The Pros and Cons of Being an Automotive Enthusiast

Like any other hobby, being an automotive enthusiast can be exhilarating, but man, can it sure bring some headaches, too.

Car guys or girls know what it's like to be passionate about autos. These hunks of metal are a glue that bonds like minded people together.

On the other hand, some people just don't get it, and we seem crazy.

I'll admit that right alongside the good things, there are several bad things about being so into cars. Here's what I mean, explained with a nice, tidy pros and cons list.

PROS

Car Shows Are Like Christmas

It doesn't matter if you're going to a concours d'elegance or a local Cars and Coffee, walking around a large group of show-worthy cars is always good for the car lover's soul.

Attending a car show is what really stokes your passion, but when you find your favorite childhood car or something you'd never heard of, it makes it even more awesome.

Always Changing

One great thing about being a car lover is the fact that new cars are always coming out. Vintage and classics will always be special, but some of the new cars coming out are getting to be quite incredible in their own right. The performance and styling of today's cars almost guarantees that future promises a new breed of enthusiasts.

Best Social Club Ever

The cars are great and all, but it's the people that make it exciting to be an automotive enthusiast. From the old guy with lots of stories to tell to a young kid inquiring about your car, the conversations that cars spark among total strangers is awe inspiring.

CONS

Going to the Junkyard is a Form of Torture

Only an automotive enthusiast would know that going to a junkyard can be fun (even if you don't need a part), but car lovers must also endure torture when walking amongst the rows and rows of "deceased" cars and parts.

Usually, once a car rolls into the junkyard, the only way out is through the crusher, but that doesn't mean we can't save these gems piece by piece. If Johnny Cash can do it with a Cadillac, why can't we?

Ignored Advice

We've all had that friend who asked what car we would recommend, enticing us with a budget and a handful of must-haves that fit the bill for some rather exciting cars.

We try coming up with a few options, only to hear back from him a week later that he bought a used Camry!

Craigslist

Craigslist is a great place to find just about anything, but it seems like automotive enthusiasts must deal with a special breed of idiot.

Just like everything in life, a handful of bad apples can mess things up really quick. Spam ads and scammers are usually easy to weed out, but dishonest postings ("she's in great shape" or "this car has a clean title") are the worst.

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