What is your definition... (pt2)

[smonkbmw]

of a Enthusiast?

i know a little here and there. im rebuilding (partially) a s14 on my own. i know what parts work best with what. am i a enthusiast.

i know people that drive brand new bmws. take their cars to the dealer ship for EVERYTHING. and are scared to modify their cars because it will void the warranty. yet memorize every new spec and fact of what bmw churns out. are they a enthusiast?

i know people that have rebuilt their e30 from the ground up. they know every bit and bolt that has been replaced/rebuilt. they have knowledge about their own cars and the majority of others, including non-bmw cars. are they a enthusiast?

is the term enthusiast a broad spectrum covering term? or is it a basic term and just used to describe someone that sits behind a computer or gets all the magazines they can and memorize it all, regurgitating it when needed (sometimes when not) just to come across as knowing what they are talking about/smart?

[Lazr111]

I personally think that you qualofy as an enthusiast if you view a car as more than just a mode of transportation. Loose, i know, but it works for me.

[Aptyp]

+1, i think knowing your chassis is e30 qualifies you as an enthusiast.

Rebuilding every damn thing on the car makes you a fanatic.

EDIT: Certified fanatics are called mechanics.

[Turf1600]

I think owning more than one of the same car at any point in time makes you an enthusiast. I am an e30 enthusiast and a 2002 fanatic.

[Miasma]

I think owning more than one of the same car at any point in time makes you an enthusiast. I am an e30 enthusiast.

I started as a Datsun Z fanatic(Had 4), And grew into BMW/E30 enthusiast instead. Will prolly end up a BMW fanatic, And Datsun enthusiast in the end. Only cause those Z's still are in the back of my mind.

[Jon325i]

To me, being an enthusiast means you refer to BMWs by chassis designations. When I mention "E30" while talking about cars to someone who isn't into them like I am, then I have to correct myself and say "it's a 1991 model."

Jon

[jflip2002]

Chassis and motor designation does it for me. Theres an idiot here at the shop that knows he has a E39... couldnt tell you a single lick more. So I wouldnt necessarily call someone who knows a generation an enthusiast. Or if you can carry on or even listen to a decently educated conversation regarding a BMW, then you can be an enthusiast.

[TwoJ's]

An enthusiast is someone who is enthusiastic about their car. There are a number of different ways that a person can be enthusiastic. Some like to work on their cars, some simply like to drive them and some simply like to know some information about them.

It's really that simple. If someone behaves in an enthusiastic manner towards their car, then they are an enthusiast.