The age old discussion...

[compuvision02]

Hey guys and gals,

 

Sorry I've been kind of M.I.A. latetly, I've been like that with all car things and people related, with the exception of work. Anyways, in this time of not having a fast car, about a year, I've had a lot of time to think about what I want in life. First was school and work, I kind of want to go back to school and get at least my Associates Degree to help me go further at work, but I think I can do it myself at work. I started at Pepboys about one year ago, I worked in the store as a Sales Associate for six months, I then went out to the shop as a Service Writer, and less then six months later I am the Assistant Service Manager. Pay is decent, but just being promoted to a Service Manager will automatically double my salary. Pretty much, I know what I want to do. Then I started thinking about the second biggest thing in my life, my cars. I loved the few months I had to enjoy in my 1996 Honda Civic CX hatchback with a 2.0L, LS-VTEC, GT35R setup, but that year has made me feel so much older and different. I am 23 this month and my current game plan is to pay off the remains of my loan, buy a 2005-2007 Honda CBR-600RR in cash, get a new loan out, buy a 2005 Infiniti G35 coupe, modify the G35 nicely for daily driving, then start paying off the loan while saving for both a down payment on a house and finishing the 1992 Honda Civic CX hatchback. Finishing the 1992 seems like it is last on my list, when a year ago there was nothing on my mind except for my 1996. Now I am thinking more long term, which leads me to my discussion question; do any of you feel like you are just growing out of the Honda scene, not by being pushed by thieves or any other reasoning, because you are getting older? It may be me, because I used to hate Hondas, so it could have been a huge and fun stage. Let me know what you think, I am interested to see what others think about it.

 

-Rob

[Kristin]

You know, I can definitely see where you're coming from. I've had a lot of time to sit down and think about things myself. My life, where it's going and where it's not. Where I want it to go and how I get there. I want to get back into school and actually start my career. I've found that I've wasted a lot of time by being frivolous. A year ago, my car was on my priority list. I wanted this and that and I didn't care what I put on the back burner to get whatever it is I wanted at the time. I was childish and completely unmotivated about anything and everything except my car and work and my job wasn't the greatest either.

 

Things and views change as you get older. You realize that time should be well spent. It's just called growing up. I regret the time I've wasted with certain things and it's time that I'll never get back. But now, at this point in my life, as I'm about to turn 23 myself, I've realized it's time for a change. Do I think I'll ever grow out of my love for Hondas? In a way, I already have. I still like them. They're still going to hold a soft spot when it comes to my love of cars, but I'm starting to want to move forward. I'm in the process of trying to save for a house and have nicer things and finally pursue my goals that I had set for myself before I took wrong turns. As I've gotten older I want different things.. when I get the money saved I plan to buy a CBR F4i as well as a 335i BMW.

 

Things, views, tastes, wants.... they all change over time and change is good.

[TS John]

Yeah, I know what you're saying, man. I deffo hear the G35 coupe thing -- I'm so tired of having a car, even one that I love, that isn't perfect right outta the box if you know what I mean. Not like I'm selling the sol, but it put things into to perspective for me to not have it drive around/spend money for/work on for the 6 months I was away this year. There's a few things I still wanna do to it to "finish" it (ie make it just a little more customized to me and my driving) but aside from that I just don't see the point of dropping big bills for swaps, turbos, etc. There's just a lot more to life.

 

Plus, like you, I want a motorcycle. And a DSLR. And to start on my tattoo work. Aaaah!

[compuvision02]

It isn't so much the fact that it isn't perfect, it is the fact that it seems so childish. I mean, I would love to finish the car and keep it, have it as our futures Classic Cars, because you damn well know that in ten years if you see a mint nicely modified EH2, you are going to crap a brick. On the other hand, look at what the number one most stolen vehicle is, the 1992-1995 Honda Civics. I just want to have a nicer car, be able to drive around and not say, "hey, I'm in a fifteen year old Honda." Like, I've been getting nicer things lately, kind of as investments, because I don't plan on using and abusing them like my old stuff.

[Mitchness]

I've been seeing this attitude crop up alot in the Honda scene recently. I don't know if it's because Hondas are viewed as the cheap econo-tuner that irritating teenagers use to bother everyone else with, but I just don't get it. Do you view your Honda as the teddy bear you're putting behind you as you grow up? I certainly don't. I'm 25 and I'm growing to love my Honda more and more. The more time, money and effort I put into her makes me appreciate it and myself more. It makes for a nice project to occupy my time and I'll have something to show for it afterward. I didn't get into the Honda scene because I thought I could make a beast that would compete with Ferraris and Lotuses. I got it for the reason that it was economical and yet a little fun. I don't understand this need to move on to bigger and better (read: more expensive) cars or houses or livelihoods. Is that kind of progression (if you can call it that) what you need to be happy in life? I'm somewhat of a minimalist so maybe it's just me.

[wannaBstuntin]

I'm with Mitch.

 

Maybe it's because I've only had a Honda for 2 years now, and I'm still learning, but I'm loving it more and more.

It's very economical and fun at the same time. It's not fast, but I don't race anyways, and it actually looks decent and somewhat classy IMO (probably because of the color) as opposed to my last two-tone rice mobile. I don't look like some punk teenager, and I don't look like some dumbhead in a BMW or Mercedes either.

 

My plan has always been to get a vette (a stingray primarily), but I'm more likely to grow out of that than I am to grow out of my Honda.

With the way gas prices are, and how many accidents I've gotten into that weren't even my fault, I'd rather drive around a Honda that's great on gas and easily replaceable.

 

I'm actually considering trying to convince my friend to sell me his black 00 EX so I can have one to DD and one to tinker.

 

But in the grand scheme of things, I've been trying to save for college and finish it before I get too involved with anything else, be it cars/girls/moving/etc.

And I know that when I finally do finish school, I'm gonna have to grow up/settle down. That's why I went to Myrtle Beach this summer. Kind of like my last vacation before I have to focus and move on with life.

 

 

I guess my main point here is that growing up and leaving the Honda world don't have to be the same things. I understand if you're not into the tuning scene anymore and you want a nicer car, but IMO my Honda is decent looking/feeling and saves me loads of money.

[SIR_VTEC]

It really comes down to this Rob, basically your getting older, this scene basically lasts from 16 to about 24, the reason why i say this, is I started the scene around here with my friends back in the day and some of us to this day are still in it, but not as much as we were back in the day you know. It's the simple fact its passion that drives your to love your car and want to make it better, faster, nicer, cleaner....you really cant take that away from yourself if its something you've always like to do. As far as swaying away from a honda in particular well thats just simply because Honda's arent the only brand of car around....yea its great to say that your honda is faster than a g35 or faster than an M3, but in the end its still a honda. Just take it from me man, I still love my honda/acuras to this day, and really probably be a tuner for a very long time, because its the simple fact i love what i do and i love my cars, regardless if its a 99 infiniti to a 94 nsx, i worked for what i got, and really in the end its gratifying, just do you, and stick to what YOU really want...getting a G35 sounds like a great idea...but make sure you have your finances straight, because payments on those cars are outrageous.

[CRG7]

It's simply that most everyone's priorities will eventually shift. If you are still in your mid-late twenties or beyond, and dumping your entire paycheck or a large bulk of it into modifying your car, well I find that to be absurd.

 

I came to the crossroads with the CRX. Keeping it around to eventually finish it when everything was in order, so that it could be garage kept and hardly driven just didn't seem so ideal or practical anymore. I almost sold off the Sol, but just couldn't bring myself to part with it just yet due to both the targa and the fact that it gets the best gas mileage of all of the vehicles here. She has very few modifications, and I no longer have any plans for any others in the future. I also purchased the Prelude for that sole reason, as I had considered just picking up a sixth gen Civic simply because they're cheap. I didn't want to have a car that I would want to, or feel the need to actually modify. After I fix the couple of problems with the Prelude, and spring rolls around, there is a small handful of things I'd like to do to it but even then it's just a few pieces of optional equipment, a little bit of suspension work, and upgraded lighting (in other words, retrofits).

 

I'd simply pay off your current loan as you plan to do, and just use cash to buy a used car out-right. Since you want to get into a house, I'd hold off until you do get to the point where you can buy something, get all of your bills in order, and then worry about adding a car loan on top of it a few months or so after you're settled.

[SIR_VTEC]

^^ Agreed^^

 

FYI you will also be able to pull out equity if you want when you purchase your first home and use that to purchase the car that you want...simply think about it and take your time Rob, no need to rush into anything that isnt necessary you know.

[compuvision02]

I am interested to hear what other vehicles Mitchness and wannaBstuntin, because I have a feeling, regardless of age, their opinions may be coming from inexperience in the "tuner scene." Not pointing fingers or calling you wrong or calling you n00bs, just interested to see what your background is.

[Mitchness]

If you mean what other vehicles I've had my first vehicle was my '95 Ram, but my dad encouraged that because he was "mid-lifing" and living vicariously (plus paying half ).

 

I got rid of the Ram when gas hit $2.50 I think back in '05 for the Sol because of the mileage benefits. One winter of that proved that I needed another and therefore bought the Jeep.

 

Mind you every vehicle I've purchased by myself has been for almost solely practical reasons- the del Sol for mileage, the Jeep for winter driving.

 

Now while they're original intentions are pretty boring that doesn't mean I'm not gonna have fun with them. Do I plan on getting rid of them, no, but if something comes up where I have no choice will be a different story.

 

The point I was intending to make was the whole attitude of "I want to get rid of my Honda because I'm getting older." That doesn't make that much sense to me. Like I said before, it's a car not a teddy bear. *shrugs*

[Ksol]

The point I was intending to make was the whole attitude of "I want to get rid of my Honda because I'm getting older." That doesn't make that much sense to me. Like I said before, it's a car not a teddy bear. *shrugs*

haha, so true. I have to say I'm in the same boat as mitch as he made some valid points.

 

 

Initially I did buy my del sol with the intention of making it better in all ways but I have since enjoyed the car stock-like for the time being while parts accumulate.

 

For me it's now become another hobby; Buying stuff and building the car is actually quite fun leading up to that nice sunny day to go for a drive. It being an economic car right now is also a bonus although it certainly isn't my daily driver. Like Mitch, I'm also 25 and couldn't care less what people think of me driving a honda still or even five years from now. If people are really so judgemental over a car then I will bring out my Avalanche 2500 to show them I do just fine moneywise, and otherwise still enjoy a fun car on weekends.

 

I haven't grown out of the honda scene persay; I would like to think of it as I adapted to the changes in life with the purchase of a truck to use as a daily driver. This basically means the del sol has been promoted to a weekend warrior/track car and I can take my time building it. Some people don't like the idea of a car sitting there doing nothing but when I have a cover for it and a carpet for it to sit on, I think she's doing just fine.

 

Only real difference of adapting to life changes is that my sol has sat snow/dust free in the garage for about 10 months now and will most likely sit for another 9 months until I have paid for everything that is necessary right now(school). Then she will come out to play and get gradually built(3+ years) starting with something big while still saving for a house.

 

Anybody can buy a more expensive car, but I have more respect for the work people do to take their honda/acura and make it handle or look as good as say a 'G35' would from the factory.

[compuvision02]

Look at how many cars I've had since I started driving back in 2002, six years I've had nine cars. None of them were really mad cheap, but the ones that were cheaper were used for daily drivers while I had big money into other cars. I go through cars fast, hence why I asked what you drove before, because your opinions are completely different for having owned two vehicles. The nine cars I've had weren't including vehicles I drove for long periods of time that my parents had and I used and not to mention how many cars I drove along the way, so I have a completely different perspective on this then someone with very little variation in vehicles. I've driven anything from a Geo Prizm to a Mercedes SL65 AMG. So how can you not say that age causing someone to lose interest in something doesn't make sense? Because it depends on the type of people and what their past is. If I had a Civic for my second car in a few years, I may be dead locked on Hondas for years on end, since my average rate of change is so small.

[jerrodh]

I understand you on that front about wanting a more mature car. I really want to get a second vehicle like a truck or SUV, etc. I dont think its lke your abandoning the scene, you dont have to drive a honda everyday to be a true honda enthusiasts. And you'll not a traitor if you go get a Nissan or an Infinity in your case.

[CRG7]

Infiniti is Nissan.

 

This thread is turning into the elitest attitude of a typical G35 owner, though, it's unfortunate.

[..SSR..]

If you feel like youre growing out of the "Honda game" or "Honda scene" you weren't in "it" for the right reasons to start with.

 

Most people I see "move on" fit into this...

 

no money, Honda, mod it

no money still, but think they have money, Honda, mod it like crazy

little money, think they're moving up big time, Infinite, STi, EVO, 350, etc

money, something practical

money, think they're rich, BMW, Caddy, etc

 

If you're in it for the right reasons, then you can daily drive any Honda because you like them so much, track it, or drag it. Using a car as a status symbol is wack. If you really have money then get whatever you want (Ferrari, Lambo, used race car, etc). Whenever I see someone with an exspensive car I laugh at how much they owe on it. When I see someone with an expensive car at a track event, I know they can afford it. When I see someone "move on" from Hondas into the 3rd line of cars, I laugh when they buy the most fixed up Honda they can find after the itch comes back after they get tired of being classed as snobs/elitest/rich bitches, etc.

 

Just my opinion.

[Ben.]

haha, so true. I have to say I'm in the same boat as mitch as he made some valid points.

 

 

Initially I did buy my del sol with the intention of making it better in all ways but I have since enjoyed the car stock-like for the time being while parts accumulate.

 

For me it's now become another hobby; Buying stuff and building the car is actually quite fun leading up to that nice sunny day to go for a drive. It being an economic car right now is also a bonus although it certainly isn't my daily driver. Like Mitch, I'm also 25 and couldn't care less what people think of me driving a honda still or even five years from now. If people are really so judgemental over a car then I will bring out my Avalanche 2500 to show them I do just fine moneywise, and otherwise still enjoy a fun car on weekends.

 

I haven't grown out of the honda scene persay; I would like to think of it as I adapted to the changes in life with the purchase of a truck to use as a daily driver. This basically means the del sol has been promoted to a weekend warrior/track car and I can take my time building it. Some people don't like the idea of a car sitting there doing nothing but when I have a cover for it and a carpet for it to sit on, I think she's doing just fine.

 

Only real difference of adapting to life changes is that my sol has sat snow/dust free in the garage for about 10 months now and will most likely sit for another 9 months until I have paid for everything that is necessary right now(school). Then she will come out to play and get gradually built(3+ years) starting with something big while still saving for a house.

 

Anybody can buy a more expensive car, but I have more respect for the work people do to take their honda/acura and make it handle or look as good as say a 'G35' would from the factory.

 

And after all that .. It's still a Civic, or Integra.

[CRG7]

On a side note, Rob, of the entire list of cars in the sig, you've only owned a few of them for more than a year. It doesn't seem like you should be taking a loan out on any car at the rate you go through them.

 

As far as passion goes, perhaps you never really had it to begin with. Rather than holding onto anything and seeing it through, not matter what direction you take with it (modifying or just simply driving), you've gone through cars like water. The truly passionate ones tend to not want to part with their "baby".

 

I also have no idea what age has to do with driving a Honda. Perhaps if this were about Scions, which are geared towards young drivers, but it's not. For starters, there is no rule that you have to modify your Honda. Second, there are a few Hondas that hold more "status" for those who are into that type of appearance.

[sup]

I think someone's ready to move up the model chain to Acura

[sup]

but srsly, drive whatever feels right to you. Connotations and stereotypes about "status" cars mean nothing if you like what you're driving. That's what being an enthusiast is about. G35s are nice. Quick in stock form, razor sharp handling, and prices are coming down. If you like it, go for it. I considered one for a bit, but I didn't like the lack of elbow room.

[wannaBstuntin]

Yea man. Do what you want to do. That's all it really comes down to. But the only point we're all trying to make is that age has nothing to do with driving a Honda.

 

I admitted I'm a noob. I've only been driving since I was 18 in the first place and only have owned 2 seventh gen civics (which should alone tell you that Hondas are awesome if those impress me).

 

I've had

 

96 Elantra - 1.5 years (POS but I loved it, replaced so many things, and finally gave to charity when the exhaust manifold cracked)

98 Mercury Sable - 3 weeks (great car but crashed in a blizzard on the highway going to school)

01 Civic - 1 year (rice as they come, but I loved it and learned everything I know about cars ever since buying it and joining this forum. totalled by someone rear-ending me)

05 Civic - 1 year currently (specifically looked for the same car after owning my 01 civic and want to own it for as long as it'll last)

 

 

I've also driven (not just ridden in) cars such as neons, stratuses, trans ams, grand ams, pickups, bmws, audis, hummers, corvettes, jaguar XKR, mercedes CL55 AMG, Jeep liberty, mazda protege, eclipses, lancers, altimas, sentras, aleros as far as I can remember....

 

 

I bought my first Honda with the intention of having a reliable car with good gas mileage. It still serves those purposes primarily, but it has become so much more fun than that.

 

Honestly, if my aunt and uncle were to give me their Mercedes and Jag, I would just sell them. I don't want them. Eff looking like a rich douchesack, eff high gas prices, eff high insurance rates/taxes, and eff having to worry about vandalism/accidents/theft.

 

But do what you want man. Nobody here is gonna try to convince you otherwise. A car is a personal thing, and I believe that you should love your car and take care of it no matter what it is (even if its a bike )

[TS John]

Haha, I worry about vandalism/accidents/theft even in my little old del sol. If something happens to it it's still gonna be too expensive to fix for me...

 

I think a lot of the people who "move on" from the honda scene are often the people who get into for the economy/fun balance that's present in the honda line but don't have a particular attachment to any particular model. Eventually you will just want to move onto one of the cars that you always see driving around that you say "Wow, what a gorgeous car" everytime. If your car doesn't do that, you won't stick with it forever, that's just life.

 

Rob, I'm not saying that you don't "like hondas enough" or something stupid like that, but it sounds like you say something similar to that when you see a G35 coupe drive down the street, so I think it makes sense that you get one. Honestly, I think it makes more sense to pay for what you like rather than pay less for something and then convince yourself that if you pay enough extra you can make it something you like. Again, not saying you don't like hondas, but hopefully you know what I mean.

 

Me, the two cars that do that for me are (luckily) the del sol and the mini cooper. That's why I can't get rid of the sol unless I absolutely need to and that's why I'm sure to buy a mini next. Not that I wouldn't mind the TL Type-S someday either...

[compuvision02]

On a side note, Rob, of the entire list of cars in the sig, you've only owned a few of them for more than a year. It doesn't seem like you should be taking a loan out on any car at the rate you go through them.

 

As far as passion goes, perhaps you never really had it to begin with. Rather than holding onto anything and seeing it through, not matter what direction you take with it (modifying or just simply driving), you've gone through cars like water. The truly passionate ones tend to not want to part with their "baby".

 

I also have no idea what age has to do with driving a Honda. Perhaps if this were about Scions, which are geared towards young drivers, but it's not. For starters, there is no rule that you have to modify your Honda. Second, there are a few Hondas that hold more "status" for those who are into that type of appearance.

 

I agree with how fast I've gone through cars, but that's where part of this is coming from. I've had so many cars, always wanted to get new ones out of boredom, kind of like now, but in this case the boredom is always me wanting something nice to drive for the next three or four years, something reliable that won't get stolen. I mean, I'm not ditching my race car project, but at the same time, it isn't top priority anymore. All my vehicles that I've had, I got rid of for good reasoning.

 

Focus, I got rid of because I never liked it much from the start and it was a terrible platform to waste money on. The Trans Am I got rid of because I got into a ton of trouble and wasn't quite mature enough. I got the 1995 because it was my daily while I kept the Trans Am for a little while before getting rid of it. The Trans Am was traded for a Subaru, seemed like solid cars, ditched that because within those few months I put only about $500 into the vehicle for fun and about $2000 in repairs. The 1993 I got as a daily for my 1995, I sold it because I was still using my 1995 a lot and the 1993 was unmodified by the previous owner, D16Y6 to a D15Y8, which made it more of an annoyance to drive. The 1998 I got for a daily and have had for about a year, now I am at the point where I am sick of driving that piece of crap. The 1996 I got rid of because after hitting the deer and finding some other damages, it wasn't worth the repair. The 1992 I bought to replace the 1996, just really haven't had the motivation to get started on it. Then the Grand Cherokee I bought for my dad to drive and use as a towing vehicle for when my 1992 is done. So it isn't like I lost interest, I still would love to get another GM6 Subaru to EJ25 RWD swap and I'd love another Trans Am but gas prices isn't worth it.

 

I think the main reason I want to just move on to "bigger and better" things, is the fact that I've calculated that I have over $75,000 invested into cars over the years, and what do I have to show for it? It may be more of the fact that I just am getting out of the "tuner scene" versus getting out of Hondas, but you must know I am not generalizing all Honda and Acura products, I am more talking about having really old shells with oodles of money into it, but at the end of the day it is still a fifteen year old car worth $3,000. Plus, how many Hondas are stolen on a daily basis? I am kind of sick of having to look over my shoulder to make sure nobody is following me home or lock it inside my garage, or have to worry about where I can and can not take it, safely. I don't know.

 

Believe me, I am not ragging on anyone, in all honesty I was just looking to see if anyone else felt the same way. I damn well know that some of you are going to tell me I am wrong or not into it or what not, but that's not what I was looking for, because no matter what kind of car you have, you will always find people in that die hard mindset that one car will never get old; at least they don't think it will. I am more looking for those who may be slipping out, I am not sure if it is the age thing or just the fact I dislike being in such an immature scene. I couldn't even bring out my cars without being setup with a race or hearing people talking about stealing it, it was getting kind of old. This last year has been so stress-free, with the exception of work being work, but the only question I was asked all year was if I was working on the car. I had nothing to worry about, it was kind of nice not dealing with the local scene.

[TS John]

I hear what you're saying about hondas, in general, being a rather immature scene. I always have people trying to race me (some people even think I do since my exhaust is a bit loudish even under normal driving around town) and it sucks to know almost all of them are calling me a lamer as they pull ahead since I am "too scared" to race.

 

Also, as much as I don't like Mustangs, when I was in Myrtle Beach during Mustang week for the meet I noticed how nice almost all of the stangs there looked compared to the average mostly-riced-out hondas I see cruising around town.

[CRG7]

It may be more of the fact that I just am getting out of the "tuner scene" versus getting out of Hondas, but you must know I am not generalizing all Honda and Acura products

 

This is what I took from your original post, but then the thread started to become a generalization that all Hondas are kids/starter cars or whatnot. There is a difference between not having the desire to modify your car anymore, or to the same extent that you once would have, and not wanting to drive a Honda.

 

I know where you're coming from to the extent of modifying. At some point, it just becomes ridiculous to dump a lot of money into a car. I can't say that there's a particular age cut-off on it, because there's not, but it does happen to everyone at some point.

 

Plus, how many Hondas are stolen on a daily basis? I am kind of sick of having to look over my shoulder to make sure nobody is following me home or lock it inside my garage, or have to worry about where I can and can not take it, safely. I don't know.

 

Unfortunately, unless you buy a vehicle that doesn't stand out, you're always going to have this. Even then, there are those who steal just to joy ride, and don't care what type of car it is.

 

I've had so many cars, always wanted to get new ones out of boredom, kind of like now, but in this case the boredom is always me wanting something nice to drive for the next three or four years

 

No one can tell you what to do, and I don't think anything is going to change your mind, but this is what makes me leery. In the grand scheme, cars are a terrible investment. As soon as you take them off the lot, the value is cut, and when you're taking a loan out you're paying that much more. Factor that into your rate-of-change and it just doesn't make for a good combination.