The "Autopian Ratio"

1 Clean WS6

1 Clean WS6

Detailing Rottweiler
The other day I was driving home from a job site...sitting at a traffic light....when the wheels started turning in my brain.:rolleyes: As I sat at the light there were probably a dozen different cars to look at...every make and model...and they were all FILTHY (wheels filled with so much brake dust they looked black, nasty windows, etc...etc). Now since I live in Georgia the cars levels of dirtiness at the stop light could not be blamed on old Momma Winter and her road sand and salt. I lived in Connecticut for many years so I know that in certain locations at certain times of the year...you're gonna have a dirty ride...but this was Georgia. The only reason those cars were dirty is because to the people driving them they were nothing more than transportation. Then I started to think...when was the last time I saw an Autopian level ride on the street...and I couldn't remember. Sure I see a few cars that have been washed and have shinny tires but rarely do I see a vehicle that has that "glow" to it...the glow that makes you immediately realize that the driver has a passion for an immaculate ride. So I ask you now Autopian's...how rare of a breed are we??? 1 in 10....1 in 100.....1 in 1000??????:confused:



Personally, something tells me we should be on the endangered species list!
 
I think its about 1 in 1000 ,on too few rare occasions have I seen another Autopian level vehicle go by even on the heavily traveled NJ Turnpike and Parkway. I've never actually met another Autopian level enthusiast in person, even at car shows :(
 
Honestly, in terms of having a true interest in detailing I would think it would be somewhere FAR higher than 1 in 1000. Probably 1 in 20,000 or something?
 
" I knew right away from the dirtiness of his cars that this car salesman was going to be a loser ! "



( Donald Trump - On the Apprentice )
 
I have no idea but I know my Dad keeps his and my Mom's cars pretty close to Autopian level. My Dad wanted some of the products I use for Christmas 2002 so he can do his own detailing (He just turned 65 in November).
 
Sounds to me like you need to consider a new job, keeping the cars in Marrietta cleaned!;) Who knows, could be a very lucrative job with all those dirty cars out there.
 
Scottwax said:
I have no idea but I know my Dad keeps his and my Mom's cars pretty close to Autopian level. My Dad wanted some of the products I use for Christmas 2002 so he can do his own detailing (He just turned 65 in November).
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Could it be genetic? My father planted the seed of car care in me when I was young. :nixweiss
 
My personal vehicles represent what I do.....autopian yes....selfish.....that too....I would estimate that 25% of my work comes from people that take my telephone # at places where my SUV or car is parked.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Could it be genetic? My father planted the seed of car care in me when I was young. :nixweiss
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my wife and my mother often get together and b*tch about how anal my father and I are about our cars...and oh yeah...why do we have to park so far away!! :D



Also, my grandfather's Lincoln Mark VIII was immaculate up until the day he died...





but, as much as genetics play into it, i think most autopians are perfectionist's as well...
 
blkZ28Conv said:
...My father planted the seed of car care in me when I was young.
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Big E, I agree. I learned from my Dad the value of keeping your vehicles clean and maintained. We washed our boat after every outing and of course the car which pulled it to the lake. This after skiing all day. Then inside to make sure your shoes were shined and Sunday School lesson was complete. :)
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Could it be genetic? My father planted the seed of car care in me when I was young. :nixweiss
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I dunno... My dad does things to his car that make me cringe. It didn't bother me so much before, but now he owns an AURORA! :eek: :scared
 
hehe, i am sure u guys think the same way i do some times....like i'd be walkin down the street, and see a car that i like, but its dirty, and i say to myself... ''mmm wonder how i would go about cleanin this, and wot products and procedures would i use'' hehe maybe its just me
 
For me it all started when I was about 12 years old. I was in charge of washing our two family cars. I took great pride in the job I did and really tried to "detail" our cars instead of just trying to wash then and be done with it.



Over the years this has stayed with me and as soon as I was able to get a car in decent condition, it always looked good! :D

It has been the same ever since! :xyxthumbs



Cheers,
 
mirrorfinishman said:
1 in 15,000 sounds about right.



According to the 2003 stats from US Department of Transportation - Federal Highway Administration there are about 225 million vehicles registered in the US.



When you divide 225 million by 15,000 Autopians the ratio would be 1 in 15,000



Here is a cool link to the Federal Highway Administration website.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/onh2p4.htm
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That was a great answer. So we know that it is at least 1:15,000. :bow :bow



I am humbled by our rarity. :xyxthumbs
 
Aurora40 said:
I dunno... My dad does things to his car that make me cringe. It didn't bother me so much before, but now he owns an AURORA! :eek: :scared
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Bob, Detailing is an autosomal dominant gene. Maybe you got it from your MOM. ;)
 
Bill D said:
I think its about 1 in 1000 ,on too few rare occasions have I seen another Autopian level vehicle go by even on the heavily traveled NJ Turnpike and Parkway. I've never actually met another Autopian level enthusiast in person, even at car shows :(
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i understand where you are coming from. I'm in central jersey, and this winter has been harsh. the ppl at my job cant believe how clean my car is on a day to day basis. I park in the back, but my co-workers still notice. I would be nice to have an autopian gathering one day.
 
The true Autopian ratio would be something like 1:25,000. However, this is akin to NBA players sitting around and saying how terrible the general population is at taking the rock to the basket. I would say that 1 in 300 people try to take care of their vehicles. They may have swirls and dirty wheelwells, but you can find them at the corner carwash or in flip-flops in the driveway every sunny Saturday. They don't possess the knowledge, but they do care. The other 299 simply don't care.
 
I think the 15000 ratio is about right. I almost never see any car on the road without swirls or a nice coating of dirt.



I actually went to a Ferrari gathering today with about 15 Ferraris there. Only one out of all of them stood up to Autopian standards. One even had holograms in the doors and all of them were swirled and/or dirty. It's sad sometimes...
 
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