We gear heads can always remember that first car – loved or hated – and if you look back at your past, you can see how that first infatuation would help to form the foundations of what you like – and don't like – in vehicles.

Tim started out in the cold, mechanical world of DSMs, but found a friend in the friendliest little car sold in the nineties, the Dodge Neon. Perhaps the Neon said, “Hi” to Tim and that was all it took to get him in the driver's seat.

Phil noticed a classic Datsun “resting” under a tree and was immediately smitten, learning early on to appreciate the vehicle, as he had to do the work to get it running again.

Derek had a long term attraction to the Miata. Some, myself included, might scoff at a guy being interested in a Miata, but when you combine the spirit of small, British ragtop motoring with Japanese reliability, what's not to love? (Maybe just the fact that I'm too big for one.)

Finally, Rob was exposed to open wheel racing at an early age. Without body panels and interior bits adding unnecessary weight to the machine, the little pull-start kart brought with it a taste of raw speed and power which is the stuff of which you never grow tired.

Each of us has different preferences. We've got reasons why we “play” with the cars we do, but we can recognize the similarities between us at the core. Somewhere, back in the day, there was that one machine that drew us in and we've been hooked ever since. From the sheer insanity of the Neon community, to the new classics from the pre-Nissan era, to the wildly popular roadster that started a renaissance worldwide, to literally being presented with the green flag from day one, there is commonality.

I think that's pretty cool.

We gear heads can always remember that first car – loved or hated – and if you look back at your past, you can see how that first infatuation would help to form the foundations of what you like – and don't like – in vehicles.

Tim started out in the cold, mechanical world of DSMs, but found a friend in the friendliest little car sold in the nineties, the Dodge Neon. Perhaps the Neon said, “Hi” to Tim and that was all it took to get him in the driver's seat.

Phil noticed a classic Datsun “resting” under a tree and was immediately smitten, learning early on to appreciate the vehicle, as he had to do the work to get it running again.

Derek had a long term attraction to the Miata. Some, myself included, might scoff at a guy being interested in a Miata, but when you combine the spirit of small, British ragtop motoring with Japanese reliability, what's not to love? (Maybe just the fact that I'm too big for one.)

Finally, Rob was exposed to open wheel racing at an early age. Without body panels and interior bits adding unnecessary weight to the machine, the little pull-start kart brought with it a taste of raw speed and power which is the stuff of which you never grow tired.

Each of us has different preferences. We've got reasons why we “play” with the cars we do, but we can recognize the similarities between us at the core. Somewhere, back in the day, there was that one machine that drew us in and we've been hooked ever since. From the sheer insanity of the Neon community, to the new classics from the pre-Nissan era, to the wildly popular roadster that started a renaissance worldwide, to literally being presented with the green flag from day one, there is commonality.

I think that's pretty cool.