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Conspicuous Conservation, the ostentatious display of objects that mark a person as eco-friendly, has become popular over the recent decade, with example of wealthy people making a point of being seen driving a Prius, putting solar panes in silly places and even wearing shoes "suggesting" you worked on the BP oil spill cleanup.
On the opposite side of the coin we are starting to see some rather deplorable examples of Conspicuous Pollution, the most flagrant of which is called "Rollin Coal".
These kids, (they are almost always 20 something rural guys) will spend anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 modifying their pickups for the sole purpose of belching huge clouds of black exhaust; adding smoke stacks and smoke switches (which either trick the engine into thinking it needs more fuel, or dump diesel fuel directly into the exhaust manifold).
This is not just a handful of guys. Elizabeth Kulze posted an article with links to “an entire subculture” on Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram. “It’s just fun,” one coal roller says. “Just driving and blowing smoke and having a good time.”
(Score: 3, Interesting) by carguy on Monday August 25 2014, @04:09AM
THAT shitbox?...
"You make your own action"[*]
Once I got past teenage hormones, I figured out that it is much more fun driving flat out (in a slow car) than in a powerful car at a fraction of its potential. It's not about the absolute limits of the car (don't believe the car magazine editors), it's about how much of the limits you can explore every day, on every corner in the subdivision or industrial park. Besides, the Sprint controls were really sensitive and lovely, especially the steering -- only matched in precision by the manual steering version of the NSX (Zanardi edition) and a couple of lightweight Lotus' (Loti?) with manual racks. No on-center dead zone (torsion bar windup) and no force/velocity limits that are part of every hydraulic assisted steering rack. If you've never paid attention while steering through a good (low backlash, low friction) manual rack, you don't know what you are missing.
Going back some decades, original VW Beetles and Fiat 500s were fun for the same reasons.
I've driven some of the cars you mention and they are completely frustrating to drive on the street for more than a few minutes (unless you are prepared to lose your license...aka the end of fun). The limits are much too high for mixing with "civilian" traffic. On a track is another thing all together, but how often do you get to do that?
[*]
FORD: Well, let’s get out and see. I’m hungry for a little action.
ARTHUR: In a cave?
EDDIE: On Brontitall? [Sharp intake of breath]
FORD: Yeah! In a cave, wherever! You make your own action.
ZAPHOD: Sling open the hatch computer.
EDDIE: Er, Okay.
(Score: 1) by Darth Turbogeek on Monday August 25 2014, @04:27AM
I'm actually quite familiar with the Swifts. I raced one as well as owning the the next generation 1.3l. Believe me, you aint going to convince me anything less than the GTi was contemptible rubbish (The steering is lovely? Ummm... no). Whats the use in a low limits car if it's shit? Plus sorry but power steering has looooong surprassed generic buzzbox in steering feel. A early Mini (also something I've owned) mocks a Suzuki for steering anyday.
Oh and I would drive a few of those other cars pretty much weekly at a track. I actually owned a couple too. Maybe a brutally fast car that rearranges your brain on the limit cant be used on the road but I tell ya what, I look at my present truly absurdly fast V8 powered monster and I can enjoy it soooo much just cruising.
(Score: 2) by evilviper on Monday August 25 2014, @06:13AM
I will admit... An econobox that's light weight, low to the ground, and has minimal soundproofing, sure makes you FEEL like you're driving twice as fast.
Beyond that... I suppose some people just always like having a challenge. And there's little sadder than a nice, shiny, expensive new sports car, just stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Hydrogen cyanide is a delicious and necessary part of the human diet.