Lotsa newbies lately

I've seemed to be noticing lots of newbies here of late and I assume it has to do with GRM's growth in the publication world. First let me say I don't think I could be happier with seeing more new folks here (unless GRM started giving me their project cars when they are done with them) so welcome. I've been on this board a long time and it seems like there's been an influx and that's great.
So my question is, how'd you find us? What brought you here? since we're all gear heads here, tell us a bit about your car(s). I'll start I guess. I found this place about 10 years ago (well, found the magazine, I'm sure the board followed quickly) and what attracted me is the down to earth nature of the magazine and most everybody here. As far as cars I currently am down to 4, my wifes minivan, a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. I think it has every option, including the device that removes any semblance of testicles when you turn the key. Then there's my 2004 Challenge car, a 198? Dodge Omni GLH, my 1974 Mini and currently (but soon to be replaced by ?).

I'm just curious, that's all.

Define "newbie". I've been a subscriber since 2000 and I am still listed as "New Reader"

In reply to BradLTL:

Board status is not determined by magazine subscription.

When you registered on the board and your post count (primarily) are the factors reflected on your screen.

In reply to DrBoost: First off, thanks for your reply for about my problem with my Crx Si. I made an appointment this week at my local Honda dealer...ouch! $40-$80 to have it inspected. I'm no mechanic and don't have many tools so might as well. I've always been a car nut but was never around anyone who could teach me how to fix them, and too scared to mess with my own cars I guess. I'm in my early thirties now and just starting to dive in. I came across a Grassroots magazine at a grocery store a few years ago and noticed how it seemed to be for the common folk like myself. I got tired of buying magazines about high dollars cars which I could never afford. I like cheap fun and I feel like I fit in here. I still have alot to learn but I'll get there. My daily driver is a 2004 civic coupe and just acquired a 1989 Crx Si, all stock too! I like all sorts of cars, not just Honda. Almost bought my brothers 84 Rx-7, just didn't know anything about rotary engines. Well, that's my story. Not too exciting. By the way, I'm 20 minutes from Mid-Ohio. Sweet.

I don't know if I have found the board yet, I will keep posting until I do.

I think I saw a board once, but ignored it

Gearheadotaku wrote: I think I saw a board once, but ignored it

Move that 'r' back a couple letters and I bet you pay attention

Signed up for the magazine at the GRM booth at the SCCA Run-offs in 1995/96. Been lurking on the board since 2007 and but usually don't have anything to add to the already excellent exchange. Cars... 09 Mazda 3 GT (dd), 01 Honda Odessey (family mover). Toys...'83 Datsun 280ZXT 2+2, '76 280Z, '72 240Z. The Z's are seasonal...(I'm still waiting for the snow to subside...)

Fletch1 wrote: In reply to DrBoost: First off, thanks for your reply for about my problem with my Crx Si.

No problem man. Let us know what it is, I'm interested to see what will throw it THAT far outta whack.

I think I have been reading for a couple of years, maybe 2 or 3 years. Saw the magazine on the newsstand and loved the "average people" type of builds and such.

I'm a college student, and my parents aren't rich (I am not handed money like some students I know). I don't have much money so I like to see what works,what doesn't, and why. I also love the broad range of cars covered/buyers guides, coverage of MANY different types of events, how-to's and such...

There really isnt ANYTHING bad I can say about this magazine. Nor can i say anything bad about the board here. I like the maturity that this board has compared to almost all others. Every once in a while the maturity slips, but its all in good fun and conversation. I have to say this is definitely one of my most frequented websites.

When I bought my Mustang in 05 I asked a friend, "Hey, don't you autox your vette? Lemme know when they have another, I've always wanted to do that." He did, I did, and then I saw a GRM issue at his house. Hooked.

cxhb wrote: Every once in a while the maturity slips,

That's what she said?

Harold Thong?

Cheap Bas-tards?

I have no idea what you could mean ;)

John Brown wrote:

cxhb wrote: Every once in a while the maturity slips,

That's what she said? Harold Thong? Cheap Bas-tards? I have no idea what you could mean ;)

lol you'll have that...

Started autoXing my Golf when an alignment shop told me they couldn't adjust my camber because I was too "low" (H&R sport springs....). The shop guy was like "well, it's perfect for autoX, there's an event this weekend!" So this guy's failure to properly adjust my camber got me hooked on the sport. Also, my Golf, while not an amazing car, has gotten me hooked on cars and motorsports in general. I'm sliding into obsession. It's a good thing I have no garage and no money, because then I'd have a full garage, and STILL no money.

I'm sure I heard about GRM from one of the friendly folks at my local events. Signed up for a free issue, and though I haven't subscribed yet, I pick it up off the rack every few months. Love it. Thumbs up to the staff and writers!

Signed up for the boards a month ago because I had a question about running my brake lines inside the cabin, and figured GRM would have mo' betta' advice than the VW Vortex (though, I do find a LOT of helpful info over there). Thumbs up to all you helpful board members!

GRM is a great mag. I find it to be the automotive equivalent to my favorite mountain biking magazine, Dirt Rag. Both are very real, down-to-earth, informative alternatives to the glossy, ad-driven, glam-mags that both cycling and automotive worlds seem to have faaar too much of. In fact, aside from a few design magazines I pick up for work, Dirt Rag and GRM are the only mags I buy.

I've only become a regular poster within the last year, so I'm sort of a newb. (I was a newt, but I got better.) Great disscussions and info here, it's my home away from home.

This place has effectively stopped my real active involvement in other car forums. The real, quick, no bullE36 M3 answers are what i get here, and that's what i like

These days on the other boards, i typically just PM people that know what they're talking about to get my answers if i can't find them here.

And i have yet to get ripped off here, and that's an achievement in itself these days.

us older ones are burning out.

I'd actually been reading GRM off and on from the newsstands for a few years. I think I bought my first issue in 2005. I only recently subscribed.

I joined the board a while ago but I didn't post much until recently, when I decided to start working on starting an auto-related business and wanted to be more involved with fellow enthusiasts. I love having a place to go that's friendly, mature and knowledgeable. I spend more time here than any other forum.

My car is a 95 Civic. I love driving it. I know a bit about wrenching on it too, but not much. Still don't have time to compete, but maybe someday...

yea.. this board has killed all other car forums for me too... especially the BS bmw ones.

honestly, I found this all by accident. I managed to find the magazine just as they were doing the downing atlanta Supercharger on the 318 and I had JUST bought a 318ti... so i wrote a letter to per saying it was all his fault... he directed me to the forum.

I hate the the local barnes and noble puts GRM in with the flashy trashy racing mags.

What I do enjoy.. this is the perfect magazine for me. It seems that every mag I read over the years either stopped doing readers rides, moved on to high buck rides only, or just stopped publishing.. GRM fills the void nicely

DrBoost wrote: what attracted me is the down to earth nature of the magazine and most everybody here.

+1

It's been said before, but it's worth repeating, there is nothing like GRM or this board.

Yeah, I found the magazine back with the "revenge of the soccer mom" article, then I found out about the challenge, then I found out it was here in Gainesville, then I found Mr.Joshua, Dyintorace, Charlie O, Mitchell, and I've been hooked since. Finally bringing my own car to the dance this year, instead of just wrenching on other peoples entries.

I don't post much but do stop in with a cup of tea first thing in the morning , kids and wife are sleeping and seems to be the only quiet time I get . A friend gave me a GRM mag 5 years ago and was hooked . I was lost but now I'm found .I don't really fit into the normal performance car crowd . My vehicle 01 step side toyota tacoma , super charged , road racing suspension set up , bright red and loud . Its nice to hang with people who lay on cardboard to bash knuckles on frame rails . But mostly its the tom foolery that has me coming back .

I've been on here since July of 08. I think I had another account setup before the big change to this format but forgot the login info and said "to hell with it" and created this username. Used to be "sirrichardpumpaloaf."

I've been reading the mag since the mid-90s. Still have all the ones I've collected over the years. Love going back and reviewing to see the evolution from what the magazine was at that time to what it has become. It's a stellar publication. Would love to work there, actually.

Lots of cars. I currently have a 75 BMW 2002, a couple of MK1 Cabrios, a 90 Jetta beater car (auto trans, 8v), 89 Helios Blue Jetta GIi, Two 86 GTi parts cars, a 68 BMW 2002 parts car, a 91 Audi 200 CSQ Avant, an 86 Audi 5000s Avant parts car, 85 Ranger 4X4, 04 Expedition XLT 4X4. That's all I currently own. I've got parts running out my ears for 2002s and MK2 VWs. Just got rid of my old 97 Expedition. Had 174k on it and didn't need 2 Expeditions. That just seemed rediculous to me.

My dad used to read GRM, and I signed up when I joined the Army in 05. Ever since I'd been reading the magazine, and just never got around to getting on here. Now that I have, I pretty much stopped doing anything else that was important.

I found the magazine about 5 or 6 years ago at the campus bookstore when I was a college student. I had just finished a final exam in organic chemistry or something equally awfull and just wanted to think about something different! I loved the magazine and the board from the very beginning because all the other car mags seemed to egg me on in the rat race by making me think about how much money I need to make to buy fun, this one was all about making something fun regardless of money.

Car wise I have a 2001 Golf 2.0L 5 speed with 176k on it. My dad bought it new for himself back in 2000 and I'll be sad to part with it when I no longer have space to park it. Or maybe I'll store it somewhere until I have the garage and time to swap something big where the rear seats now reside.

I also have a 96 Miata which is the direct result of me hanging out on his board. Surprisingly enough it really is the best handling car for the money :D