Car Culture Has Changed: 2012 vs 2022

Summary

In this retrospective, the narrator reflects on the evolution of car culture from 2012 to 2022, highlighting the shift from a tight-knit community to a more public and social media-driven scene. They discuss the impact of social media on car meets, the rise of electric cars, and the commercialization of JDM vehicles. The narrator laments the loss of the underground scene's secrecy and camaraderie but acknowledges the benefits of increased accessibility and the internet's role in fostering creativity in car builds. They advise younger enthusiasts to focus on genuine connections and avoid the pitfalls of attention-seeking behaviors, emphasizing that car culture is ultimately about the people and their shared passion.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The speaker attended their first nighttime car meet in 2010, noting a significant shift in car culture since then.
• 🌌 In 2012, the car scene was different, with stance and camber being popular, and a more underground, tight-knit community.
• 🏖 The speaker's hometown, Virginia Beach, had a unique car culture influenced by military personnel from various regions, leading to a diverse scene.
• 🚀 The car culture was more about personal validation and local meets rather than online attention, with a strong emphasis on community.
• 📱 Social media's impact on car culture has been profound, with the rise of platforms like Instagram and YouTube changing how cars are shared and perceived.
• 🏁 The shift from an underground to a more public scene has led to a perceived decline in the quality and authenticity of car meets.
• 🚦 The speaker criticizes the modern trend of 'takeovers' and live streaming, which they believe has given car culture a bad name and detracts from its community aspect.
• 🏎 Despite the changes, the speaker acknowledges the positive developments in car technology and the increased accessibility of car events and information.
• 🏁 Track culture remains a positive aspect, focused on performance and camaraderie rather than attention-seeking behavior.
• 🛠 The speaker advises younger car enthusiasts to focus on genuine community involvement and to avoid the negative aspects of car culture promoted by social media.

Q & A

What was the car culture like in 2010 according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that the car culture in 2010 was different, with a more underground and tight-knit community feel, and that it was not as influenced by social media as it is today.

What were some of the popular car trends in 2012?

In 2012, stance was in, camber and slam shows were popular, and H2O was a craze. Body kits and big wings were considered uncool, and having a supercharged car was a significant achievement.

How did the speaker get involved in the car scene?

The speaker got involved in the car scene through skateboarding and the import car scene in Virginia Beach, where they rode in their first fast car, a 750-horsepower Mitsubishi Evo.

What was unique about Virginia Beach's car culture?

Virginia Beach's car culture was unique because of its military influence, which brought in people from different parts of the United States with various car culture tastes. It also had a significant import car scene and was known for its geography, including underwater tunnels for naval ships.

How did the speaker describe the car meets of 2012?

The speaker described the car meets of 2012 as being more exclusive and underground, where one had to have an 'in' or be invited. They were smaller, tightly knit gatherings that were not widely advertised online.

What changes has the speaker observed in car culture from 2012 to 2022?

The speaker has observed that car culture has become more accessible and widespread, with social media playing a significant role. However, this has also led to a decrease in the underground and community-driven aspects, with more focus on public attention and fashion statements.

What is the speaker's opinion on the current state of car culture in 2022?

The speaker has mixed feelings about the current state of car culture. While they appreciate the increased accessibility and the advancements in car technology, they miss the close-knit community and authenticity of the past.

What advice does the speaker give to younger car enthusiasts?

The speaker advises younger car enthusiasts to stay away from the negative aspects like takeovers and to engage in track days or family-friendly car meets to experience the true community spirit of car culture.

How has social media impacted car culture according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that social media has made car culture more about seeking attention and posting online, which has led to a decline in the community-driven and underground aspects that were once prevalent.

What are some positive aspects of car culture in 2022 mentioned by the speaker?

Some positive aspects mentioned include the availability of high-performance cars with warranties, the best aftermarket support, advancements in standalone ECUs, and the creation of fantastic car builds due to knowledge sharing on the internet.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to maintaining a healthy car culture?

The speaker suggests that the key to maintaining a healthy car culture is focusing on the community and the people, rather than just the cars or seeking online attention.