Are You An Influencer? And Why Do People Listen To You About Cars?

LOL, shows how much influence you have.

— drew630 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 7:30:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I constantly read about the latest and greatest in the automotive industry. I also study the past greats as well as blunders. I am an auto enthusiast and always back up my statements with facts and articles. People always come to me when thinking about buying a certain vehicle and like mots of you; when buying a new/used car I always know more about the vehicle I want than the sales person.

I simply ignore people that only bash all other auto makers they do not like they are getting paid for it. I try my best to be subjective and give my best thoughts on posts.

— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:03:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

When it comes to Mercedes-Benz I am a top influencer.

I told the sales guy last time I went in to skip the talk and get straight to the numbers. He was a bit confused and did so anyway, I think it catches people off guard and lets them know you are incharge and knowledgeable.

— w209w114 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:12:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

that makes you a fanboy not an expert.

— montyz81 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:24:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 16   

you should also learn that your 14 and haven't taken the time to drive yet.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 6:27:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

My son is 14 and he knows more about cars than half the people registered here. Josh you're just an ass**** that doesn't know s***.

— EvoAudi (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 6:35:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Here are some other new words for you: naive, ignorant, foolish...

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 7:00:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

hey josh, you seem pretty smart for your age. must be genetics.

has that is250 arrived yet?

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 9:39:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

You have a lot to learn at 14, but keep trying.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 10:14:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

"My son is 14 and he knows more about cars than half the people registered here. Josh you're just an ass**** that doesn't know s***."


HEY, EVOAUDI I understand that JoshLexus4Ever is naive and sometimes doesn't even know what he's talking about, but c'mon, lighten up. He's only 14. Heck, you say you have a 14 year old kid. You should know how they are at that age. Give the kid a break...

— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 1:25:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I just read up on everything(reports, reviews, comparisons, recalls) because I work for a large aftermarket parts distributor and it helps to be informed on most things regarding the industry. Yes people I know and family come to me for car advice because I'm definitely the person thats the most knowledgeable on most subjects. And I don't have any brand allegiances either. If its a good car getting good reviews I won't knock it regardless who made it. A good car should be recognized, not bashed because you happen to like a certain brand more.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:27:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Whether it be vehicles, electronics, music, real estate, sports, politics, art or books, I endeavor to learn all that I possibly can so that - not only will I be able to make more informed decisions (as a consumer/enthusiast), but so that I can help others do the same.

That many (too many sometimes - LOL!) come to me for advice/information on these matters, probably makes me an 'Influencer'... of sorts.

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:29:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I would only consider myself an auto expert on a select few vehicles. But yeah, my family and friends always ask my opinion before they buy a car and yes, I know more about cars than the salesman.

— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:40:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

i'm not....and they probably shouldnt.

— sholemon (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 5:51:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I am to everybody besides my family (they're sick of me talking about cars) but everybody else knows that I am very knowledgable(aka crazy) about cars and always have evidence to back my opinions up.

— EvoAudi (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 6:31:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'm the car God in my parts. I'll even Recommend a Lexus. I've already recommended the G35 to a work partner who leased one, then leased another. Now he has an FX. It depends on the individual.

As far as general car knowledge? There isn't really a feature or function that a car does that I'm not aware of. But I'm also a Computer nut/gamer/system builder, motorcycle nut , TV nut, ex car Stereo nut and more.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 6:49:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I know everything!! I read reviews, I read owners' reviews, I know general reliability indexes, I read the Top Gear survey, I know engines and performance numbers.
Many of my friends came for advice about first cars - I tell them what's what and what they can afford, although I don't usually say "Buy this", just "this one does this and that one does that".

I give advice to my parents on cars, people ask me for info and suchlike. I talk about cars all the time, my family is sick of me!
I stopped my friend buying an LS600h because he didn't know the free congestion charge was going to end, plus it's very expensive, so I recommended a diesel S class or A8 (he was trading in a 7 series). I also pushed the same guy into getting a Merc GL rather than a Mitsubishi Shogun (Odd comparison, no?), and confirmed a previous choice that a Maserati Quattroporte was a great car.
I wish other friends had listened to me though - I could have stopped them buying that ML270 cdi - or in her words "The worst car I have ever owned". They replaced it with an RX400h, which I generally recommended (lots of town work).

Incidentally I am a general knowledge genius, I reckon the desire to learn is everywhere in my life.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 7:10:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

Well-I read Road and Track,Car and Driver,Motor Trend,Auto Week,Evo,Car,Top Gear,Classic and Sports Car,Thourobred and Classic Cars.Also I look on line at Edmunds inside line,Left Lane news,Italiaspeed,Auto Express,Autocar,Topgear,Autoblog,Motor Authority,egmcar tech,4wheelsblog,worldcarfans and of course autospies. I don't know if any of this makes me an expert but I sure enjoy it. I have good basic knowledge of the cars that interest me. I'm not up on trucks and SUV's that well but I know a few. Some people have asked my opinion but I don't go out of my way to boast about it.I do this primarily for my enjoyment and I accept opposing opinions if there well thought out. I cannot stand people bashing other people. When a discussion gets personal I tune out quickly because there is nothing learned from postering.

— mini22 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 7:18:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Yes, because I'm a car cynic.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 7:24:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Like many here, I read basically everything. I have subscriptions to R&T, C/D, MT, Automobile, AutoWeek and European Car. Whenever I'm at the book store, I'll pick up the latest issue of CAR, EVO or Robb Report Automotive. I'll always flip through a recent Consumer Reports car survey.

Furthermore, I've driven quite a few of the latest luxury cars. I have influenced many friends in the past, so yes, I'd say that applies to me. My most recent pupil was actually my own business partner, who (after driving my car) bought a new S4 Cabriolet. Of course, I don't tell everyone to go out and buy my car... but that was just a pleasant surprise! He traded in an LS430, and is very happy with his decision.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 8:32:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Everyone I know doesn't give 2 flying f***s about their car purchases or the specs so, I'd have to say no.

— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 8:32:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

They listen to me, to a point. I couldn't talk my sister out of Freelander...and 4 years and 3 engines later, she wished she had.

But my #1 advice is always the same: buy a 2-3 year old car rather than new.

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 8:36:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I don't bother. They are all too ignorant to comprehend.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 9:32:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

oh man, some in my family roll their eyes anytime they see a nice car on the horizon, cause they know damn well i forgot the last thing they said.

but whenever theres an auto purchase, they feel free to call in the cavalry. i'm happy they respect my opinions enough to reference me when it's time to make an expensive decision.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/12/2008 9:47:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I've had numerous people ask my opinion because I am somewhat of an car enthusiast, but most of them are looking to buy an appliance on wheels, and Consumer Reports ultimately influences their decision to buy a Toyota or Honda.

— TTRaceRR (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 1:38:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I'd say I've influenced few people in choosing the brands of cars I see are better, Japanese of course. But at the end I think it comes to the taste of that person, unless you're a salesman and fool people in buying your product even if that's not their taste, which I'm not thank God. :-)

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 9:10:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I keep my hands pretty wet. I not only read articles all over the net but get a few magazines. I also am involved in forums that are dedicated to my car (matrixowners.com, genvibe.com). I am active on Jeepkj.com for my fiance's Liberty and Meguiarsonline.com for detailing which I do on the side for cash.

I also do all of the maintenance on me and my fiance's cars. Rotations, oil changes, fluid changes, detailing, and other items that do not require really expensive equipment (alignments) or things under warranty.

I worked for an Acura dealer for a time as well so I gained a HUGE amount of knowledge about how car buying works and this has given me great insight to help my friends and family when making purchases. And I have been there to offer advice and help with small repairs on their cars as well.

So pretty much out of all of my friends I am considered the guru to be trusted.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 9:22:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

XYZZ,

Your friend must be a real dumbass or you aren't a very good friend. Isn't a Mazda 4000 basically a Ford Ranger! Wow, that's a real improvement over a Jeep from a "RELIABLE info source" like you!

— TTRaceRR (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 11:22:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Well I need someone to advise me on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14. I am considering purchasing it today. Its a brand new 2006 discounted for 7900 which includes a free helmet and a jacket.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 12:27:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I'm considered and influencer in my circle because I'm objective. I see the good and bad in all the brands/models and let folks decide for themselves based on where I think a particular car is positioned. I also get out and drive these cars. Whether test driving one at a dealership or getting in when a friend buys a new one I get in these cars. Touching the controls, feeling the leather, listening to the sound the doors make when they close, etc.

Then here is the key, in the past seven years I've owned a 2000 X5 3.0, 2002 745Li and a 2002 M3 Convertible. So I know the good, the bad and the ugly of arguably 3 of the most acclaimed and talked about (like them or not) cars of the decade. Every Cross-Over SUV was compared to the X5, every performance sedan was benchmarked to the 745 and the E46 M3 is the masterpiece of the category that every automaker has in their crosshairs. So I share my BMW experience, coupled with research on other brands and give good, objective advice.

For the record, I think X5's are overpriced but great crossovers, the 745Li was the class leader until the redesigned LS and S-Classes arrived and that the E46 M3 was unrivaled in cost and performance with the exception of the top of the line WRX. But I also agree that the FX45 is the best crossover bang for your buck and that I would buy an A8 over the 745 (back in 2002-05) because I live on the East Coast and the 7 stinks in snow. I also think the new 335 has its hands full with the S5 and the comparison comes down to AWD or not and style choice.

— vman1013 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 12:58:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

am I an influence? no, and it doesn't really matter because most of the time, its their choice.

— Htay7500 (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 1:19:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I consider myself a car enthusiast. I subscribe to all the major car magazines (Motor Trend, Car & Driver, Autoweek)and I try to learn as much as I can about new car features and technology. And yes, my family and friends always come to me when considering buying a car. I've also influenced many of them in their car purchase decisions.
Why is it that car dealerships don't train their salespeople about the cars they are trying to sell? It is such a turn off for me when I walk into a dealer and the salesman can only tell me the info that I can read from the window sticker. I'd bet they would sell a lot more cars if they knew a little more about the product they are trying to sell.

— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 1:42:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

It is amazing to me how most of you "experts" rely solely on the media to get your knowledge. I know that this is the way most people go about getting information and most people believe what they read. I would like to know how many of you experts have actually worked on cars and know what makes them work. I am not bashing any of you, but most of the folks on this forumn are not experts. I have been a technician for seventeen years, a salesman who actually know what he is talking about for four years and now I may go back to be a shop foreman. However, there are a lot of features and technologies out there that change everyday, it is hard to keep up on them and that can be a challenge.Auto spies can be a good source of information for that sort of thing. I know guys at my dealership that claim to be car guys, but then need me to show them how to change their oil, that is not a car guy. A car expert or car guy spends a bit of time working on his or her ride.Also to Vman, BMW did not make a 2000 X5 3.0l that model came out in 2001, the V8 was the only engine available in 2000 (in the U.S. market). As far as Consumer Reports being Reliable they are great for appliances but they are not a good source for a car purchase unless you like to read how great they think Asian compact cars are. They treat a car like an appliance just like Tracer said. I consider myself as an expert but no expert know everything. And as far as a music expert as one of you stated, do you tell people what music to listen to? Another thing I jsut read from Vman is M3 and WRX in to compare to each other, are you kidding? the two cars drive very differently and it tells me you may want to do as you say and drive both of them and feel the leather, sheetmetal,quality of fastners etc. and by the way try some snow tires on that seven and you will notice a HUGE difference and have you driven an LS compared to a seven? The performance difference is well.. night and day. The Fx 45 is not that great of a vehicle. Even with the 4.5L 320Hp engine, it still only has a tow rating of 3500 lb. The reason for that is it is on a car chassis,and the car is a pain to get in and out of the back seats because of the little rear door opening. Anyway I am done whining, I hope all of you have a Wonderful day.

— huntr (View Profile)

Posted on 2/13/2008 6:37:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I am an influencer for alot of reasons, but mostly cause I an enthusiast. I have been working with BMW for about 12 years. I love cars. I love all cars. Some more than others. I try to keep as open of a mind as possible, but sometimes the blood runs thick. I read every magazine and article I can get my hands on. I have owned 6 BMW's, a lexus, an infiniti. My brother is one of the top Audi mechanics in Chicago. Are there things I dont know, sure but always try to find the answer. Love to go to driving schools across the US. This year I plan to go the the M Driving experience & back to the skip barber racing school. I am really intrigued about the exotic luxury driving school, also. I believe that if you are claiming to be an influencer, that you not only have to read about cars, but to experience cars. Go to driving events, club events, Barrett auction which is unreal, buy what you preach.

To talk about a BMW like you think you know, but to never have owned one or raced in one you are fooling yourself.

— BMW4me4ever (View Profile)

Posted on 2/14/2008 1:15:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I have 23 yrs in the business selling Audi,BMW,VW,saab,Rolls,bentley,nissan,dodge,cadillac,
Lexus,Porsche.I've been salesperson new car manager F&I manager and general Manager.I read everything I can about cars and the automotive business.I've been to Derick Bell's driving school and many Porsche driving events.I also autocross several porsche's through the years starting with a 944 turbo.

— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 2/14/2008 7:52:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I would say I'm an influencer, since most people around me don't know cars. They usually want the default, underwhelming choices (honyotas) because they know those names and have been fooled by years of hype. When I tell them the real deal, show the lists that show them slipping yearly, point out all the recalls and midpack or lower comparison finishes, they wisely open their eyes and check out more worthy and superior competition.

— tattedtwice (View Profile)

Posted on 2/15/2008 1:30:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1