[imitchellg5]

Some cars shouldn't be modified though because it'd be like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. My problem with modding cars is that there is a small group of people in the world who do it very well. And then there is a larger group that likes what they saw the small group doing, and thus tries to do it, but buys all of the parts from Hong Kong via eBay motors and then kludges it onto their car. And then puts a tuner badge on it. When done right, modding is great. But most people don't take the time to do anything right. That's one reason why I don't like looking on the internet for help on what I do to my car... it always seems to involve taking shortcuts. But luckily a little Honda/Acura shop in town lets me go there for pretty much free and work as long as I bring my tools and they have room. And if I run into a roadblock, someone is there who knows what to do.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Why would you NOT want to mod a car? Oh, because you most likely bought a boring piece of shit that would never be cool no matter what you did. Got it.

So that's the Audi wagons taken care of. What about the other cars?

[Kerrigan]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Rob ricing up his shitbox appears to show the distinct separation between US and Euro buying styles - something which I've been mulling over for a while. Here in Europe, we'll buy something and generally leave as is (exceptions, obviously). While in the US, you'll buy something then tinker with it endlessly (exceptions, obviously). Which is why there's no UK version of "Home Improvement".

This has appeared to impact the quality of product, with US companies almost expecting you to improve whatever it is they sell to you, thus leaving it almost part-finished. Sort of like a "they'll finish this at home to their own specs" sort of attitude.

Accurate? I'm just musing, don't know whether this thought holds true.

I think it's actually because the English people, as far as I have observed, have very little capacity for engineering. Hence the fact that German, American, and Indian companies have had to scoop up dying English car companies.

However, one must give credit where it is due--the English do make very innovative vacuum cleaners.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan 

I think it's actually because the English people, as far as I have observed, have very little capacity for engineering.

Ummm. The English invented modern engineering.

Originally Posted by Kerrigan 

Hence the fact that German, American, and Indian companies have had to scoop up dying English car companies.

Yer problem there is that the English aren't very good at controlling their labour unions and the monkeys on the production line always seem to think they're entitled to management-level wages. This, I believe, is due to the rotting corpse of Marx polluting the water table.

[Kerrigan]

It's polluting the water across the Atlantic nowadays, too.

Regarding the car, for God's sake it's a 15 year old Audi estate-wagon. If you want to impress us, buy a Lexus SUV and take pictures of a stripper washing it.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Yer problem there is that the English aren't very good at controlling their labour unions and the monkeys on the production line always seem to think they're entitled to management-level wages. This, I believe, is due to the rotting corpse of Marx polluting the water table.

If it were the labour unions' fault, why on earth would GERMAN companies have bought up many of the British assets at some point?

Or maybe the British are just even worse at unions than they are at engineering.

[Phileas]

Lets be fair here - the Brits invented modern engineering. Some of the most amazing trains, bridges and ships originated in Victorian England, a golden age that really ended only in the 1950's when the unions destroyed much of British industry.

What happened to the ports of London and Liverpool is nothing short of a crime, what the German Luftwaffe had started was finished by the labour movement. Idiocy on a scale that is hard to fathom.

I think Rob's problem is that he defines himself, and his coolness, through external things - a common issue with the young and immature*. If you're really cool you can drive any old econo-box and still be the king of the hill.


*Kidding Rob, just kidding.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Ummm. The English invented modern engineering.

… and then rested on their laurels.

Originally Posted by Phileas 

Lets be fair here - the Brits invented modern engineering. Some of the most amazing trains, bridges and ships originated in Victorian England, a golden age that really ended only in the 1950's when the unions destroyed much of British industry.

Germany has rather strong unions as well and German companies continue to put out competitive products (= Spheric's point). To only blame it on the unions is also a bit single-minded. Take Britain's railroad system: it's in worse shape compared to before the privatization of British rail began.

Companies and industries can only survive if you make competitive products.

Originally Posted by Phileas 

What happened to the ports of London and Liverpool is nothing short of a crime, what the German Luftwaffe had started was finished by the labour movement. Idiocy on a scale that is hard to fathom.

Please don't go there and liken German air raids to the political activity of unions.

And even if you take the destruction of WW2 into account, many of Germany's key industrial centers lay in ashes as well.

[Phileas]

British unions were/are nothing like German unions, at least not in my observations.

Whereas in Germany there has almost always been an understanding that there is a common good and a common goal, British unions got tangled up in what I can only describe as class warfare. I am no fan of Thatcher, but the fact that she was elected shows just how fed up the country was with power outages and entire industries ruined. Ruined to such a degree that the comparison to war damage does make sense.

Of course the pendulum then started to swing way too far over to the right, as your comment about British Rail correctly highlights. The UK moved from being held hostage by the left to being held hostage by an atmosphere of "me first".

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Phileas 

I think Rob's problem is that he defines himself, and his coolness, through external things - a common issue with the young and immature*. If you're really cool you can drive any old econo-box and still be the king of the hill.

Luckily, I got over the "I am my car" mentality. I drive a Mercury Sable.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

Actually, now that I think about it, I haven't even seen many people in the middle class do this kind of stuff either.

But spend some time in places like Mexico, on Indian Reservations, in Curaçao, etc. and it's hard NOT to find a modified car.

[The Final Dakar]

Don't forget the Amish. Not kidding.

[Laminar]

[sic]

[andi*pandi]

that poor horse.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Why would you NOT want to mod a car? Oh, because you most likely bought a boring piece of shit that would never be cool no matter what you did. Got it.

Someday you'll reach a point where you understand the wisdom in keeping your normal car and your "modded" car separate.

[The Final Dakar]

Yeah, how is your wife doing these days, anyway?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot 

If it were the labour unions' fault, why on earth would GERMAN companies have bought up many of the British assets at some point?

Thing is, there's a major difference in mentality between the two nations. Going with the stereotypes (and why not - they have some basis else they wouldn't exist), you boys are way more ...ummm... accurate than we are. It's in your nature. And it's probably down to thought patterns being dictated by the language you think in. How else does one explain the word "Doppelkupplung"?
This translates into your work - you take pride in what you do. It's only German to do so. Whereas most Brits are of the "that'll do" mentality. Inventive, sure, but try acquiring a workforce to turn that invention into a sustainable business.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

Yeah, how is your wife doing these days, anyway?

She's okay with the fact that I spent $900+ on motorcycle parts/tools last month, so okay, I guess.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Some cars shouldn't be modified though because it'd be like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. My problem with modding cars is that there is a small group of people in the world who do it very well. And then there is a larger group that likes what they saw the small group doing, and thus tries to do it, but buys all of the parts from Hong Kong via eBay motors and then kludges it onto their car. And then puts a tuner badge on it. When done right, modding is great. But most people don't take the time to do anything right. That's one reason why I don't like looking on the internet for help on what I do to my car... it always seems to involve taking shortcuts. But luckily a little Honda/Acura shop in town lets me go there for pretty much free and work as long as I bring my tools and they have room. And if I run into a roadblock, someone is there who knows what to do.

There's a huge difference between adding a spoiler or a bodykit, and changing out your wheels for some bigger ones, adding bigger brakes, bigger turbos, etc. Cosmetic mods are for the most part, totally ghey.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Ummm. The English invented modern engineering.



Yer problem there is that the English aren't very good at controlling their labour unions and the monkeys on the production line always seem to think they're entitled to management-level wages. This, I believe, is due to the rotting corpse of Marx polluting the water table.

I don't care if they invented it, they are awful at it. The electrical systems are horrid, the mechanisms are stupid (side draft carbs wtf), and the biggest problem: They hate CHANGE AND PROGRESS. This is why English cars in the 50s,60s, and 70s looked about 20 years behind everything else.

"Yes Chap, let's keep putting our headlights in chrome buckets, and attach them to the fenders! Very well!"

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan 

It's polluting the water across the Atlantic nowadays, too.

Regarding the car, for God's sake it's a 15 year old Audi estate-wagon. If you want to impress us, buy a Lexus SUV and take pictures of a stripper washing it.

Right, because only brand new things that are slow and handle like shit are cool. I forget that the "masses" are incredibly dumb. Thank you for reminding me.

BTW, get out of the left lane.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Phileas 

I think Rob's problem is that he defines himself, and his coolness, through external things - a common issue with the young and immature*. If you're really cool you can drive any old econo-box and still be the king of the hill.

1. I used to drive an econobox. I drove an 89 Accord LX with 200k+ miles for quite a while. It was fine, and I liked blending in so I could get away with speeding more.

2. My wagon still blends in. Hence why I bought it. It isn't attracting much attention, but I do think it is pretty cool. It's just very very subtle cool.

3. But.. it is just a car. If it gets smashed, that will be bad, but ever since last year I really just don't give a shit about anything. Nothing matters, so **** it all. I am just having fun.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

There's a huge difference between adding a spoiler or a bodykit, and changing out your wheels for some bigger ones, adding bigger brakes, bigger turbos, etc. Cosmetic mods are for the most part, totally ghey.

Isn't adding bigger wheels a cosmetic "mod"? Especially if you rattle-can paint them? And doesn't increasing your rotational inertia hurt performance?

[The Final Dakar]

You might know how to work on cars, but apparently the multi-quote function is well beyond your grasp.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Luckily, I got over the "I am my car" mentality. I drive a Mercury Sable.

Says the guy who posts pictures of his motorcycle all the time, and has his motorcycle for his signature image. You got over the "having a cool car" mentality by defining yourself through your motorcycle; it's really no different at all other than you're much more likely to die.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Someday you'll reach a point where you understand the wisdom in keeping your normal car and your "modded" car separate.

My prelude is totally stock, except for a Sony CD player, some new speakers (the old ones rotted out), and some 15" GSR wheels with Dunlop Direzzas. When the exhaust rusted out I replaced it with a stainless Thermal system, purely because I like stainless exhausts on all my cars. Other than that it's bone stock, and I plan on keeping it that way.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Isn't adding bigger wheels a cosmetic "mod"? Especially if you rattle-can paint them? And doesn't increasing your rotational inertia hurt performance?

No, its a trade off. Yeah, increases mass... but also shorter sidewalls, for better response, and also to allow bigger brakes. I bought a set of caliper brackets that will allow me to run A8 rotors with either Boxster or 911 calipers, it's a fairly common mod for these cars, but the downside is you cannot run the stock wheels anymore.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

My prelude is totally stock, except for a Sony CD player, some new speakers (the old ones rotted out), and some 15" GSR wheels with Dunlop Direzzas. When the exhaust rusted out I replaced it with a stainless Thermal system, purely because I like stainless exhausts on all my cars. Other than that it's bone stock, and I plan on keeping it that way.

"It's bone stock except for the rims, stereo, and exhaust."

Uh huh.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Says the guy who posts pictures of his motorcycle all the time, and has his motorcycle for his signature image. You got over the "having a cool car" mentality by defining yourself through your motorcycle; it's really no different at all other than you're much more likely to die.

"All the time"? Really? Coming from the guy that posts pictures of his 20 year old station wagon "all the time"?

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

No, its a trade off. Yeah, increases mass... but also shorter sidewalls, for better response, and also to allow bigger brakes. I bought a set of caliper brackets that will allow me to run A8 rotors with either Boxster or 911 calipers, it's a fairly common mod for these cars, but the downside is you cannot run the stock wheels anymore.

You didn't address the "rattle can" section.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar 

You might know how to work on cars, but apparently the multi-quote function is well beyond your grasp.

It's hard.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

I really just don't give a shit about anything. Nothing matters, so **** it all.

Which explains your penchant for vehement internet arguments.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

I don't care if they invented it, they are awful at it. The electrical systems are horrid, the mechanisms are stupid (side draft carbs wtf), and the biggest problem: They hate CHANGE AND PROGRESS. This is why English cars in the 50s,60s, and 70s looked about 20 years behind everything else.

^ I used to own one of those.


Oh, and here's an English car from the '70s.

[Laminar]

[imitchellg5]

I don't care if they invented it, they are awful at it. The electrical systems are horrid, the mechanisms are stupid (side draft carbs wtf), and the biggest problem: They hate CHANGE AND PROGRESS. This is why English cars in the 50s,60s, and 70s looked about 20 years behind everything else.

Notice the years he said?

Also, none of those cars today would be around (except maybe the Noble, but I don't think so) without the intervention of foreign automakers/investors.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Notice the years he said?

Yeah, that '76 Esprit sure looks like it's from '56.

Am I the only one noticing the irony in someone posting a pic of his nearly 20-year-old car then moaning about cars which look 20 years old?

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Also, none of those cars today would be around (except maybe the Noble, but I don't think so) without the intervention of foreign automakers/investors.

Like I said, that's more down to workforce problems rather than engineering inventiveness.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by imitchellg5 

Notice the years he said?

Also, none of those cars today would be around (except maybe the Noble, but I don't think so) without the intervention of foreign automakers/investors.

Is there a single car mass-produced today with all parts sourced domestically (wherever "domestic" is)?

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

Like I said, that's more down to workforce problems rather than engineering inventiveness.

True. It doesn't help that nearly everyone went on strike in the UK daily in the 60's and 70's.

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

Is there a single car mass-produced today with all parts sourced domestically (wherever "domestic" is)?

I meant mainly financially. BMW had to step in with McLaren (and then Merc), Toyota and VW with Lotus, Very Rich Russian with TVR, BMW with Morgan, VW with Bentley, Ford with Aston. In fact, if it weren't for Volvo, I don't think the Aston Martin lineup could exist today.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

"It's bone stock except for the rims, stereo, and exhaust."

Uh huh.

Yep. After 21 years the speakers, stereo, and exhaust were shot. What do you want me to do, replace them with overpriced stock crap when I can get higher quality parts for cheaper? The wheels I just think look better than the factory sawblades, then I can run super stickes on the stock wheels for autox, and street tires on the GSRs.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

The wheels I just think look better than the factory sawblades.

Ah, so the wheels are cosmetic mods.

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Cosmetic mods are for the most part, totally ghey.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

"All the time"? Really? Coming from the guy that posts pictures of his 20 year old station wagon "all the time"?

I have this thread. You post random pictures of your bike when it's cold outside.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Yep. After 21 years the speakers, stereo, and exhaust were shot. What do you want me to do, replace them with overpriced stock crap when I can get higher quality parts for cheaper? The wheels I just think look better than the factory sawblades.

And I put a park bench spoiler on my car because I think it looks better than the factory spoiler.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

I have this thread. You post random pictures of your bike when it's cold outside.

Plural?

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

You didn't address the "rattle can" section.

I got a powdercoating guy.

[downinflames68]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

^ I used to own one of those.


Oh, and here's an English car from the '70s.

Neat, you posted all supercars. Now post something normal people actually drive. PS: The TVRs are butt ugly.

[downinflames68]

Thank you Laminar, for changing your sig for me. Not only did you create one for me, you changed yours. I'm glad my opinion matters to you so much.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Neat, you posted all supercars. Now post something normal people actually drive.

There ya go.

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

The TVRs are butt ugly.

There's only one TVR there.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

Thank you Laminar, for changing your sig for me. Not only did you create one for me, you changed yours. I'm glad my opinion matters to you so much.

I live to please you.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by downinflames68 

I got a powdercoating guy.

Going to paint them with soft touch dark grey paint

You need to stop pretending that you live by all of these badass principles that you clearly don't.