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Car enthusiasts are an interesting bunch of people. They modify cars, drive fast, and cause all kinds of raucous on the streets among normal people going about their lives. Or do they? Here are five of the most common misconceptions that some non-car people have about enthusiasts.

1. Every car enthusiast owns a fast car

Many non-car people think that car enthusiasts always own and drive fast cars. Thanks to franchises like “Fast and the Furious” and “Need for Speed,” many people who aren’t into cars have the impression that car culture means flashy body kits and street racing. That’s not necessarily the case.

In reality, many car enthusiasts enjoy restoring old cars, attending car meets and shows, and just cruising around. Sure, plenty of bad apples in the bunch race on the street and participate in takeovers, but they are only a fraction of the enthusiast population.

2. Car enthusiasts are rich

A new Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica, one of the Volkswagen Group's newest supercars, shows off its front-end styling.
A Huracán Tecnica | Volkswagen Group

Yes, cars themselves are expensive, and modifying them is even more so, but you don’t need to be rich. Getting into cars can be as pricey or as cheap as you want. We have even found sports cars that sell for under $5,000. Even if you only have $1,000 to $2,000, you can find yourself a nice beater to work on. Case in point – no, not every car person is rich.

3. Car people only talk about cars

A green Volkswagen hatchback drives to a car meet
An old green VW hatchback | via Getty Images

This may be true in some circles of friends, but car people don’t always only talk about cars. Car people are generally well-rounded and regular people with other interests and hobbies. Additionally, some car people are trade school and university students and would be more than happy to talk about otherworldly topics besides cars. That said, don’t be surprised if you’re car-loving friends want to talk about cars from time to time. After all, you were probably into vampires at one point.

4. Car people are unsafe drivers

A car enthusiast does a burnout in an old Ford Focus
An old Ford doing a burnout | via Getty Images

This point goes well with the first point of owning a fast car. Although there are some car people that like to drive fast and recklessly, it doesn’t mean that all car people do. In reality, many car people are safe drivers and just like to drive their cars at normal speeds. However, if a nice canyon road is open and available, some spirited driving may ensue.

5. Only guys are car enthusiasts

A group of modified Japanese cars
A group of modified Japanese cars | via Getty Images

While it is true that the car scene is likely made up of 95% men, more or less, it’s untrue that only guys are into cars. There are plenty of women all over the world modifying, restoring, and wrenching on cars daily. Even Sydney Sweeney, a well-known actor, works on her own truck. So no, not all car enthusiasts are men, but most are.

Car enthusiasts are a lot like regular folk

Although there are plenty of misconceptions about car people, these five are the most common. Although some car enthusiasts are weird, remember that they are human too, and, if anything, they live life just like anyone else with the added fun of being immersed in the car culture.