It's interesting how some of you say you have developed knowledge of cars at a young age. When I was at the NYC auto show today (1st such show experience for me), I noticed a lot of young guns jumping into the cockpits of the cars there, and knowing how the controls work, recognizing not only the makes but models of the cars, and playing with the NAV systems to find their neighborhoods. Maybe it's the F&F movie that has a big influence on them . But anyway, I think it's nice for some people to have auto experience of any degree at an early time in their lives so that they have some direction of what they want to do when they grow up.

Just like GS4Fun, I have not always been into cars either. I would say the "car nut" bug began with me after I had the hood of my ES replaced from an accident 2 years ago. It started out with knowing everything about my car, then knowing the rest of the ES's made, then knowing the rest of the Lexus model lineup, then it goes on and on and on. I've claimed to have photogenic memory for many years, so make/model recognition is a regular habit of mine on the streets. The head/tailight thing is pretty much the same as the make/model deal. Though I never started at an early age, I know there's a lot more out there to see, feel, hear and experience .

 

I think I read somewhere that a car is "the only thing we make that comes close to being alive". I've loved cars since I could remember. I remember my first auto show, when I lived in NY, I think 1985.

I also can name most cars after 1980 just looking at headlights. When I travel sometimes, I challenge myself to name every car that passes me. I know most all dimension and HP numbers with accleration and braking times of most all new cars. I just love cars and would love to someday work for a major automobile company.

Besides, I have over 7,000 posts.

 

Ditto on most of the things that make you car nuts. I just hope my new 3 month old son is. First ride in a car 2 days old hummer h2. 2nd ride a BMW. I took pictures yesterday of him on my hummer. The 1st car he heard smoke tires was a 65 vette at the tender age of one week old. Placed him on my dirt bike at 10 weeks old. The first car that got his attention was a WRX STi driving by at 4 weeks, now everytime I spot one in the car I say "STi". First car show 2 months old and he loved this slammed red merk custom. 1st test drive the lexus 330 with me and the wife. He did not cry so I would say he liked it, so we got it. His keys to chew on are from my 02 Z06 vette. This year he will attend his first International car show at 1yr's old in NYC. I think I am making him a nut also just like I did to my wife.
We will be a car nut family.

 

Man this thread is a oldie, very nice addition though Scott!!

Best of luck with the young hotshoe!!

 

You will find that being a car nut is both a genetic and a contagious affliction. While it is not fatal, there is no known cure. Congratulations, and good luck with the little guy!

 

ill second that!

CEO

 

very funny richie way to up your posts

 

Man all the stuff you guys mentioned is so true. I could spot any make/model car when i was in like 2nd or 3rd grade. I used to read car magazines religiously instead of comics or whatnot. When I was 10, I knew I was car crazy when I begged and cried to stay at the NY Autoshow rather than go to the circus at MSG. Sometimes, it takes a solid 10 minutes just to put the car inside the garage cause I mindlessly sit inside the car playing with the radio and other stuff. Man o man I wouldn't have it any other way!!

 

I've always been a walking encyclopedia of cars. I've always had about 5 car mag subscriptions at a time.
I thought I was crazy for knowing every make/model, trimline, and price in the industry off hand. I guess I'm not alone. I too can identify most cars by the shape of the headlight/tailight glow at night. I can identify any car by just seeing the stock wheel or wheel cover on it.

It's funny how easily you remember things when you have such an interest in it. I wish I remembered school material this well!

Then you have people like my mother who can't identify any car but her own. I've even seen people who didn't know the name of the model they owned!

 

Wow, about time we had another CL pissing contest.

 

Can't say I'm the biggest car nut here

-I could identify any make/model of car in Ukraine.
-I won races on a gocart against highschoolers when I was 6
-Can't say I can identify headlights of any car in rear view mirror
-Can tell approximate year of any Lexus

 

1. You hand sand-paper your own intake manifold for that shiny mirror look because you can't trust a machine to do it. You work at it 10 hours a day, all weekend long, and amidst the bruises, cuts and busted knuckles, you are still grinning at the end coz you can see your mirror image at your polished manifold.

2. Your wheels and suspension cost half of your car and you pay them gladly.

3. You can't stop taking pictures of your car at every angle possible.

4. Then you can't wait to post them onto your favorite car forum expecting gushing praises from fellow car nuts.

5. You tell your spouse to shut up because you have listen to your exhaust drone very carefully.

6. You put beer in your fridge for your forum meets and distilled water for your car radiator. The milk for the kids and the coolaid can go in the shed.....

7. You park your car in front of buildings with huge reflective windows just so you can see yourself chillin' in your ride and you praise yourself for a job well done.

8. You just spent the last half hour figuring out how to outdo the previous posts and establishing yourself as a true die hard car nut....with only 8 points.

 

hey, i'm a huge car nut also, i can name just about anything that passes by me on the road and whatever that i pass and name everything that in my review mirror but it has to be during my gerneration so no classic cars, only the modern junk.

i've made lots of money from bets that i make with my friends from knowing what car is exactly is and i'm the walkin encyclopedia on cars at my school, all my friends turn to me on car advice, purchases, and maintenace...me

 

ROFL, this is the best one!!

 

Agreed Good one JT. And I think we ALL do number 7!!! I have a preset route that I take due to its mirrored buildings!