Modifying Cars is Addictive: 3 Bad Traits of a Car Nut

Working on cars and installing performance modifications can be very challenging and a lot of fun. However, some people take it to the extreme and spend every last dime they have on performance modifications to their car. Many people wonder why a person would go to such great lengths in modifying a car; expending all of their time, energy, and money of auto performance modifications. What most people especially friends and family members of a person that goes to such extremes don't realize is that modifying a car for speed can be quite an obsession. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it, the situation just happens where a person gets completely involved and wrapped up in their need for speed.

There are a few different reasons why a person can get so entwined with modifying a car. One reason is that many car enthusiasts start modifying as a hobby and are soon consumed with the idea that the more performance parts they have installed the better they will feel about their self image. For this kind of personality modifying the vehicle has become an extension of them; the belief is that the modifying of the car is a direct reflection on their personality, value system, and knowledge of cars. The knowledge portion of car modifying can become quite an obsession. Racing cars isn't just about who has the best parts or the best car; rather it is about who is trickier than the other. Knowledge is power and in the car world the more you have, the more efficient you can be with every dollar you spend. If you are smart enough to come up with the right combination for a fast car then you have a major feeling of accomplishment which can be quite euphoric; however the let downs of failure can be quite depressing. A persons ego has a lot to do with this also; it's kind of a contest of my car is better than yours.

Some people that are modifying cars are just thrill seekers with the need for speed. The more races they have, the more they win, and the faster they go - the bigger the rush. This kind of car personality is just an adrenaline junkie. When they go fast or compete against other cars their brain releases more dopamine and adrenaline than the others in the crowd. This can make modifying cars especially addictive for these people because they actually have a biological addiction to speed; so they're pretty much willing to do anything to feed their obsession.

The last personality type for people modifying cars is someone that just has an addictive personality or is very OCD. This is the kind of guy that only works on his car by himself and meticulously cleans every square inch of his ride and saves for weeks on end for just the right combination of parts. They view their OCD with modifying cars as somewhat of an art form. The car is their canvas and they love to show off their motorized metal sculpture whenever possible. Whatever the reason, modifying cars can be a real drug and can be almost impossible to get off of. I personally have been addicted to modifying cars for the last ten years and have owned two shops, at some points the addiction almost spiraled out of control; but with most addictions in order to control them there must be balance and realism. If you know someone that is desperately modifying their car and hell bent on spending all of their money on it; try and be as understanding as possible, it's more addictive then cigarettes I'll tell you that.