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Since the dawn of time, cave men, mostly adolescents have been engaging in contests of machismo regarding their chosen mode of transportation.
It started with Ughm decided his 'round wheel' cart could be pushed faster than Thakbor's oval-wheeled cart. Often, down on the meadows, one could over hear the grunts:
"Ughm Kart Fast Not Cost So Many Beads As Thakbor's"
"But Thakbor's Cart more refined. Ughm Cart too Ricey. Ughm Cart Glorified Basket"
"Read Last Cart and Pusher, Ughm's Cart much faster!"
"But Thakbor's Cart Pull More Lateral G force!"
Up comes Loktak
Ughm and Thakbor taunt: "Look LokTak! Ugly Cart pulled by horse! LokTak Lazy ride on top!!!"
'Want Race?' replies LokTak!
"You Faster! You also must clean up Horse-Poop!" they snickered.
As civilization progressed adolescents did not, unfortunately. Today across forums and chat rooms everywhere young men and some women spend hours debating and 'flaming' cars and modes of transport. The Suzuki guys bash the Yamaha guys...the Yamaha guys bash - well.....EVERYONE bashes the Kawasaki guys. Ford vs Chevy. Import vs Domestic. Lately? Piston vs Rotary.
We've all read the threads like:
"I went to (insert forum) and they were all dissin' the RX8! Let's go set them straight!"
Emotions start getting juiced. People eventually get threatened "I'll ban you!!"
Speculation follows:
People want to be 'special'. People want the things they own to be 'special'. When somebody talks badly of something another believes/hopes is 'special', feelings get hurt.
I used to be in that boat. I felt I needed to justify the car I chose. That happened with my Probe GT:
"Yeah but, it's nearly as fast as 5.0L Mustangs, stock vs stock..."
"Yeah but it sure handles well!"
"Yeah but I paid next to nothing for it - it was a gift!"
Then, after boost:
"Yeah but I just beat that LS1!"
"Yeah but I just beat that FD!"
The Miata followed:
"Yeah but it's cute."
"Yeah but it handles like an exotic!"
"yeah but it gets 30mpg!"
By the time I got the RX8, I'd decided I don't want to, nor need to, explain the choice to anyone. I still find myself saying things like "Yeah but, I 'needed' a car to seat four ppl" - but those types of 'excuses for buying' are becoming further apart, and will eventually fade.
The RX8 is what it is. It stands on it's own. It's as fast as it is. Handles as well as it does. I feel no longer have the need for petty, *****-measuring comparisons with folks who don't like the car.
My question today is simple. "Why do 'you' care about others' views about your car?"
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Some people have low-self esteem, som defensive, some are bored, and others are immature.
Yes, yes, yes, and only on Tuesdays.
Honestly, I see someone insulting my car, as insulting me... in the sense that I put alot of time and thought into making a very expensive decision. I take having that decision questioned and/or ridiculed as a sort of attack on my personal taste, intelligence, and the like. Not that I ever take it that seriously... But it does still bother me to have people dismiss my car(s) outright without giving them a chance.
I usually just let the comments slide, though. Because, as I see it, you'll always get crap for what you're driving from some members of society. I used to drive a Miata, and got heckled for driving a "girl's car". If I had a Navigator, I'd be getting insulted for driving a gas-guzzling, grocery-getting, rollover hazard. If I had a 350Z, I'd get called out by mustang/camaro/GTO guys about how much slower my car is... It just goes on. I bought the 8 because, while it doesn't destroy the competition in any one area, it's not quite outclassed, either. Buy a "fast" Mustang or GTO? You're in an "ugly domestic". Buy a Z? Good luck hauling a second friend; or, for that matter, some extra luggage. The 8 can do it all. Quickly, quietly, comfortably, and in style. I'm glad to give up an extra second in the 1/4 mile or another 10th of a G for what it provides. I've also suddenly found myself making fewer and fewer excuses for my car.
I don't care if you 'don't like' my car. Or ANY car. Just please...'don't like' it for valid reasons.
When ppl spout off stuff like "RX8s are SLOW!" I attempt to get them to define 'slow by what measurement?" - that sorta thing.
You don't like RX8's looks? Fair enough. You don't like the Wankel? Sure, No problem. You don't like how it's slower than a stock Civic SI? You are ignorant when it comes about cars, and relative performance.
Yes, yes, yes, and only on Tuesdays.
I usually just let the comments slide, though. Because, as I see it, you'll always get crap for what you're driving from some members of society. I used to drive a Miata, and got heckled for driving a "girl's car". If I had a Navigator, I'd be getting insulted for driving a gas-guzzling, grocery-getting, rollover hazard. If I had a 350Z, I'd get called out by mustang/camaro/GTO guys about how much slower my car is... It just goes on. I bought the 8 because, while it doesn't destroy the competition in any one area, it's not quite outclassed, either. Buy a "fast" Mustang or GTO? You're in an "ugly domestic". Buy a Z? Good luck hauling a second friend; or, for that matter, some extra luggage. The 8 can do it all. Quickly, quietly, comfortably, and in style. I'm glad to give up an extra second in the 1/4 mile or another 10th of a G for what it provides. I've also suddenly found myself making fewer and fewer excuses for my car.
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