State of the Hobby 2016.

[JB400]

In the spirit of what is supposed to be going on, what is everyone's opinion on the state of our car hobby right now?  Also, what would you like to see in the near future?

[ITSA426]

I think the state of the hobby is good.  It's a hobby so I'm not in it for the money.  If prices are down I can buy more.  If prices go up stupid high i can sell something and finish another project.  There are more repop parts available.  Younger people are getting interested in these cars.  It's a good hobby and it's goood therapy.  For me, the hobby is good.

[myk]

Agreed.

What's your take JB?

[crj1968]

Muscle car mania is alive and well.
Maybe due to the big three putting out some good stuff and the TV shows have brought in all kinds of new people.

I think you will start to see more retro (rat) hot rods like they looked in the 70's-

[1974dodgecharger]

buying old cars will be for the well off to restore and buying modern on financing will be for the younger crowd.

I will continue to thrash my 68 so the crowd that hates my vision of my 68 charger will cry and get pissed at me and will take the car to tracks, road courses, etc...so that people will hate it its gonna be a good 2016. 

[stripedelete]

Is your neighbor's dog talking to you again?

[JB400]

My analysis:

New cars This one is easy.  Detroit is on fire right now.  They're producing some of the best stuff that has come out in quite a while.  The fact  that they are able to produce 400+ hp, affordable family sedans that still meet the strict CAFE restrictions is great.  The new muscle car war is very rewarding as well, especially considering that Dodge finally supercharged the Hemi.  This is something that everyone has been wanting for quite a while.  I think we can expect more things to come when Chevy reintroduces the Z/28 again with the new chassis.  I expect Ford to retaliate with the GT500.  Maybe Dodge will enter this race with a Challenger T/A.  The one big question mark is the autonomous vehicles.  Some will think that it's great that these are coming out, but I think a big debate is going to happen regarding who is liable when these cars get into accidents.   Expect to also see more hybrids, especially amongst the trucks.

Classic cars I think things are pretty strong in this category.  It's nice to be able to get new parts for just about any classic car.  Prices seem steady, and not really all that high, unless your in low production number category, where they are still strong.  Even the 50's cars seem to be holding up rather well.  As far as predictions, I think the 70 Charger guys will get their fenders eventually.  I also see more emphasis put on the mid 70's through mid 80's cars.

Tuner cars I think we can kiss these things goodbye.  With the factory putting out hp in the cheap vehicles, and the fact that the generation that spawned these things has grown a little older, they're on their way out.  Even the F&F series has stepped away from these for the most part.

Rat Rods I think some people are going to start putting paint on these things and they'll start ending up like the crazy customs of the 60's.

Pro touring Prices on these are going to drop.  They're strong now, but there's starting to become quite a few first gen Camaros and Mustangs that have been built in the last 5 years.  They're not going to be commanding the $100k figures that quite a few owners are asking.  I think we're going to see more 3rd gen Hemis in Mopars, especially Hellcats, as well as more overdrive options available.  I also predict we're going to see more stupid stuff done when 3d printing becomes more mainstream.  I think we're also going to start seeing a different definition to better define the difference between actual Pro touring cars and classic cars with big wheels.

Hot Rods I think the bling is going to disappear for the most part, and more wood veneers installed in interiors.

Car Magazines Expect the car section to get smaller in the magazine aisle.  We'll be paying internet subscriptions for special content.

4wd's I don't see much more happening in this department.  Just whatever Detroit puts out.  I wouldn't expect to see a Honda Ridgeline out on the trails anytime soon.

Die casts  I think you'll finally get that 75  Charger die cast you've always dreamed about.

Tv I think Velocity will still be the only channel we have to watch our favorite car shows.  However, I think there will be at least one show on prime time that will have a car as a character.  I also think the nonsense about the flag will ease, and the Dukes will be put back on the air within the next decade.

Have I missed anything?

[skip68]

   Excellent.   Very well said JB.   

[myk]

I agree JB, and I also predict not being able to afford ANY of it lol...

[hawkeye]

Have I missed anything?

What about resto mods?  Although I can't really say where a classic restoration stops, a resto mod begins and when that turns into a pro touring car.  The cars that appear pretty much stock but have improved suspensions and drive trains are the future of the hobby.  Very few people want to drive a stock 40/50 year old car.

[ECS]

Have I missed anything?

You're spot on! 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

My analysis:

New cars This one is easy.  Detroit is on fire right now.  They're producing some of the best stuff that has come out in quite a while.  The fact  that they are able to produce 400+ hp, affordable family sedans that still meet the strict CAFE restrictions is great.  The new muscle car war is very rewarding as well, especially considering that Dodge finally supercharged the Hemi.  This is something that everyone has been wanting for quite a while.  I think we can expect more things to come when Chevy reintroduces the Z/28 again with the new chassis.  I expect Ford to retaliate with the GT500.  Maybe Dodge will enter this race with a Challenger T/A.  The one big question mark is the autonomous vehicles.  Some will think that it's great that these are coming out, but I think a big debate is going to happen regarding who is liable when these cars get into accidents.   Expect to also see more hybrids, especially amongst the trucks.

Classic cars I think things are pretty strong in this category.  It's nice to be able to get new parts for just about any classic car.  Prices seem steady, and not really all that high, unless your in low production number category, where they are still strong.  Even the 50's cars seem to be holding up rather well.  As far as predictions, I think the 70 Charger guys will get their fenders eventually.  I also see more emphasis put on the mid 70's through mid 80's cars.

Tuner cars I think we can kiss these things goodbye.  With the factory putting out hp in the cheap vehicles, and the fact that the generation that spawned these things has grown a little older, they're on their way out.  Even the F&F series has stepped away from these for the most part.

Rat Rods I think some people are going to start putting paint on these things and they'll start ending up like the crazy customs of the 60's.

Pro touring Prices on these are going to drop.  They're strong now, but there's starting to become quite a few first gen Camaros and Mustangs that have been built in the last 5 years.  They're not going to be commanding the $100k figures that quite a few owners are asking.  I think we're going to see more 3rd gen Hemis in Mopars, especially Hellcats, as well as more overdrive options available.  I also predict we're going to see more stupid stuff done when 3d printing becomes more mainstream.  I think we're also going to start seeing a different definition to better define the difference between actual Pro touring cars and classic cars with big wheels.

Hot Rods I think the bling is going to disappear for the most part, and more wood veneers installed in interiors.

Car Magazines Expect the car section to get smaller in the magazine aisle.  We'll be paying internet subscriptions for special content.

4wd's I don't see much more happening in this department.  Just whatever Detroit puts out.  I wouldn't expect to see a Honda Ridgeline out on the trails anytime soon.

Die casts  I think you'll finally get that 75  Charger die cast you've always dreamed about.

Tv I think Velocity will still be the only channel we have to watch our favorite car shows.  However, I think there will be at least one show on prime time that will have a car as a character.  I also think the nonsense about the flag will ease, and the Dukes will be put back on the air within the next decade.

Have I missed anything?

I agree with most of what you said but,

Tuner cars aren't going anywhere. Just because Fast & Furious stepped away doesn't mean jack. The following for tuner cars is huge! And lots of them have ditched the neon lights and 3 ft spoilers and are actually building nice, clean, fast cars. The only thing I hope is that the bolt on fender flares and extreme camber die out.

Pro Touring needs to change its definition. Used to be an old car with modern touches that could handle and drive anywhere in comfort. Now it has become $200K track cars that can't get over a speed bump. I don't think the prices will change, yes it will take longer for these $100K pro touring cars to sell but they will still sell for top dollar as long as they are done well. Also most cars that were considered pro touring cars 5 years ago are now just restomods. And I think that's a good thing. The name pro touring is overused, everything that isn't stock is called pro touring on ebay    But god I hope you're correct on more aftermarket parts for Mopars, like affordable overdrive transmissions that require zero tunnel modifications. A five speed auto that bolts up to a big block without cutting up the trans tunnel would be a game changer for the mopar crowd.

Magazines are making a comeback in my opinion. My grocery store is actually getting more auto magazines on the shelf and they are selling. Except mopar magazines, they are becoming shit.  

I also think the ratty muscle cars (not rat rods but 1965-75 muscle cars) are going to get bigger this year. People are wanting fun cars to drive and not have to worry about getting a $20K paint job or years in body shop limbo. Something that you can get into and have a blast without breaking the bank. Just look at the Roadkill following.

[resq302]

I think the hobby is just fine.  People are still fixing up cars and I see more and more classic cars on the road in any condition being driven.  Maybe its because people are finding out that todays newer cars have everything controlled by electronics which if something goes, you are pretty much screwed?  My Dads touch screen radio in his truck just had an electrical hick up where the GPS was showing him out in the middle of the desert.  That might be all well and good if we lived by a desert.  Last time I checked, NJ did not have any deserts.  lol. 

I predict more repro parts coming out for hard to find things plus a lot more of parts coming out for the mid 70s cars also. 

I also hope that gas prices continue to drop so I can drive my antiques more than I have in the past years.   

[69bronzeT5]

Car Magazines Expect the car section to get smaller in the magazine aisle.  We'll be paying internet subscriptions for special content.

Why pay for subscriptions when you can get it for free

http://directlyconnectedmagazine.com/

[myk]

I like the magazines because the Weather tech models in the ads tend to be hot...

[6spd68]

I'll be most interested to see where it goes if we hit another global recession, like everyone in the media has been DOOMIN' AND GLOOMIN' about.   

[JB400]

  I admit, I lumped the resto mods and pro touring together.  If you look at it, there really isn't much difference, except for some of the more extreme pro touring cars.  Most of the track cars look exactly like the street cars.

   As far as the magazines, like I said, I think that some of the magazine sites are going to start charging for special content in the near future, in a similar fashion that the premier adult sites has taken.  I think that there will be free sites like Cody's that will cover a majority of the hobby, but I think that certain cover worthy cars will be pay per view.  New products and tech articles will probably still be free.

[skip68]

Speaking of recession, well, I'm not going to hijack JB's thread so I'll start a new one.     
I agree that you'll have to subscribe to major online magazines in the future for full articles and such.   It makes perfect sense.   

[rt green]

i think the muscle rat think is going somewhere. lots of people cant afford nice ones, and i agree,  just want to have fun.