[Sam B]

Why have so many cars in NZ got really souped (sp?) up engines and the biggest exhausts in the world? Every night on our quiet residential street at least 10 of the noisiest cars ever go by at about 90 mph - what's going on? Why are they allowed to have such noisy exhausts - and why do they want to?? It doesn't seem to fit in with the general culture.

Can anyone fill me in on why it's so popular? What do ordinary Kiwis think about it - do they think it's just normal?

It's not big and it's not clever!!!

[Ana&Steve]

I don't know about NZ, but in the US, the more souped up the car is, the more the owner is trying to make up for other...inadequacies!;) (can't type the phrases, too naughty)
Ana

[Oregonkiwi]

It's not just NZ, it was the same in Oregon. I could never figure it out there, either - pretty much came to the same conclusion as Ana.
I'd say most "ordinary kiwis'' think they're a damn nuisance, and just ignore them.

[Super_BQ]

You could look it at this way. NZ is a country known for it's conversatism by keeping the place green? They often criticise America for driving those big V8 cars.

So as a substitute, many feel to change the small 4 cylinder engines as loud as big V8 engines by using a different exhaust system. Perhaps if they can make their small rice rocket car LOUDER, it means more performance than any V8 power car? Though IMO, there's no substitute for cubic inches (or litres).

BQ

[veronica]

thats Hoons for you. Its a man thing really.....how many lady hoons have you come across, and it seems to be a world wide man thing too and usually restricted to the late teens earl 20's. it is actually illegal to have the exhausts as big as they are and everynow and then the police have a bit of a blitz and pull a few in.

[Rizak]

So, what you're saying, and correct me if I get this wrong, is that if we were to just get rid of all the male population in their late teens and early 20's that everything would work itself out to our satisfaction?

I can go along with that. For more than one reason.

I tend to have a lot of fun with my little air horn. I have a portable air horn that is about half the size of a can of pop. Smaller even than a can of Red Bull. I keep it on me because I believe in being prepared. You never know when you might be called upon to call for assistance in the middle of nowhere. If one of these riced-up boy-toys is just sitting at a light making noise (through radio or exhaust), I just sidle up alongside and give them a blast through the window.

Note: nothing I say should be attempted by amateurs. I am an experienced idiot and take my life into my own hands like this on a semi-regular basis.

[Myrkk]

Looks like car fans are the same the world over :) It's the same in the UK.

As an ex girl-racer and a current biker I personally enjoy the noise made by the car/bike exhausts. I can't explain it, the noise simply makes the goosebumps stand up on the back of neck. I think it is to do with feeling the engine and the power. Sounds stupid when you type it. I'm not a speed person [unless on the track], but the noise of a tuned engine makes my knees all wobbly.

I think the main problem is the fact that people drive inappropriately in built up areas.

[stu70]

It speaks volumes of the people's mental state running around in these modified cars. Police MUST treat this as any other illegal act that causes public nuisance, and take them off the roads.

[Myrkk]

Are the mods illegal though Stu? What is the stance on noise pollution out there?

It's normally the time/place/speed that people drive that is the problem rather than the mods.:uhoh It's a tough one.

[veronica]

lets face it in the big scheme of things that these kids/young men could be doing its not a major thing, and if messing about modifying their cars keeps them off the streets and away from violent crime then surely that has something to say for it. Maybe instead of discouraging it the govt and authorities should give it reign in some legal way that can be controlled, ie give them areas to get it our of their systems. Bit like the vw clubs in the UK, race tracks and show and shines etc.

[ruthyroo]

IMHO a lot of it stems from allowing 15 year olds to drive. They are young, indisciplined, showing off and being inconsiderate - like most teenagers can be (and hopefully grow out of). Being able to drive noisy cars just gives them another means by which to express this. Most of the men I know happily admit to having been hoons in their own youth - and to be frank most of them still drive like that today! I've lost count of the number of times I've heard some souped up car roaring up behind me to sit about 1 inch from my bumper, and I've looked in the mirror expecting to see some sulky teenager with a hoodie covering his face - but very often it's a perfectly respectable looking adult - who just happens to drive like a teenage hoodie hoon! So yes, it's considered normal to be a petrolhead and to drive like that here.

[veronica]

Not to sure on the youth 15 year old side of it. Not a lot of the 15 year olds have the money or the knowledge to do the modifications. Most of the 'Hoons" I have seen have been just either side of 20, once they start work they then have the money to play. And whatever age you start to drive, whether you are a new driver at 15, 17, 21 or 30 then the biggest disadvantage you have is inexperience of driving. driving hours is the best cure for that.

Its interesting how many people knock the 15 year old driving thing. for the first period of time they have to drive with an adult (over 21) in the car or on their own and after that there are various restrictions on them for the next while, including a curfew. And while I will agree that some of these restrictions are broken the main age group for accidents tends to be in the more mature persons, ie us middleaged and above bods. There was an article in the national news about it recently. So I have to admit to feeling a bit peeved when everybody jumps on the 15 year olds everytime hoons and accidents are mentioned. are these facts or just perceptions.

[stu70]

modifications I believe are not kosher in Canada(someone can correct me if I am wrong). I know police here do not look at folks involved in street racing with souped up cars very favourably. They cause fatalities, pose danger to public and are discouraged by authorities.

[xanctus]

I think, the fact that cars are quite cheap here in NZ especially the imported ones...that could trigger young people/teenager who earns money (eitehr from parents or working) would buy and modified their cars as their new hobby. Sometimes, as a teenager...there's always a peer pressure among its society right? so having the coolest car, biggest exhaust, lowest ground effect and so on its a MUST or OBLIGATORY. That's quite a problem to solve.

However this matter is occurs in every where. US, ASIAN countries, OZ and even here in NZ. It just a matter of ignoring it I guess.
It is annoying I admit, but there is nothing much we can do. Except, the govt would make a new law stating about some specification of cars that can be driven in regular basis.

I have a friend who's in the mid 30s and still love doing this kind of things, and he said to me once...I think it's better to have this kind of hobby rather than doing drugs or smoking pot! What do you reckon?? I was like...hmm interesting!!!

[Myrkk]

I'm with Veronica on this. The youngsters are an easy target. The 'cruzin' scene here is generally reasonably sensible and the guys and gals involved are just REALLY into their cars and love showing them off. It would be better for everyone if they were encouraged in this and had somewhere to do it legally. Something I've said for years but not been able to get the funding to do...... and now we're going to NZ not likely to get to do either.

Yes, there are some idiots in souped up cars but look at the non-souped up cars...... they are just as bad if not worse.. believe me I know....... I'm a driving instructor here in the UK. If I had a pound for every middle aged old fart who thought sitting on the bumper of my car, pulling out of a junction in front of me with only a metre between me and them, beeping their horns, overtaking me in a 30mph zone on a blind bend etc etc the list is endless...... I'd be a millionaire.

[Ana&Steve]

Looks like car fans are the same the world over :) It's the same in the UK.

As an ex girl-racer and a current biker I personally enjoy the noise made by the car/bike exhausts. I can't explain it, the noise simply makes the goosebumps stand up on the back of neck. I think it is to do with feeling the engine and the power. Sounds stupid when you type it. I'm not a speed person [unless on the track], but the noise of a tuned engine makes my knees all wobbly.

I think the main problem is the fact that people drive inappropriately in built up areas.Now don't get me wrong, a good restored American muscle car that purrs like a kitten or well tuned Harley that you can feel coming through the ground impresses the pants off me, (not literally!) but the dork with the primer paintjob Pinto and glass-pack muffler is gonna get the full brunt of my snarky comments!:D
Ana

[Moorf]

Now don't get me wrong, a good restored American muscle car that purrs like a kitten or well tuned Harley that you can feel coming through the ground impresses the pants off me, (not literally!) but the dork with the primer paintjob Pinto and glass-pack muffler is gonna get the full brunt of my snarky comments!:D
Ana

Exactly. There are some fantastic modded cars here and some even better restored classics - and the people driving them are passionate and have spent time and money on them (I'm another who loves the roar of a V8 ;)) - but the majority of puffed up Pintos are driven by teenagers who illegally mod their cars, care little for curfews (and nor do their parents it seems) and who seem to have unlimited funds for new tyres.

After my experiences here I personally don't think that most 15 yr olds are mature enough to get behind the wheel of a car. let alone give a damn about drink driving or driving on drugs. Although I do understand that youngsters in rural areas need to get about what do they do in other countries where there are isolated communities?

[ruthyroo]

I grew up on a farm in the sticks in Scotland, no buses etc within walking distance. My parents acted as taxis and gave me lifts into town / to the nearest bus stop, until I could drive myself. I spent a lot of weekends camped out at various friends for the night as there was no way to get home! They also drove me to weekend jobs etc. Their view was that they had made the decision to base the family in the countryside (where my dad worked) but my sis and I shouldn't be totally restricted by it. So it was a bit of a compromise - god it seemed like a total drag at the time though!!

I see what you're saying about the unfair targetting of younger drivers, and would be interested in the statistics. Maybe it should be 15-21 age group that I am aiming my comments at? Certainly, for me , that is the most visible, aggressive, noisy etc group. But maybe that's just my perception?

In general though, the whole petrolhead culture is something that is new to me and I struggle to accept this great interest in cars and car-related gadgets as normal. If I am going to be brutally honest with myself (gulp!) it's probably a snob thing. No-one in my family is into cars, none of my friends are. Cars are something that get you from A to B - if they do it safely and comfortably then that's about where my interest ends. But when in Rome... it's the same with hunting - I didn't know anyone who hunted in the UK but now many of my friends and colleagues do, and to them it's really normal to spend their weekends blasting small furry creatures to pieces...

[Radders]

try living in the mount in summer - oh and plenty of pink girl hoon cars around!!

[Super_BQ]

modifications I believe are not kosher in Canada(someone can correct me if I am wrong). I know police here do not look at folks involved in street racing with souped up cars very favourably. They cause fatalities, pose danger to public and are discouraged by authorities.

stu, it would take many years before the NZ police decide to actively get involved with the 'hoons' racing up and down the street.

I remember when I was 16 back in 1989, the police would visit our highschool to do presentations on the idea of suping up cars. Basically, it was about common sense and if you really wanted to show off, the police had organised clubs and groups where adults would get involved and teach the 'students' what racing is about. The police do patrol and visit all the hang outs to see what illegal modifications on the cars - ultimately the owner has to remove them.

Of course they're not interested in oversized tires and cut coil springs to lower a car like they do in NZ (where it will fail the WOF). They're referring to turbo-charging and NOS systems which REALLY matter...

Somehow, I don't think this idea will translate well in NZ as most teenagers in that group always prefer to do it on public roads because it adds that extra element of risk..... the risk of killing pedestrians or themselves :no

As for cars being more powerful today than before I disagree. When I was 16 growing up in Canada, I had friends that had brand new Mustang Crobra V8 and Camaros that would easily out gun any common Japanese import. The problem that arises today is the modification they do to small Japanses cars engines that are WELL BEYOND the engineering of the car's ability (ie. in terms of braking ability)

On a different note. Today I saw 2 cars with smashed out back windows which were parked out on the main roads. :roll

BQ

[sidabrine]

I grew up on a farm in the sticks in Scotland, no buses etc within walking distance. My parents acted as taxis and gave me lifts into town / to the nearest bus stop, until I could drive myself. I spent a lot of weekends camped out at various friends for the night as there was no way to get home! They also drove me to weekend jobs etc.

What I don't understand is why can't the 15 year old farm boys ride a bicycle or a moped or some other non-lethal form of transportation?!?! A bicycle is good for your health, doesn't polute the atmosphere and takes you everywhere! In this climate you can do that year round!

[sidabrine]

...pulling out of a junction in front of me with only a metre between me and them......

If you're a driving instructor, you surely heard about the 2 second rule?!?! You shouldn't be speeding 1 meter behind the guy in front of you! :p

[nippa&pippa]

Little bit off the thread, but similar....seatbelts....
It make my blood boil to see how many people as well as how many children :mad: not bothering wearing seatbelts in car or under 5 years not using carseat :mad:

[veronica]

bit harsh expecting them to cycle the twenty km to and again from school. besides that would you want your kids cycling on some of the country roads here. (yeah I know that not all farms are that far out but some are, and some are more, some farms they have to use the quad bike to get from the house to the end of the drive before catching the school bus) and as to the climate I take it you are in the north island, bit different down here in the winter or when the nor westerly is blowing.

[ruthyroo]

And dont forget there are farm girls too - who don't necessarily want to arrive at their destination looking like they've... well... just cycled 20Kms in the rain!!

[Moorf]

On a different note. Today I saw 2 cars with smashed out back windows which were parked out on the main roads

I've seen this alot in Chch, one night when returning home about 1am there were around 10-15 all smashed in along one, fairly busy, surburb road - must have been v. recent as some car alarms were still blaring... we've seen the same a few times when coming back late but never so many in a row...

Back on topic....

Maybe if they made parents responsible for their kids car mods/WOF's etc (after all, some are only 15/16 yrs old) and for any damage they do, if they're not insured, then maybe more parents would be more concerned at the deathtraps their kids are driving. Or aren't kids counted as minors when behind a wheel?

[Rizak]

And dont forget there are farm girls too - who don't necessarily want to arrive at their destination looking like they've... well... just cycled 20Kms in the rain!!

HARUMPH!
BUILDS CHARACTER!

grumble grumble kids today grumble

[sidabrine]

A quote from today's NZ Herald:

"The latest ministry figures show that young drivers (15-19) are overrepresented in crash statistics. In 2005, young drivers were at fault in 118 of the 142 fatal crashes they were involved with - killing 149 people."

So once again, why not put those 15 year olds into (onto) some slower moving, smaller and lighter modes of transport?!?!

On the other hand, changing the law probably won't make any difference. Police talks about changing the Learner License rules, but I don't see why it would change a thing. In any case the roads are full of people driving with no licenses, suspended licenses, drunk, drugged, in illegally modified cars, etc...

"71646 learner drivers were issued with infringement notices last year for license breaches, such as driving by themselves and not displaying L plates."

Speaks volumes to me about efficiency of law enforcement and "relaxed" attitudes towards being caught. Why is it that easy to break the law and get away with it?!?! It would have never occured to me that I could sit behind the wheel if I'm not entitled to or I am not fit to do so!!!

If suspending licenses doesn't work, couldn't they take away their cars?!?! You can drive without a license, but can't really without a car?!!?

Hmmm... This has nothing to do with noisy cars though...

[jdbob]

I noticed this article at BBC that mentions Boy Racers (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6457353.stm)

[Myrkk]

If you're a driving instructor, you surely heard about the 2 second rule?!?! You shouldn't be speeding 1 meter behind the guy in front of you! :p


erm, think you got the wrong end of the stick there ......... they were pulling out in front of me, minor to major...... is it normal practice for you to pull out of a minor road into a major road when a vehicle is one metre away from the junction you are pulling out of?

[John Z]

Too much noise is uncool,
it prooves your coolness doesn't speak for itself.

John Z

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/transport035.gif

(former (open pipe) noisemaker in his twenties
and just sold his :cool: Porsche 911 prior to emigration,
thinking at the same time that NZ must be the best country
to drive a Porsche 911...)

[RayBCO]

I have always understood this 'loud exhaust' issue to be due to the fact that young people cannot afford the insurance on larger engined cars that actually sound good...not necessarily loud, but do throb and warble - to a guy it is a great sound..V8 engines can sound cool... IMHO.

Although, I hate the sound of some 1600cc transverse engined hatchback with go-faster stipes, that is being thrashed to death to make the spotty owner look cooler than he really is. But of course he cannot get insured on a real engined car, so he will get a through exhaust fitted, some furry dice, blacked out windows and a sound system just to compensate for the fact that he is driving his mothers old car that she used to take him to school in when he was younger..about 2 years ago in fact!

So there you have it. When I lived in California it was the Chinese/Asian population of young guys that souped up their Japanese imports for much the same reason...V8 power was not available to them until they grew up !

In the UK the insurance is through the roof for these young people so they dont really have much choice but to try to make the best of what they have...which is usually not a lot!

[John Z]

http://enginesounds.free.fr/porsche/964%20-%20point%20mort.mp3


John Z .............:exit

[swissmissdesigner]

John Z: OH NO! my ears hurt!

[John Z]

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/sad001.gif

I, I, I thought is was like music...., at least for some...time...

John Z

[swissmissdesigner]

yeah right! Tralalllaaa, lalaland...