Autoshite Community - Honest opinion

[Morgan84]

Since joining here,I have found this to be a very friendly forum,with people willing to help eachother,and not be total a-holes to eachother,which makes a nice change these days.There is a pleasant mixture of technical assistance,as well as fun;I could find myself living on here if not carefull ! What has to be admired is the pure determination some of you fellow Shite lovers have on here is to ressurect a old motor,and give it a new lease of life,and save it from becoming another Indeset 7KG AA Rated washing machine.

The other lovely thing with a lot of Shite is that it comes at Shite money,and we can afford to just kill them off when it becomes impractical to keep them running;I'm sure we all get more plesure out of our older motors,than those who splash out on a new eurobox every 3 years,and spend more on metallic paint than a humble little Fiat Uno could ever dream of fetching !

We are a happy little group

[eddyramrod]

Yep, that's about right. I love it here, I'm on every night when I used to watch late movies. No not that kind! I'm moving back to UK soon, and hoping to meet as many Shiters as I can. There's nobody here that I knew before signing up, and after what, two years, I now view everyone as a friend. We do all seem to have the same general attitude: old cars are not for random binning, much better to fix them up and get a couple more years out of them. If a Shiter bins a car, it was ready for it. I take great delight in the perverse worshipping of things like the FSO Polonez. I've had stuff like this when it was scrap-value (indeed, because it was scrap-value!) and love to see them survive. And yes, there does seem to be a lot of hands-on experience floating about waiting to be shared. That's marvellous. Long may it continue.

[vulgalour]

I have a Princess.

General public response: What, why?

Autoshite response: hooray!

 

That's what I love about this place. It's one of those "If I had to explain it, you wouldn't understand" scenarios. A freedom to embrace the cars I really do like rather than having to nod and smile about another Escort or Mini or Minor. I'm sure the popular cars are popular for a reason but I can't help thinking some of the things we embrace here have been overlooked unfairly by the people wiling to pay six figures for a manky old Ford.

 

Autoshite is a great remedy to taking oneself too seriously.

[John F]

Hehe, yep.

 

I've got a Maserati Biturbo and a Calibra, both of which would undoubtedly get laughed at by Top Gear fanboy mongs. But they're ace.

[Des]

The feeling I get from this forum is that it's about the cars you choose for yourself rather than to suit the expectations of others, instead giving them two fingers, a moonie, then blowing a raspberry. The stuff that's desirable for real reasons as opposed to props employed in a futile attempt in acting out a non existant 'lifestyle' that sadly accounts for a huge chunk of the pointless tin which now clogs up the roads.

Times are good, there's a huge choice of good, affordable old chod out there from the era when car design peaked, unfashionable as you like, but that's ok because fashion is what the masses favour and their opinion isn't worth the sweat off my ballbag. Mr pleb looking down his nose at you from his vulgar OMG 11 PLATE!! NEW SHAPE NISSAN BM RR ERECTILE DISFUNCTION 4X4 whatever the fuck piece of shit may well be content, even smug with his choice as he and his ilk queue at every fuel outlet 'cos the gummint said, but there's a 70 percent probability that he will shortly find himself mortally embarassed when OMG 11 PLATE is no longer current and will seek a registration from one of our cars to hide his shame. Fuck that shit.

This dumb attitude has filtered down and affected older chod, I wonder how popular the old VW bus or Escorts would be if they were priced at their true value of about a bag of sand for a good one? 20K seems the going rate, how could anyone get 20K worth of fun from one of those without the boot containing a sack of charlie, three high class brasses, a ladyboy, an etch-a sketch, an armalite rifle, a spacehopper and 18 of the 20K back?

There's nothing of interest here for those with that plebby attitude, all that's left is a minority group, chod botherers, capable of independant thought, of a far higher intellect than the norm, and thus can write stuff worth reading.

[Father Ted]

Autoshite is like a pub full of your mates.

Most nod and say "yeah, yeah, yeah, get the drinks in will you" when you chat about your cars, some say "wow, thats ace" and occasionally some people have too much to drink and call you a cnut. But its usually over as quick as it started and apart from some broken chairs there is never any blood spilled (Apart from Pogweasel, but we know where he is buried).

[Albert Ross]

Nobody judges me adversely for driving something with filler dropping off dents, that smokes like a Priest, and has serious incontinence, stability issues, and has too much of a liking for diseasel.

[outlaw118]

Speaking as a fairly recent "toy-chucker", I see this place as a respite from my daily life in a profession that has no real "good bits".

The reason the toys were thrown was I asked for an opinion on something, not totally shite-related, however, as has been said before, there's a very wide range of knowledge on here, some through people's jobs (Albert, I'm talking about you) for instance, and some through enthusiasm for a unfashionable hobby (ie buying "shit" cars - Mr Wuvvum is a prime example here) and a mixture of both - Reg Bo11ox. My request for information was placed on here purely because of this depth of knowledge, and also as I'm no longer a member of any other forum, aside of Ovalchat, which I only go on to make myself feel better about my typing skillorzz.....

But, i'm back, no hard feelings, I had a word with myself, and decided that life's too short to be an arse about a comment that probably was taken out of context in the first place, and was partially justified as I was O/T asking for info on newer cars.

I have met a very small percentage of the members on here, and found all of them to be fine chaps "in the flesh". Last years little trundle to Jaywick (there's a thread about it somewhere) introduced me to some different faces - Roadwork Uk, Andrew E, Spotted Laurel, and I re-acquainted myself with Old Ford, Wuvvum, and the legend that is Seth. It was a highlight in a generally dull and shitty 2011, and I look forward to another awayday. Although I have never "met" him Sir Billy Cavette is one of the soundest geezers of evar, and I sure that without AS my (sad) life would be worse.

Long may it continue, and whilst the forum has it's ups and downs, it needs to be remembered that only YOU, the contributors can make it better again. Spotted threads have been ignored, and too many Proton posts have spoiled things slightly of late, as has the disappearance of Seth, Pogweasel, Barrett, and RootesArrow et al, but the constant new blood should see things improve - coalnotdole's EPIC Rebel thread instantly springs to mind, as does Vin's Fiat resto - there are many others but it's 7.30am, and I've only had one fag and one coffee so far.....

I'm raising my virtual glass to you all, and hoping that this forum can continue to provide entertainment, advice, and laughs, and endless photos and stories of unloved, unwanted (by THE MASSES), and hopeless old cars, that we've bought/seen/sold.

 

Beige is best.

[RoadworkUK]

Hugs all round.

 

Where else can I indulge my Rover 800 fixation? Well, there is the Rover forum, but they alk about Rover 800s too much. Weirdos.

[STUNO]

This site appealed to me when I happened on it. I live at the other end of the world, and thoroughly enjoy the goings on here, even the toy -tossers There does not seem to be anyone with a bad attitude who stays here and the offers of help to other members have been exceptional. I have also had the pleasure of meeting 3 members who have visited here ( 1 stayed, and is now the owner of a small fleet of shite which gets used as everyday cars ).

And I love being able to mention things other than cars without fear of someone getting annoyed or at least saying so!

[nigel bickle]

I think the rest of the world views me as weird. Here I'm just odd -& congratulated for it.

 

Happy days

[meshking]

Eek, first post. I've been lurking here for a while, mainly laughing at the eBay threads and comments that get posted. Whilst I have a modern car, I've also got a beige 1975 2cv that I've been restoring on and off for the past ten years.

 

Really enjoy this place, my parents had assorted new cars when I was younger which are now classed as shite - Citroen visa, maestro, rover 216. It's great to see people using these cars still, and having a laugh about it at the same time.

[STUNO]

I think the rest of the world views me as weird. Here I'm just odd -& congratulated for it.

 

Happy days

You should be knighted for what you do Nigel

[Negative Creep]

Things are definitely better than a few months ago. There was a stage where certain posters were just endlessly causing arguments and it was putting a lot of people off. Anyway, what I personally like is that there is no snobbery, but you can still have an opinion and we don't just have a forum of sycophants and google image results (yeah, you know the site I'm talking about)

[dollywobbler]

Eek, first post. I've been lurking here for a while, mainly laughing at the eBay threads and comments that get posted. Whilst I have a modern car, I've also got a beige 1975 2cv that I've been restoring on and off for the past ten years.

 

Really enjoy this place, my parents had assorted new cars when I was younger which are now classed as shite - Citroen visa, maestro, rover 216. It's great to see people using these cars still, and having a laugh about it at the same time.

 

Whoa! You've got a 1975 2CV?! Is it right-hand drive? And it's beige?! Pictures are demanded! (you're username is familiar and I'm trying to recall why...)

 

I've been responsible for the odd wobbly - in fact, Outlaw118 felt the blast from one such wobbly and I'm glad to see you back sir! I hope we didn't damage any furniture during that little fracas.

 

There are some very strong opinions expressed in this place, and some deeply passionate discussions (fuel strikes for instance) yet generally, we all get along fabulously. I love it.

[Cavcraft]

It's quite like real life in a way: people have the odd fall out, and some of us spy our arses occasionally, but in general things do seem to get forgotten quite quickly and it's pointless carrying on old arguments. We have a classic collection of crackpot car collectors, comedians, chod and crap motors, and long may it continue.

Advice, banter, good/bad/awful vehicles, it's all here under one roof. The only 'problem' that I can see is that some people don't always think before they post (see 'J' reg Proton etc threads) but we're possibly all guilty of that at times.

The wide range of experience on here is one of the biggest plus points of the site imho, as a rule if someone states their views on a car it's from experience, not because they read in a book that they're shit, or whatever.

Anyhow everyday is a blast, there's always something worth reading or laughing at and without that we're f****d.

[ProgRocker]

Autoshite is like a pub full of your mates.

 

Well said, Padre.

 

This site provides light relief from some of the seriousness and problems of real life. No-one takes themselves too seriously and I think that most of us are down to Earth kinda people. Just the types I prefer to share a drink in the pub.

 

On another car related forum I have fun poked at me for being an admirer of the SD3 Rover 200 series and for kicking myself for wishing that I had owned a mark 2 Cavalier...but I don't care!

[pandamonium]

I come here because you all make me laugh, tolerate me talking shit and most of all because no-one else will have me!

 

I do frequent another forum with many pictures and rules, but I always get the impression that I'm just not 'cool' enough.

 

Where else could you sell a perfectly good Mercedes and buy a Fiat Panda and not get laughed at (openly anyway)?

Where else could you tell people you had just swapped a '96 Mitsubishi Galant for a '91 Nissan Micra and nobody bat an eyelid?

[theorganist]

This is an excellent thread.

 

For me Autoshite is a bit like the internet version of Jalopy which I used to read when I was just starting out driving and which me and my father used to get great pleasure out of reading. I did not think such interest in cars like the Austin Maxi and Renault 14 still existed in this day and age!

 

It is the place where it is cool to be uncool!

 

I have received so much encouragement (when I bought my Renault 14 in paricular) and helpful advice. There are some very funny threads and comments and equally some good serious discussion. And even though everyone is different we all have one thing in common.

 

I have only met a couple of Shiters and would definately like to meet more in the future!

 

Thanks to everyone for making this a great community.

 

Pete.

[vulgalour]

This is an excellent thread.

It is the place where it is cool to be uncool!

 

 

But not in a pretentious, post-ironic Hipster way, THANK FUCK.

[Cavcraft]

 

It is the place where it is cool to be uncool!

 

 

Strong contender for 'quote of the year' and sums the place up perfectly.

[freebird]

 

It is the place where it is cool to be uncool!

 

 

Strong contender for 'quote of the year' and sums the place up perfectly.

Im not so sure its so "uncool" anymore.

I think it may be a generation thing, stuff that was once uncool shite is seen as very cool because its actually very different.

My 20 year old daughter really wanted an Allegro for her first car but has ended up with a 20 year old little Starlet, she adores it.

A friend of hers has just bought a new shape Fiesta and my girl wouldnt swap hers for that, ever!!

Maybe the younger generation sees the shite we love as very cool where as the rest of us see it as just shite, albeit shite that you love.

Horror of horrors, maybe we iz really Kool............

Amen!

[theorganist]

Maybe the younger generation sees the shite we love as very cool where as the rest of us see it as just shite

 

May have something there. All the young people in my choir think my cars are cool whereas the adults think I am some kind of certifiable nutter for driving around in such old cars, especially as they have not got a Jaguar, MG or Morris Minor badge on them. They seem to be the only "old" cars which most people see as classics!

[Lord Sterling]

When I first came here almost everything written by almost anyone here was lol-worthy, this place was chock-full of humour. I'd spend hours looking at threads seeking pics of old cars I'd not seen for years, rolling on the floor laughing. Of course in recent times there have been problems and many members here have packed up and left, sometimes words can be taken too literally/misunderstood/badly written, I know because I've been there.

 

Every forum goes through changes from time to time, some forced, some natural, people get a bit high on emotion from time to time. One of the other forums I used to frequent changed from being an enthusiasts forum to a sort of pterol-head general modders forum. No one wants to talk and appreciate the excellent and original qualities of the car anymore, they all want to talk about oMG B1G WHee1z, lowered suspensioZZZ, Ant1-Ro11 bars and such forth.

 

At least here I can be honest about the car I like and the reasons I bought it. I can share and enjoy my enthusiasm for the car rather than following the sheep in sticking on big wheels for a few 'they luk epic' type comments. I'm not against modding, but there doesnt seem to be alot of other forums out there for the real car enthusiast who enjoys keeping his car standard.

 

I've also learnt to appreciate the value of my car(s) 3 of them of which I bought for less than £500, it costs me a hell of alot more to keep them in storage but people here can understand that I like them and I'm happy to pay to keep them, everyone else keeps moaning at me to get rid of them, because you'll save money etc, yawn......

 

This is one of those forums where you can not only think outside the box, but also live it, We appreciate £300 so-called bangers for what they are, we can enjoy donning our rose-tinted specs and making them into the cars they once were. You can be comfortable to buy the kind of cars you like that suit your tastes without spending a huge amount of money on dull euroboxes to keep up with 'the fashion' and reflect some pretend lifestyle that you havent actually got.

[Father Ted]

Its funny.

I was trying to explain to my 13 year old yesterday why a Ford Consul that I was drooling over in a car park wouldnt appeal to my mate Bob, because it was from the wrong era and would be considered shit to him because it wasnt a 30's or 40's car, but to me was a car of my childhood and hence sparked pangs of nostalgia.

 

He already has a thing about K11 Micras (at his age it was Austin 1300's for me), but I do pitty the young of today they have such shit cars to look back on fondly.

 

With regards other topics (non car related) I think they have as much validity as any other topic as we all have experiences in life we can share. I do think there should be a sandbox though that people can post non car related stuff in that can be gleefully ignored by anyone who wants to.

[trigger]

I've had my ups and downs on here but i wouldn't change it for the world, I've meet many of the members on here and i can honestly say all the one's I've meet have come across as the nicest people you would ever hope to meet.

 

This forum encouraged me to actually go out and buy that classic car i had always been talking about buying and then made me feel really good about getting it, unlike most my real world mates who are not into cars who call them shit.

 

It's the only forum i have to check-in on everyday just in case something exciting has been posted, It's a shame to have lost members from the forum over the last few years, I do still feel if the forum was moderated we would still have them here but there you go, We still have herehere who for me is the funniest user on here along with Billy of course!

 

Oh and no-one talks the piss out of my awful spelling and grammer!

[Cavcraft]

One things I reckon worth noting is though that people need to keep up the good work and not sit on our laurels (arf arf) as it were.

The restoration threads alone are always worth a read, it's ace how some people make it look so easy. Again with some of those gone we've missed out and some proper reading material which is a crying shame.

[Skizzer]

no-one talks the piss out of my awful spelling and grammer!

 

It's grammar, Trig.

 

[trigger]

Bollocks Just noticed i spell talks instead of takes as well, Oh the joys of being dyslexic (and thank god for spell check!)

[Shep Shepherd]

This forum is the only car-related one that I bother with nowadays. Enough said.