Where Did Car Forums Go?

Someone ask a question below that's already been asked so we can all YELL AT YOU FOR NOT USING THE SEARCH BAR...There, now the comments can feel like the good ol' fashion forums :)
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The worst part about car forums - even when they were still active - was the search function. It sucked. And sometime using google to find that thread you were looking for wouldnt land you there. Then you find some poor dude who wanted to ask a question get bombarded with 4 replies telling them to sEaRcH.

Alex has said it best - It used to be about helping others and now it's about helping yourself. I think a good incentive would be a thank you button of some sort. Any little thing to help you know your helping others instead of typing into the void.

Nothing beats forum posts from 2003 that save your bacon when taking apart your car. Hope someone starts archiving offline copies of old car specific forums because certain tutorials are priceless.

I've run/owned a forum for a little over 14 years now, and it's been sad to watch the usership slowly die off. We have a Facebook group that's orders of magnitude more popular, but also vastly less useful. Basically the same 10 questions/discussions just repeated over and over forever.
I continue to keep the forum running, as at least internet hosting is cheap now. I'm sure at some point (2030 maybe?) I'll have to finally let it go down, or at least hand it off to someone else that wants to manage it. The day it goes offline, thousands of hours of effort into detailing, organizing and curating information just disappears. Kinda sad really.

Forums are the best way of getting the information we are looking for, a lot of the times on youtube you cant find a single video sometimes not even a single video anywhere related to the topic youre looking for, we all love that richard that solved our problem with a simple comment 17 years ago, you only get that on forums :)

I still read and learn from forums, some are 10-20 years old lol.
Most havnt been added to in years but there's still valuable info there.
I also still use youtube, so between the two I can learn how to work on or find parts info for just about anything. I work on alot of older stuff and some stuff is just odd stuff that can only be found in the old forums.
Personally I dont read many books, but i have many old automotive and motorcycle books I save just to preserve incase I ever need them.
I feel the same way about the forums, I think they should be preserved as an extra source of info.
Because if you cant find it on youtube (or the video on that subject just isn't sufficient) you can definitely find the info in the forums.

still get most of my knowlesge for working on my FC from the rx7club forum, loads of great info between all of the dead image hosting links lol

Honestly, the worst part about forums was the attitude (often times same goes for Reddit or Facebook). There would always be like 5 people that were like ex-Navy master electronics technicians or mechanical engineers at a performance part developer and those guys knew their stuff, but then there's be hoards of know-nothing loudmouths that would call you an id iot and then have nothing of value to say.
When you inevitably couldn't find what you wanted in the search function (or didn't know there was one because it was your first time using a freakin forum back in 2002), everyone would give you the typical "search noob!" bs and lock the thread. Then, you come back with a new thread saying you couldn't find anything on the topic and everyone would still huff and puff or use different words to search you didn't even think to try because it was car-specific words you had never heard and post a link like you were supposed to know that. Or, you finally do find a thread, but it's 5 years old and it gets locked because you posted in an old thread.
Long story short, without fail every time was "welcome to the forum" followed by "sh ut up and don't ask anything" *locked thread*. They only wanted people posting stuff that already had the info, but damn man, I gotta GET the info before I can post it, I'm not a master tech, I just want to fix or mod my car. It's a forum, not a library.
Years later I went back and searched for my old screen name (usually banned for getting fed up and telling everyone to fck off for being obnoxious dicks) and all of those fckers were 100% useless a holes, again, except for the 5 people that knew anything and only posted like once a month.

I miss forums so much. It came in handy a lot when working on my Jetta and especially my Cobalt SS. Even made a thorough how to on a custom LED 3rd brake light. It was sad watching the CSS forum die. Main monthly car showcases disappeared and the last one is currently from 2018. Would really like to see it come back alive.

I think Reddit took over the role of a lot of forums. I think forums can grow again, though. When most car forums were alive, I was just a kid. I was six 24 years ago. I'm also a late bloomer when it comes to realising that cars are cool and more than just a point A to point B thing.

BMW and Honda forums are still alive and well. Audizine which you mentioned in the video is also still active. Sure they aren’t as busy as they were back then, but there are still people there discussing and posting DIY information like “the old days”.

"Learn to search. There are already multiple relevant posts on this topic. This constitutes spam" some things don't need to come back. I was on my350z and g35driver before i had a license and probably 10 years before i got a G. Was a ton a great info about service and common probs. Crazy build threads for inspiration.

I frequently go back to the old forums for critical information I need in current projects/swaps/upgrades. Facebook groups have taken its place for active information but nothing really beats pages of old forums and the wormhole we created back then. Bringing back forums is definetly something I would like to see where the activity of new parts, installations, upgrades and dumb questions can be answered. Just call it something else and launch it again.

I’ve only been on two car forums, a Thunderbird forum and one called Opposite-lock. The T-bird forum has been helpful in the past for obscure problems, but Opposite-lock is the one I love most because it isn’t make or car-type specific, and it’s frequently off-topic, so it has the vibe of you and all your weird car-obsessed friends hanging out in each other’s garages and talking about life n’ stuff while wrenching on our projects and offering advice. The number one rule is just “be excellent to each other,” and as a result it feels more wholesome and personal than most other forums, even if some of the posts are pretty random. That’s why it’s survived so long when other forums fade away.

I think part of what killed forums is the fact that you can find a lot of DIY tutorials on youtube as well now. Like how to replace axle seals, install lift kits, re-gearing differentials, preventative maintenance, etc.

Forums aren't dead, but they've evolved like the rest of the internet. The issue I see is that the internet has become a hell of a lot more centralized in the last 20 years relative to what it was. Rather than everyone having their own little niche spheres on their own websites, now everyone's all in the same places. And that's great for the convenience of "oh ok! Now I can see most of what I want to see all in one place," but it does lead to a cycle of enshittification that sucks.

I joined the ClubLexus forums 2 years ago when I bought my GS 400. At first I only posted questions when I needed help, but now I know a decent amount about the car especially after changing my starter and water pump. I check the forum at least once a day, usually more. Unfortunately, there isn't much activity but I'm trying to be active there by making just-cause threads and replying to people that need help. I really hope it comes alive somewhat as being able to have meets with other people would be awesome, but it's a long way from that.
Seeing the old posts and stuff makes me wish it was active like it used to be.

I bought a Stinger GT in January 2019 and joined the forum. The car was still new on the market, so the forum was incredibly helpful. Great community of people helping each other learn. I think it worked well because it was a completely new car. All of the forums I’ve used for cars that have been around for a while were basically dead.

Audizine, man that site showed me so much. My B5 S4 and wallet were never the same.

The new camera angles are really good Alex. Keep up the great work

Car forums are so engaging and helpful as the contents are so well categorised and structured. You name it, gallery section, QnA, user reviews, diy ideas, listing, etc. - which one you feel like checking out that day, you can just deep dive into each particular section.
Social media, in contrast, everything is just, literally, all over the place. I believe that's why people respond less since it doesn't make you feel very connected or even recognised. I only find car social media a good fun place to scroll for a few minutes looking for random interesting things and gone.

I remember in '12 trying to find the correct motor mounts for a Si swap on my '90 civic and photo bucket being just trash

I’ve seen your website and I dig it reading everyone’s ride and they’ve done is great cause now I know what parts to use

I only did one search on forums when I had my Audi and was lost. I only use Facebook pages or CZcams

Forum still exist to me and has help me along the way. I didn't know it was a thing or a source to begin. Eitherway, keep up the motivation Alex.

What drove a lot of people off the forums was the gatekeeping and the immediate hatred for anyone trying to do anything outside the box.
It usually goes like this:
New guy asks question about combination or modification that he hasn't seen on the forums.
Responses as follows:
Mod/ mod wannabe posting in all caps about using the search bar
Guy with no knowledge of the subject matter telling you you're stupid to try
Guy with limited technical knowledge saying it will never work, but when questioned for specifics as to why, reverts to calling you an idiot
Members that don't have anything to add, but feel the need to justify their own inadequacies by insulting the guy who asked a question.
10-15 posts arguing about how big an idiot you actually are
No resolution or actual useful information.
Aside from a very few, most forums have two unwritten rules- NEVER ask about something new or technical data not previously discussed. Asking a question that the mods have no answer for is obviously you just trying to insult them, and will be dealt with accordingly.
Never modify your car beyond what has already been done 7,647 times. The "fashion police" will strictly enforce the "dress code" for any and all vehicles of forum members, disobedience is heresy and you will be immediately ostracized- no matter if the modification works well or not.
these are the reasons I quit most of the forums I was ever part of. Not worth the headache, and I'd just have to figure it out on my own anyway.

I'm on the GTR forum. It's a low volume car so there's not a lot of active individuals. You see the same 5-10 individuals respond all the time. I try to help as best I can but I don't have the knowledge others do. Still a great place for historical knowledge.

The toxicity of forums for new or inexperienced people didn’t do them any favors. An honest question gets responded with rudeness and elitism. At least in my experience..

Here (Poland, Europe) we went from Forums to Facebook groups pretty much. There are still some forums somewhat alive, but you will find a faster answer in a FB group made for your specific model/brand.

There has to be a blend of the two somewhere there. A front that has the photos and quick conversations with the backbone of real knowledge. Its almost like you have to go to two places right now for something like that.

Perfectly categorizing car issues> random same questions asked on a weekly basis with no organization social media.

The downfall of all forums. And it's a great loss for all of us. There's just SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE accumulated there and its all sinking into the void because of social media that don't offer a viable alternative. And reddit, which has become the internet-within-internet. But people don't care as long as it's convenient. I started visiting one forum regularly and it's a great experience. Much better than any facebook group I've ever joined. But there's a small handful of active users (maybe 30?) even though it's the biggest international forum devoted to a niche, but not that unpopular hobby.
P.S. 2010 was 14 years ago, not 24. You're not _that_ old. Yet 😁
P.P.S. Thanks for including the Nightride, greetings from PL!

Love the channel bro keep going!❤

Alex making the internet car sceen great again one step at a time 🤝

Dang @AlexMartini you and I have similar starts with the car world. I also started mine with a Mitsubishi 3000GT, but mine was a 1993 base which was like the SL, only with slightly more vague steering and none of the fancy bells and whistles. I was also on 3si at the same time you were.

I still use a car forum every day. But we are all old now, been a member for 20 years

I mean true, very few people are participating in forums. Posting regularly isn't dead exactly, but I know I'm not on forums unless I'm looking for specific information. Social media I guess took the place of following a build or a car or a specific person, but not the place for an in-depth write up. Which does sadden me.

It’s literally why I want to start my channel. I had the idea in 2017 but couldn’t do anything because running a channel and a shop is hard. Can’t wait to restart.

Acura zine has helped me so much! Dudes from 20 years ago helping me today. Sometimes it’s funny to read the arguments people would have😂

I think social media is the new thing now, but having said that, the GR Corolla forum is still very active. I get lots of feedback there, and lots of helpful info being added almost daily.

Love those mitsubishi gt. Always wanted one. My brother drove one. Thought it was nothing special cause of the v6 not a v8. Till he hit the gas a little to hard with out enought road. He got pulled over. Clocked at 96 mph going around a very tight turn. Said. He was more impressed with the turning capability more then the insane speed. He is a muscle car guy. So he has never till or since then had something nice to say about any car that wasn't a muscle car.

Supraforums has stayed somewhat alive, people still come there for the archive/vault of information, and is much more active than other forums of newer cars I’ve noticed (for example: GTRLife vs. Supraforums is a night and day difference, GTRlife just feels so dead.) Either way all of them feel dead compared to back in the day.

Anyone remember CarDomain?

All the way back in 2010 (24 years ago). Funny fail. Love the content though.

I'm never going to forget a Life Time BAN from Honda Tech. Because a said A roll cage isn't only for safety but it also stiffens up the chasse.
So I got a lifetime ban for trolling... 🙄

My car brand forum is alive and kicking, i would say it's an exception though, other forums are dying or already dead. We still have daily strong activity. We currently have 40.000 members, not all active, but stil this forum never rests and people even meet each other irl through the forum.

I refuse to join Facebook, so there is no community left. Discord is absolutely abhorrent for communicating, since it's a fancy chat and unless you're there, you will miss everything. All the car forums in the Twin Cities have died and I've not found a decent replacement that isn't FB.

The NightRide parts of this video made it perfect

24 years ago… back in 2010, dam that video is straight from the future 😂;)

the rx7 forums mainly rx7 club is still thriving imo

Bimmerpost seems pretty alive still... Not as much wild DIY stuff over there compared to the old RX7 and Silvia forums.

I LOVE Forums!!! I just got done looking up the length of my rear end! Even though theres no Photobucket Pictures, -Hell- I dont need those to tell if its 3 inches wider haha😅 but yeah i will always look at forums

That's the content I subscribed for!

As a Subaru guy forums are like the lifeblood of our community. Sites like Nasioc are responsible for their own demise, they haven't updated ANYTHING in decades on the site to make it appeal to the modern user but they are happy to rake in all the Ad money. The search functions don't work correctly half of the time and it's pretty much a trashcan site at this point.
If they were to modernize the site and improve basic functions I promise you the site would grow expentionally but they aren't willing to spend the money.

There’s a lot of information still on those forums that are still up at least

if r3vlimited didn't exist, I would be so screwed trying to do anything on my E30 325ix. It being such a niche car those 10-20 year old forum posts saved my life. So I hope they don't go away and are saved, or return.

You’re out of the loop. I’ve seen a massive resurgence in forum usage.

Well kind of not really you can still find great videos on specific niche cars like robertdiy and his 850 videos we just dont have the patience to search

I got really into cars AFTER 2021 and finding acurate wheel offsets for a set of wheels for my 370z was next to impossible. Thanks for calling this out Alex

I always wondered what happened to all the unviewable photos on forums. Now i know. F U photobucket! Also, holy crap that guy wrote a book for a story on his martiniworks page.

How about a part 2 on a more comprehensive way to find answers to car building questions?

Ah the old I have this problem, looking for answers. Figure it out and never come back and tell.

The Mazda forums were my haven back in the day.

A lot of the forums i started at switched to reddit or made discord servers so i dont think they DIED per se but just took a new form

I always thought Audizine was pronounced like Magazine

My build never got published on your site. Only ep3 probably being built right now

I still lurk around on forums. Theres a lot of useful information there if you're willing to sift through it. Or USE THE SEARCH BAR! 😂😂 Always had me chuckling when someone would say it.

The wayback machine allows you to see things that have been destroyed.

To all my bros from the 240sxforums off topic/late night group, hope you are doing well!

i can still find some 2005 posts but not really needing it anymore with some quick google photos

As a wisconite, I had to double check that you did say valley fair

I still use forums even if there is almost no new content. Lots of information still available.

Remember when you could filter a google search by forum posts? Those were the days.

Forums died because social media really
Yeah there's other factors but the biggest reason is social media

Any quantifiable metrics on if forums are actually failing or is this anecdotal?

CorvetteForum and LS1Tech are still very much alive. But still, those guys, especially the corvette guys, don't change.

Car forums never failed here in Europe. They are still an important aspect of car culture.

Skyline forums are still active , got help with my question within a few hours

There are still forums. I use an outback forum. There's still a ton of them

I'm in FT86 club forum and is dead af. Everyone migrated to facebook

Now its all about facebook groups where members will look down on you for not buying the "right" parts.

Bimmerpost seems like it’s doing pretty well, a rarity from what I’ve seen

DSMFORUMS are still bumping man

Im gonna be so screwed if rx7club suddenly disappeared

Has there always been a martini drink at end of every video?😂

i still use forums nowadays because you can know whether an info is true or not, youtube is good for sure i still watch youtubes, BUT forums is the shit, wrong info will be berated and good info will come from the known person on the forum, in reddit you could easily tell a misinformation and you could get an upvote, i'm a rotary guy and pretty much learn to build engines from forums

I used to follow forums because they used to sell cars that I wanted.

UsE tHe SeARcH bAr, SoMeonE aNswEREd ThIS QueSTiOn

Those camera angle are straight out of craig leiberman

i like the thumbnail a lot

GOD I miss those 30min Sunday car shows!!!!😢please make some videos i can chew on for a spell!!!....GIVE US MARTINI WORKS TV!!!!!LOL

Car forums still have such valuable information on them …

Remember when cardomain was the photo spot for cars?

It’s hard to touch cars now. Upgrades used to be cheaper and possible, now it’s only for the rich

Who remembers TunerFriends

Side camera looks weird. Honestly I prefer to keep looking directly at you, feels more like we are talking. Side camera looks disconnected.

Some forums are still around

Now we got tiktok advise on how to blow up your engine in record time 😂😂

Primarily I blame Facebook and then Discord.