nucleaicus
Jun 11, 2003, 02:16 PM
I know this is a bit dated, but i have just recently come across it and decided to get some new opinions since the original author seems a bit biased torwards "tuner cars and the idiots that drive them."
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AlphaTech
macrumors Demi-God
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Natick, MA
"tuner cars" and the idiots that drive them...
Last night, I was on the way back to get my own vehicle after going to a wake (had car pooled since I had never been to where the wake was held). Going down the highway in moderate traffic when four (maybe five) little tuner cars came zipping up and weaving around traffic. It looked like they were racing, and came dangerously close to causing a few accidents in the processes. Later, when turning off the highway to get to my own vehicle, all of the tuner cars were pulled over by a highway patrol car, with all the drivers standing around and another vehicle (not one of the tuners) looked like it had been in an accident.
My question for the masses... What is your OPINION of these types of cars and those that drive them? Also, how stupid does their engine sound? Having a little 4 banger with a loud exhaust just sounds moronic. It [essentially] sounds like a model airplane, not a car. A better sound would come from a V6 or V8, a 4 banger just can't have a good audio quality, no matter what kind of exhaust system they install.
Personally, I believe that they are the reason insurance rates are as high as they are. I also think that they are several brain cells short of a pair. They rank right up there with the people who have 200watt+ stereo systems in their cars which you can hear inside your vehicle, even when a hundred (or more) yards away.
Feel free to rant and rave all you want. I'd like to hear from both sides of this.
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...as would i. I think that instead of trashing one group of automotive enthusiasts, the title should read "fast cars, how do idiots get their hands on them?" i dont think that because you drive a certain type of car, that youre and idiot, i think its how you handle your car. and with increasing amounts of horsepower comes increasing amounts of responsibility needed to control your car and yourself. everyone is responisible for the safety of everyone else on the road. Ive seen the carelessness of drivers of both import tuners and american iron.
As for the sound of a loud race exhaust on a 4 cylinder engine, i think thats all up to who's driving it. some think a loud exhaust on a V8 sounds bad, while others hear music when the pedal is on the floor. Personal preferrence is no reason to make biased statements torwards other people's interests. I learned to appreciate the new import styling as well as that of old american iron. I own an 84 Camaro Z28 that my dad and i rebuilt 3 years ago. I love that car, but recently purchased a 96 Eclipse that ive been working on. Im excited to begin ordering my body kit and wing, as well as my performance parts for this new project. My dad, who is in his 60's, owns an award winning 68 Firebird, but after helping me with the Eclipse, has decided he likes it and bought a 96 Eclipse of his own to work on. Although he may not care for my choices on what i do to my Eclipse, he is supportive of my ideas and preferrences. Plus, with a few modifications, i can have the power of my Camaro with the fuel efficiency of my mom's sedan. With todays sky-rocketing gas prices, it definately sounds like a plus.
The new wave of import tuners arent rebelling against those who choose to drive V8's, they are merely following the path first cut by the HotRodders of days past, and they are using the cars of their day to do it with. The goal of horsepower and speed seem to be a common denominator between those who modify imports or domestics.
----and as for the comment about the 200+ watt stereo systems, i do take offense to that. I am currently pursuing a career in the mobile security/audio field, and see loud systems as just another form of expression painted over the canvas of your car. Whether it be bodykits, wings, tubbed out rears, M/t Slicks, or loud sound systems, the motive is all the same. Make your car how you want it, even though there are people no matter what, who will trash your sense of style. I agree tacking a wing on a car doesnt make it faster, but neither does chrome, and people use a lot of it. -Stephen C.
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AlphaTech
macrumors Demi-God
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Natick, MA
"tuner cars" and the idiots that drive them...
Last night, I was on the way back to get my own vehicle after going to a wake (had car pooled since I had never been to where the wake was held). Going down the highway in moderate traffic when four (maybe five) little tuner cars came zipping up and weaving around traffic. It looked like they were racing, and came dangerously close to causing a few accidents in the processes. Later, when turning off the highway to get to my own vehicle, all of the tuner cars were pulled over by a highway patrol car, with all the drivers standing around and another vehicle (not one of the tuners) looked like it had been in an accident.
My question for the masses... What is your OPINION of these types of cars and those that drive them? Also, how stupid does their engine sound? Having a little 4 banger with a loud exhaust just sounds moronic. It [essentially] sounds like a model airplane, not a car. A better sound would come from a V6 or V8, a 4 banger just can't have a good audio quality, no matter what kind of exhaust system they install.
Personally, I believe that they are the reason insurance rates are as high as they are. I also think that they are several brain cells short of a pair. They rank right up there with the people who have 200watt+ stereo systems in their cars which you can hear inside your vehicle, even when a hundred (or more) yards away.
Feel free to rant and rave all you want. I'd like to hear from both sides of this.
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...as would i. I think that instead of trashing one group of automotive enthusiasts, the title should read "fast cars, how do idiots get their hands on them?" i dont think that because you drive a certain type of car, that youre and idiot, i think its how you handle your car. and with increasing amounts of horsepower comes increasing amounts of responsibility needed to control your car and yourself. everyone is responisible for the safety of everyone else on the road. Ive seen the carelessness of drivers of both import tuners and american iron.
As for the sound of a loud race exhaust on a 4 cylinder engine, i think thats all up to who's driving it. some think a loud exhaust on a V8 sounds bad, while others hear music when the pedal is on the floor. Personal preferrence is no reason to make biased statements torwards other people's interests. I learned to appreciate the new import styling as well as that of old american iron. I own an 84 Camaro Z28 that my dad and i rebuilt 3 years ago. I love that car, but recently purchased a 96 Eclipse that ive been working on. Im excited to begin ordering my body kit and wing, as well as my performance parts for this new project. My dad, who is in his 60's, owns an award winning 68 Firebird, but after helping me with the Eclipse, has decided he likes it and bought a 96 Eclipse of his own to work on. Although he may not care for my choices on what i do to my Eclipse, he is supportive of my ideas and preferrences. Plus, with a few modifications, i can have the power of my Camaro with the fuel efficiency of my mom's sedan. With todays sky-rocketing gas prices, it definately sounds like a plus.
The new wave of import tuners arent rebelling against those who choose to drive V8's, they are merely following the path first cut by the HotRodders of days past, and they are using the cars of their day to do it with. The goal of horsepower and speed seem to be a common denominator between those who modify imports or domestics.
----and as for the comment about the 200+ watt stereo systems, i do take offense to that. I am currently pursuing a career in the mobile security/audio field, and see loud systems as just another form of expression painted over the canvas of your car. Whether it be bodykits, wings, tubbed out rears, M/t Slicks, or loud sound systems, the motive is all the same. Make your car how you want it, even though there are people no matter what, who will trash your sense of style. I agree tacking a wing on a car doesnt make it faster, but neither does chrome, and people use a lot of it. -Stephen C.
