Let’s talk about this dumb ass badge pride, something car guys deal with or dish out on the regular. The arrogance of feeling like your better than your brother because you have that special badge. It’s a reoccurring event in all performance package brands. BMW, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Chevy, Chrysler-Dodge, and now even Hyundai.

Look I got lucky and I spent more money than I should for an N model Veloster. It’s a fantastic car, and I joined all the groups talk about and love my car. But it only took like all of two seconds before the groups I joined to start bad mouthing other Veloster models. When did getting something so great mean dumping on others? I absolutely love the whole line because they all have their benefit. In car groups or shows this should be shamed fast. It alienates other people that supposedly have the same passion as you, and silly enough shows how little you really care about joining a community. If you want to prick it up, then make a group for yourselves where you can just bash and be bashed by other assholes like yourselves. Not everyone likes what you have or think the dollar amount gives you more clout.

When my wife got her BMW, she was so excited to join a group, and little by little her enjoyment of the car community was spoiled by these same validation whores. When I got my Hyundai Veloster N my wife posted in her group how proud I was of my purchase. Is it funny that right after she posted I had to warn her people are going to be mean about it? I’m ok with it, but the look on her face as comments poured in just left her sad, angry, and humiliated. I remember her immediately leaving the group and feeling bad that she had to see these people are everywhere.

So how about try to remember your in a community people will tolerate you as long as you join in building the group if your tearing it down no ones gonna give a crap what you drive.