User Panel
Posted: 6/23/2017 10:51:01 PM EDT
I have been without a sports car for 3.5 years now and just picked up a Shelby GT350, so I'd like to find some like-minded folks to head to the mountains on weekend drives. I'm just not sure where to look.
Back when I had my M3, the various BMW forums always had people setting up drives or willing to join. Same, to a lesser extent, on Rennlist with the Porsche guys. I joined two of the most popular Mustang forums, and yet the number of threads about driving and the number people posting/talking about going for drives, is almost nonexistent. In one case the local Atlanta group uses facebook instead, but most of the chat seems to be about parts recommendations. It seems people like to do the Cars & Coffee events (locally, their called Caffeine & Octane), maybe get together for dinner or drinks, hang out and talk - but what about driving? Is this not a thing any more (weekend drives), or am I looking in the wrong place, or does my area (metro Atlanta) just suck, or are Mustang drivers good for nothing but crashing into crowds? |
|
A lot of car forums died or are just places for kids to get on and bitch aka LS1tech. Forums with older car owners like Corvette forum are still doing ok but any Camaro or mustang forums are just not the same as they were in the early 2000s which you've noticed. I can speak from personal experience as I watched things slip and drop in intrest live, the Millennials are NOT into cars like GenX and the Boomers are. So factor that in as most of us are not young with tons of time on our hands anymore, life, kids, job takes up time and with no one to replace us causes some of this.
I'm not sure how to help you but maybe find some local enthusiast boards on facebook? or just go to car shows (preferrably those for higher end cars) and see if you can find a group. You almost will have to run with guys sporting 2015+ mustangs to avoid the street outlaws bunch or find a exotic group to run with being that a GT350 is sorta novel right now. Another idea, find the porsche club and go to a track day, you'll make some friends if you can drive! No local Shelby club? EDIT: there's a guy on here with a Boss 302, maybe he can advise you on the best course of action to find some like minded guys. |
|
Not going to happen.
Because even in the old days ANY v8 oriented oriented car subculture at the end of the day boils down to the drag racing "I hate your guts" or "my shit it better, faster more expensive than yours" core value The most you can expect from this community is the occasional car show where they show off how much better their shit is than everyone around you. The only two automotive sub cultures I've found that can fundamentally stand each other long enough to actually go drive is the Jeep/4x4 community and the air Cooled VW community. If warm comradeship is what you crave a mustang would have been my last choice. |
|
Quoted:
A lot of car forums died or are just places for kids to get on and bitch aka LS1tech. Forums with older car owners like Corvette forum are still doing ok but any Camaro or mustang forums are just not the same as they were in the early 2000s which you've noticed. I can speak from personal experience as I watched things slip and drop in interest live, the Millennials are NOT into cars like GenX and the Boomers are. So factor that in as most of us are not young with tons of time on our hands anymore, life, kids, job takes up time and with no one to replace us causes some of this. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
A lot of car forums died or are just places for kids to get on and bitch aka LS1tech. Forums with older car owners like Corvette forum are still doing ok but any Camaro or mustang forums are just not the same as they were in the early 2000s which you've noticed. I can speak from personal experience as I watched things slip and drop in interest live, the Millennials are NOT into cars like GenX and the Boomers are. So factor that in as most of us are not young with tons of time on our hands anymore, life, kids, job takes up time and with no one to replace us causes some of this. Quoted:
Not going to happen. The most you can expect from this community is the occasional car show where they show off how much better their shit is than everyone around you. The only two automotive sub cultures I've found that can fundamentally stand each other long enough to actually go drive is the Jeep/4x4 community and the air Cooled VW community. If warm comradeship is what you crave a mustang would have been my last choice. |
|
Around here, and I don't know why, Mopar owns about 95% of the group scene. It's kinda nuts. And they wanna go cruise slow, or talk about going to the strip. That's kind of annoying. Very few people here want to get out and drive.
|
|
Quoted:
I have been without a sports car for 3.5 years now and just picked up a Shelby GT350, so I'd like to find some like-minded folks to head to the mountains on weekend drives. I'm just not sure where to look. Back when I had my M3, the various BMW forums always had people setting up drives or willing to join. Same, to a lesser extent, on Rennlist with the Porsche guys. I joined two of the most popular Mustang forums, and yet the number of threads about driving and the number people posting/talking about going for drives, is almost nonexistent. In one case the local Atlanta group uses facebook instead, but most of the chat seems to be about parts recommendations. It seems people like to do the Cars & Coffee events (locally, their called Caffeine & Octane), maybe get together for dinner or drinks, hang out and talk - but what about driving? Is this not a thing any more (weekend drives), or am I looking in the wrong place, or does my area (metro Atlanta) just suck, or are Mustang drivers good for nothing but crashing into crowds? View Quote Do you work out at the LA fitness in Sandy Springs? If so, i saw your car in the parking lot about a month ago (maybe less), as i was walking out. |
|
|
|
View Quote |
|
Quoted:
I almost bought one way back during construction when they were much cheaper, but didn't figure I would go enough to justify the cost and annual fees. Besides, I prefer Road Atlanta anyway. View Quote If I lived where you do I would be up there every week. |
|
|
Quoted:
I do not, and I just got the car on Friday. I took it to the mountains today and put it through its paces. http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/911fan/Auto/Shelby%20GT350/61752CA6-14B7-4313-A8D2-FAF838B4263B_zpsh4ypim3o.jpg View Quote Track mode. Flogging before even hitting 300mi mark. All checks out |
|
Quoted:
I try to get up there at least a couple times a year to run the wheels off my Miata or Guzzi. I pretty much have driven or rode every curvy stretch up there in the last 20 years since our family bought a "Cabin" near Ranger. Great roads, Blood Mtn, Wolf Pen, James Russel and 60/68 from Dohlonega To Telico/Cherohala. A great but unknown treat is from Hiawasse Dam and access rd west to Joe Brown then to Beaver Dam then into Murphy for lunch. Nice loop. If I lived where you do I would be up there every week. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
I almost bought one way back during construction when they were much cheaper, but didn't figure I would go enough to justify the cost and annual fees. Besides, I prefer Road Atlanta anyway. If I lived where you do I would be up there every week. I suppose that's enough, all things considered. |
|
Quoted:
Less pedestrians to eat in the mountains http://www.fullredneck.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Funny-Mustang-Meme-13.jpg https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/700/0/uploads/posts/2016/04/cd37b34d5419fbb7f5f1dc0d495db749.jpg View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
It seems people like to do the Cars & Coffee events Less pedestrians to eat in the mountains http://www.fullredneck.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Funny-Mustang-Meme-13.jpg https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/700/0/uploads/posts/2016/04/cd37b34d5419fbb7f5f1dc0d495db749.jpg |
|
|
|
Quoted:
I do not, and I just got the car on Friday. I took it to the mountains today and put it through its paces. http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/911fan/Auto/Shelby%20GT350/61752CA6-14B7-4313-A8D2-FAF838B4263B_zpsh4ypim3o.jpg View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Yup, been on all those many times. I sold my 911 GTS a few years ago and have been driving my Taco ever since. I got the itch again and got the GT350. I would go every weekend, co-drivers or not, except for kids, family (extended), camping and my wife's love to trail riding/off roading. I figure I'll get one or two weekend days a month to go, plus some week days where I can squeeze them in, plus a few track days a year. I suppose that's enough, all things considered. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I do not, and I just got the car on Friday. I took it to the mountains today and put it through its paces. http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/911fan/Auto/Shelby%20GT350/61752CA6-14B7-4313-A8D2-FAF838B4263B_zpsh4ypim3o.jpg View Quote View Quote Quoted:
my wife and i too love to camp and trail ride. she has off road xterra with small lift and i have a solid axle'd 88 4runner. Looks like we do share alot of hobbies: guns, cobra's, and 4x4/camping with wives that enjoy them too. Maybe we need a arf hometown car show meet up or trail ride. View Quote I think that is a good idea about a thread for organizing non-shooting outings, such as trail rides, sports car outings and even track events. |
|
|
Quoted:
I don't know that you'd really enjoy the kind of roads that I do, unless you don't mind being stuck in 2-3rd gear http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/devtucker/Rides/IMG_20170325_135527042.jpg View Quote |
|
Quoted:
We were watching something the other day - I forget what it was - but I said if we had a place to ride, I'd have another dirt bike. I had one growing up and 3 sport (street) bikes. I enjoy riding, but its not compatible with little kids. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
If you want to go for a drive some time, let me know. Faster, slower doesn't matter so long as you're having fun. Hahaha, more than you think. Here is what we traded for her new JKUR: http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/911fan/Xterra/b843e26b.jpg I think that is a good idea about a thread for organizing non-shooting outings, such as trail rides, sports car outings and even track events. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Not a dirtbike, and I pass sportbikes all day long in the twisties View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
We were watching something the other day - I forget what it was - but I said if we had a place to ride, I'd have another dirt bike. I had one growing up and 3 sport (street) bikes. I enjoy riding, but its not compatible with little kids. |
|
Quoted:
So now i'm just thinking we are the same people with the exception that are your stuff is the same as mine just newer generations later hahaha. I'm the broke version of you View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
If you want to go for a drive some time, let me know. Faster, slower doesn't matter so long as you're having fun. Hahaha, more than you think. Here is what we traded for her new JKUR: http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/911fan/Xterra/b843e26b.jpg I think that is a good idea about a thread for organizing non-shooting outings, such as trail rides, sports car outings and even track events. |
|
Facebook has really put the hurt on Carforums.
Most of them have declined precipitously in traffic in last 5 years.. There are a couple of laudable exceptions but sadly that's the trend. |
|
|
I got a buddy in Georgia with a modded GT350...
I will send him this thread. Will IM you if he knows of any clubs or wants to reveal himself. |
|
Quoted:
Haha no im pretty young and had my own college fund to worry about, I'm just young with old toys. All just older versions of your toys. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Haha, in that case, you're behind on contributing to the college fund. |
|
|
Quoted:
I don't know that you'd really enjoy the kind of roads that I do, unless you don't mind being stuck in 2-3rd gear http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff206/devtucker/Rides/IMG_20170325_135527042.jpg View Quote |
|
Quoted:
No, I mean my(our) kids college fund. If you're a version of me, you're in for half. View Quote Showed her your xterra and now she's wondering when she gets a new bumper haha |
|
Quoted:
Ha, that's what we got the HOPE for in GA. But if we're sharing assets when's my turn to drive the GT350 lol. But I was telling my wife about this thread and she just yells we need to meet these people they are just like us. So if your also in banking and your wife's a nurse then we are in a twilight zone situation Showed her your xterra and now she's wondering when she gets a new bumper haha View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
No, I mean my(our) kids college fund. If you're a version of me, you're in for half. Showed her your xterra and now she's wondering when she gets a new bumper haha The bumper was a Shrockworks, with an Engo winch. We also had White Knuckle sliders, Hefty skids and a Nisstec 3" lift. My wife loved it We should grab a bite sometime if you don't mind hanging out with my kids. |
|
Have you ever been up around Helen?
I'd be happy to have someone to go drive with, I'm in a similar boat so far as driving goes, everyone I know is either to busy or drives a truck... |
|
Quoted:
Have you ever been up around Helen? I'd be happy to have someone to go drive with, I'm in a similar boat so far as driving goes, everyone I know is either to busy or drives a truck... View Quote |
|
Quoted:
A lot of car forums died or are just places for kids to get on and bitch aka LS1tech. Forums with older car owners like Corvette forum are still doing ok but any Camaro or mustang forums are just not the same as they were in the early 2000s which you've noticed. I can speak from personal experience as I watched things slip and drop in intrest live, the Millennials are NOT into cars like GenX and the Boomers are. So factor that in as most of us are not young with tons of time on our hands anymore, life, kids, job takes up time and with no one to replace us causes some of this. I'm not sure how to help you but maybe find some local enthusiast boards on facebook? or just go to car shows (preferrably those for higher end cars) and see if you can find a group. You almost will have to run with guys sporting 2015+ mustangs to avoid the street outlaws bunch or find a exotic group to run with being that a GT350 is sorta novel right now. Another idea, find the porsche club and go to a track day, you'll make some friends if you can drive! No local Shelby club? EDIT: there's a guy on here with a Boss 302, maybe he can advise you on the best course of action to find some like minded guys. View Quote Sounds more like you lost touch with where the action is vs massive amounts of people in a certain age bracket losing interest in cars. |
|
Quoted:
Sure, we go all the time. In fact, Monday I made the loop up 19, over 180 towards Helen, down 348 and back to 400. Usually I go through Helen and grab a bite to eat, but I was trying to get home early. I'd love to have you join me/us sometime for a ride! View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Probably because they're all organizing on facebook groups and going out and doing stuff. I'm 35 and all the events I go to I'm one of the older dudes. Cruise ins, track days, drift events, street races... Sounds more like you lost touch with where the action is vs massive amounts of people in a certain age bracket losing interest in cars. View Quote Might be different at the drags, though - that's one thing I'm not really into, and haven't been. |
|
Quoted:
I would say it might also be that they aren't into the same types of cars. Stuff around here is mainly Japanese - not a whole lot of American stuff. The only people with Mustangs, Camaros, or the like tend to be older. Among the younger, the biggest American cars are the Ford hot hatches - there's usually a good showing of Focus STs with an RS or two, and sometimes a Fiesta ST as well. Among us GenY and the Millenials, it's really mainly Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda and Honda. Might be different at the drags, though - that's one thing I'm not really into, and haven't been. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
I would say it might also be that they aren't into the same types of cars. Stuff around here is mainly Japanese - not a whole lot of American stuff. The only people with Mustangs, Camaros, or the like tend to be older. Among the younger, the biggest American cars are the Ford hot hatches - there's usually a good showing of Focus STs with an RS or two, and sometimes a Fiesta ST as well. Among us GenY and the Millenials, it's really mainly Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda and Honda. Might be different at the drags, though - that's one thing I'm not really into, and haven't been. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Probably because they're all organizing on facebook groups and going out and doing stuff. I'm 35 and all the events I go to I'm one of the older dudes. Cruise ins, track days, drift events, street races... Sounds more like you lost touch with where the action is vs massive amounts of people in a certain age bracket losing interest in cars. Might be different at the drags, though - that's one thing I'm not really into, and haven't been. Weirdest juxtaposition I've seen, 70's rx-7 with a whipple super charger, other end of the lot 69 mustang beater with an lsx destined waiting from IIRC a big single turbo. Also, I get the whole young crown going back to Japanese cars just like when I was 18-19. Price. With cool muscle cars starting at 10-15k and anything iconic blowing past 40K, 5-7K imports are awesome. Plus, with the flagship sports cars, supras, rx-7's, Z's they can be made REALLY fast. I have my 72 Mach1 but I find myself taking my plain 88 supra to more shows now. |
|
Quoted:
Most of the things I go to now have everything. Domestic and import, and everyone digs everything. Weirdest juxtaposition I've seen, 70's rx-7 with a whipple super charger, other end of the lot 69 mustang beater with an lsx destined waiting from IIRC a big single turbo. Also, I get the whole young crown going back to Japanese cars just like when I was 18-19. Price. With cool muscle cars starting at 10-15k and anything iconic blowing past 40K, 5-7K imports are awesome. Plus, with the flagship sports cars, supras, rx-7's, Z's they can be made REALLY fast. I have my 72 Mach1 but I find myself taking my plain 88 supra to more shows now. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Well, I guess we're not complete clones. We're both in technology. The bumper was a Shrockworks, with an Engo winch. We also had White Knuckle sliders, Hefty skids and a Nisstec 3" lift. My wife loved it We should grab a bite sometime if you don't mind hanging out with my kids. View Quote |
|
Quoted:
Oh for sure, and we're in our early 30's so basically all our friends have kids so we're pretty use to being around them. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Well, I guess we're not complete clones. We're both in technology. The bumper was a Shrockworks, with an Engo winch. We also had White Knuckle sliders, Hefty skids and a Nisstec 3" lift. My wife loved it We should grab a bite sometime if you don't mind hanging out with my kids. |
|
Quoted:
Probably because they're all organizing on facebook groups and going out and doing stuff. I'm 35 and all the events I go to I'm one of the older dudes. Cruise ins, track days, drift events, street races... Sounds more like you lost touch with where the action is vs massive amounts of people in a certain age bracket losing interest in cars. View Quote late 80's it was 5.0 fox vs TPI 90s it was 5.0 fox vs LT1 - this is when shit got HUGE. you had imports starting to get modified but none of them were fast like the camaros and mustangs but they had their own "sub" culture/scene. and then the speaker cars and mini truck scenes too. when was the last time you saw a "speaker car" with thumping bass heard a mile away? I can say I haven't heard a car like that for 10+ years. late 90's early 00's the LS1 ruled the street. Lots of C5 Corvette events, f-body events, even mustang 4.6 clubs doing shit. Mean while import scene still tried to be Paul Walker up until maybe 05 but that was it. With no younger crowd with mass interest, the hobby can't survive. Sure you might see a couple guys here and there with a 05+ mustang or some fast & Furious throw back Honda, but that's it. The only place you MIGHT find a bunch of millennials is a Cali drift event but even those arent as popular as they were 10-15 years ago. |
|
I didn't read the entire thread DJ, but I'm in Alpharetta/Cumming area and would be interested in a weekend mountain run every now and then. I had good experience with the Audi crowd about a decade ago, meeting in Helen and hitting the twisties. I still have the map/course saved in my e-mail.
|
|
It's a shame I don't live a little closer.
North GA mountains are a little far for me to do for just a weekend. |
|
Quoted:
I used to have an 87 Turbo 5 speed, neat car, head of it's time for the year it was made. But heavy...and the 7M-GTE was, well, not my favorite engine. I sold it after I realized it would cost a good bit just to get it to "catch up too" where my Talon was at the time. Naturally the idiot kid I sold it too blew it up in a couple of months time... Which is a bit impressive considering it was bone stock. I guess he heard "Supra" and thought "can't break it". I kind of always liked the Celica Supra...and the late 60's Celica, which looked strangely like a Mustang from a lot of angles. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Most of the things I go to now have everything. Domestic and import, and everyone digs everything. Weirdest juxtaposition I've seen, 70's rx-7 with a whipple super charger, other end of the lot 69 mustang beater with an lsx destined waiting from IIRC a big single turbo. Also, I get the whole young crown going back to Japanese cars just like when I was 18-19. Price. With cool muscle cars starting at 10-15k and anything iconic blowing past 40K, 5-7K imports are awesome. Plus, with the flagship sports cars, supras, rx-7's, Z's they can be made REALLY fast. I have my 72 Mach1 but I find myself taking my plain 88 supra to more shows now. |
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.