Cars X Girl

My husband has this funny thing about being separated from his S2000. He feels silly talking to the car people we know without having her nearby. I’m amused by this, but I do understand it, to a point. I mean, talking about my Miata when she isn’t around is a bit odd, because I’m not always sure people believe me or get the right impression about the car. I’d like to think she makes a good impression on those who’ve actually met her.

The story.

Anyhow, in August my husband had to go to Texas for a class for his job. The S2000 was still in the body shop, the Miata was acting up and the only one left was our 240SX. After some last minute rushing to get her new wheels and tires on to make her better prepared for the drive, off they went.

During his trip, he’s shared with me the interesting cars he came across. On the drive, a CTS-V and a C63 AMG. At the base, a (I imagine beautiful!) red Testarossa, and a yellow Integra Type-R.

Now, one of the things I love about my husband is how he can befriend just about anyone he wants to with nice cars. He has no tolerance for ricers or egos, but he can make friendly conversation endlessly and effortlessly with Ferrari and Porsche owners, or anyone else with an intimidating car.

So I was mighty surprised when he said he hadn’t talked to the guys with the nicer cars where he was. Since when did he have problems?

Well, he had the 240SX. Apparently not the best car to make yourself seem car smart?

More than meets the eye.

I absolutely love our 240SX. I know he does, too, considering how much we’ve put into the car and all the dreams we have for her. What surprised me the most was how many other people seemed to like the idea of her as a project, too.

On her car domain, she’s gotten so much positive attention it was shocking at first. Somehow, her JDM appeal is crazy high, even with her being a US-Spec Silvia… It was then that I realized this car would help me achieve some crazy stuff, especially a reputation for being a huge JDM fan and actually doing a car right.

Hard to look past a book’s cover.

Sadly, not everyone reacts so positively to the car. Around here, most of the “car people” know our S2000, so they were extremely intrigued when we started showing up with an S13. They know we still have the S2000, so we’ve still got a car that people take somewhat seriously.

However, when my husband meets people who haven’t actually seen our S2000, he feels weird talking about her. He seems to think that most people don’t believe that he actually owns one. I can’t blame him, some people don’t realize that they aren’t all crazy expensive. He hates it when people don’t take him seriously… And so do I. I’m just used to it a bit because it happens a lot. (That girl into cars thing.)

When you combine the two, you can get some pretty egotistical guys. Can’t blame them all, because ricers ruin it a lot. They try to talk to people with better cars like they understand them all, or like video games depict real life down to a “t.” They seem to feel a need to rattle off a car’s stats to its owner… Um, duh, they know about that. Or at least they should, they own the car after all.

Time to upgrade to the next level.

I’m still perplexed as to why some car people can’t see our 240SX for what she is — an awesome project that’s currently in the works. You can’t come across a drift event and not see at least one Silvia in the competition… Unless it’s a very specific event. The cars are very serious contenders in the sport, and many a drift title have gone to guys that still drive or used to drive Silvias.

So I think it’s time to really dig down and get her the Type-X tail lights. It’s $500 for the set, all worth it for the awesome JDM goodness that they are. It’s also a rather serious mod. It costs quite a bit, and it’s 100% JDM in nature. In other words, you wouldn’t get them just to do something to the car… It’s definitely for those with some knowledge.

Cost shouldn’t matter.

I’m sure, up until the car is finished, there will be people who snob their noses at our 1990 Silvia. She’s old, after all, and there are quite a few of them in the world. But what some fail to see is that even the best cars don’t have to cost huge amounts of money.

My Miata is an absolute blast to drive. I’ve talked to people who say they’d love to have a small, fun car like her. Well, did they know they could get a good Miata for $2,500? No! They’re surprised that they could have that fun for so little. Now, one like mine… Well, it’s not a cheap addiction, but it’s definitely fun, and it is cheaper than some cars.

Likewise, our $2,000 S13 will someday be worth a lot more. Sure, it won’t ever sell for the amount of money we plan to put into her, but I won’t want to get rid of my Sil-Eighty either. She’s practically going to be a rags to riches story. Someday, when she’s “finished,” I want to take her to some car shows and let her have her time…

And she’ll still probably cost me less than many brand new cars. I just find the money much, much better spent.

Meg

In 2007, Meg began learning about cars. Two years later, she had a very modified '97 Miata and a '90 240SX project car, as well as the Rookie of the Year autocross title. Life now completely revolves around cars and she wouldn't have it any other way. CarsxGirl is her way to encourage others to get into racing (it's not horribly expensive!), to document & share her car builds, an outlet to share & improve her automotive photography skills and to show that real car girls do exist!

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