Daily Podcast: Car Talk
No, not those guys. I'm talking about people who don't talk about cars. Apparently, there are a lot of them. In fact, my wife and I went out to dinner with a couple who had no desire to talk about cars at all. Which is fair enough. As a journalist, I enjoy talking to people about their work and interests. But no, that wasn't good enough. He had a question: "How in the world can you talk about cars all day? You drive them, write about it, and then what?" I tried to explain that cars touch on all aspects of life: physics, chemistry, high finance, psychology, law, philosophy, computers, etc. I told him about TTAC's Best and Brightest: our computerized conclave of experts drawn to the site from all walks of life. Enthusiasts who bring a huge range of disciplines to bear on all things automotive. My dinner companion nodded sagely, considering all that I'd said. "So do you think I should trade my Mercedes for an Infiniti?" Like politics, all car talk is local.
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I think you're wrong when you say that a person that would buy a Camaro or Challenger would buy a Mustang. I would think that one of the few places where the Ford v Chevy v Dodge rivalry shows up is the muscle car. That said, since people can't raid their home equity to finance them, I do wonder if the people that want them can afford them.
I happy to hear others share my interest in cars in the same way I do. Car culture is very dynamic. I feel similar about speakers. Enlightenment = sensitivity. Guess what speakers are the most efficient? I'm learning more all the time. although fun is more than learning, I think. On muscle cars, I'd like to see the same level of enthusiasm for other cars, I think lots can be accomplished. Ignorance is not bliss. Although the G8, S5, G37, and others are examples of muscle done better (in many ways). As for phones, I guess I can see some fascination in being seconds away from touching someone. Capturing a pic of them, and sharing music and interests online. Also more affordable and most kids may not have a car. Maybe in the future I'll be more interested.
Just go by any JiffyLube, national HQ for non-car enthusiasts. I still love (and service) our little fleet: 2 crown vics (gasp) 02 audi 79 f-150 91 silverado 57 chevy 01 cavalier 06 gto 03 kubota After many years of tinkering with q-jets and point-equipped distributors, I have drastically changed my view of electronic controls. I find the current versions much easier to diagnose and work on (once you have removed those 14 things that are in the way). The fun is in the learning, no matter what you do.
Oh, to have a mint condition Riv like in the photo....my knees are weak just looking at it. Just look at the photo - boat-tail Riv, just itching to climb in the water that inspired it...