Are cars really that bad of an investment?

As some of you may know; I am a car nut.  I love 'em.  I physically can not own a boring car.  Even when I get an exciting car, I have to tweak it, dump insane amounts of money into it just to make it my own.  There are people who just view these incredible machines as simple tools - inanimate objects built for the sole purpose of servitude.  They don't know how they work other than that they do until they don't, and then they trade them in for one that does.

For those of us which enjoy modifying these magnificent metal beasts, it becomes an incredibly personal relationship.  A special bond develops between man and machine, similar to that of a pet.  They are our loyal companions to the bitter end, and believe me, the end is always bitter.  We grow together, learn together, get in arguments.  Yes, arguments.

But on the other hand, it's not just the relationship with the car that makes this hobby so incredible.  It's the people we meet.  It's hard to find a group so passionate about what they do as car enthusiasts.  Sure some hold fierce loyalty to branding but when you get down to it, there's so much to be had in common.  The community is so accepting to all walks of life, and it's amazing.

Those that view us as hooligans throwing our money away will never care to delve any deeper than the surface.  They will never understand what lies beneath; that this is forever engraved into our souls.  I guess I just want to stop explaining myself to these people.  Sure cars are a horrible investment from a financial standpoint, but that's as far as that statement goes.  For this much fun, knowledge and brotherhood, I'll smile all the way to the poorhouse.

And this will be my chariot.