meyerweb

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/sty...g-car-culture/

ZBRA

I employ mostly millennials, and listen to their conversations every day. A lot of people who have spent major money on old cars are going to lose their investment. Sure, they will always have some value, but never what we are currently seeing. We may have 10 more good years, but the bottom will drop out fast at some point.

The loss of our car culture is a terrible thing, but nothing compared to other losses this country will face in the hands of our upcoming self-centered and entitled generation.

Bucknut2006

Cars provide independence, self reliance and responsibility. Those are things that younger people don't car for. Depending on the government for everything and handing over all self reliance is what is being shoved down everyone's throat. This is how it keeps feeding the government machine. Eventually, something will automatically pick us up, drop us off where it wants us and we just follow along. Know it sounds a little silly, but these fresh out of college kids just follow along with anything.

themonk

here, here, most don't even know how to drive a manual or even have a DL.

68ragtop69

Thanks for posting the article. It's sad to see where the car culture will be in 10-20 years.

leadfoot4

SLO VETTE

i might be able to afford that big block '67 roadster by then, because the price will tank.

sweet!

circle of life and all that.....

Crabbers

There are always going to be some people that are into it, and that's all that matters IMO.

Callsign_Vega

Car culture is dying as America is filled more and more with mangina's.

I can't believe the amount of "men" today that aren't interested in cars or couldn't even change their engine oil

leadfoot4

It's probably the same reason that local, "short track" racing is declining.

ZBRA

Want some prime examples of the demasculating of American men?

This guy is scared to death of a ladder:



This guy can't throw a ball to save his life, but what do you expect from a VW driver?



This dude tucks his junk, puts on a dress, and he's touted as the greatest American hero.

Callsign_Vega

Very true. The trendy emasculation of men in Western societies is sickening. Most men allow it to happen to themselves through social conditioning and the media. Weak minds.

leadfoot4

raff

Interesting read but the author overlooks the large contingent of younger enthusiasts --
the ones modding imports known as "tuners", "ricers", etc.

One of our local hot rod/classic car clubs holds a scheduled monthly cruise-in at the local Steak 'n Shake.
Usually the local import/tuner guys also show for their own "meeting" and
though most are half our age, we check out their rides and they check out ours.
Apparently young gearheads are alive and well.

As far as the younger generation and lack of driver licenses --- growing up in the '50s in New York City --
some of my cousins didn't drive and had no desire to learn -- not much different than 2015.
Later on in life, getting married and moving away from home meant getting a DL was a necessity.

I'm not quite ready to write off the younger generation of potential auto enthusiasts.

Boba Fett

very true

ernieford

Sales of new Mustangs and Camaros over the years:

raff

I understand that current Mustang/Camaro sales are a mere shadow of their numbers from the '60s
but their competition has increased dramatically.

And by competition I'm also including pick-up trucks, off-road vehicles and imports- choices not really available back then.
Performance vehicles from Germany and Japan were not factors in the mid '60s.

What I'm really saying -- while there may be less interest in pony cars by the "youths" --
these cars are only a small part of the choices available today.

Just my .02

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...cle_production

kverges

Wow a lot of you guys sound old and curmudgeonly. I heard the SOS when I was in college and starting out in the 70s and 80s. Times and culture change, that's the only constant.

And for those lamenting this generation's lack of appreciation for enthusiast cars, how many of you don't own a SUV and daily drive an enthusiast car, perhaps your corvette? That's also what enthusiasts used to do, daily drive their cars. I lament that, too. I used to see all kinds of cool cars on the road and they have died off because EVERYONE wants their auto trans comfy behemoth with every electronic distraction known to man and designed to kill the guy in the sports car when that distraction takes its toll.

Frankly, with all the traffic and left lane SUV's in my more urban environment I'd seriously consider an autonomous car and keep only my competition license and race cars.

Callsign_Vega

Not sure if 35 is "old", but I drive my Viper about half the days of the week.

Crabbers

It is to me

I jest.