Does the forum affect your thinking ????

I admit it, I think differently because of this forum, but not in a language way. I used to stick with known cars that I knew about. Now I won't hesitate to "buy the Fiat first and then ask GRM how to keep it running"

Let's see, since I got here I've:

1. Bought my first non-appliance car. (SE-R)

2. Modified said car, including doing a fair amount of the work myself.

3. Autocrossed said car. Made said car loud, rough and reasonably fast. Sold it because I wanted a RWD car, even though I live in Michigan.

4. Sold said car and bought a Miata. Couldn't care less that most of my friends think its a girl's car. Have to stay out of the Exocet thread so I don't start tearing the freshly repainted body off from it. Also bought a Saturn SL as a winter beater b/c it earned the ultimate GRM complement of "bulletproof".

5. If I needed to do a resume, I'd be seriously tempted to add "Quoted in 'Say what?'" to my list of post-college accomplishments.

In other words, no, not at all.

Thinking about today, I worked the DC Auto show at the SCCA booth. My car was there and has at least 4-5 GRM stickers on various places. And I was wearing a slightly stained GRM tshirt. I don't wear t-shirts from any other forum or magazine.....

I've noticed in roughly half of the recent pictures I have that I am wearing a GRM shirt.

Yes because before I started posting here I never heard of a F2T for example.

This is very true.

When I bought my MG project, I thought yeah, this is going to be very unique.

After posting here and seeing other projects it's as unique as a loaf of Wonder bread.

And yes, I have uttered berkley and e36m3 more than once.

blockquote>curtis73 wrote:

I admit it, I think differently because of this forum, but not in a language way. I used to stick with known cars that I knew about. Now I won't hesitate to "buy the Fiat first and then ask GRM how to keep it running"

yes, of course it does...a lot. As Derick pointed out a few weekends ago, I now know that the correct answer to "Will this engine fit in a...." is "Do you own a sawzall and welder?"

I wouldn't say it changed the way I think. Curtis probably said it best, but it's not just about cars.

If you wander around this form long enough, you will see just about everything. From stuffing a V8 into a GT6, to making a long bow, to building a car out of washing machines and water heaters. Photography? We got that. Music? Yep, that too. Want to build a tube amp? Not a problem. Bicycles? We have a pro. There is more diverse knowledge amassed here than anywhere else on the internet. That's why I like you guys and gals. The cars are almost secondary at this point.

I have 3 vacations a year, The $20xx challenge, the Mitty and the Rolex 24.

I took a week in Boston last year to see my mother who was traveling, I had a number of GRM meets while there and stopped by Casa De Nelson on my way back.

I currently own 25 cars, and about 50% run

I might be a little affected

In reply to aussiesmg:

You might be patient zero.

In reply to Toyman01: No berkeleying E36 M3

So good. Your thinking has been influenced. Under your collective influence I have allowed the wife to remodel the kitchen and the total is approaching $30,000. That makes up for all the bad car deals in the past (see Land Rover) and allows a decent budget to convert the El Camino in the driveway to a Chumpcar champion (or something) and travel and entry fees and such. I probably can't drive it so I'll need some of you local boys to help form a team. I've got a garage and a car for a start. Just East of Knoxville. Mark

Toyman01 wrote: I wouldn't say it changed the way I think. Curtis probably said it best, but it's not just about cars. If you wander around this form long enough, you will see just about everything. From stuffing a V8 into a GT6, to making a long bow, to building a car out of washing machines and water heaters. Photography? We got that. Music? Yep, that too. Want to build a tube amp? Not a problem. Bicycles? We have a pro. There is more diverse knowledge amassed here than anywhere else on the internet. That's why I like you guys and gals. The cars are almost secondary at this point.

Yes, this

Honestly, having no cable, and little desire to understand the world outside the shop, GRM is my main conduit to the outside world. It is amazing how many current events the hive mind brings to the table. This forum filters the world through DIY glasses, and I would challenge the best and the brightest (Tanner, Nelson, etc. ad infintium) to say they are left unchanged.

aussiesmg wrote: I have 3 vacations a year, The $20xx challenge, the Mitty and the Rolex 24.

If you get a fourth, you should put on your best cardigan and come down to Amelia Island Concours. You could run the gamut from low budget to no budget.

The depth of collective automotive knowledge and poor decision making is legendary on this forum. It's equal parts "resource" and "entertainment" all rolled into one.
(and sometimes we actually get the projects running)

I sometimes tell my students that the only one who knows everything is everyone. I may have to amend that to the only one who knows everything is GRM.

At a truck shop that I do some work for, the buildings paint is peeling off. On a wall, the letters "B E R K L E..." are starting to show from a previous sign. I get a little chuckle every time I see it.

Does that count?

I see things and go, "I gotta show GRM"

When my wife says "drive safe" as I am leaving for work, I respond "No Berkeleying way! I am gonna drive like a Shiny Happy Person!"

I heard REM's " Shimy Happy people" in a store last week. Had to chuckle.

Yes... Because now my ideal two car fleet is a Miata and an E30.

Well.... maybe its a turbo Miata and an S52 swapped E30.

I am beginning to believe with my limited fabrication skills and no computer knowledge I could put a 2.0 liter ecoboost into an older small 4x4 and have a good commuter.

It seems to be somewhat contagious since my wife was reading GRM on the way home from acupuncture and thought maybe we could take a trip to Nurmbergring after reading about it being open to the public.

It's a life style;

• hooked since first AutoX mag in 1984 (have missed six issues in 30 years due to divorce)

• many many t-shirts

• Tires with a UTQG of over 200. Huh?

• four GRM stickers on current dd

• dd is gutted, -400 lbs.

• quote and refer GRM constantly

• have owned about 50 cars, although only one was a Miata

• buy stuff from GRM advertisers

• not a great wrencher but live to corner

• Have visited Meccas (GRM office and several Mittys)

• almost a Super Dork!

I do not use terms such as berkeley and actually like Bob Costas. Nobody's perfect.

Its gave me alot of weird thoughts in the short time ive been here