Scene vs Herd. A discussion.

[jmsheahan]

Thanks guys, appreciate the time you've taken to answer the questions Some great input so far!

[jonnypolish]

What is the model of your Volkswagen?
Mk3 GTi 16v (1996)

Why did you purchase this particular model?
Because i am young and it was the quickest (I use that term very loosely) German car i could insure!

What modifications have you carried out to your car?
Slammed it to the floor on coilovers and Wide Porsche rims. (8J all round)

What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?
An Engine conversion, bigger brakes, and a smoothed boot lid (deleted wiper, badge and handle.)

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?
Creative modelling, I go nowhere fast now

Has there been a specific car that has influenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?
VRT's! A smooth VR6 is a beautiful machine that sounds godlike.

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?
the friendships gained and the people met!
But more importantly the help received and the feeling of helping others with problems they come across!

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.
Dubbing is a lifestyle! Or low and slow! Being low is definitly a lifestyle since it changes the whole driving experience! I have to go slower everywhere! But it doesnt matter it all pays off on fresh tarmac or round a corner!

[MrBounce]

Questions:

What is the model of your Volkswagen?
2005 Bora TDi 130 Highline

Why did you purchase this particular model?
I didn't want a Mk4 Golf as I feel they're too pricey for what they offer. Wanted diesel because of the cheap running costs and also liked both the styling and the extra equipment of the Bora. Did a lot of research before committing to it.

What modifications have you carried out to your car?
Absolutely none.

What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?
Possible remap; maybe rear spoiler, maybe different wheels.

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?
Neither. It's transport. I don't do shows in it as from previous experience of GTi International I found it very "cliquey" which put me off.

What is the underlying ethos of Volkswagen ownership to you? Why?
Bought a Mk3 Golf GTi simply because it was available via a mate from work. Was thinking about getting a Polo and found I could afford to insure the Golf. Bought VW simply because of the reliability and resale in comparison to other makes.

Has there been a specific car that has influenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?
My old GTi. That and my driving instructor had a Mk2 which I passed my test in. It never went wrong. It was crashed a few times (not by me) but NEVER had a mechanical failure.

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?
Having fun above everything else.

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.
No. It's a good reliable car. That's why I bought it. The forum is a welcome distraction and good fun too.

[Sam]

Thanks guys, appreciate the time you've taken to answer the questions Some great input so far!

No worries mate, I will be in this position in a couple of years, having to write 40k words of utter bolocks!

[jmsheahan]

Thanks guys, appreciate the time you've taken to answer the questions Some great input so far!

No worries mate, I will be in this position in a couple of years, having to write 40k words of utter bolocks!

Christ, I thought my 8k was bad enough 

[DOA]

What is the model of your Volkswagen?

F reg Mk2 8v GTi

Why did you purchase this particular model?

Had one previously that was pretty reliable and solid whilst being a bit of fun to drive. Main reason for this one was to cut the cost of having fun in a car over my last car and knowing a lot of dub owners. Reason for the previous one was to get something that was relatively fast, reliable and fun.

What modifications have you carried out to your car?

Replaced the chav spec supension that was previously fitted with Koni dampers and eibach springs and replaced the previously standard exhaust system with the chav spec stainless steel DTM exhaust that was on my previous Gti. Also replaced the lighting loom as my eyesight is terrible in the dark.

What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?

Endless but thats not because of the scene, I just like playing with cars. Money no object I would spaceframe it and stick a ridiculous engine in the back if the shell was worth it but it isnt and money IS a problem lol.

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?

I modify it to improve performance only if thats what you mean. Never been into altering the looks of my cars as its far more fun to surprise people with a boring looking car.

What is the underlying ethos of Volkswagen ownership to you? Why?

To me there isnt one but I can appreciate why people get into the ethos. I suppose if it had to be anything its the old style hippy vibe that still lingers on.

Has there been a specific car that has influenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?

My previous Gti and the older versions reputation for being solid little buggers.

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?

Im not into the whole car club/meets thing but when I get dragged out to meets by friends, the atmosphere around dubs is very friendly. Ive met a lot of good people at meets.

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.

To me its not but I understand why people think of it that way. In reality its no different to the rice, ford, vauxhall scenes except that dub people tend to have a bit more taste. Its all variable though.

[SoundillusioN]

What is the model of your Volkswagen?

1983 MK1 Golf GTI Campaign

Why did you purchase this particular model?

I have loved MK1s since I was kid (my auntie had one when they were new and knew right then I wanted one)
IMO this is the last and finest version of the MK1

What modifications have you carried out to your car?

Apart from what it already had the following mods I have personally added are:
Replaced 3 spoke wheels with BBS RA Sportlines
Fitted coilovers and polybushed
Removed rear shelf, trim and seating
Removed rear wiper, bottle etc
Fitted aftermarket front seats
Upgraded headlight wiring loom
Undersealded everything
Upgraded front wipers
Fitted Plasma Rev counter
Currently Spraying Satin Black

What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?
Full respray in original gloss
Full engine rebuild to original Richard Lloyd Racing Spec
Very expensive coilovers
Roll Cage
Carbon Roof
Some Audio
Strut Braces front and rear
and probably loads more

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?
A little bit of both.. I love the retro 80's style on MK1s and making it a little personal but I also love a good looker that can move.

What is the underlying ethos of Volkswagen ownership to you? Why?

Early (air cooled) VW era seems to be where something kicked off... I like to think back in the day it started as "yeah, so what if it's german... it's quality"... Oh and we stick together because we know that similar aged UK made cars for the masses are ****!
Now in many cases its just respect.

Has there been a specific car that has nfluenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?
Yes......... MK1

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?
Keeping old dubs on the roads! 

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.
I think it was.... a bit of class amongst the middle class masses...  now we just cling on to that in a new way.. it's class but can cover so many levels with age.

[lewis1641]

Questions:

What is the model of your Volkswagen?
8 valve 5 door mk2 gti
Why did you purchase this particular model?
i had very little money and needed a cheap car to do up with parts i already had.the only stipulation i had when searching is that it had to be a mk2 gti.  The reason for mk2 is that all my donor parts were mk2. the reason for GTI? those 3 letters mean so much to me. i think it was part of being in my teens in the 90's.

What modifications have you carried out to your car?
so far... 60mm eibach springs/koni adjustable dampers, eibach lower strut brace and anit roll bar. various wheels but the car was built around 17" porsche "twists". 16v rear lights. body is mostly stock bar the black trim has been removed (including the vynl stick on stuff)
What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?
engine is to replaced shortly for a modified digifant unit from my trackday car. long term i would like a more powerful engine.  would like a leather interior too. coil over suspension. better brakes

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?
not really sure how to answer. i like to modify my cars to make them drive better but in doing so i also like to think i have created something that looks good. a bit of both i guess (if i have understood the question correctly)

What is the underlying ethos of Volkswagen ownership to you? Why?
used to really love air cooled cars (owned and worked on my first beetle, age 14)  from an early age i learned that owning a vw could be more than just owning a car. obviously there are millions of people that just happen to drive a vw, but of the remainder who are passionate, they tend to be decent people.  nowardays if you see a mk 1,2 and to a lessder extent, 3 golf on the road the chances are the owner loves their car and they are decent people to chat to!  this used to be the case for air cooled but over the past 5 years they have got very very trendy ( in particular spolit screen campers). if someone has a beautifully restored split thewy could easily be rich trend followers rather than hardcore vw enthusiasts.

i went off air cooled when it all got a little too trendy. show and shines ram jam with 54 oval rag tops. gets a little boring.  plus to make them move and handle you need to spend huge huge money. you've got em started now...!

Has there been a specific car that has influenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?

definately. early influences were my dad's mate's gold 1303s although i was far too young to know it was different from an ordinary bug.
what got me into golfs? bugjam around 2000. my beetle cabrio had been destroyed in a fire. went to bugjam with money to burn looking for ideas of what to buy next. camped up next to a group of golf owners. got chatting to them about cars and decided my next car would be a golf gti. hadnt realised then that £1000 would get a really good example.

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?

without a doubt the people. making friends.

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.

i think it can be a lifestyle choice and i think people decide that it is a lifestyle choice but really i dont see it any different to owning any other car that you are passionate about.  we have plenty of shows but equally the vauxhall and bmw enthusiasts for example are well catered for. there are magazines and internet forums for most makes of car.

owning a vw is possibly a lifestlye statement but not a choice. i would say the majority of folks on the forum have a 9-5, rent or mortgage on a property, have a partner, pets and kids. that's not a lifestlye choice created by the car they drive.

its only the fact on the whole we are happy to drive old cars that may leave us stranded every now and again. but that isnt something unique to vw ownership.


note. i answered your questions without reading other's responses as i didnt want to be influenced! going to have a nosey now. if i have missed the point of any questions, feel free to ask me again in simple terms!  yours, not good with words, Lincolnshire

[lewis1641]

Just to add to this, i have just spent this evening trick or treating with a chap who lives up my road as we bumped into them trick or treating their house, turns out he has a caddy, just sold a MK1 GTD so spent the whole time chatting about VeeDubs and what we've done to our cars, in addition we also trick or treated another chaps house who bought a bay window camper a week ago and then spent time chatting about his camper. That's VW for you.

HTH
Jeremy.

i went to a house warming party on saturday night, drove my golf there. my mate had invited his neighbours, as you do. turns out he has a mk1 caddy, vr6 corrado and a 66 beetle. by the end of the night he had donated a 1600 beetle engine to my long term project and invited me to the local vw club.

[Jimmy Filth]

What is the model of your Volkswagen?

1997 Mk3 Golf GTi 16v 5-door in Dragon Green.  A 1973 1600TL Fastback in Yellow

Why did you purchase this particular model?

The mk3 has always been my favourite of what I class as the modern shapes.  I wanted a GTi for the performance and the stigma that comes with the badge, and frankly wanted 150bhp more than I wanted 115bhp.  The 5-door is purely for practicality reasons as I don't like having to get out of the car whenever a rear passenger wants to get in or out. 

I bought the Fastie as they're a damn gorgeous car and are rarely seen.  I've always just loved them.

What modifications have you carried out to your car?

I've only just bought the Golf, so haven't carried out too much.  Just the basics of getting to car to a decent standard by cleaning and servicing.

The Fastie is going through some heavy work.  It is currently having a lot of welding done underneath the bodywork.  I've got a couple of new panels to fit when it comes back, then it's a spray and new interior.  It has also been slammed.

What modifications would you like to carry out to your car?

I'm going to deck the Golf on banded steels, but other than that keep it looking fairly OEM.  I love how they look.

The fastie will have early shape bumpers fitted and a retrim on the interior.  I'll also strip and clean the engine.

Do you see your car as mainly a form of creative remodeling or performance enhancement?

I think it's a little of both.  I want to make my car look nice, but drive well too.  I don't personally feel I modify cars to stick out from the crowd, and am certainly not a fan of bodykits and mad paint jobs.  I do it for myself, I make cars look how I like them and it's just a bonus if other people like it on the journey.  I like looking at what other people do and taking inspiration from them.  I would like a 9 second car, but on the other hand I don't like everything that comes with it and the absolute loss of practicality.  At the other end of the scale I don't like 'show' cars that are never driven.  I think a car is wasted if it's not driven so I like to reach a happy medium.  I certainly don't think I'm expressing myself through cars, although I do think cars in themselves are art.

What is the underlying ethos of Volkswagen ownership to you? Why?

I like that VW cars have such a big following and the community that comes with ownership.  I had an American truck before I got into VW's and although there is a scene with them, it is nothing like the VW scene.  My other half recently commented that she had never really noticed many VW's before we started hanging out, now she realises just how varied the scene is.  It crosses boundaries in the way that I am into Punk music and covered in tattoo's, as are my closest friends (all of which are into VW's) but at the other end of the scale you go to car shows and you speak to people you wouldn't normally have anything in common with.  This is reflected in the styles of cars too.  To me VW's are all about people being into the cars and cars alone.

Has there been a specific car that has influenced you with the choice of Volkswagen?

VW have made so many cars that I wanted and that just blew me away.  I remember as a kid I never really liked the Beetle but was aware what it was to the car world.  I remember seeing a number of mk1 Golf's driving around and instantly falling in love with them.  I remember the first time I saw a Type 3 Fastback.  I convinced myself that I medically needed one.  Before that I had owned VW but not really big into the scene before that.  I eventually bought one and started going to VW and German specific meets.  I was driving an Audi A3 at that time, but sold that and went to the proper VW badge with a Passat Estate.  VW have a history of building damn good looking cars that are well built and affordable.  Growing up I actually used to get really quite excited about seeing a Golf driving round.

On top of that bullet proof build engines, good running costs and amazing build quality.  We use Ford Focus' for work cars, none of which are older than a couple of years.  All of which have more squeaks and rattles than my Golf.  Actually, all have more than my Fastie.  They just feel like better cars.

What to you, is the most important aspect of being involved with an owners club?

The advice and help I get.  Plus it's great for getting inspiration and idea's for my own car.  And the banter...

Do you feel owning a Volkswagen is a lifestyle choice? If so, please specify in what way.

I don't think it affects any other aspect of my life massively, I mean if I get speaking to someone and it turns out they're into VW's then I have something in common with them and gives us something to talk about.  Saying that a large portion of my social life is taken up by going to shows and meets.  Also, as previously mentioned, nearly all of my close friends are into the VW scene, so we spend a lot of time talking about it and working on each others cars.  I do have one friend who is into Ford.  We don't talk about him much... haha.