Why don't some care for their cars?
I don't get the point of this thread. There are many reasons that people don't wash their cars. Lazy, busy, work, school.... In this world, crappy economy, ppl rather spend their time on something that can make money. If their cars bring money to them, I'll bet they will spend a lot of time on washing them, not only washing, they would also do details, inside and outside. I mean, it is not necessary to keep the car always clean and shine. A little dirty won't affect anything. Car wash at gas station is good too, $6 for a regular car wash.
KSWAY, you don't belong here! It's just a car....It's just a wife....It's just a kid....It's just a home....they all deserve respect and care, something I guess you don't get.
Gary
Some -- check that, most -- people see their cars as only an appliance, a way to get from A to B. They fill it was whatever crappy fuel is handy, get the oil changed at Mr. Lube (if they remember to do it at all) and don't even notice when the paint and interior looks like crap.
Unlike us enthusiasts, for whom a car is part of who we are, so we like it to look, at the very least, presentable.
Unlike us enthusiasts, for whom a car is part of who we are, so we like it to look, at the very least, presentable.
is 100% right
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: brooklyn, ny
yea, it takes all kinds... I get some customers that are willing to spend hundreds of $$ to just remove the most minor of imperfections like a tiny scratch or blemish, while there are others that won't even think of coming into a body shop unless the car is just not drivable... these are the same people that don't even give a crap what you do, as long as it's cheap & gets them drivable again... they could care less what it looks like...
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 21,095
Likes: 47
From: Toronto, GTA north
Benz, Lex, BMW you name it; I see dozens of them every day that have wheels totally ruined from brake dust.
Lot's of European cars use really aggresive brake pads to get their stellar performance. The trade off is massive brake dust. Teh problem is not the asthetics. It's when all the dust gets wet and turns acidic. It eats the clear coat and does a number on the wheel's finish
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,249
Likes: 430
From: Houston
Itasha Coupe
I'll guess I'll join in as well, but Swivel pretty much did hit the nail on the head.
To me, the car is an extension of myself, and it always will be. If it is presentable in such a way that people notice that I take care of my own property, then chances are, they can look at me in the same light. It is all about impressions to me. Yes, you can say it is "impressing people you don't know." But, growing up with very little as a kid, I was always taught to take care and respect your own property, especially since my car is something that I worked VERY VERY hard for. So why would I not want to take care of it?
I agree with Hotel as well. It isn't so much about washing the car and keeping it clean, but it is also about good general maintenance practices as well. There is a reason why a lot of the maintenance that is performed is called "Preventative Maintenance" practices. Some people may call it a waste of money and time, but I call it taking proper care of your vehicle so it doesn't fail on you when you're out driving 100 miles home.
To me, the car is an extension of myself, and it always will be. If it is presentable in such a way that people notice that I take care of my own property, then chances are, they can look at me in the same light. It is all about impressions to me. Yes, you can say it is "impressing people you don't know." But, growing up with very little as a kid, I was always taught to take care and respect your own property, especially since my car is something that I worked VERY VERY hard for. So why would I not want to take care of it?
I agree with Hotel as well. It isn't so much about washing the car and keeping it clean, but it is also about good general maintenance practices as well. There is a reason why a lot of the maintenance that is performed is called "Preventative Maintenance" practices. Some people may call it a waste of money and time, but I call it taking proper care of your vehicle so it doesn't fail on you when you're out driving 100 miles home.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
Likes: 1,488
From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
Well said my friend^^. My ex and I went round and round about this subject. As Swivel said, to her it was just a hunk of metal that got her from point A to point B. I grew up loving cars and was taught to keep them clean and well-maintained. I still love cars and consider them an extension of who I am. Some would say that's a materialistic point of view, but I look at the situation differently. To me it's a matter of priorities and what is important to someone. My car is important to me, it wasn't to my ex. That doesn't make her right or wrong she just had different priorities in life. That's cool but not my outlook.
I don't plan on ever selling this car, I plan to drive it until it dies and I'm hoping to get to 200K or more out of her. So it's in my best interest to maintain her and keep her pristine for me to achieve that goal. Plus she looks damn good for a 6 year old car with 72K miles on her when she's clean.
I don't plan on ever selling this car, I plan to drive it until it dies and I'm hoping to get to 200K or more out of her. So it's in my best interest to maintain her and keep her pristine for me to achieve that goal. Plus she looks damn good for a 6 year old car with 72K miles on her when she's clean.
when my family got my moms G back in 2003 my neibor loved it and got one a week after us he got a white one but i have never seen him wash it and his front rims were BLACK from brake dust and his car looked more grey than it did IP and i mean come on he got IP one of the best looking colors for a g35 and he parked it outside and didnt wash it in 7 years...while his wifes 1999 c240 got to park in the garage and got washed once ever 10-12 months :/
Damn you only wash the g once or twice a week and think thats alot. I better not even mention how many times i wash mine. I cant stand my baby to be dirty. To some people it is just a car and means of transportation. To others its a symbol of something they have accomplished and earned. I take pride in how she looks. I wouldnt even drive my car when the front bumper got dinged up. I get compliments all the time that the car looks new and whatever the current year is. They find out its an 03 and there like shutup. I just wish my wife would see it the same way as i do.
Going to college, i get looks a lot. I have my two buckets, mits, MFs, and detailing **** spread out in my closet and wash my car probably once every two weeks. It has been staying pretty clean due to the weather, so i havn't bothered as much with it.
But people always tell me "its just a car" and that bothers the living hell out of me. Spent to much time and money on this heep of metal to let it sit neglected.
But people always tell me "its just a car" and that bothers the living hell out of me. Spent to much time and money on this heep of metal to let it sit neglected.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,249
Likes: 430
From: Houston
Itasha Coupe
Well said my friend^^. My ex and I went round and round about this subject. As Swivel said, to her it was just a hunk of metal that got her from point A to point B. I grew up loving cars and was taught to keep them clean and well-maintained. I still love cars and consider them an extension of who I am. Some would say that's a materialistic point of view, but I look at the situation differently. To me it's a matter of priorities and what is important to someone. My car is important to me, it wasn't to my ex. That doesn't make her right or wrong she just had different priorities in life. That's cool but not my outlook.
I don't plan on ever selling this car, I plan to drive it until it dies and I'm hoping to get to 200K or more out of her. So it's in my best interest to maintain her and keep her pristine for me to achieve that goal. Plus she looks damn good for a 6 year old car with 72K miles on her when she's clean.
I don't plan on ever selling this car, I plan to drive it until it dies and I'm hoping to get to 200K or more out of her. So it's in my best interest to maintain her and keep her pristine for me to achieve that goal. Plus she looks damn good for a 6 year old car with 72K miles on her when she's clean.
But my sister didn't understand the concept either. She just knew I washed my car ALL the time, but it wasn't till I explained to her and compared it to her house when she really understood. She keeps her house clean because she feels that is an extension of herself and how people see her, especially when she hosts small BBQ's at the place. Plus, its all about taking pride and ownership in what you have and what you worked hard for.
And I'm by no means really mature or old (Like Tim there), but I am starting to see that the younger generation of teens feel that they are entitled to a lot of things and their parents just give it to them, not teaching them the idea of working for what you have and taking ownership in your own property. I think if you don't teach those qualities to your children, it completely devalues the idea of not taking care of your stuff and what is important to you.
I also cannot stand it when people with some nice high end sports cars don't take care of their stuff. I saw a Porsche 911 the other day with what I thought were black wheels.... but it just turned out the wheels were THAT dirty.
/thread
