APEXi240 wrote:You couldn't be any more wrong. Who are we ricers to? And what is the rest of the automotive world? I thought it was domestic, the east (japan, ect) and Europe? So who are we ricers to, a bunch of 40 something V8 drivers? I don't understand a blanket statement that if you own a 4 cylinder engine you are a ricer, that is completely ubsurd. And what does it matter how other people look at "us"? Are you really concerned with domestic owners who bash imports? Because I'm really not. If you are really that self conscious you should hop into an SUV.
There are countless things different between "foreign car enthusiasts" and "ricers". Enthusiasts are into the how and why, and every aspect of tuning. Ricers are into looks, and trends and being cool. I don't know about you, but to me that is a big difference. I think it is great that we are fighting amonst ourselves. It is needed. Ricers give import enthusiasts a bad name. We need to prove that they really aren't into cars, that they are into trends. I personally don't think there is enough in-fighting, we need to be more viscious and brutal, but thats just me. Are you suggesting that I "hang out" or "defend" some guy with gaudy, cheap 17s, and stickers out the as*? F*CK THAT!
Just an example...and yes I am ashamed to say this...I used to be into rollerblading, doing all the tricks ect. Skateboarders harrassed and hated rollerbladers, because they thought the sport was so easy, and that rollerbladers looked like dorks, ect. There was one pro rollerblader who didn't even like when other rollerbladers came up to him and talked to him, because they were in fact annoying little dorks. Whenever he went out to skate he chilled with skateboarders. They respected him because he was good, and did very hard tricks, and he hung out with them cause he hated rollerbladers. If this isn't a metaphor for my feelings on the import scene then I don't know what is.
Oh yeah, do you even own a car? Because if I recall correctly you don't even own a 240 yet.
Damn Apexi! Took that a little too much to heart, dontcha think??Anyways Ill defend myself best I can:
"The rest of the automotive world" is exactly that- V8 owners (well, and family car drivers- but we wont count them). Up till not too long ago, you have to admit that people owned, worked on, and lusted after a completly different kind of car. "There's no replacement for displacement" is a statement that not only highlights importance of an engine's size, but is also a saying meant to speak to those who consider smaller-size yet otherwise boosted (or whatever) engines in line with what had been considered the definetion of power for so many years. I am not putting any sort of negative value on the term "ricer," I am simply saying that while you are here calling other people ricers, there are those who call you it, too: simply because you are different.
When I say "we are ricers," I am not saying that we fall into line with those who care more about stickers than peformance- I am saying we belong to a special catagory. You call it "import enthusiast," I mean the same thing. Just because I am willing to accept what other people (in their ignorance, maybe) call us doesnt mean I am ashamed of it. You say you're not concerned with what they (v8 owners or otherwise) think- and neither am I. I am happy to be interested in what I am- and although I do not yet own a 240 (as you where so quick to point out), I will drive it, tune it, and love it with pride.
Every group has their bad apples. We have what WE call "ricers," and muscle car owners have stupid mullet-sporting rednecks to worry about. I, just like you, am saying that we shouldnt be defined by these bad apples, but I am acknowledging that this is how we are viewed by many others. That's it though, no need to get all huffy about it.
