The Love Affair is Over???!!!

[knightfan26917]

Is the love affair with the automobile over? Say it ain't so! Well, I don't think it is...I wouldn't have my Monte Carlos otherwise.... But, the owner of a couple area car washes (1 in S Elgin; 1 in Elgin) seems to think so....

[Mark Bohne] said he first noticed the beginning of the current economic decline in 2003 when gas was more than $2 a gallon. His car wash business was down about 3 to 5 percent that year and it's gone down every year since.

"Plus, the love affair with cars is over," he said.

Eh, what?!

The full article is here:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/c...ASH_S1.article


SIDE NOTE #1:
I'm disappointed that South Elgin wants to do something else with the land because that is the car wash I most-frequent during the winter months. It has the shortest driveway/waiting area, so the shortest waits.... Though, if I get a winter beater, I won't have to worry about that so much...eh?


SIDE NOTE #2:
I'm a bit intrigued with the business itself; it might be an interesting opportunity....


Anyway ... do you agree with businessman Mark?



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"All the water in the ocean couldn't put out the fire this time" ... Atlanta ... 'Atlanta Burned Again Last Night'

[mikmak]

Much like anything, the majority rules the general assessment. Whilst those who truly loved cars still love cars, those who loved cars because they loved the fast and the furious (don't ask me how that's possible) are now falling in love with another fad. So just like black lights, macrame, scrap booking, line dancing, and MC Hammer, the honeymoon is over but the dedicated will still remain.

What that means for us, however, is that there will be less money invested in what we love. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) it looks more likely that we'll truly have to be more appreciative of what we have.

[likearock00]

I've always been a fan of trucks- and no matter what, I always will love 'em. Nothing will keep me away from my passion.I don't care what gas costs, how the economy is, etc.

IMO, the guy's an idiot for having his prices so low. Even here the price for a car wash is $5, 7, 8. Business is down throughout the country! I guess this guy is expecting something different, but I say go ahead and lose your butt selling in a recession.

[F14CRAZY]

About a week ago we did some work at a nearby town's u-spray. The owner said he's always made money since he built it in 1986; but for the past two years he's only been breaking even.

Don't know if this helps much but until last year he drove an El Camino, now replaced with a new Silverado. I didn't have the chance to mention that he should have waited for the G8 ST

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by mikmak

What that means for us, however, is that there will be less money invested in what we love. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) it looks more likely that we'll truly have to be more appreciative of what we have.

As usual, well put, mikmak.

I don't have much budget for cars, which is why mine are older ... and don't have the car payments and high insurance costs that newer cars do. Still, I enjoy what I have...and can't wait to be driving them again .



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...& now an uncle!
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You know it don't seem right" ... Bobbie Gentry ... 'Ode To Billie Joe'

[mikmak]

Me too mate. My car budget still hinges on our new house (to be defined very very soon ). In the mean time, looking at new vehicles still feels like I'm being unfaithful: a possible indicator that I don't really need a replacement yet.

[mgescuro]

Well, with the economic slowdown post 9/11, one would expect a steady decline in "unimportant" services, like car washes or coffee. People sometimes like to wash at home, or go a few extra weeks without washing.

There's probably an environmental aspect to this as well? Wasting water isn't always a good thing.

I'm not really sure what he means by "love affair with cars" though??

[XP300]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Well, with the economic slowdown post 9/11, one would expect a steady decline in "unimportant" services, like car washes or coffee. People sometimes like to wash at home, or go a few extra weeks without washing.

There's probably an environmental aspect to this as well? Wasting water isn't always a good thing.

I'm not really sure what he means by "love affair with cars" though??

A clean car is a happy car and a sign of how people take care of their posessions, so I wouldn't call a car wash an "unimportant service". Besides, most car washes re-cycle their water and are more "green" than washing at home.

If you don't know what America's Love Affair with the Car is, you are not a car person.

My father and grandfather loved cars, even when they struggled throught the great depression and couldn't afford a car. I inherited that love of the automobile and am passing it on to my grandson. On Saturday, we will go to our first Corvette show together. He has a Silverado battery operated truck and a battery operated Escalade. He tells me that I have a Cadillac and a Chevy (Trailblazer) and that he has a Cadillac and a Chevy. That makes us buddies.

Every other Friday morning, I charge up his batteries so that he can give rides to the little kids next door. I pick him up at school, and during the hour it takes to drive to our house, he tells me about every car of interest to us, that we see on the road as we drive home.

The "Love of Cars" is something that must be shared, with a family member or friends. I know Knightfan has the love of his Monte Carlos. That's all that it takes to keep the love affair with the automobile going through good times and bad.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by XP300

A clean car is a happy car and a sign of how people take care of their posessions, so I wouldn't call a car wash an "unimportant service". Besides, most car washes re-cycle their water and are more "green" than washing at home.

If you don't know what America's Love Affair with the Car is, you are not a car person.

My father and grandfather loved cars, even when they struggled throught the great depression and couldn't afford a car. I inherited that love of the automobile and am passing it on to my grandson. On Saturday, we will go to our first Corvette show together. He has a Silverado battery operated truck and a battery operated Escalade. He tells me that I have a Cadillac and a Chevy (Trailblazer) and that he has a Cadillac and a Chevy. That makes us buddies.

Every other Friday morning, I charge up his batteries so that he can give rides to the little kids next door. I pick him up at school, and during the hour it takes to drive to our house, he tells me about every car of interest to us, that we see on the road as we drive home.

The "Love of Cars" is something that must be shared, with a family member or friends. I know Knightfan has the love of his Monte Carlos. That's all that it takes to keep the love affair with the automobile going through good times and bad.

I mean, how does the "Love affair with cars" affect a car wash?
Especially when there are other alternatives to going to a car wash?

When money is tight, people are just going to spend less frivolously. Car washes just happen to fall under that category.

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by mikmak

In the mean time, looking at new vehicles still feels like I'm being unfaithful: a possible indicator that I don't really need a replacement yet.

LOL!

I have a similar issue, but I'm not looking for a replacement ... just something to either drive only in winter or something to drive in winter and on my road trips . he he

[Gung_Ho]

The love affair for the car is declining. People nowadays would rather spend their money towards their house, home entertainment systems, video games, etc. while driving an economy car.

[87aero]

Love affair over? Maybe for the F&F wannabes and 20-something y/o chicks buying convertibles, Eclipses, etc.

But there are still millions of real car lovers out there who simply believe, "Life's too short to drive crap." If we survived the 70's and 80's, nothing is going to change that short of outlawing the automobile, which is indeed the goal of a lot of people. If the automobile was invented today, you can be darn sure the public wouldn't be allowed to buy one.

[knightfan26917]

Originally Posted by 87aero

But there are still millions of real car lovers out there who simply believe, "Life's too short to drive crap."

...or, for that matter, something you do NOT like . Been there, done that....

[XP300]

My step-son, grandson and I attended the ChevyVette Fest in Rosemont, Illinois on Saturday. The hall was jam packed with car lovers.

Vettes from all years were the stars, but I was surprised at the number of Camaro Z28's (late 60's through the 70's) that were on display. There was also a large number of Nova's with big V8's in the main room.

There was a small assortment of other makes, including a huge Buick barge from the 70's painted a sparkling green.

All the cars were clean and polished, because they were owned by "Car lovers", people who believe that their vehicles should be cared for regardless of the cost.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by Gung_Ho

The love affair for the car is declining. People nowadays would rather spend their money towards their house, home entertainment systems, video games, etc. while driving an economy car.

Perhaps in some parts of this nation.
But in areas where housing is still quite outrageious -- even after the collapse -- people are still diverting more funds to a really nice car and then living in a semi-nice studio apt.