The true definition of a car enthusiast

According to me, a car person is somebody who feels that his car is an extension of himself, who thinks of the car as his friend.

BHPian twin-turbo recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Whenever I browse any social media sites nowadays, I see that people on social media like to define a car person as a person who only loves Japanese cars like the Supra or the Mazda RX-7. This is the most common perception of a car person on the internet nowadays. Internet influencers, fanboys, kids, everyone who has a budding interest in cars - all seem to think that only if you love these Japanese cars, will you be accepted into the car community.

According to me, a car person is somebody who feels that his car is an extension of himself, who thinks of the car as his friend. It doesn’t matter what car it is - be it a Supra, a Lamborghini or a simple car like the Honda City. Many people do not understand the reality that is, not every car is a JDM that shoots flames from its exhaust or has a big turbocharger in it.

I would like to know your thoughts on this.

(P.S.I like high revving cars with great sounds, and zippy hatchbacks).

Here's what BHPian DicKy had to say on the matter:

Don't bother.

Thought all these muscle vs import vs JDM vs ricers were all a thing of the past. All had agreed to respect each other's preferences and ganged up to hate on the poor Prius, which I think is stupid as the Prius does what it was designed for perfectly. Maximum fuel efficiency.

Then it all went downhill with the Insta and 'yoyo guys it's your...' YouTube vlogs. Again fanboyism reared it's ugly head up, but this time without any real-world stuff, more like virtual world. Funny thing is these are US-centric stuff. JDM or Euro whatever in India means FWD four bangers. Full stop. JDM means Esteems and Citys with fart cans and Euro means Polo TSi's with pop n crackle exhausts.

You don't have to be some sort of car enthusiast. Some love cars for the sheer freedom. Some love it for the adrenaline kick. Some love to cruise. Some love the machine aspect while some love the seats of the pants feel. Some love just catching up on car history and information than just driving. Even those who are more excited about what they can do to their car via smartphones and wait for a future of autonomous driving are also some kind of an enthusiast.

This thread is a gem.

I feel there is enough space for genuine car enthusiasts on social media. Tons of YouTube channels and in Instagram, maybe stop seeing those slow-mo BGM stuff and visit some 'parked in <insert city>' pages.

Or just go for a morning drive. Just you and your car. No one to judge you.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

As with everything in life, if you think of yourself as a car person, that is good enough. Don’t worry what others say or think or put out on the Internet. There is no official definition. It is one of those things that is only relevant to you.

Although, I do become a little worried when I read your definition of where your car becomes “your friend”. Do you give your car names? For friends, stick to people I would advise. I know for a fact, 100% dead certain your car, no matter how much you love it, doesn’t give a hoot about you!

My wife calls my classic Mercedes Brünhilda. Which I hate, because she is taking the Mickey out of her. Me hating that is totally irrational, obviously.

If you want to have a great definition of a car person go with this: somebody with an irrational behaviour and attitude towards cars.

Here's what BHPian SmartCat had to say on the matter:

If you can hold a conversation about cars for 10 minutes, then you are a car person! Non-car folks can't do that.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Anyone who loves driving and / or loves his car is a car person in my books. It could be a Maruti 800 owner who looks forward to the weekend Lonavla drives and lovingly cares for his car, or the Ferrari 488 owner who wants to upgrade his turbocharger. It could be a woman who enjoys driving her Tata Nano, or the 70-year old gent who washes his 1954 Plymouth himself.

Like driving? You are a car person.

Love cars? You are a car person.

I am not a purist and don't see eye-to-eye with them either.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.