Most definetly so. Seems the biggest jackasses around here more often then not drives Volvo vagons
Suped up and modified cars?
- Thread starter Crewman47
- Start date
There have also been instances where street racers have had their cars crushed due to their reckless behavior, which I fully support (and I'm a big gearhead).
The local track here has "Test and Tune Night" on Fridays and Saturdays, where the tuners/muscle guys can take their cars and bracket race on the quarter mile. It gives them bragging rights, a chance to show off, and a safe place to race. The crowds tend to be large as well, so it's a good night of entertainment.
Seriously? That's hilarious.Most definetly so. Seems the biggest jackasses around here more often then not drives Volvo vagons
Define "normal car". A Ferrari F430 is a normal car isn't it? Goes a hell of a lot faster than a Mini though.
I'd read once there are three types of people who modify their cars.
1) Those who modify their cars to go fast.
Most of these people are true enthusiasts who know every intimate detail about their cars (as well as many, many others). Modifications include everything from adding/upgrading forced induction, upgrading the exhaust system, replacing gears, suspension, brakes, extensive engine upgrades (pistons, rings, valves, cams, injectors, etc...). The upgrades depend on how deep the person's pockets are and how much they're willing to spend.
You will typically see this in the upper end sports cars, coupes and sedans and their owners. (BMW 3/5 series, Audi A4/S4/RS6, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Viper, Porsche 911s). Other makes like the Infiniti G35/G37, Nissan 350z/370z, Toyota Supra as well as the V8 Ford Mustangs and the V8 F-Body Chevy Camaros/Pontiac Firebirds (cars and their owners) can also be included.
** Note: These are only examples. There are many people who own typical ricer cars (Hondas) but have spent considerable time and money to make them fast (and safe). They should deserve just as much recognition as the dude who dropped $50,000 on his BMW M3 and another $50,000 in upgrades.
2) Those who modify their cars to look nice.
These people may or may not qualify as enthusiasts, but they should be mentioned. They don't necessarily care about the engine, horsepower or performance, but simply the way the car looks. Modifications generally include nicer wheels and perhaps a nice paint job. Suspension and tasteful body kits may also be included as well as an upgraded sound system.
Cars of all types can be included of course, but this is mostly seen in pickups and SUVs (at least in CA). For example a newer Chevy Avalanche lowered slightly with tasteful 20" wheels.
** NOTE: 1 and 2 (performance and body upgrades) often go together for many people.
3) Those who modify their cars to look fast.
These people are known as ricers and know little or nothing about their cars. These are the idiots with the fart pipes, huge wing on the decklid or hatch, stickers from every aftermarket manufacturer on the planet pasted on their car, and mismatched wheels (stock steel in front with cheap ass wheels on the rear, to make it appear they'd just been to the track or some bullshit). You will often hear them claim to have a sub 10 second car after installing said fart pipe and an aftermarket air intake.
Most of these dumbasses drive Honda Civics or some other econocar. It's really humorous to see a VTEC badge fixed to a Chevy Cavalier or Nissan Sentra.
** Note: VTEC is the name given to Honda's variable valve timing and lifter control technology. Most manufacturers have similar systems, but VTEC seems to have stuck in the the ricers mind as this magic device that makes their cars as fast as a Lamborghini Murcielago.
1) Those who modify their cars to go fast.
Most of these people are true enthusiasts who know every intimate detail about their cars (as well as many, many others). Modifications include everything from adding/upgrading forced induction, upgrading the exhaust system, replacing gears, suspension, brakes, extensive engine upgrades (pistons, rings, valves, cams, injectors, etc...). The upgrades depend on how deep the person's pockets are and how much they're willing to spend.
You will typically see this in the upper end sports cars, coupes and sedans and their owners. (BMW 3/5 series, Audi A4/S4/RS6, Chevy Corvette, Dodge Viper, Porsche 911s). Other makes like the Infiniti G35/G37, Nissan 350z/370z, Toyota Supra as well as the V8 Ford Mustangs and the V8 F-Body Chevy Camaros/Pontiac Firebirds (cars and their owners) can also be included.
** Note: These are only examples. There are many people who own typical ricer cars (Hondas) but have spent considerable time and money to make them fast (and safe). They should deserve just as much recognition as the dude who dropped $50,000 on his BMW M3 and another $50,000 in upgrades.
2) Those who modify their cars to look nice.
These people may or may not qualify as enthusiasts, but they should be mentioned. They don't necessarily care about the engine, horsepower or performance, but simply the way the car looks. Modifications generally include nicer wheels and perhaps a nice paint job. Suspension and tasteful body kits may also be included as well as an upgraded sound system.
Cars of all types can be included of course, but this is mostly seen in pickups and SUVs (at least in CA). For example a newer Chevy Avalanche lowered slightly with tasteful 20" wheels.
** NOTE: 1 and 2 (performance and body upgrades) often go together for many people.
3) Those who modify their cars to look fast.
These people are known as ricers and know little or nothing about their cars. These are the idiots with the fart pipes, huge wing on the decklid or hatch, stickers from every aftermarket manufacturer on the planet pasted on their car, and mismatched wheels (stock steel in front with cheap ass wheels on the rear, to make it appear they'd just been to the track or some bullshit). You will often hear them claim to have a sub 10 second car after installing said fart pipe and an aftermarket air intake.
Most of these dumbasses drive Honda Civics or some other econocar. It's really humorous to see a VTEC badge fixed to a Chevy Cavalier or Nissan Sentra.
** Note: VTEC is the name given to Honda's variable valve timing and lifter control technology. Most manufacturers have similar systems, but VTEC seems to have stuck in the the ricers mind as this magic device that makes their cars as fast as a Lamborghini Murcielago.
I assure you, I joke not. First and foremost, the Volvo vagon (such as the 240 and 740) are for some reason ridicolously popular amongst lots of young men of my generation who drive like total idiots. Then it's the scarier ones, the family fathers and mothers that can afford newer Volvo vagons and drive them like it's a fucking Ferrari.Seriously? That's hilarious.Most definetly so. Seems the biggest jackasses around here more often then not drives Volvo vagons
This has lead to me and my dad joking that it's a wellknown fact that the Volvo vagon is fastest car known to man. Closely followed by handiman work cars such as the Renault Kangoo.
Seriously, I've seldom see a true sports car hauling as much ass the abovementioned. My personal theory is because people that drive a true sports car knows it has power and doesn't need to prove anything. Volvo vagon owners are obviously clinically depressed because they bought a Volvo.
Maybe they take the "Safest cars in the world" mantra too seriously and figure "what the hell, I'll drive like a jackass. I mean, nothing's going to happen to me.
Also, by brother-in-law had a couple of Integras (in succession) that he liked to slap random crap on. The Integra post up-thread got a literal lol out of me. Once I got in his car and said "woah, your exhaust sounds as bad as mine. (It was broken in two right behind the catalytic converter at the time) There's a shop on Washington street that does good work at a very reasonable price." Then he told me it was supposed to sound like that.
Also, by brother-in-law had a couple of Integras (in succession) that he liked to slap random crap on. The Integra post up-thread got a literal lol out of me. Once I got in his car and said "woah, your exhaust sounds as bad as mine. (It was broken in two right behind the catalytic converter at the time) There's a shop on Washington street that does good work at a very reasonable price." Then he told me it was supposed to sound like that.
^Well if they do they're even bigger idiots. They where safe compared to other cars in the 80s, but now a Toyota Yaris would absolutely slaughter one of them if the rammed it.
Ah yes, that my friend is a definete definition of a ricer! I think there's a difference between haveing a modded exhaust and one that's just loud. My Saab has a sport exhaust that was offered as an accesory when the car was new. Bit bigger pipe and a little tune on the engine and it sounds mean when you rev it up and just has this low growl to it. BUT, it's not obnoxiously loud. It's juuuust right. Sounds so nice that a few guys have asked me if I have a six, while in fact it's just a 4-banger.
Ah yes, that my friend is a definete definition of a ricer! I think there's a difference between haveing a modded exhaust and one that's just loud. My Saab has a sport exhaust that was offered as an accesory when the car was new. Bit bigger pipe and a little tune on the engine and it sounds mean when you rev it up and just has this low growl to it. BUT, it's not obnoxiously loud. It's juuuust right. Sounds so nice that a few guys have asked me if I have a six, while in fact it's just a 4-banger.
ed629
Rear Admiral
Like when the first "The Fast and The Furious" movie came out, and every wannabe ricer was thinking their little 1.6 liter, wing, rims, fart can and stripe made their car fast... they's stop next to me at a light, rev their engine then hang their head in shame when I's stay even for shits and grins until I'd pull away in my Mustang... or the rental Impala.
On the other hand, my BIL has a Porsche that's he's invested over $100k in over the past 10 years with rebuilds, mods and upgrades. At stage 3 he puts down 962hp at the wheels. That thing accelerates so hard you feel like you've been slammed into the seat and your eye balls are being flattened.
And dead on about the VTEC, NisMo, TRD, and SVT stickers on a Hyundai. My favorite one had to be seeing the Police Interceptor emblem, with a VTEC, Spyder, and VR4 emblem on a Civic... with a wing, air damn, side skirts, and a hood scoop, with the chrome edging around the doors, hood and trunk.
That sounds like one hell of a ride!
A normal car to me is your everyday run of the mill car, the one you go to your work in and go for your shopping in. That's really all you need.
I do know that there are people who do like there cars to look nice, I like a nice looking car myself, but as long as it gets from A to B, safely, then the car does it's job.
Well, the reason we're not all using a dull, cat-vomit green Opel (Vauxhall) Agila to get from A to B is that just like it goes for many other things, there are people out there who love cars and don't see them just as a tool, like you do. They consider them to be objects of engineering beauty, expressions of freedom, something that stirs a passion in them and can leave them breathless in joy just by sheer performance.
For example, I use trains as a tool to get from A to B, but my best friend in high school and his dad were nuts about them. To me there was no difference between a train and the other, while they could tell me the year it was manufactured, how much it weighed, the special engineering novelties it introduced in the business, etc. etc. And you wouldn't believe the sparkles in their eyes all the while.
To each his own.
For example, I use trains as a tool to get from A to B, but my best friend in high school and his dad were nuts about them. To me there was no difference between a train and the other, while they could tell me the year it was manufactured, how much it weighed, the special engineering novelties it introduced in the business, etc. etc. And you wouldn't believe the sparkles in their eyes all the while.
To each his own.
Btw. for me "suped up" (never heard that expression before, but I like it 
) cars are a great source of enjoyment when they overtake me with screeching engines only to be left in the dust by me at the next traffic light on my ugly but trusty single-gear bicycle or when I see them having to navigate over speedbumps diagonally because their suspension is too low.
) cars are a great source of enjoyment when they overtake me with screeching engines only to be left in the dust by me at the next traffic light on my ugly but trusty single-gear bicycle or when I see them having to navigate over speedbumps diagonally because their suspension is too low.
If you want to limit cars to 80mph though, you are still going to need to build cars that can go a lot faster than that and then artificially limit them electronically. It's no good producing a car with an engine that is only capable of doing 80mph as it is not going to perform efficiently at 60mph.
The thing with street racers is they do it for the excitement of getting away with it or possibly getting caught. Anyone in the US that says they have no track to race at is lying! They may have to drive for an hour to get to it, but they are there.
