The new generation of car enthusiasts...

JACK250 · 06-01-2010, 09:51 PM

I can't help but notice my generation (I'm 17 in about 2 weeks) has very little interest in old cars... All of my car friends are mid 40's, and they all met their 'car friends' back in the 80's when they were all doing up cars. At the time you didn't have to search a forum to find like-minded enthusiasts.

At my school I have 2 mates that are into cars slightly, nowhere near to the extent of myself. And the people I do know that are into cars that are this side of 20 all want VT commodores with 20" rims and a massive stereo. For the record, I have been very lucky, having been able to earn my own money, and at the age of 12 get my first project car, an XY. And since have saved enough after selling my half to dad to own a car outright, my XM Van.

So, my dad's theory is that the younger generation are into older cars, but can't afford them, but I disagree. You go to a classic show and shine, and the vast majority of people there are middle aged or older. And I have seen plenty of P-Platers driving VT's and later, even VE SV6's etc. Even for 10k you could build a cool HR cruiser or something like it if you were that way inclined.

Not only do people my age take no interest in the classics, most aren't even interested in cars at all. So what has caused this? And more importantly, if in years to come there is still the means to use old cars (fuel for example) will anyone even been interested in them?

The future for someone like me who has grown up as cars being near everything they love sure looks grim...

gthofan · 06-01-2010, 09:57 PM

I think the main reason, is that newer cars are dirt cheap, don't need restoring, and have plenty of power. Or don't care about the old classics, and would rather buy some 22,000" chrome rims rather than have a bumper bar re chromed.

Scooter · 06-01-2010, 10:02 PM

Oh well, at least you have got your head screrwed on right! Those sorts of people are the type that walk around with their pants around their knees and wear their hats backwards too, so that says something right there! XM van, Very nice. I know when ever I go on a cruise, all the young blokes would rather bat off over their new rims, lowered suspension, big stereo etc. on their E series, AU or BA, and not even care about old bombs like mine!
Times are changing rapidly, Metrosexuality is the in thing these days?

Franco Cozzo · 06-01-2010, 10:05 PM

Why drive a 6 cyl XY when I can drive a 6 cyl BA/BF which is much more powerful?

Scooter · 06-01-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Why drive a 6 cyl XY when I can drive a 6 cyl BA/BF which is much more powerful?

Because it is not about the "power"!
But yeah, it will be more reliable, have air con, power steer, electric everything blah blah blah. Personal preference I guess.

**Falcon Coupe** · 06-01-2010, 10:11 PM

This has been discussed before it's an interesting topic, been a couple of years since it came up.

The below links have plenty of reading if you're interested, a few of us got together to promote the older cars but it never got off the ground.

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=53460

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=79683

ieatsports_cars · 06-01-2010, 10:13 PM

i have a Xr6 ! i love old cars too ! but they are too far out of my price range ! i would love to own a Xw gt or a xb gt ! but any way i do like the newer stuff too my dream car would be either a eb or el gt

**Falcon Coupe** · 06-01-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Why drive a 6 cyl XY when I can drive a 6 cyl BA/BF which is much more powerful?

One is for transport, the other for driving.

Get a pristine example of each model and go for a drive side by side, i know who will get the looks and the thumbs up.

_2:

Franco Cozzo · 06-01-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Get a pristine example of each model and go for a drive side by side, i know who will get the looks and the thumbs up.

_2:

Finding the pristine XY is the problem.

This is going to cop a lot of flack but I'd prefer an R34 GTR over a XY GT any day.

cruzzinZH · 06-01-2010, 10:21 PM

im 21 and all my mates think im crazy coz i would rather my zh fairlane over some pos rice car or commodore,they are always telling me to do burnouts and put my foot down but i tell them its not what its for,it made for cruising.

ive always like the older cars since my dad had his xw wagon and xp sedan.

**SSD-85** · 06-01-2010, 10:23 PM

If I could swap my xr8 for a 60-70's V8 Ford, id do it in a fraction of a heartbeat. Anything newer than what I have just does not interest me.

Im with you on this Jack250. It could have 20 bazillion inch rims with stereo system that could drown out the space shuttle and the most you will get out of me is laughter. No school like the old school.

Once the Galaxie's on the road, itll be the XR8 gathering dust in the shed

:

**Falcon Coupe** · 06-01-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Finding the pristine XY is the problem.

This is going to cop a lot of flack but I'd prefer an R34 GTR over a XY GT any day.

I expect you would have little chance of ever owning an XYGT, this is the reason we tried to get something going in one of the above linked threads.

Most youngsters don't have the opportunity to have a ride in one, not necessarily a GT but any car with warmed over Cleveland can turn someone from Rice to Muscle in around 11 seconds flat

chrisfpv · 06-01-2010, 10:28 PM

I'm 20 and to be honest I don't know anything about the older classic cars to actually get interested in them or ever own one.

**SSD-85** · 06-01-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I expect you would have little chance of ever owning an XYGT, this is the reason we tried to get something going in one of the above linked threads.

Most youngsters don't have the opportunity to have a ride in one, not necessarily a GT but any car with warmed over Cleveland can turn someone from Rice to Muscle in around 11 seconds flat

Here here. It takes some only 5- sec (0-100) to be convinced

I'm a fairly young fella and im glad i saw the light.

And heard the thunder

Franco Cozzo · 06-01-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I expect you would have little chance of ever owning an XYGT, this is the reason we tried to get something going in one of the above linked threads.

Most youngsters don't have the opportunity to have a ride in one, not necessarily a GT but any car with warmed over Cleveland can turn someone from Rice to Muscle in around 11 seconds flat

Correct, I do have little chance to own one, but if I had the cash and was given the opportunity between the two, the new car wins out. I don't deny that old cars are pretty cool, I like the sound of 8s but its just the things like new cars handle better, go faster, stop quicker, easier to drive and are safer, better value for money to me.

My uncle has a ZD Fairlane with a 351 Cleveland, I've been in that before but the money he spent on restoring it could have gotten him a new performance model right from the factory floor.

I don't think I have the driving skills required to drive an old car.

cheek · 06-01-2010, 10:32 PM

I reckon its all relative, back in the 70's/80's the XY's, XA's etc. were like what the EL's, BA's BF's etc. are now... They were introduced when the young people back then were growing up and would of seen them new and thought "one day I want one of them"....

And plus would you prefer every tom dick n harry P-plater driving rare XY's n XA's or E/B series falcons which we have plenty of!

RSgerry · 06-01-2010, 10:33 PM

a lot of it is about relevance. the guys in their 40's (ahem...including me, maybe) grew up looking at cars built in the 70's and that was what we wanted. i was 12 when my RS2000 was built and living in London, and that was what was on the roads then. The guys in Oz would have been looking at late model XWGTs and seeing them being driven around. The guys in your class grew up looking at VT Commodores at about the same age.

I bet a lot of the older guys can remember the first time they saw a GT, Monaro 327, Charger etc....There was also a time when there were a LOT of FJs being done up and driven on the road. Who knows, one day we will be lamenting the lack of EFs and VTs on the roads....

FlipXW · 06-01-2010, 10:35 PM

I here ya Jack. Im 19 and have done a 3 year resto on an XY GT rep, drive an XB GS as a daily and currently doing a 351 XE panel van with the old man. We are a dying breed but hey it makes us unique. P.S. most girls love my cars so the less of us with them the better for us ey.

Also doesn't go for just cars, i know you have good taste in music. Also something dying amoung us younger gen. Up Led Zep haha!

Xr8uteRay · 06-01-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I expect you would have little chance of ever owning an XYGT, this is the reason we tried to get something going in one of the above linked threads.

Most youngsters don't have the opportunity to have a ride in one, not necessarily a GT but any car with warmed over Cleveland can turn someone from Rice to Muscle in around 11 seconds flat

I had the opportunity to ride in one and drive one. An xy gt that is, well a replica anyway. You couldn't beat the sound of it. No fully sick subwoofer or r34gtr turbo skyline pos could match the sound of the deep, raw note of that v8. As far as I'm concerned, that is your stereo. I'll admit there not the most comfortable things to sit in (especially in the back seat, front is alot better) and they steer like a tank, but hey, I don't think i could ever get sick of driving it. When we were cruising around in it, we got more looks and thumbs up (even from holden drivers

) from other drivers than anything I have ever seen. I was actually surprised at how quickly it gained speed for being such a heavy car with 5 people in it, plenty of grunt. If i ever had the money to buy an xw or xy i wouldn't think twice about buying it.

Auslandau · 06-01-2010, 10:41 PM

The thing is, you either get it or you dont. A newer car is fine ..... I have one as well, but to drive a classic is something you either get it or you don't. Some will, some haven't had the opportunity and some will always be Latte loving metros.

Mates son just bought this before Christmas (18). For the same price he could have got a V something C'dore with all the trimmings but preffered a 202 classic .... and loves it ........ he understands

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Kryton · 06-01-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6AUS

I'm 20 and to be honest I don't know anything about the older classic cars to actually get interested in them or ever own one.

I think that right there sums it up.
If Dad didnt have an older car when you were growing up - what hope is there (in most cases)?

At the age of 20, you probably didnt even know a car was a car till you were about 5, which at 15 years ago which brings it to 1995.
In 1995, if you didnt own a new/er car, you could assume that the family car wouldnt have been any older than 5-7 years which brings it back to EA/VN days.

A lot of the generation would be in the same boat.
Pretty hard to have an interest in Classics when no one was driving them around.

Also, in generations to come, the EA/VN era WILL be the Classics to this generation.

sxckevo · 06-01-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheek

I reckon its all relative, back in the 70's/80's the XY's, XA's etc. were like what the EL's, BA's BF's etc. are now... They were introduced when the young people back then were growing up and would of seen them new and thought "one day I want one of them"....

And plus would you prefer every tom dick n harry P-plater driving rare XY's n XA's or E/B series falcons which we have plenty of!

IMO this is exactly right, all us p platers(im a p plater) will right them off never to be seen again hahaha but if i had a bit of money i would love to keep my ba and get a XT as well i personally love them

my dad has a XT GT its sweet as

Franco Cozzo · 06-01-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

I think that right there sums it up.
If Dad didnt have an older car when you were growing up - what hope is there (in most cases)?

At the age of 20, you probably didnt even know a car was a car till you were about 5, which at 15 years ago which brings it to 1995.
In 1995, if you didnt own a new/er car, you could assume that the family car wouldnt have been any older than 5-7 years which brings it back to EA/VN days.

A lot of the generation would be in the same boat.
Pretty hard to have an interest in Classics when no one was driving them around.

Also, in generations to come, the EA/VN era WILL be the Classics to this generation.

This post stands true for me, when I was growing up our family car was a crappy EA Falcon up until 2003. I didn't have an interest in cars AT ALL until 2007 when I got my Ls and drove for the first time.

iliov · 06-01-2010, 10:50 PM

Why would you want some car made in the 70's when a 90's+ car has aircon, better power, easier to maintain and more comfortable to drive.

burnz · 06-01-2010, 10:51 PM

in twenty years time you will look at the VT/AU and say (to your grand kids) these are real cars, back in my day lowndnes and skaife battled these at bathurst.

and your grand kids wont see what the big deal is, their jetsons/prius will have tripple the power for less fuel, while the tuneing their hover boards for the local shops.

**SSD-85** · 06-01-2010, 10:51 PM

All in all, my take on it is that if people around my age arent interested cars, let alone old cars then so be it. It is a different world now.
The remnants of car interest seem to revolve around in-car entertainment and how big and shiny your wheels are. Oh, and dont forget how big your exhausts' exit pipe is...

:

Not saying there arent any out there, im one after all. And to those few and proud I salute you.

The car that started it all for me was my Grandmothers' XC GXL Fairmont, Red pepper, black stripes, white leather and that heavenly 302 cleveland :sm_drool:

Dezza · 06-01-2010, 10:51 PM

While I drive an e-series, it's the old cars I really love. I heard a lot of stories about Dad's old XA GT coupe and I'd love to own one myself, but they're not exactly cheap these days. I have no interest in Japanese imports unlike a lot of people my age, but this whole "fast and the furious" thing has made most of the younger drivers enthusiasts of riced-up turbo Japanese cars. Give me a solid metal classic anyday

JACK250 · 06-01-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilXY

I here ya Jack. Im 19 and have done a 3 year resto on an XY GT rep, drive an XB GS as a daily and currently doing a 351 XE panel van with the old man. We are a dying breed but hey it makes us unique. P.S. most girls love my cars so the less of us with them the better for us ey.

Also doesn't go for just cars, i know you have good taste in music. Also something dying amoung us younger gen. Up Led Zep haha!

Yeah not sure if the chicks will dig my sin bin or not... We'll see. Yeah definitely not common, I have a few mates into good music (being in a band helps) but yeah gotta agree with davway that if your parents aren't into it, makes it harder. I was lucky dad has always had classics as I've grown up, but I have seen plenty of young guys whose parents are into the classics that go the late model commodore due to that's what all their mates do... So even the ones with 'potential' often get talked out of it.

PS, I think a lot of the young guys in this thread and on the forum in general would be an exception due to them being exposed to older cars a lot more. When I joined the forum aged 12 despite loving old cars I didn't even know the difference between an XA sedan or Coupe, the forum has taught me a lot.

pottery beige · 06-01-2010, 10:52 PM

Nothing like the thumb's up you get from a skyline driver after you've just shown him a set of old falcon tail light's... hehe.. Old school car's are living breathing monster's that you have to actually DRIVE.. Newer car's are just so sterile in the way they go about everything the whole driving experience, well just isn't an experience..

Auslandau · 06-01-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

Also, in generations to come, the EA/VN era WILL be the Classics to this generation.

So I keep the EA with the stuffed head gasket just in case??

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliov

Why would you want some car made in the 70's when a 90's+ car has aircon, better power, easier to maintain and more comfortable to drive.

better power? easier to maintain? more comfortable? has air conditioning? were these invented in the 90's? I have a P5 LTD 1973. You should look that one up if you dont know what they are ........ and what about a real driving experience?

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