic mechanical work on cars, and now watch a LOT of racing which I didn't really understand or enjoy when I was younger.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Sam 09/23/2015 at 17:03

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We were at Home Depot and they were selling those. I promised to eat my meat to get one :)

Wacko > TheHondaBro 09/23/2015 at 17:40

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I lost hope in Toyota when they stopped making the rwd/awd celica, then the supra. That fwd celica is not a celica to me. I used to be a Honda fanboy in the 90s

pip bip - choose Corrour > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 09/23/2015 at 21:34

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born this way!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > pip bip - choose Corrour 09/23/2015 at 21:42

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Good on ya mate!!!