Newbs asking about cars. WTF?

I peek in over on the other place every couple of weeks and i see of course innocent newbs asking about what cars to start with more there than here. (seems people have made up their mind mostly by time they arrive here)

I see a lotta guys here saying sensible, reasoned, good ideas but I just saw a guy who is here post this:

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Dante
Tower City Race Team
Join Date
Dec 2003
Location
Herman, Michigan, United States.
Posts
161


The repetition with the same 5 cars kills me.

I just keep thinking some of the cars made in the last decade have to have potential~! Note how everyone discounted the Fiesta package before they hit the stages, and now they've been unstoppable.

Let's see some new models out there!

Hey Dante, you ever think that not everybody is a Trustafarian or otherwise rich?

Nobody discounted the Fiesta, EVERYBODY just said "What the fuck? $64,000 to go beat off with your buddies"

Ever think that some don't fucking care about NEW cars that MIGHT have some potential ----------after you first waste a HUGE pile of money to buy them, then waste tens of thousands "developing" parts?

Dante not everybody works on cars these days, this is not the same population demographic as 1985 when MOST people were trades background.

It kills you, huh. You think it's funny...

Well I think the herd mentality implying that a 2wd car is merely a stepping stone before you get a Blue Subaru of some years isn't funny at all, I think its bullshit and a shame---judging from how many people drop out of the sport AFTER they spend all the money, do some events and realise nobody cares.

And gotta be honest, I also find the "sage" advice directing for more than 20 years, people into VWs with their known chronic problems again, not funny, it kills me, but sad---when guys I know DNF again and again and again for things i have never even had to think about EVER..

Seems pretty gawddam cynical, Dante.

(But, I'm sure, you don't give a shit one way or the other)

New New Shiney New!!!!

yeah, right.

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

plus 1 for crashing in the first three events too....

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First Rally: 2010 First RallyX: 2004 (a bunch)
Driver (0), Co-Driver (7)
Organizer (3), Volunteer (3)
Cars Built (2.5), Engines Blown (2) Cages Built (0) # of rotations (3.5)
Last Updated, Apr 9, 2023

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john vanlandingham
Well I think the herd mentality implying that a 2wd car is merely a stepping stone before you get a Blue Subaru of some years isn't funny at all, I think its bullshit and a shame---judging from how many people drop out of the sport AFTER they spend all the money, do some events and realise nobody cares.

That's just crazy talk.
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My Subaru is green.

Anders

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Grassroots rally. It's what I think about.

We saw Coleman's vid: Nissan Juke is the new best rally platform!

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john vanlandingham
Well I think the herd mentality implying that a 2wd car is merely a stepping stone before you get a Blue Subaru of some years isn't funny at all, I think its bullshit and a shame.

It also isn't simply that.

Much of the time people wanting to get into the sport assume that they need to start with a Subaru or other AWD monster. Rather than telling them their stupid and are going to waste their money it is much MUCH easier to tell them that a better route is to get a 'starter' car that is 2WD and that they can move up after they get some seat time.

Generally, they'll see the budget pitfalls and the actual cost of running in a low dollar car and figure out the rest.

If you START by telling them their goal is fundimentally wrong, they just won't listen to you because you're not supporting their ideals - and that doesn't help anyone.

One of the problems I had when I was a car salesman is that people would come on the lot looking for a used Cadilac and I'd try and sell them a used or new Volvo because it was a better car in just about every way. (Slightly harsher ride but better better road feel and drivability, lower running costs and better resale value as a percentage of purchase price.) Never worked, because Cadilac buyers want Cadilacs.

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First Rally: 2001
Driver (7), Co-Driver (44)
Drivers (16)
Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4)
Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0)
Last Updated, January 4, 2015

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john vanlandingham
Blame is for idiots. losers.

John..you really need to consider not everyone is frickin broke or wants to rally a decades old wrecking yard rescue car. Rally would be a lot better off if it could attract a bunch of $100k a year competitors. That would ease the burden for organizers and car builders also.

I'd also like to see some later model tin on stage. Sentra, Cobalt, Civic even the Korean offerings should all be decent offerings in late model trim.

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heymagic
John..you really need to consider not everyone is frickin broke or wants to rally a decades old wrecking yard rescue car. Rally would be a lot better off if it could attract a bunch of $100k a year competitors. That would ease the burden for organizers and car builders also.

I'd also like to see some later model tin on stage. Sentra, Cobalt, Civic even the Korean offerings should all be decent offerings in late model trim.

Yup, those are exactly the income bracket that should be rallying. But that tends to mean one of two things. Either a little older or inheritance. Rallying in $50k cars blows through an inheritance quickly and is to illogical for the intelligent older crowd. Think if everyone was in 2WD cars and the competition in the PNW was tight that people like Derek Bottles would have stuck around and continued to be able to justify the $2k weekend. Or maybe if that weekend became Saturday only with less stage miles and much lower cost?

But we don't have a series that attracts people into developing any of those late model cars. Scott and I have discussed this at length. Cars that are newer and readily available, affordable, and could be developed.

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Grant Hughes

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alkun
We saw Coleman's vid: Nissan Juke is the new best rally platform!

Only that one that they stuffed a full GTR under it..

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This isn't floor mat anarchy

yarr. *preaching to the choir* those same 5 cars are the best rally cars because *drum roll* rally knowledge has already been developed.

want to rally a golf? a legacy? an impreza? a neon? a volvo! a 510, etc. the community can point you to dozens of "rally experts" on that car.

want to rally a ford 500? toyota Rav4, a smart car, Ford Fusion AWD , or maybe an Audi R8. Sure any of those could turn into a successful rally car (successful meaning they finish rallies)

does the community have lots and lots of experts on those cars in rally to point you to? NOPE.

BTW if i ever won lotto money. i would build some really dumb rally cars... like a ford fusion awd. maybe some crappy mercury awd thingy (gotta put mecury on your list!) lol

I bet there has even been some gems that have slipped past. a car that would be great on stage, but no one developed the parts for, and figured out what fails fast..

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A1337STI
want to rally a ford 500? toyota Rav4, a smart car, Ford Fusion AWD , or maybe an Audi R8. Sure any of those could turn into a successful rally car (successful meaning they finish rallies)

Hurst told me that I can't make a rally car out of the smart. Not that I have been so inclined.

alan

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heymagic
John..you really need to consider not everyone is frickin broke or wants to rally a decades old wrecking yard rescue car. Rally would be a lot better off if it could attract a bunch of $100k a year competitors. That would ease the burden for organizers and car builders also. .

Not discounting the ideas, but have you noticed that most of the more well to do racers like to have regular showers, a rest in the mo home, and clean nice places? Nothing wrong with that, but have you also noticed that is not what you get in rally? Eat dirt for 12-16 hours and then go drink beer.....does not attract a lot of the uppper crust racers, IMO.

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heymagic
John..you really need to consider not everyone is frickin broke or wants to rally a decades old wrecking yard rescue car.

I know its as you describe, I've been around and watched LOTS of people come on and throw around a lotta money--then this disappear in 2.5 years..

And besides, what does it matter what the car starts out as? Isn't it what it ends up doing that counts?

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Rally would be a lot better off if it could attract a bunch of $100k a year competitors.

Duh yep duh yep uh which way did they go, George, which way did dey go?

(or en clair: Then why hasn't it?

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That would ease the burden for organizers and car builders also.

To quote Manuel: "¿ Que?"

Don't see how unless Organisers introduced graduated Gross Income Indexed Entry Fees, which probably is a good idea. Dayum Youse smrat, Gene...

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

100k a year sallary with a couple kids, a mortgage, health insurance and all the other like bills leaves very little for fun. NOt as much as it used to be....

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phlat65
100k a year sallary with a couple kids, a mortgage, health insurance and all the other like bills leaves very little for fun. NOt as much as it used to be....

I think they meant $100k budget, not $100k income.

slight difference, there.

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KF7RWG
http://www.utahrallygroup.com

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Aaron Luptak

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phlat65
100k a year sallary with a couple kids, a mortgage, health insurance and all the other like bills leaves very little for fun. NOt as much as it used to be....

I think they meant $100k budget, not $100k income.

slight difference, there.

So if I was single I'd have a 100k budget... Time to build a rally potato.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2012 11:19PM by PotatoFlakeSTi.