Hey Guys,

[Black Widow]

Hey Guys,

I've been thinking for a while of possibly writing an article (whether it gets run or not is another issue)

And i'm not sure whether people have attempted to go down this path before hand, but i was hoping to write an article that shon a positive light on the import car scene, and hopefully try and get it run in a newspaper or something (i understand the possibility of this is slim to none, as i can pretty much predict that the editor will just laugh at it and bin it)

But what are your thoughts? Has it been done before/too much? Should i not bother?

Thanks guys

Nick

[scathing]

I think you should do it if you want to, and you've got something either new to say (or a new way to say it). Every little bit counts, and I think the world needs a more balanced view on the car enthusiast culture. Right now all they're getting is bias, and the few voices of reason on our side are getting ignored or misunderstood.

I tried to write one or two when I was writing for The Motor Report. Being a dedicated automotive site means I got a lot more understanding from my editors, but I've seen similar things on Carsguide and Drive (which are lift-outs of major publications).

[ARTZ]

I think you may be pushing shit uphill there mate im sorry to say

All the papers want to run is stories about hoons and crashes, on the odd occasion you may see a good will story on cars, but ususally they are about classics, vintages, hot rodders or how much a certain car sold for..Most people reading the paper dont care about the car culture, all the care about is what they are worth or how many people died in it..

For instance everytime you see stories on tv about "hoons" they always show footage of cars doin burnouts, now i am pretty sure very few, if any, people have ever died doin burnouts Yet in europe it is all most an honour to be run over by an out of control rally car

Anyway, I get the feeling that respect for car culture is something that needs to be earnt, and this wont happen while kids are out there smashing up imports, Until these cars are too old that kids dont want them and only enthusiasts are driving them as classics it just isnt going to happen...

As well as that your potentially writing a story that will glorify imported vehicles therefor detracting from the local car market and the companies that are putting advertisements in there papers daily..Now if you were to run paid ads for local importers, they may be willing to run stories as well but i think its a big ask

All that said im not really sure what your going to write about so i may be on a different wavelength here, anything is worth a shot mate, i think it will have to be a real good article to get printed...May the force be with you

Edited December 17, 2009 by doozooby

[Black Widow]

My aim is simply to attempt to get a piece of writing published that outlines the positive aspects of the modified car community. Only the ones involved are aware of the number of charity cruises that are held, and the amount of money that has come from our community to support various charities.

I'm sick of the media only ever showing one side, and while i don't expect to change the general attitude of the entire media, as i am only one person. Even if just one person reads the story. It'll do something (i hope)

On the other hand, it may just get someone ranting and raving how the modified car scene believe they are hard done by, and there's still idiots on the road, and there's a reason that "hoon" laws were brought in blah blah blah. And whether it's the best move or not, i wont deny that. We all know there are plenty of idiots on the road, but i want people to recognise that we're not all bad. We do have hearts, and brains, and just generally enjoy the idea of working on cars.

I want to make sure i produce a well researched piece of writing. So if people are willing to support the cause, if i created a simple survey for you to fill out, or get peoples opinions on certain things.

It's about time that our side of the story was heard, even by one person

(P.S. Pretty sure this wont help: news story

[GTR-N1]

As Alan alluded to, do it for a cause and do it with passion.

One of my clients atm used to have a trail of Commies thru his garage.

After discussing grey imports and driving God_speed's R33 GT-R, he was smitten!

How he'd love to read an article like yours in 'Wheels' or 'Motor' or 'CAR' (UK) whilst he's now about to put $$ on an EVO VII

[BigWillieStyles]

Dont talk about good ideas, do them!

[Black Widow]

I plan on it BigWillieStyles. Just want to research it first and have as much supportive information as i can possibly get. Then i'll get around to writing a well constructed, informative piece, rather than propaganda from a modified car fanboy

[GTR-N1]

Subject Headings in an Article on Grey Imports...I'd envisage,... might include...

Preface on History of how Grey Imports manifested

i) individuality and desirability

ii) performance on the road

iii) performance on the track

iv) power at stock

v) power upgradability

vi) braking

vii) cornering

viii) suspension and damping

ix) parts availability and interchangeability

x) support through a respective car club

xi) bang for your buck

xii) depreciation

And Now For Your Purchase...

i) auction agent o'seas and landed price (without hidden charges)

ii) DIY & costs

iii) buying off a local importer

iv) buying through a car club

v) buying through a dealer

vi) buying through a newspaper ad

And Now For Maintenance...

i) how to obtain an owner's manual

ii) how to procure a workshop manual

iii) how to ask Qs at the car club

iv) how to use the car club 'search' button

v) why one should 'get involved' with the car club

hope this helps > but you already know this... ^^^

[Silvia GTR]

You sound like you have your head on the right way, so I say go for it!

Hopefully it gets published and all the little minions get to see it

Good luck

[.:: GimpS-R34 ::.]

i can make you coffee's and hot choco's late at night.. sneak up and give you back massages.. need any more support?

[Black Widow]

Subject Headings in an Article on Grey Imports...I'd envisage,... might include...

Preface on History of how Grey Imports manifested

i) individuality and desirability

ii) performance on the road

iii) performance on the track

iv) power at stock

v) power upgradability

vi) braking

vii) cornering

viii) suspension and damping

ix) parts availability and interchangeability

x) support through a respective car club

xi) bang for your buck

xii) depreciation

And Now For Your Purchase...

i) auction agent o'seas and landed price (without hidden charges)

ii) DIY & costs

iii) buying off a local importer

iv) buying through a car club

v) buying through a dealer

vi) buying through a newspaper ad

And Now For Maintenance...

i) how to obtain an owner's manual

ii) how to procure a workshop manual

iii) how to ask Qs at the car club

iv) how to use the car club 'search' button

v) why one should 'get involved' with the car club

hope this helps > but you already know this... ^^^

Thanks Terry. I'll definitely try and cover some of that. Especially the individuality it represents

You sound like you have your head on the right way, so I say go for it!

Hopefully it gets published and all the little minions get to see it

Good luck

Thanks mate

[Black Widow]

i can make you coffee's and hot choco's late at night.. sneak up and give you back massages.. need any more support?

no i think that's enough lol

[bR33nt]

Youve got our support mate, You've gotta be passionate about it, !

Good luck,

Ill take u up on the hot choccys n coffees??? ye!!??hahahha

[ARTZ]

My aim is simply to attempt to get a piece of writing published that outlines the positive aspects of the modified car community. Only the ones involved are aware of the number of charity cruises that are held, and the amount of money that has come from our community to support various charities.

I'm sick of the media only ever showing one side, and while i don't expect to change the general attitude of the entire media, as i am only one person. Even if just one person reads the story. It'll do something (i hope)

On the other hand, it may just get someone ranting and raving how the modified car scene believe they are hard done by, and there's still idiots on the road, and there's a reason that "hoon" laws were brought in blah blah blah. And whether it's the best move or not, i wont deny that. We all know there are plenty of idiots on the road, but i want people to recognise that we're not all bad. We do have hearts, and brains, and just generally enjoy the idea of working on cars.

I want to make sure i produce a well researched piece of writing. So if people are willing to support the cause, if i created a simple survey for you to fill out, or get peoples opinions on certain things.

It's about time that our side of the story was heard, even by one person

(P.S. Pretty sure this wont help: news story

link wouldnt work for me, but anyways

Do you guys not read Street Machine, the people there lobby against this sort of stuff all the time, and they are die hard enthusiasts and have been since before imports where even heard of..

Not only that, bikers also run all sorts of charitable events, but are still frowned upon for being bikers

You are not one person and you are not alone

I have a pit bull x, she is one of the best natured dogs i have ever known, and every vet she has been too will testify to this yet same again, you know how the media portrays them

Your aims are admirable, you have my support, but also my constructive criticism

[Black Widow]

I know what you mean mate. We've got 2 rotties

While it's not necessarily the same thing as pitbulls (the media seems to portray them in a much more negative way), rotties don't exactly have a squeaky clean history.

While i know the possibility of this actually changing anything, or maybe even getting run are slim to none. This is something i want to do. I want to know that i have done something to at least try and improve the way people view modified car lovers...

It's a small step in a long journey

[scathing]

link wouldnt work for me, but anyways

He f**ked the start of the link.

http://www.news.com.au/national/burnouts-s...r-1225811632670

[ARTZ]

He f**ked the start of the link.

http://www.news.com.au/national/burnouts-s...r-1225811632670

Ahhh..now i see...was another story today about a bloke drinking home brew doing burnouts and running over some poor kid...So i see now it appears burnots do kill people

Sorry for being so pessimistic Nick... How do you have your coffee mate

Edited December 21, 2009 by doozooby

[Black Widow]

No mate don't apologise, please, i insist.

The last thing anyone should be doing here is apologising for being pessimistic regarding the issue. I mean, we've all been there, we all know how the media sees us, we all know how the world sees us. There's no denying that. And i know that there's no denying that this article (IF run), will do f*ck all.

I just want to try

[JPZ515]

I think it will be a great idea, hopefully it works.

[JPZ515]

I think it will be a great idea, hopefully it works.