Car culture is ever-changing, and the community within it remains in a state of flux as well. Some people come and go, while others are in this weird world for decades at a time, experiencing the cultural shift through different styles, attitudes, and eras. PASMAG, for example, has now been around for 25 years, and we've been through our own transformations as we stay up to date with enthusiasts new and old in our community. As niche car scenes around the world go through the motions, there are some things that enthusiasts would do well to avoid if you want to keep it real.
GATEKEEPING
Gatekeeping in car culture stifles creativity and growth, turning what should be an inclusive and diverse community into an exclusive club. Every car enthusiast starts somewhere, and by welcoming newcomers with open arms rather than skepticism, we foster a more vibrant and innovative scene. When we shut others out based on experience, taste, or budget, we limit the potential for fresh ideas and perspectives that could push the culture forward.
This isn't to disparage exclusive car clubs, or private events, but remember to be kind to younger or newer enthusiasts when they show interest in something. Share some knowledge, show them the ropes, and let them figure things out over time. Give them a reason to appreciate the car community, and lead by example.
WEALTH OBSESSION
This is something recently written about in length by an observant, intelligent, and talented journalist by the name of Victoria Scott for Motor1, and I think they hit the nail on the head when it comes to something many enthusiasts - especially at the grassroots level - have noticed in recent years: The price of a car is often the first thing we hear about, rather than any of its unique or interesting features. It does start to feel like the culture of extravagance and luxury is taking away from the cars themselves, and as mentioned in Victoria's article, may be driven by the narcissism of social media promoting wealth above all else.
There's nothing wrong with a little bit of borderline-unobtainable ogling. It's hard not to love a 1 of 1 Pagani, or the allure of a brand new Rolls Royce, but the price tag shouldn't be what makes it so interesting. There are so many cooler things about these vehicles than how many dollars they will set you back.
TOXIC COMPETITIVENESS
While healthy competition can be motivating, some enthusiasts take it too far, turning events and online discussions into judgmental or hostile environments. We understand that some people build cars entirely for shows and trophies, and there is some benefit to bringing home the hardware for sponsors, but getting vocally mad about not winning a trophy is insane behavior.
This goes for motorsports events as well, especially at the grassroots level. Try to keep a level head, do your best, and congratulate whoever wins. There's no need to harbor resentment.
OVERLY LOUD EXHAUSTS
Let me preface this by saying I love the sound of a good exhaust. I also love the sound of a good racecar, and I believe there is such thing as a "racecar for the road" that can be driven on the street to and from the tracks. It bears repeating that LOUDER does not equal BETTER when it comes to exhaust sounds. This is something we've talked about in the past, including in our "5 Mods to Avoid" video.
Sometimes a straight pipe isn't the best sound. We understand everyone wants their exhaust to be heard, but do it right. There is nothing wrong with some resonators or mufflers to get an awesome exhaust tone without being the loudest car in a 500 mile radius. If you're constantly making excessive noise in your neighborhood, or annoying locals everywhere you go, you're turning public perception against modified cars, and that's already a rocky relationship.
TAKEOVERS
This goes without saying, but takeovers (AKA sideshows or whatever these dorks call them) suck. And if you're some perpetual teenager reading this and seething about the fact someone in the industry would dare say that takeovers suck, you also suck. In addition to being a little dangerous, these intersection sideshows have been the single biggest cause of public perception turning against the car community in recent decades. The people doing this mostly aren't even into cars - they're into attention, and it just so happens that cars bring them that attention right now.
There are skid pad days where you can get the need to do unskilled burnouts out of your system. If you really want to slide, or learn to drift (stop calling takeovers drifting), there are events for that too. Talk to your local drifting community and they'll be more than happy to keep your low credit score activities out of major intersections.
I think if we can collectively avoid the behaviors above, I think we can gradually improve our local car communities, even if it's in small steps. Leading by example, giving the uninitiated public a better idea of what car enthusiasts can be, and keeping the drama to a minimum can go a long way in public perception of car culture, which in turn makes things easier for us. Venues will be more accomodating, laws will be less intrusive and overreaching, and the industry will thrive, producing more awesome aftermarket products and content for us to enjoy. A little effort goes a long way.
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