Of course, the bankers ruined an entire economy with a stroke of pens. When they signed their fat bonus checks after selling credit default swaps.

 

Not so much as it used to be.... I rarely meet a younger 'auto enthusiast' any more. Most of the younger crowd around here view their car as a transportation appliance, and that's about it. Not to mention that the entire range of shops that used to cater to the automotive crowd, has thinned dramatically over time. Of course, I DO live in Michigan, and the decline of the auto industry hit pretty hard here.... and while they are doing 'better' now, than they have for quite some time, most of the jobs they once supported are now creating the middle class in places like China, and India, and Mexico.... Very few of the jobs that dried up around here, have come back, and our economy reflects that..... No one can really afford to play with their cars like they used to. Even the racing scene has declined significantly.... There used to be almost a dozen automotive machine shops here in town. Now, there are none. Of the shops that used to cater to the dirt track racers, they are ALL gone...... sure, we have more big-chain parts stores than you can shake a forest at, but, that's it. Even a fair few of the independent garages are gone now.

Not sure if this is a statement on the auto enthusiast bent, or, just a crappy economy here.....

 

Well I'm a young un but It's still pretty big around here. We have a circle track, drag track in my hometown basically and a dirt track 30 minutes away. But I'm in rural southwest va. So it'd still a pretty big part of life because there just isn't really anything else to do.


While I wasn't around 20 or 30 years ago I can see how it is probably a smaller demographic than it used to be.

Not too mention, newer cars are much harder to "tinker" on. Besides just fixing routine things like shocks. I'm having this same problem with my recent cam swap. Still gotta find somewhere that will set the fuel sync for me.

 

It might just be your local economy. The automotive world is alive and kicking down here in Texas. Lots of local speed shops and machine shops pumping out awesome cars and engines, plus the drag racing scene is busy every weekend. There are car meets every weekend and cruises at least once a month as well. Plus, since it's Texas and it's usually warm, the truck clubs aren't left out either. Lots of trail runs and mud events are held as well. Lots of stuff to do down here, haha!

 

around here in cali, despite the hard smog and carb rules, cops don't really even bother with you unless you attract attention. Like ill probably never get nailed for my tires stickin out too far, or my windows being tinted too much, or my truck being too loud. Unless of course, i run a light or stop sign or speeding.

 

I'm thinking you guys aren't REALLY looking into this, or taking it seriously.

This is the new "Screw You" Obama backed EPA, we have never dealt with anything like it...The EPA doesn't have to get a vote on it, it doesn't go before congress...It's their decision to make.

Read up.

 

EPA -- Oooga Boooga!!!

 

Moved to the correct section.

 

Here guys:


36 billion dollar industry in parts alone...remember what I said about the economic effects lol


Being a 20yr old kid, I'd have to say car enthusiasts are still fairly common though it has evolved.

 

Heck, only one of my vehicles meets the EPA regs as it is and it's my old Dodge truck, haha! No cats on my 2001 Trans Am, my 1994 Trans Am will basically be a "street legal" (no cats) drag car, and my 2015 Jetta TDI is apparently a gross polluter due to a factory tune. I should just get a large decal made for my TDI that reads "EPA Outlaw", haha!