My views of the first couple of weeks as a newbie to the forum.

Hi all,

I’m still a newbie on this forum, but I'm slowly finding my way around with the help of some cool vw members.
I have been a member of many car forums over the years, from Mazda to Mitsubishi, where I learnt heaps of hints and tricks, and general help when required, its all about sharing knowledge after all, or so i thought.

This is my first VW car, and clearly my first time joining this forum, I’ve been reading and learning a lot which is great, and a few members have been really helpful, but at the same time, there are a few people on this forum that feel it necessary, witty, or what ever to be arrogant, sarcastic , patronizing when someone asks a question, i really don’t see the need in doing that, putting people down in order to make oneself seem superior.. At the end of the day, if you don’t know the answer, if the question doesn't interest you, leave it alone, what's the point of being a douche? I don’t get it..

I have to say I haven’t really noticed it on any other forum that i was a member, reading post after post on here, it’s the same childish “derrr you’re a retard” read the book kind of comment...If everyone had the answers or understood the ins and outs, the forum would hardly be of any use.


That is just my personal view of my short time as a member here,* reading thread after thread*.. and i will add it’s a very small minority of people that seem to be like that, for the most part people have been very helpful and knowledgeable.:cool:

Cheers.

hey mate, how are things?

not making excuses, but this is a huge forum (it's on the map in terms of global VAG forums), and i guess just like any other forum, there will always be the keyboard warriors, those who take the information they know for granted (and thus reply in a disgruntled manner when simple questions e.g. "what mods to do first?" are asked), and of course, people who grow weary of it all and start acting like assholes (me).

take the forums with a grain of salt... the enjoyment you'll get as a member of the VAG community wont come from posting on these forums, but rather from going to the meets and meeting other VAG owners in real life (thanks to meets posted in these forums).

get yourself along to the hot hatch meet this thursday, or go on the weekend cruise this weekend if you've got time.

the good thing about it is that none of the keyboard warriors seem to actually rock up to any meets :)

I didn't have to scroll to the bottom of your post to guess u had a Mk6. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you and many (certainly not all) of the new VW members here will probably get something new again in a couple of years, they might even work really hard and get a 1 series BMW! So don't fret, oh and if you decide your down with VW for a while get a mk1-3 I can promise no-one will give you that kinda attitude over there..

It's demographics....

Welcome btw...

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Originally Posted by bombsquad21

I didn't have to scroll to the bottom of your post to guess u had a Mk6.

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This.


However bear in mind that the people on this site are very passionate about their cars and when people come on here and claim the car isn't up to scratch or doesn't do something that it actually can do they take offense quite easily.
It's like a relationship, you have to give a little and take a little :P

Maybe you just need to get a MK IV :)

I'm a noob around here too after buying a Bora 4motion a few weeks ago and have found the guys in the MK IV section answred my questions, even the stupid ones, without any arrogance or sarcasm.

I have been around forums like this for at least a decade and I find this one to be in the top tier for friendliness and helpfulness, I'm sorry you have not had the same experience, don't let it drive you away though.

Thanks fellas, I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon lol, i still have heaps to learn about my new ride (and to do to it).. I just found it a little odd, so far as to say childish, na na na i know the answer but I'm not telling you, so go find it yourself kind of response lol..

One has to wonder, if you’re not a people person, and people and their endless questions drain you, why be a part of a community *just saying*

I think it’s worse for the newbies here, not just myself, people join and are so excited about their new ride, or waiting for it, they tend to unknowingly ask repetitive questions, but it’s new for them...why turn someone's excitement into a bitch feast. yes there are answers around, or in the book, point them toward that, it’s the delivery of the information (sarcasm) that’s the problem, not the answer itself.

Thanks again, looking forward to hopefully having a trouble free VW ownership and pimping my ride lol with the help of the members .

Cheers.

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Originally Posted by bombsquad21

I didn't have to scroll to the bottom of your post to guess u had a Mk6. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you and many (certainly not all) of the new VW members here will probably get something new again in a couple of years, they might even work really hard and get a 1 series BMW! So don't fret, oh and if you decide your down with VW for a while get a mk1-3 I can promise no-one will give you that kinda attitude over there..

It's demographics....

Welcome btw...

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Yeah, because bitchy comments like that are so incredibly helpful to matters.

ETA I think there is also a fair bit of banter which appears a bit rude at first. But, I don't think offence is meant by it. It's just banter.

Interesting point you raise. Something in that for all of us. Also sad to hear if you have a MK6 you're not supposed to ask questions!

I'll stick with the "old" MK5 even longer then!

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Originally Posted by Ideo

Yeah, because bitchy comments like that are so incredibly helpful to matters.

ETA I think there is also a fair bit of banter which appears a bit rude at first. But, I don't think offence is meant by it. It's just banter.

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Oh Hello, I don't think we've met. I'm Luke and I work at the airport..
Let me know when your lease is up...
I quite Mk6 R's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bombsquad21

Oh Hello, I don't think we've met. I'm Luke and I work at the airport..
Let me know when your lease is up...
I quite Mk6 R's.

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Don't mind me. I just put 2 and 2 together and got 465 the first time.

Gotcha ;)

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Originally Posted by djorkboy

I'm a noob around here too after buying a Bora 4motion a few weeks ago and have found the guys in the MK IV section answred my questions, even the stupid ones, without any arrogance or sarcasm.

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cause we love you bro :)

clearly, it matters not what vag car you have. welcome, ask questions, read lots, search lots, click on heaps of links, create new threads if you want, and most of all go to meets or ask to meet some helpful members. enjoy it man, and enjoy life too.

Vag on.

mk2 and restoration sections ftw, lots of helpful people happy to chat, and the discussions are more indepth than what options are on the car!

So having been around a while I know what your on about in terms of the initiation you have received in being a new user with a new VW.

So I joined here when the place was pretty new. I had a mkiv at the time, not much car knowledge of the VW kind and mainly not much money to spend. It wasn't a gti either. I really did not gain much in terms of technical advice as most people wanted to talk turbos etc but I went along to some meets and have some life long friends from those early days.

My point is it was the fact I invested a bit in the community that made ownership so valuable. You give and generally get back.

If your looking for better advice, maybe my advice is to head around the site and by doing so you betterunderstand the diversity of the forum, by posting here and there you become more widely known and inturn part of the community. People will be more likely to assist you in what your looking for in terms of help.

The flash in the pan 10 post wonders that breeze in and breeze out are the reason why you probably get that reception.

I hope that made some sense. And welcome.

Overall this forum does quite well given how many people are on here; you should see some of the forums in the states (ie. Audizine) where people will rip your throat out for asking a question that has been asked before, etc.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new VW!

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Originally Posted by fully

Hi all,

I’m still a newbie on this forum, but I'm slowly finding my way around with the help of some cool vw members.
I have been a member of many car forums over the years, from Mazda to Mitsubishi, where I learnt heaps of hints and tricks, and general help when required, its all about sharing knowledge after all, or so i thought.

This is my first VW car, and clearly my first time joining this forum, I’ve been reading and learning a lot which is great, and a few members have been really helpful, but at the same time, there are a few people on this forum that feel it necessary, witty, or what ever to be arrogant, sarcastic , patronizing when someone asks a question, i really don’t see the need in doing that, putting people down in order to make oneself seem superior.. At the end of the day, if you don’t know the answer, if the question doesn't interest you, leave it alone, what's the point of being a douche? I don’t get it..

I have to say I haven’t really noticed it on any other forum that i was a member, reading post after post on here, it’s the same childish “derrr you’re a retard” read the book kind of comment...If everyone had the answers or understood the ins and outs, the forum would hardly be of any use.


That is just my personal view of my short time as a member here,* reading thread after thread*.. and i will add it’s a very small minority of people that seem to be like that, for the most part people have been very helpful and knowledgeable.:cool:

Cheers.

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You must not have been around much...

Do yourself a favor, keep away from PF.com for your own sake if the stuff on here offends your eyes...

welcome to VWWatercooled :)

ive just been taught to keep my mouth shut, and watch all the douchebags... well..... act like douchebags..... it entertains me, sometimes i want to let them have it, but its just not worth it.... let them think they have the 15min of fame acting like "Mr Volkswagen"

so lesson No1: ignore stupid comments because youll got no where... most of the smartasses are computer nerds who's after 15 years of schooling can finally afford (lease) a "sports hatch" or whatever a GTI is called these days..... :P you have to understand they know everything now once they have been through computer schooling.


dom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WABIT

welcome to VWWatercooled :)

ive just been taught to keep my mouth shut, and watch all the douchebags... well..... act like douchebags..... it entertains me, sometimes i want to let them have it, but its just not worth it.... let them think they have the 15min of fame acting like "Mr Volkswagen"

so lesson No1: ignore stupid comments because youll got no where... most of the smartasses are computer nerds who's after 15 years of schooling can finally afford (lease) a "sports hatch" or whatever a GTI is called these days..... :P you have to understand they know everything now once they have been through computer schooling.


dom

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As an IT Professional (a fancy title for computer nerd), I'd be tempted to take offence to that but I'm too busy waiting at the traffic lights for WRXes in my sports hatch. Dude. Y'know. w00t. Some other trendy saying. My bog standard GTI is much better than <insert any other car here up to and including a Ferrari or Pagani> cos it's da bestest and fasterest.

I would like to (actually) say that you shouldn't ignore all stupid comments. Some can be quite entertaining - and I'm not including what I wrote above in that category. You'll learn who to listen to, who to ignore and who is talking out of their arse.

Welcome to the forum mate.

I'd agree with Dom (Wabit) about some of the stupid stuff you see. Often I've clicked reply on a thread, started typing out a message to counter what some fool has said and thought to myself 'You know what, I don't think this will help matters, it just makes me look as petty and full of myself as the idiot talking trash in the first place'. And most of the people who like to start trouble can not be brought around by logic, so if you try to change or 'right' things it will probably make the situation even more frustrating for yourself.

So rock up to a car meet, introduce yourself, and start talking to people about what you're interested in. The whole forum becomes more than just avatars and signatures when you move beyond your keyboard.

Unfortunately such individuals exist everywhere. To participate in a forum, you need to have a slightly thick skin. You may ask a reasonably simple question, but draw really harsh responses. You might offer a solution only to have it knocked down. You will come across posters who ask a legitimate question only they don't like the answer you offer - they have already made up their minds and just want some reassurance from others. Heaven forbid you tell them they might just be wrong.

It's all part of participating in a forum. You learn which posters to stay clear of, and which will accept a suggestion without it becoming an epic.

You know what, even this posting will draw comments, but then that's life.

You will learn how to post a question and how to respond; just as in the song "The Gambler" :D

Thanks fellas, ohh don’t get me wrong, it was just an observation, i wasn't having a cry over it LOL
I can deal with the best of them ;)

Thanks again.

just be grateful that you dont own a 1.9 TDI that ISNT coded ALH (the engine code delivered in the mk4 golf in north america), and are trying to get info out of the tdiclub.com boys.

unless you're asking about nozzles or hybrid turbos, then it'd better be about used oil engine wear particle analysis, hybrid turbos for their dailys that see 1.9tdi's spanking the new nissan fairlady in a straight line, best bottom end/ cam/ top end combo of which engines for best reliable 260hp etc etc.

if not, you'll either get no answers, or answers with links that redirect you to "canigooglethatforyou.com". this place is pleasantly hospitable by comparison, really.

and no disrespect to the people who put in the effort, $$$ and time intended, but i wouldnt worry too much about what the "old school" tragics who "hate" anything newer than a mk4 say, either.

after all, to quite a few in the aircooler scene (combi bus, beetles, karmann ghias etc) all of us with a watercooler (including myself, AND you and your brand-spanking new, low maintenance, easy to run as a daily mk3, bombsquad) is just another new car poser f4g who isnt REALLY a Vee-Dubber.

speaking of posing, if you really want instant respect on here, just buy a dirt cheap fifth hand toyota avalon and start screaming "JDM! JDM! JDM!!!!!!!!". isht, it can even be a friggin mitsubishi mirage with cute stickers and cheap coilies, and people will still respect you for being "JDM".

my 4.5 cents

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Originally Posted by madglf3

Welcome to the forum mate.

I'd agree with Dom (Wabit) about some of the stupid stuff you see. Often I've clicked reply on a thread, started typing out a message to counter what some fool has said and thought to myself 'You know what, I don't think this will help matters, it just makes me look as petty and full of myself as the idiot talking trash in the first place'. And most of the people who like to start trouble can not be brought around by logic, so if you try to change or 'right' things it will probably make the situation even more frustrating for yourself.

So rock up to a car meet, introduce yourself, and start talking to people about what you're interested in. The whole forum becomes more than just avatars and signatures when you move beyond your keyboard.

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Well said. I feel exactly the same at times especially about making comments and taking a second and thinking...its simply not worth the typing and surely not worth creating an argument and surely as others have said in the above posts, that logic cannot be conveyed to those who cannot get passed those with an anti-social need to feel superior. The way I carry myself is to give a helpful and honest answer or opinion which would only be constructive. After all, we've all been there and done that. We've all been a newby once. This is indeed such a big community that somehow out of miracle, this has by far been the most helpful, interesting and friendly forum I've joined. Another friendly forum I've recently joined include vwgolf.net.au. So so far, it seems the VAG community thus far have been an enjoyable experience including ownership. Hence I've gone from from my first to my second. Like others, all I can say is ignore the idiots and laugh it off and make the best of things. So to conclude, welcome, enjoy yourself and hope you attend the meets and festivities organised by the friendly forum members :banana:

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Originally Posted by Gti Dave

The way I carry myself is to give a helpful and honest answer or opinion which would only be constructive. After all, we've all been there and done that. We've all been a newby once.

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This is what many forget. Everyone has to start somewhere. What is old hat to some is new to others. Not everyone has to have a hot fast car to be an enthusiast. Enthusiasts enjoy something for what it is. It is rare that a brand actually attracts people to want to be associated with it.

Many years ago (few decades) I had a Mini (the original one) and it also had that brand attraction. With the Mini CLub, unfortunately even there it was a case of wanting to thrash the living daylights out of the car that seemed to be the main attraction, and not the ability to enjoy the car for what it was and the social interaction that followed.

As for adverse comments, you will always get them. It just means you have to be able to let them roll off your back. In the Simpsons, when they gave their elephant (Stampy) to an animal refuge, comments were made about one elephant head butting another for no reason to which the refuge owner said "you always get some who do that" (or words to that effect), and the camera cuts back to see Homer doing that to the refuge owner who tells him to stop!

This forum is quite an enjoyable forum to be on, and I have made a large number of good friends out of it. As has been said, you will find that the gobby ones are the ones that will troll behind the key board and never rock up at a gtg (like Maverick and Rocket36[what ever happened to that guy??]).
Another good forum is dubkorps.com. Lots of cool guys over there.