I love finding the common denominator. The fact that people are so different is what makes them eternally interesting, but if you have absolutely nothing in common with them, you soon lose interest. Well, I’ve found the common denominator among men aged 12 to 65. It’s not sports. It’s not ambition and pursuit of money. It’s not a love of Judd Apatow and Adam McKay movies. It’s not lusting for the women of Maxim. Nope. The common denominator among men? Fast and Furious.
Man, what is it about these movies? Fast and Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Tokyo Drift, Fast Five and so on for the rest of our lives. As a woman, I’m always confused every time another FF franchise is released. Didn’t they already make that one? Isn’t he dead? Are they in Brazil this time? But it’s not just about making Paul Walker a filthy rich bastard despite his acting disability. There is actually demand for these movies! Much to my surprise, guys love these movies. I thought it was just American guys under 35. I was wrong. I can’t remember discussing Fast and Furious movies with any guy in the last 10 years who said he didn’t like it. Young, old, Westerner, non-Westerner. (My dad is a sole exception I can think of, only because he prefers romantic French movies and anything starring Julia Roberts. He’s old school and awesome.) And just why do they love these movies?
For the CARS. Really fast, outrageously souped-up, insanely expensive cars. Ever heard of an EVO? I hadn’t until my boyfriend. Apparently they’re very fast.
The Fast and Furious franchise is like Sex and the City for men. Men of all different backgrounds, interests and ages seem to come together in their love for these movies. My boyfriend rationalized it like this,“They have these incredibly expensive cars that they ride once before they get absolutely destroyed. It’s a total male fantasy.” I think it’s crazy to spend a lot of money on a car, especially when it comes to aftermarket work. Adam Carolla used to rant about it on Loveline and I’ll never forget his analysis that “You get about 7 cents in resale value for every $1,000 you put into customizing and boosting your car.” As a newly frugal person, I remind myself that my car is a utility, a means of transportation and nothing more. A car is a depreciating asset and I don’t want to spend the majority of my income on something that loses value. I say that to myself every time I lust after the 2013 Lexus GS 350.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that my boyfriend and I are quite different when it comes to cars. He has a 2010 EVO Special Edition. He wanted it and he’s ecstatic he has it but I think he’s finally less ecstatic about his monthly car payment (which he has never had before or even any consumer debt). I don’t think he’ll ever stop loving his car, but he’s promised that he’s learned his lesson not to buy anything on credit. He’s even more of a newbie to living frugally, but we’re taking it one step at a time. We combined our auto insurance to get a better discount. We pay extra to his principal payment. And even though he’ll always be fast and furious, I think he knows now not to be so fast and furious in signing paperwork for his next big purchase.
Guys, am I right? Do you love Fast and Furious, or at least like to watch it for the cars? Or am I just surrounded by a bunch of car-nuts? Let me know!