I THINK we are giving WAY TO MUCH CREDIT.

 

but...i don't have grey hair...

i think it has more to do with the types of people the different cars attract. the cobalt has the more Fast and Furious stereotype, attracting the younger (physically and/or mentally) crowd that is obsessed with their Civics and Nissans and such, while the HHR tends to attract those who are more into the cars of old, when huge spoilers and body kits weren't really much of a thought. those that are more mature, mentally, realize cars don't need all of that, and see right through a lot of the false knowledge that younger people "know" because they were raised playing the Need For Speed games. while it's a fun series, it's no simulation by any means. those with a deeper understanding know stuff from Forza or Gran Turismo is much closer to reality (but not quite there, i know). difference being, in NFS, you can build a Sentra that will keep up with and outhandle a Viper or Vette, while Forza and GT that Vette or Viper will spank that Sentra, and rightfully so.

in short, people see these movies and video games, and from them they "think" they know about cars, and those that are mature enough and/or wise enough, realize they are just fiction, purely entertainment.

 

Definitely a lot more maturity over here... and a genuine willingness to help each other out.

The crowd is probably a bit older but I think even the younger folks here are much more mature.

I used to spend a significant amount of time on the various S-series truck related forums and, although I met some fantastic people, there were a lot of bad apples that ruined it for everyone else

You guys rock

 

I have been on that forum for a while now and I can say that there are a LOT of youngins driving Cobalts, hence the "know-it-all" attitude. There are some good people on there as well as some good info, but the age grouping is going to be much different.

 

This is typical of enthusiast car forums, and usually kicks in between the second and third year of it's existance. By then most of the basic questions and issues have been answered several times, and peoples patience begins to wear thin with noobs gracing the board with some "news" thats been done to death, and acting like they just discovered gravity. Also, as you noted, a knowledge heirarchy begins to establish itself, with some members seeking to mark their territory mercilessly. You've got your internet tough guys, usually 5'6" and living in their parents' basement, along with the nutswingers constantly looking to measure their E-penis.

Having said that, the age factor plays a big part in how much manners you can expect from a web board. I was a founding member of LS1GTO.com when there were only 50 or so of us, and the cars weren't even available yet. The demographic was pretty much 30+ and many were experienced hotrodders well into middle age. The cost of the car pretty much dictated the age bracket, although there were some notable exceptions. As the prices on used GTOs dropped into the teens, the pool boys and burger flippers began to infest the board with rude impatient comments, ricer mentality, and either text message illiteracy, or a level of command of the English language that would embarass a 4th grader of my generation.

Fortunately, the HHR doesn't seem to have a lot of ricer appeal the way SRT4, Cobalt, and various flavors of Honda do. (Vtech just kicked in, YO) We'll start so see it as used SS's start to become affordable.

 

Well said, I do want to say (since I am the one that started this) that I meant no disrespect to the many sharp folks on the Cobalt Forum. It also goes with the laws of physics (weight and CG) that an equally modded Cobalt is going to be faster than a HHR. I just noticed there were a few folks that were pretty darn harsh, and glad we are a bit calmer here. Suggest we end this now so we don't get into a "us and them", since after all, "we" are GM enthusiasts.

 

Both suffer from severe repetition, but are also good for a laugh now and then, with the occasional bit of good info.

 

i agree. n nice winter sig

 

Hey Hey not all of Us have Grey Hair! Yet, Once i get married in 9 months that will change.

I have been apart of alot of Fourm's. I have only ever had a Problem with Grandamgt then again most Member that have taken over the Grand Am era are between 16-20.

 

Club GP really went to the dogs after a while as well. Most of the early members don't even go anymore. The more "performance" oriented a board is, the more it's likely to attract status-seeking teens, once they can afford the cars. When every other post looks like a text message, it's time to gracefully bow out. In a few years, perhaps I'll be safe on the Grand Marquis forum.