HAS THE ECONOMY ALTERED YOUR CAR PLANS?

[BABY J]

Some Observations:

I've noticed that there are LESS cars buzzing up and down the streets at night in Canton/Alpharetta than there was 2 years ago. The usual Fri/Sat Hangout spots are thinner than usual also... every now and then, there will be a packed not - but that's not the norm.

I have also noticed on my occasional glance at the forums that a LOT of the threads are "For Sale" threads of "go fast parts", or entire cars... or projects that was sure going to be completed by the original owner.

Do you think its the economy at fault for steering a lot of these people
away from dumping $$$ in their money-pit cars??

Are people sell their parts/cars/projects to make ends meet?

Or could it be that entire car scene shifted in some way or another? Where as $ in the pocket is better left there, than under the hood?

Have we come to the point of not trying to keep up with the "Jones'" anymore? Not looking to spend that extra $ to get another second off in the 1/4 mile? I don't know, I think the aftermarket car scene as a whole will come back different once the economy recovers, not sure, but the Import Scene is not going to comeback like it was a few years ago in my opinion.

There used to be a time when anyone could take any car, and slap anything on it, to join the "crowd." The variety of cars was vast, from modding a Honda on minimum wage jobs, to the vettes and vipers that required a lot more "job", and a lot more $!

I think we will lose the lower spectrum cars and mod "kids" thru this economic downturn, and this is unfortunate.

What are you guys are doing now, and plan to do when the economy turns around? Are you modding less now, selling mods for $, racing less this year then last? Getting out of the scene altogether?

Elaborate

[Sammich]

yes it has dramatically. going from no OT, to 32hrs/wk to 40hrs/2wks has cut down all of my extra money having nothing to spend on but necessities. i have picked up a gay job at dollar general stocking, but that money is NOT going to cut it even for necessities. i HAVE to find something else immediately before i get laid off.

[Paul]

life is dictating more of my car plans than anything else. i'm getting older and i just don't care about certain things as much. so economy doesn't have any bearing on my car decisions.

[X-Runner]

Not really, my focus has just shifted from cars to ATVs/boats now. I lost interest in cars when my truck got wrecked.

[civic gsr]

yes cause if you dont got money no new parts lol i speak for averyone

[Greddypacked]

Its def. the economy. Economy does alot in all aspects of life, entertainment, bills, housing, cars, vacations, in relation to money the economy is beating it right now.

[NVEOUS]

Yes the economy has definately altered my money spending on my car. I cant do anything right now.

[BABY J]

I'm somewhere in the middle. I have a career where I haven't felt the hit -- but also after selling my cornerstone "bottom bitch" EG... the one I said I'd die with, things are in a different perspective. I now know that I can part w/ any project and be okay --- so the plans are to grow up a bit this year and only keep my favorites. That has more to do w/ maturity than the economy, but at 30 years old I can see my views changing a bit on what's important to me.

[NVEOUS]

I'm somewhere in the middle. I have a career where I haven't felt the hit -- but also after selling my cornerstone "bottom bitch" EG... the one I said I'd die with, things are in a different perspective. I now know that I can part w/ any project and be okay --- so the plans are to grow up a bit this year and only keep my favorites. That has more to do w/ maturity than the economy, but at 30 years old I can see my views changing a bit on what's important to me.

AGREED!!!!!!!!!!! Thats the tr00f right there.

[Sammich]

i mean..i expect growing older views change..but i feel that car modding will always be a...i dont know what you call it, but it will always be something on the inside of me to always want to do something to everything i have. tasteful nonetheless. maybe nothing but wheels and a stereo, or full out race/track. i'm not going to give up what i love because society says i need to grow up, but other things will be put to the forefront

[NVEOUS]

i mean..i expect growing older views change..but i feel that car modding will always be a...i dont know what you call it, but it will always be something on the inside of me to always want to do something to everything i have. tasteful nonetheless. maybe nothing but wheels and a stereo, or full out race/track. i'm not going to give up what i love because society says i need to grow up, but other things will be put to the forefront

agreed even more!!!! I love cars way too much to just let it die out. Things will be more important at times and projects will be put on hold but i dont think ill ever grow up completely. There will always be that kid in me.

[Sammich]

i still go to toysrus...i'm never growing up completely

[TSiFTW]

I think the car scene especially around my area took a dive around 3-4 years ago. We used to have big meets, a car show every weekend somewhere, and no matter where you drove you always seen nice cars. From personal evaluation my opinion is the game got so stepped up for a little while all the new kids trying to get in the scene couldn't afford to keep up so they went a different way. I think it has just started over that is all. Those of us still in it need to try harder to help the noobs out, not criticize them and run them off. If a kid likes something and wants to slap it on his car don't call him a ricer and laugh at him, just because you don't like it, HELP HIM/HER OUT. For those of us old enough to have kids already or in the future, put them in the driveway, garage, shop, whatever instead of in front of the TV or video game console and teach them. Lets keep this going. JMO

[NVEOUS]

i still go to toysrus...i'm never growing up completely

LOL tosRus is teh shit!!!

[Crazy Asian]

kind of well mainly the parts ony car's are expensive but that's what you get for quality parts and limited amount.

[Firefightin_tC]

Not I! Turbo in October! Just bought a set of Sparco sets...and I'm far from over.

[JmDubz]

hasn't changed my plans

[Z0_o6]

I haven't been hit by the economy, I have taken advantage of it. When I lost my "job" at the local dealership I busted my shit out at home. Now I make more than I ever did with a real job, so in truth, my cars are being modded at a faster rate now. I just bought an S2K, a built longblock is going in the STi, and I'm still working a little on a K20 EK hatch. I think people want to blame the economy when they don't have money, when in my opinion, they need to find a niche and exploit it. This isn't an attack at anyone at all, I'm mostly saying I got very lucky.

[Jecht]

Haha I'm actually looking at buying a nice new car now instead of cutting back on anything.

[WTF?]

slowing down but not giving up

[tony]

Hell yeah, too much opportunity to invest in out here to waste money on cars.

[03RCode]

My poor Titan has been neglected for the last few weeks now... Spending all my time/money on the race quad. Just enjoy it more now.

[MINI]

I have had many younger guys and guys my age coming to me asking what they can do to their car. Doing what they can with what money they have. Ive noticed a rise in modding and racing around here with guys my age and younger because its fun and something to do. Totally unorganized but lol w.e.

[RL...]

I'm part time so I can only afford to do little things here and there...But if I get this full time position...ohh boyyy I will def be buying a new car!!!

SELLING MY MAX AND BUYIN A HYUNDAI GENESIS 4.6l sedan ahhhh

[Xpsi]

I, in the other hand had to get rid of my 06 sti. It was a nice car and everything but I couldnt keep it anymore.

[BABY J]

^^ That sux ass.

[Z0_o6]

^^ That sux ass.

Yes, it does. I wouldn't wish on anybody to lose their car, that hurts.

[blaknoize]

Since I'm not actually a guy that can speak on this. I can say that this economy has only helped me. Ever since I got this job I can see plans and I'm saving for a decent swap and new parts and even a new car. Cars are cheap and parts are sold at or below value to make money. Its perfect season for me

[Elbow]

Hasn't really effected me, sponsor wise it's harder to get larger sponsors, so I find myself having to spend more out of my pocket, but I'm still going.

[On_Her_Face]

Nope it is actually helping me expand my car plans.

[BABY J]

^^ Elaborate on that...

[green91]

My money hasn't really changed with the economy but with the uncertainty I've been saving the money i would normally be spending on projects etc. Although i am still working on my newest project, just at a slower rate. I feel better with money in the bank

[hondachik]

Eh...with me it was just when I totaled out the Civic and the check from the insurance company went towards paying the car off instead of me receiving it...extremely hurt. I put a lot of money in to the car & I didn't even have the title yet. So I've just decided this time around to use my money towards paying my Accord off and THEN mod it once I have the title. Car should be paid off by the end of next summer if I use my income tax money & then keep up the monthly payments afterwards...Atleast then I will be able to do what I want to the car & if I do get hit again, atleast I can profit from it next time.

[DynamicSound]

The economy has made me a little stricter with my inventory for my businesses as far as putting too much money into it, but car plans haven't changed. Still have my 3 + a bike. Looking to get rid of my G35 and replacing it. I have been back and forth for 8 months or so about which car to replace it with. I am looking at a new BMW M3 or Lexus GS460 if I get a car this year. Or I am going to save up for late next year and get a new Audi R8. Still undecided though.