Whilst recently reading another local forum it occured to me that some people who claim to be car enthusiast actually seem anything but. I personally think, considering the amount of crap we have to put up with for our interest in cars that we should be at least able to afford a little exclusivity. But alas it seems that of late the scene has been filled with people with nothing better to do masquerading as genuine enthusiasts.
Hence I put it to you, what makes an enthusiast?
I think I at least know what doesn't make you an enthusiast. Case in point, and automatic ford festiva has to be one of the most lifeless, unstimulating, uninspiring coffin's on wheels that I can think of yet apparently these days if you paint the bonnet black it qualifies you to label yourself as an enthusiast? I think not. I recognise the fact that some people with a genuine passion and interest for cars don't always get to pick the vehicle they would like. However I think they could/should (if they were a true enthusiast) do something to get at least the next or even 20th best thing before commiting enthusiast suicide by purchasing a 4cyl camry or the like. I recognise that it is often the more sensible descision to stick with said reliable auto festiva or camry etc. But I personally think that is what seperates a genuine enthusiast from the masses, we just plain couldn't live with a lifeless car like that.
So that brings us to the harder to define question of what does qualify you as an enthusiast? Without including the poor unfortunate souls who have a genuine interest but are unable to have a vehicle of their own at all I have a few ideas. I suggest there be some criteria, of course open to discussion and acceptions. My suggestions (and they are just off the top of my head and will need much more input from the masses) are as follows (and not all of the suggested criteria are needed for the one car IMO ).
An enthusiast should:-
Have a car with a power to weight ratio of at least..........
Should have altered their vehicle for better performance in their respective field
Should have a history of motorsport attendance (including sound offs, shows etc)
Should be of a rare/collectable make or model
Should have a sound knowledge of their vehicle
Should take enjoyment in driving their vehicle as much as practical
Should have a genuine reason why they own their vehicle
That's all I can think of just now. So what do you guys think makes an enthusiast?
Hence I put it to you, what makes an enthusiast?
I think I at least know what doesn't make you an enthusiast. Case in point, and automatic ford festiva has to be one of the most lifeless, unstimulating, uninspiring coffin's on wheels that I can think of yet apparently these days if you paint the bonnet black it qualifies you to label yourself as an enthusiast? I think not. I recognise the fact that some people with a genuine passion and interest for cars don't always get to pick the vehicle they would like. However I think they could/should (if they were a true enthusiast) do something to get at least the next or even 20th best thing before commiting enthusiast suicide by purchasing a 4cyl camry or the like. I recognise that it is often the more sensible descision to stick with said reliable auto festiva or camry etc. But I personally think that is what seperates a genuine enthusiast from the masses, we just plain couldn't live with a lifeless car like that.
So that brings us to the harder to define question of what does qualify you as an enthusiast? Without including the poor unfortunate souls who have a genuine interest but are unable to have a vehicle of their own at all I have a few ideas. I suggest there be some criteria, of course open to discussion and acceptions. My suggestions (and they are just off the top of my head and will need much more input from the masses) are as follows (and not all of the suggested criteria are needed for the one car IMO ).
An enthusiast should:-
Have a car with a power to weight ratio of at least..........
Should have altered their vehicle for better performance in their respective field
Should have a history of motorsport attendance (including sound offs, shows etc)
Should be of a rare/collectable make or model
Should have a sound knowledge of their vehicle
Should take enjoyment in driving their vehicle as much as practical
Should have a genuine reason why they own their vehicle
That's all I can think of just now. So what do you guys think makes an enthusiast?