[BearStang]

I agree with you Unit. I am fairly new to the board but have been lurking for quite some time. It seems a trend has started that if you put appearance mods on your car, the car needs to run low 12's or better. If not, you're labeled a "poser" or "ricer".

I think the trend is partially due to the advent of the compact sport market. These cars are built for excess, over-achieving motors, huge "look at me" graphics, logos, wings and exhausts. The kids of today are exposed to this, but still want the mystique of owning a "Mustang". Do you remember when you bought your first Mustang? Did you look at what others had done, thought it looked "cool", then tried to copy it? I can still remember the early and mid 90's when a lot of Stangs were running around with a monster tach, big'n'little tire combo, and draglites. These were stock Mustangs that looked like drag cars and were considered "cool" at the time.

I think the influence comes from what others see as popular, and what the media says is "in". Hence, the gawdy Mustangs that are roaming the streets. Personally, I don't care for these cars, but to each their own. At some point, reality must set in. If the car they have chosen is what they can afford with car payments, insurance, and maintenance, then I say make it what you want. If they are proud of it, good. On the other hand, if you ask for someone's opinion, expect to get just that-their opinion.

I'm sure the majority of us are in the same boat. We want it all, fast car, great handling, and killer looks. But we have other responsibilities in life and can't always make our cars what we want them to be. What we can do is make them special to us, however you choose to do it.