Re: Fear and Loathing on the LML (was: Reality check... (long, but informative...))

[DMCVegas@xxxx]

[MODERATOR NOTE: Due to the extrordinary length of this editorial, I have trimmed the quotes from Gary G. and Robert at the end]

In retrospect, perhaps your are correct in saying that I should have 
also recognized the quotes by others on the list that did speak on 
the DeLorean's behalf. Namely a Mr. Larry Kjellberg. I truly do 
appriciate the fact that he was willing to take a stance in favor of 
the DeLorean in as it is both a pleasurable car to drive while 
presenting the positive factors along with the negative ones when 
judging the car. In the face of such critical statements, it takes a 
bit of courage to stand up and go against others by presenting what 
appears to be an unpopular opinion (based on the comments of others). 
I do hope that he is on the DML as well as I would like to take the 
time to thank him for his actions.

Why am I so defensive, and why am I taking this so personally? 
Perhaps I have overlooked something here, but I would imagine that 
this would be more then crystal clear by now. Calling my car a "pig", 
and stating that I "...almost seem to have a little penis envy when 
it comes to Lotus..." are comments that I would consider to be on a 
VERY personal level. Think of how you would have felt if I or someone 
else were to have made those very same comments twards you and your 
car...

Believe me, over the past few years I have done by most people's 
standards a considerable amount of research. However, if you are 
refering to the Lotus Mailing List, I'm afraid I'm unable to as it is 
a "Members Only" list where the archives are not publicly available.

But perhaps I am missing something here as well. Being a DeLorean 
owner is not an easy task for some. Along with a small to modest 
reseve of money for repairs, the shop manuals for your car, the time 
and patience to work on you car, there is something else that you do 
need. And that is a bit of wit and a sharp tongue. I don't say this 
to alienate you or others in any way, but you probably don't know 
what it is like to own a DeLorean. A typical trip to the auto parts 
store to pick up things such as oil, or maybe some window cleaner 
usually turns into some sort of heckeling. Here it is the worst 
because somebody is there that always seems to "know" your car. No 
matter how far out into left field their comments are, YOU are the 
one who is wrong because "They know your car!" This also accompanies 
the usual barage of cocaine jokes and other derogatory comments 
against the car. When you have something that you are very proud of, 
it becomes hurtful sometimes that have to listen to people constantly 
tear down that thing that you worked so hard to build up. The younger 
you are when you decide that you want to purchase a DeLorean, the 
harder it is on you. When you're young, people pass off you opinions 
and dreams as "just a phase", or some sort of "foolish notion". You 
can't get a loan for the car because you "Don't have enough credit." 
or some other petty excuse. Later on this turns into, "Well, you have 
excellent credit, and I don't see a problem with the loan. But it's 
just that our bank is unable to finace a car that is 20 years old. 
Although it's still too young to be considered a classic car." In 
other words, they will refuse to finace the vehicle simply because 
it's a DeLorean. But I must give many thanks to my parents who always 
encouraged me to pursue my dreams no matter what anyone else said.

As an enthusist, these are verbatim answers I have gotten from 
various banks that I applied for loans at. I present these things not 
for pity, nor for respect. I simply present this to show you exactly 
where I'm coming from. My comments are not based out of rage or 
anger, but of the love for my car. I want people to know these things 
because if you buy a DeLorean, they will be the exact same things 
that you will have to go thru! I don't brag that my car is better 
then someone else's, I don't pretend that my car is something it's 
not, and I certainly don't ever reccomend that anyone ever buy a 
DeLorean. That's not to say that it's a bad car. It's just that it's 
not a car for everyone! if you are not careful, owning a DeLorean can 
drain you both financialy and emotionally. The constant negative 
comments by others almost seems sometimes like a constant harrasement.

But I digress. My comments were not posted out of anger simply for 
the benefit of my own ego. They were more of an effort to correct the 
ignorance that had brightly shown thru in comments that had been 
posted. Most hurtful though did have to be the comment made by you 
concerning a certain type of "envy". But not totally on a personal 
level. More so that this was a negative comment directed at not only 
the DMC-12 itself, but owners and enthusists as well because this 
comment originated from a fellow DML'er. As I said before, I am sorry 
that you feel this way. I realize that my response was a bit, shall 
we say, harsh. But I only responded with the same predjudice that was 
directed at myself and others. Although as sharp as it was, I don't 
regret a single word I said.

I also recognize that there were snippets left out of your follow-up 
posting, and the fact that you did appologize not just once, but 
twice for the comments. I do both thank you, and respect you for that.

In closing I would just like to say that it is too bad that your 
first postings had to be under these circumstances. I would also like 
to ask the Moderators to close this thread out after this posting. If 
you wish to continue the subject, I would prefer to do the 
gentlemanly thing and continue this discussion in private. Other then 
that, let me just say welcome to the DML!

-Robert
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