other Where do you find the passion?

[Fatherof3]

Always hearing about how Italian cars are built with passion and German cars are lacking it.

 

Well we're all here because we're passionate about our little cars so tell us what it is about your car that brings out the passion

[02Anders]

Built with passion??
Well if the Italian cars were built with so much passion, wouldn't they be better engineered then?  Wouldn't those assembling the cars back then in the factories have tried a little harder?
I'd argue that the German engineers dedication to building some of the most durable, drivable and trustworthy cars around, is indeed a sign of building with real passion...

In 24 years of touring much of Europe in my 2002, she has thus far never let me down!  I recon that's worth getting rather passionate about...   

[tjones02]

My passion lies in the build and design quality as much as the driving experience and utility, with a good amount of childhood memories thrown in for good measure. Memories of family trips crossing the US from Northern California to the Boston/Lime Rock area and two years later to Orlando/Sebring in the 2002Tii to BMW Club meets with Dad and Mom doing track days, then drive home, all with nary a complaint from the car... I'd say there's passion in that. Enough passion to make me want to work on them for a lifetime. 

Edited April 12, 2016 by tjones02

[adawil2002]

My passion for BMWs comes from driving such wonderfully fun, well engineered cars and meeting the people who share that passion. If it weren't for BMWs I'd have no friends. 

[2002Scoob]

Saying Italian cars are built with passion, is true to a point. But it's also the rationale used when explaining how, or how often you have to fix them

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[deschodt]

Since we have veered towards german vs Italians, I feel I should butt in, owning a 73 2002 and 74 Alfa GTV... I kinda get the argument...  It's not so much the way it's built (quality), it's the choices made and the pursuit of different goals... The Alfa is built to be sexy, inside and out. Ergonomics be damned (i.e more passion than rationality). It looks sexy, it sounds sexy, the quality is ho-hum.

 

 The bimmer seems more logical, more ergonomic, no-nonsense. Cute but not pretty (rational > passionate). You feel like it was engineered to be a good drive, with good seating position, not too loud, etc... if it's passion, it's passion for efficiency and good design!  

 

Reliability wise, so far it's a tie for me.... Alfa leads break downs 1-0 (but easily fixed), Bimmer needed a lots more rust repair and upgrades - honestly quality wise they are not dissimilar at all, both invented rust...*I'm* passionate about both about equally, actually. 

 

Edited April 12, 2016 by deschodt

[PaulTWinterton]

If you combine the easthetics , engineering, and joy of driving an 02, it all adds up (to me) to be "love" or "passion" for the car.

How many times have people commented on your car, "the best car I ever owned", "I should never have sold it", "my favorite car".

NOW, throw in the hours of laying on your back under the car or contorted under the dash, or cleaning, fixing, adding new parts, and how can you NOT feel connected to the car?

 

Hey don't get me wrong.  It goes both ways.  I get mad at my car too, when it F*&%s-up.  I won't speak to it for a week.

 

 

[gregpark]

Speaking of contorted, I remember experiencing a lot of passion in my'02 back in the 70's when I was in my 20's. I'd be put in traction if I tried to relive that passion now.

[kavadarci]

I'm passionate about the automobile in general. 

I own two "zermans" 1972 bmw 2002 and 1971 mercedes 250c.

I love them both equally for different reasons, the bmw is a little fun maker, so fun to drive but ha zero luxury and quality is so so.

The mercedes is a cruiser, build quality and materials used are superior over the bmw. Loaded with features from factory, a/c, power windows, power sunroof, leather seats, power steering, all disc brakes to name few. I don't find it as much fun to drive as t little bmw.

 

I keep the merc original while while modify the bmw to the t**s.

I personally think th German cars are th best engineered cars but as they say different strokes F different folkes.

[Road trip]

The passion for me is in the memories 

I have from criss  crossing the entire North America in 1600-2 and several 

2002's. In the early 70's I spent my summers almost living in one.

i just want to go back in time

 

[vinntagejoe]

i just LOVE my 02 but if passion starts on the futbol field, the Italians have it:

 

Germany's Goetze socres, 2014 WC:

 

 

 

Italy's Taradelli scores, 1982 WC:

 

 

[Vicleonardo1]

 

Being half Italian and seeing complaints about Italian cars. I resemble that remark. 

I would argue that Italian cars are built by passionate people, but not necessarily about cars.... I am sure there is was a lot of loud arguing going on at the assembly line. 

I am also half redneck. Don't get me near anything mechanical I will start pulling out strips of duct tape, bungee cord and baling wire. 

 

My passion was foisted upon me. My brother in law decided to give up his daily driver since 1975 and gift it to our family. My wife is very passionate about the car as well as it involves her Father and there may be a lingering strand of his DNA somewhere in that vehicle. 

 

I am extremely excited. I understand my brother in law now, once I got behind the wheel and drove it, I am trying to do what I can financially to upgrade, improve,  and make this car dependable and safe.

 

Making my wonderful wife happy also drives me to get this car "right". I can't wait to see her behind the wheel once the car is ready. 

 

This community and board also has been invaluable, with so many members willing to help others and share their knowledge, love and passion has been icing on the cake. 

 

Cheers to all. 

 

PS: Funny no one has mentioned the passionate builders of Astons. MG's, Bentley's etc......:)

 

 

[wegweiser]

I got to passionately drain 9 quarts of milkshake from a 308GT4's oil pan last week. Then I passionately disassembled the engine and put it in two passionately hand built crates, so that I can passionately send it to the machine shop to have new cylinder liners (the passionate kind) installed for the customer. 

 

I've built mid 60s Ferraris… and I've seen the build quality (or lack thereof)…. the craftsmanship vs. passion statement is akin to selling all of your belongings just so you can have wild crazy sex with the hottest person you've ever seen. Passionate? Yes. Well thought out long term plan? Not so much.

[mo02]

Somewhere between 3rd & 4th gear (4speed only)

[Mike Self]

The passion for '02s began for me in 1967 when seeing a 1600 in the flesh for the first time, and then looking at a 2000CS coupe costing twice as much.  The fit and finish on both cars was identical--and the same engine (save a couple of carburetor barrels) lived under both hoods.  The build quality was impressive...and then when the factory did a very American thing--stuffed their largest engine in their smallest body (think Pontiac GTO--or even earlier, the Olds Rocket 88)--I was hooked.  It was 47 years ago next month that I bought my first 2002, and am still driving it.  

 

And how many of us will drive 500 or 1000 miles for a weekend gathering of fellow 02ers? (Raises hand)

 

mike