what defines cult status for a car?

Hmmm. No, I don't think its a cult car--but I do think its a very, very successful product. I bet that if you look, you'll find similar discussion groups, meets, rabid owners, etc for just about any car. That's one thing the internet has taught me-- there's someone out there that loves it and has probaby created a web page in honor of it-- whatever 'it" may be. Even cars that you may think of a "boring" have rabid fans like some GM cars, Honda Accords and Camry's. It might be an interesting exercise-- try to think of the most boring or ugly car that you can, and then do an internet search for it. I guarantee you'll find atleast several fan pages and message boards for it.

IMO, for anything (car, band, movie, whatever) to have a "cult following", the majority of people outside of those who like it need to look at it and go "WTF?". IMO, nothing mainstream would qualify. And the E46 is about as mainstream as you can get.

The only BMW model currently in production odd enough to qualify for the moniker, IMO, is the M/Z Coupe. And I would say that it DOES, in fact, have a cult following.

If it's a mainstream item that has a very loyal, rabid following, those followers would be called "enthusiasts". Hence, IMO, we are all enthusiasts.

Kaz said:

A 'cult car' I think is a car that will always garner an enthusiastic following, even if its decades old and otherwise well out of fashion/technology/etc.

Vettes, Minis, early 60s Impalas, 2002s, 240Zs, XK1x0 Jags all qualify, IMO.

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Other examples are the Datsun 510 and the SVT (and certain other) Ford Contour(s).

TD said:

IMO, for anything (car, band, movie, whatever) to have a "cult following", the majority of people outside of those who like it need to look at it and go "WTF?". IMO, nothing mainstream would qualify. And the E46 is about as mainstream as you can get.

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Does that mean even crappy cars like Gremlins or Pintos (cars 'normal' people would definitely say 'WTF?' to yet have a following) qualify as 'cult' cars?

I think there has to be something inherently appealing in at least some sense. Would Corvairs count? :dunno:

robg said:

That's one thing the internet has taught me-- there's someone out there that loves it and has probaby created a web page in honor of it-- whatever 'it" may be.

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George Carlin once (maybe more times?) used this line...

"If there's more than 4 people interested in something, there's a magazine for it." Or something like that anyway.

Kaz said:

Does that mean even crappy cars like Gremlins or Pintos (cars 'normal' people would definitely say 'WTF?' to yet have a following) qualify as 'cult' cars?

I think there has to be something inherently appealing in at least some sense. Would Corvairs count? :dunno:

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I used to work with a guy who owned two cars, a pristine BMW 2002 and a Corvair. He was fanatical about both. Through him, I learned that there are actual Corvair clubs. He was in one. Granted he was also a BMWCCA member. But I think he would have given up the 2002 before giving up the Corvair.

So, yes, IMO, even crap-boxes like Pintos or Gremlins *could* achieve cult status. But that's MY definition.

Here's his Corvair page, just in case it seems a bit hard to believe- http://www.geocities.com/gevalt65/myvair.htm

TD said:

I used to work with a guy who owned two cars, a pristine BMW 2002 and a Corvair. He was fanatical about both. Through him, I learned that there are actual Corvair clubs. He was in one. Granted he was also a BMWCCA member. But I think he would have given up the 2002 before giving up the Corvair.

So, yes, IMO, even crap-boxes like Pintos or Gremlins *could* achieve cult status. But that's MY definition.

Here's his Corvair page, just in case it seems a bit hard to believe- http://www.geocities.com/gevalt65/myvair.htm

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Corvairs are cool. If Ralphie hadn't written his book they wouldn't have that unfortunate stigma attached to them. Sure, it was more deserved than the rep that Audi cars got becuase of 60 Minutes' hack tv journalism, but if you kept the tires properly inflated, it was a fine car.

Besides, any open top car that I can get up onto two wheels and live to tell about it can't be all bad :thumb:

clyde325xiT said:

Corvairs are cool. If Ralphie hadn't written his book they wouldn't have that unfortunate stigma attached to them. Sure, it was more deserved than the rep that Audi cars got becuase of 60 Minutes' hack tv journalism, but if you kept the tires properly inflated, it was a fine car.

Besides, any open top car that I can get up onto two wheels and live to tell about it can't be all bad :thumb:

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To be honest, you remind me a bit of him, personality-wise. I admire the everyone-else-be-damned attitude although I'm never able to pull it off myself.

TD said:

I admire the everyone-else-be-damned attitude although I'm never able to pull it off myself.

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Thanks...and you do just fine:thumb:

In the gruff words of Tricky Dick:

"Fuc% 'em!"