Car forums seem dead, the alternatives aren't really the same, where is everyone?

[sugarwood]

I never noticed but interesting thread and comments.
My take is the forums killed themselves via saturation and redundancy.
The peak content generation was probably 2005 to 2015
By 2015, I think Youtube DIY and Google searches began to answer most questions.

Does anyone here use Reddit or FB as a car forum?

https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/17w2ksp/car_forums_seem_dead_the_alternatives_arent/

[sugarwood]

Some funny replies!

I hate using r/BMW for any info.
90% of the time you get idiots who drive 35 year old BMW’s who loves to talk down on any mods being done.
The rest are just circlejerks of the same **** about how bad BMW’s new designs are.
They are full of mouthbreathers and complete idiots. There's occasionally some useful information.

[oldE]

I would suggest you get out of any conversation what you put into it whether it be on an online forum or a face to face encounter.
There is of course a degree of redundancy as new people join the conversation, but I think we all look for what interests us.
Best of luck in your search.

Les

[masraum]

I'm on some decent facebook groups for other things, but not cars. I mostly don't need/want much car content. I'm happy to be here with folks that enjoy/appreciate cars with the occasional car content. I don't really need/want the sort of technical content for my Boxster that I did when I got my old '88 targa or when I had my miatas. I think the 911 tech board here still seems fairly active. I haven't been on the miata forums in several years, but they were quite active back then. I think the deal is that a lot of the content depends upon the specific vehicles and their group. I've seen some groups for some cars that were just not a good fit for me.

[Mike80911]

I have found this forum to be the only one I belong to that is of any value. I belong to several other forums mostly for muscle cars and never receive an answer to any questions, especially technical ones. They seem more impressed with peoples knowledge of the option codes and production numbers than anything having to do with how to diagnose and fix the car.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Mike80911

I have found this forum to be the only one I belong to that is of any value. I belong to several other forums mostly for muscle cars and never receive an answer to any questions, especially technical ones. They seem more impressed with peoples knowledge of the option codes and production numbers than anything having to do with how to diagnose and fix the car.

My guess is that you might get better answers for that stuff here. Plenty of gearheads here that have experience with muscle cars.

[stealthn]

I think there are so many factors, people buying newer cars, not into DYI, etc. also there is the forums themselves; I am on a Macan forum that is more interested in “critique my build choices” than DYI, and when I post with an anecdote to a similar experience I get roasted by the Admin for straying off topic.

Many factors

[Rot 911]

Generally, when it comes to the Facebook groups, I am in for motorcycles, I get most the answers I need there.

[Otter74]

For 911 stuff I come here; for my Sentra SE-R the mailing list that I've been on for 30 years still exists, but all of the activity is in two Facebook groups. For my Saab 900s, there's a good forum but Facebook is my go-to for good advice.

[unclebilly]

I have a young engineering coop student working for me from a top engineering school. I am absolutely shocked by some of the questions he asks.

I would have imagined that this generation who grew up always having the internet would use google a lot more… nope.

Last week, I suggested that he use chat gpt to figure out how to calculate fluid drag on a hollow piston because he couldn’t figure it out on his own… I actually had to go through the motions with chat gpt and then send him the ‘chat’ to review. It wasn’t hard.

This generation seems to think google and car forums and looking stuff up is for old men and boomers… not cool enough for them. But if a YouTube or IG or (insert the cool platform d’jour here) influencer says this is how to do something, it’s gospel.

[Bill Douglas]

I dunno, I go to autobody101 https://www.autobody101.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=5 every day. Not that I like it, it's just the simple familiarity that I like. Sort of like going to McDonalds I guess. But like you asked, not much even there, going on.

[RANDY P]

Ever read what you post? It's you Sugar.

rjp

[stomachmonkey]

I'm on a bunch of FB P Car groups.

See Byron and a few other Pelican regulars there as well.

They are not the same as here.

Can't tell you how often I have to post a link to Pelican because some new owner is getting really bad advice or is having trouble finding info on a commonly dealt with issue that is fully documented here.

The attraction for things like FB is ease of use and instant gratification / validation.

It is easier to use, take a pic or video on your phone and post it directly from there.

The vast majority of internet traffic these days comes from mobile platforms and old style BB forums just don't lend themselves to mobile formats.

[911 Rod]

I think most have gone to FacePlant. I find it annoying because everything gets lost in the replies and then I can't even find the discussion after a while. To me, a forum is much easier to read and research. Maybe I'm just getting old and stuck in my ways.

[red 928]