On the Skyline College campus, the car culture is alive and it shows every morning from the moment you arrive in the parking lot to the moment you leave.

The cars scattered across the parking lot are absolutely candy for the eyes to any car enthusiast. The vehicles out on the lots are not consisting of $200,000 plus cars such as Lamborghini’s, Koenigsegg’s, and Ferrari’s.

The lot is a mixture of Japanese and European imports; and American, both modern and old school. Most of these cars are just simply jaw dropping. When you look at these vehicles, it doesn’t make you envious of the drivers, but makes you appreciate the vehicle itself.

“You will see any type of car at Skyline from tricked out economy cars to full blown sports cars with modifications” said Glen Dayanghirang.

At the moment Mr. Dayanghirang currently drives a 2006 Nissan Altima that is completely stock for its his commuter. But plans to keep it as his commuter as he progresses his dream to save his money for a Nissan 350z. and plans to make it his weekend car.

These vehicles here range from brand new off the lot to the modified that have perfect wheels and stance, to the loud and powerful, etc. It leaves you thinking how do these students afford the personal touches to the cars and how do they find the time in between school to personalize their cars. In the end these cars are a reflection of the owners with the personal touches they added on their vehicle.

“All you see nowadays is flushed cars” said Jommel Lopez.

Lopez a proud owner of 2004 BMW M3 E46 that is bone stock and for its age is quite stunning considering it’s a 10-year-old car. All the mods that are in the vehicle have custom made wooden trim, resulting in a spectacular look you wouldn’t find in any other M3.

Now to address the drivers of the vehicles, most of them are just like any other student on campus, but they share an interest in cars and probably part of the certain car communities on the internet. This car culture on this campus is not something you expect out of Fast and the Furious where street racing is the usual. It’s not like that at all; it’s about just glancing at each other’s cars throwing thumbs up on a regular basis.

Also at times interacting with each other and getting to know the vehicle and look for advice on parts, to performance shops, etc. Meeting new people who share the same interest provides a great and pleasurable experience for the students who are enthusiastic car owners. Getting to know people who live and breathe cars, is what car culture is all about.

“It’s a good experience meeting people and or seeing people with so many variety of cars that are tailored to their liking or style. The topic of cars can always be a conversation starter to something enjoyable and knowledgeable” said Geo Wong.

Currently Wong owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX that only has cosmetic modifications such as modified headlights and foglights. Followed by a front bumper lip that gives this WRX an aggressive look. It also has a nameless exhaust that amplifies the signature boxer engine sound note.

At the end of the day you don’t need the top of the line car from the dealer and spend over $50,000 to be part of the car culture. It all comes down to the passion you have for cars regardless of the manufacturer of the vehicle, to the power band of your ride, or even if your ride is not in best condition. It all boils down to making the best possible additions or tweaks to your car to make it standout and immerse yourself in the car culture; and remembering that cars are much more than a machine, it’s a reflection of you.