Elitism..sucks

[PoorMansRacing]

Originally Posted by JDMenrique

I preference is real over fake/counterfeit/copy. That doesn't make me an elitist.

I'm with you there. I have a strict rule not to buy replica parts. If I want something more affordable, I get the next best thing according to my budget and goals.

Some people buy replica parts and swear by them, and good for them if they're happy. Some parts you can definitely cheap out on, whereas more critical components could end up ruining the car. It's not a risk I'm willing to take. Warranty protection is a bonus. But, like you said, no way is that being elitist. More like...realistic.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by JDMenrique

Your attempt at a witty answer completely misses the point. Theres a difference in saving $600 for something legit than a copy. Your example is unattainable because i dont make the money to purchase a $400,000 car.

However,

If you drive a twin, you most likely are making some sort of decent money. I just don't think buying real is elitism. Thats my opinion and its not really gonna change.

And there are people who are living month to month to afford this car and can't even afford a set of volks. Financial responsibility aside, the point of the article is why do others view them as less of an enthusiasts just because they are buying cheaper parts.

Again, Im not trying to open a can of worms. Im not talking about who can afford what. I just think its unfair if someone has real parts now theyre elitist. Its contradictory when 95% of this forum becomes ELITIST when something comes out on ebay and they all start bashing it as junk. Do they know? Could it have been some guy in his basement who is a master welder using excellent materials got bored and wanted to try something new? Instead its a chinese rip and , circle the bandwagons cuz everyone is coming with the pitchforks.

Final point, lol! To ME, elitism isn't whats in your car. It's the owners ego. I don't go around saying "hey, look at me". I preference is real over fake/counterfeit/copy. That doesn't make me an elitist.

I think you missed the point of the article. The article didn't imply that people who spend big money on JDM/"real"/etc parts are elitists. The article stated that those who view others who do NOT buy the popular, or expensive, or "accepted" parts as being lower than them, or not enthusiasts, are elitists. I know guys who have spent more money on 911 GT3 RS wheels than we have on building our chumpcar that come over and inquire about driving with us, or how they can start a team, etc. Those guys aren't elitists. If, on the other hand, we take it to a PCA event and some guy thinks "what is this piece of shit doing here around my Porsche??" - he IS an elitist.

Some knockoff parts are legit junk. Buyer beware. However, some knockoffs are just fine. Wheels are the common knockoff that everyone slams, and it's funny since so many 'knockoffs' are perfectly good wheels. It's even funnier when the popular brand/model is itself a knockoff of a design from another brand.

In the Honda world I remember guys who never saw a set of Spoon SW388's slamming Desmond Regamasters because "desmond copied them and they are shit russian forged wheels" - except of course that Desmond makes the Spoon wheels. That's the kind of shit the article is talking about. Another example would be me just blatantly saying that the Essex Sprint kit is the best BBK out there without any technical detail and that others aren't cool or respectable if they use something else. While I believe that it is the best BBK *for my needs* I don't give a shit if others want to run something else, but I will occasionally have a technical discussion on it to find out what problem they are solving, etc to help them potentially reduce their spending. If they want to proceed for their own reasons, rock on I won't think less of them.

So in your example, you could spend $100,000 on parts. As long as your are doing so because it's what you enjoy and want, rock on man and enjoy the ride.

Regarding your eBay example, one of the jobs of a community of enthusiasts is to educate others who lack the experience or knowledge to know what to look for. Using brakes again, a fancy looking brake system with smaller discs may not be ideal. It's not elitist to explain that. Or to explain why a specific aluminum alloy isn't ideal for calipers. Or how running costs (consumables) for a specific system end up making the cheaper system more expensive in the long run, etc. It can be a fine line between having a technical and educational discussion and being an elitist. In my view an elitist can sound the same on the surface, but once you take a deeper dive you find that they are slamming a product not on it's merits - or issues - but simply because it's not brand X, Y, Z while a technical resource is explaining why x, y or z is better for logical and legitimate reasons.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Elitism = disdain, belittlement or general dismissiveness of another's likes or interests.
Critism =/= Elitism

We must not vilify proper criticism. It's absolutely OK to tell someone they're doing it wrong, especially in situations where they are blatantly ignorant to that reality.

Example of Elitism: Guy makes fun of another guy because he likes drifting and is building a drift car.

That is not valid criticism. It is elitism..

Example of Critism: Guy tells another guy who's building a drift car that he should not have chosen a fwd car if his desire is to go drifting.

That is valid criticism. Now the guy might have chosen that platform on purpose but nonetheless, it's still a valid critique.


After 3 pages I feel like the distinction needed to be made.

Like those idiots who have FWD race cars.....

[Max Schnell]

Originally Posted by deucethemoose

I suppose what boggles my mind is the amount of people who give a damn what other people think and say about the choices they make regarding their modifications - whether it is criticized due to not being the "right style, brand, color, etc."

Why do people care? Really - why do you care? Do what makes you happy. Buy the mods you want, from the vendors you want, and the brands you want. Who gives a flying fuck what other people think. If you're out there building your car to impress others then you're doing it wrong and you should probably re-evaluate how you're living your life, as that probably doesn't just extend to your car.

We care because humans are social animals. You can deny that you care but ultimately much of our personal perceptions and beliefs are defined by our place and relationship to the social demands around us.

The issue is not whether you have your own beliefs and judgments on things, it is how you interact with other people (ie things you express) that will define you in that person's mind as either "enthusiast" or "elitist a**hole". Perceptions differ from person to person, so you can be both at the same time to different people.

[GT86drifter]

you all just need to accept there is a a ricer in all of us