Opinion on opinions of other’s cars.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:29 pm

I’m just posting this to gauge what the general feeling is.

Now, the poll above is not just for forums, but also for real life interactions.

I’ve noticed nowadays that people tend to be a bit more aggressive and protective of their cars, I remember years back when I was starting off hanging around cars it was a very honest thing. It would be normal for a person to say “looks good, but not a fan of those wheels” or “looks nice, but the dent in the door lets it down”

I’ve noticed now it seems that people tend to only want to hear good things, anything non positive seems to be unwanted.

So, I’ve made a poll, to see what people genuinely are OK with hearing about their car.

Just to clarify the options:

1. Honest opinion (good or bad) worded politely
Ie: “really nice car, but the wheels aren’t my thing”

2. Honest opinion worded brutally (ie: rudely)
Ie: “looks ok, but the wheels are really sh*t”

3. Only positive comments
Ie: “Nice car…..”

4. No comments at all
Ie: “…………”

5. Only negative comments
Ie: “it looks completely sh*t”

I’ve personally voted option 1.
I see no issue with being honest, as long as you’re also polite. I personally value honest opinions about my car, sometimes it can help me decide on things, or notice small issues/flaws that I may have missed.

Anyway, vote and discuss.

(note: poll set to run for 60 days, stops this thread popping back up long after it's dead)

gussy · Postby **gussy** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:05 pm

Personally when I give opinions on peoples cars I only give comments on the parts that I think aren't to my tastes if I know the person well, as people can get quite offended thinking that you are being quite critical of their car if you don't know them.

Getting comments, it depends on who I get the info from. If I receive comments on my car from someone with fully sik 20" rims on their clapped out commodore, I'll probably just quietly have a laugh on the inside.

Comments from someone who I know / respect and who obviously knows their stuff can be taken in a few ways. Comments on how they might offer suggestions on the aesthetics on my car I probably just listen to because everybody has their own opinion on how something should look like. Good advice on performance and tuning I would certainly take on board especially if they have been there / done that kind of thing. This can be quite hard at times though as everyone with an internet connection seems to be an expert these days.

End of the day it doesn't really bother me what people think of my car, I've always modified my cars the way I like them not because of how "cool" I'll look driving down the street.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:11 pm

I try to be honest without offending but how others interpret my words I cannot help. I know many are not big fans of my wheel colour choice, but I love it.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:13 pm

Option 1 all the way. I dont mind if people dont like my car as it is my car for me but they also might suggest something I overlooked that would be really awesome.

There is another angle to look at it. If people are allowed to comment in a positive or negative way they might spot a safety issue you missed or did not know about through lack of knowledge...I remember a thread on another forum where we picked up that directional tyres were fitted backwards but the owners knowledge of the tech side of cars stopped at good polishing products and was not aware of the issue.

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:15 pm

i answered 1... however it depends.

If my friend (especially female) is showing off her brand new purchase and she is super stoked with it.... i keep my negative comments to myself.

They like it and that is the only thing which matters.

I do however provide constructive criticism to those that are willing to accept it (like poor choice of wheels, dents need polish ect)

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:22 pm

The polling will overwhelmingly favour opt 1. If you look at polls in say the Age you can often predict the answer before making a vote. People do ask for opinions or advice and then are taken back if the reply is not all sweetness and light- being rude or seen to be rude is hardly likely to be useful. . My impression is that people are more thin skinned than ever. Society is far more accommodating at least outwardly so and there are many examples of that. Taking a diplomatic approach is undoubtedly more acceptable in all walks of life but not everyone is qualified for the diplomatic corp. In business ,example dealing with say Japan , at least some years ago, the Western direct approach often did not get results. It was rare ,if ever, that Japanese business people ever said no, whereas the Germans told you straight up the lay of the land and responded promptly. So more diplomacy with Japan and more direct with Germany but rudeness not popular with anyone.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:24 pm

went with number 1. but honestly i'd be a number 2 of a guy sometimes also.

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:13 pm

Id be inclined to respond that rare few people are actually able to accurately answer this poll.

Guess which vote is mine?

Dann

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:28 pm

NitroDann wrote:Id be inclined to respond that rare few people are actually able to accurately answer this poll.

True, it's pretty much guaranteed to alll be answer #1.
But hey, only one way to find out.

The comments below are much more telling than the poll.
It's more to gauge an insight into the few (generally on other forums) that get very protective of their car almost like you've insulted their first born child.

I guess the thread should have focused more on what people think is ok to say about other's cars.

For example, if I said "Dann, what do you think about my car?"

Would you censor yourself and say "yeah, it's ok"
Or let rip and say "it's heavy and slow, why did you bother?"

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:31 pm

Hjt wrote:I try to be honest without offending but how others interpret my words I cannot help. I know many are not big fans of my wheel colour choice, but I love it.

Hey, I may tease you about it, but we both know that it's only because I'm not man enough to carry it off. :wink: