500+ members and counting

Who would have thought back in 2007 TOA would grow from 4 members to 500+ eh?

This last year has been crazy.

Although I do have reservations about how many members there are.

probably 440 of them no longer visit lol

what are your reservations?

Alot never even post up, but still 500 registered

I'm trying to say this without sounding like a dickhead but IMO bigger isn't always better.

My view of the group was that it was a close bunch, that had love for the same thing, and had a sence of exclusivity.

I always thought the group aspired to be the the next royal origin or lowballers ect.

I know my car is nothing special but I've seen a rise of wank cars appearing.

Just my 2p.

hence the reason why JAE stand places are invite only. not just if the car is worthy, but that the member is worthy

stokes i like your style. thats my/our view to the club too. like ned said, thats why its invite only, its just a shame we cant have the same restrictions for the meets/forum!

But if that was the case, then the only four members of toa would be ezza ned me and Scott. It's only through turning up to meets we have all met since. Without fresh people joining your never going to get to the next level.

Anyway, I'll celebrate 500 members on my own and arrange a meet in the staff room

you feeling ok? you seem kinda down all of a sudden.

more regular summer meets would drag new member in

well done 500 members ..

tbh as a new member,im amazed that you ned/dave/and stokes think like that.

i mean from what your saying,it kinda makes it hard for any new members to integrate,and become a valued member of the club.

i understand that for stands at events you want the best,highest standard of cars...but it is a bit of a kick in the teeth to others who have joined and would be willing to represent T.O.A in their pride and joy(whether or not,to anybody else its a nail).

it's a bit like saying your all welcome to come to our meets to make the numbers up/see what were about/join the forum.but when the shows start....well let you know if your welcome/if your good enough for us!

im not having a dig btw,it is honestly just how it comes across.

well done on making something successfull though.

richeunos wrote:

it's a bit like saying your all welcome to come to our meets to make the numbers up/see what were about/join the forum.but when the shows start....well let you know if your welcome/if your good enough for us!

surely that should exactly be the case....


you dont get satuday arvo pub football team players walking out for england (some would question this)

you dont get good without practice...and the best practice is with the best players

^richeunos exactly what I've been saying, as for shows then invite only, but meets forums etc if were not as welcoming as poss (which we should be) we'll miss out on good members with cleeeeeen cars like the mx5

P.s we're by far not the best players, sick, but not the best. we should be striving to be the best and welcoming others to join us/help us along the way

You can't put a comparison like that up, are you saying that all the main members cars are better than some of the newer, less well integrated members cars? Cuz I've been here since day 1 and the mx5 (using it as an example again sorry) is better in my eyes than my fc.

to use football again...

meets are like football try outs...


(i hate football btw)

rich i totally see both sides, and 2bf its good to have your input on this (as we have discussed it many times lol)

as a club/forum isnt it in our own interest to make it an 'elite' few 'core members' that make up the stand at shows. those few people that are like minded, and all get along etc etc.. as they would spend 2-3 days on a stand together

but isnt it also in our own interest to encourage new members to sign up and get involved?

but what if they have a SICK car, and they are a complete dick?

but what if they are a really nice guy but have a terrible car?

and as a 'new member' i'd be put off if my car was being criticized etc. so when i actually do have a worthy? car i wouldnt be coming back to a toa meet/the toa forum

as a core member, taking all this into account, its a tough one in my eyes to get a happy medium.

how do we deal with it?

i actually don't see it being a major problem right now, the guys invited on the TOA JAE stand get the thumbs up. as we have decided to make it invite only, it has worked well.

as the meets go, we cant control who attend. we have our fair share of terrible cars turn up, but the ratio of good to bad has been firmly towards good.

i sort of see what your saying.Its hard to get a fine balance.

it takes a glance to correctly judge a car,but years correctly judge a person.

you definately should be encouraging new members to sign up,but unfortunately there will always be a vast difference in personal standards.

i dont consider myself as having high standards,but have had nothing but positive feedback about my car,of which im very gratefull...in some ways suprised.

its a different take on most of the forums ive ever been on.theres a lot of shite cars on a lot of foums,but it's usually seen as,good or bad car your welcome.

im not saying your way is wrong,just different.

but fair enough,you want to portray T.O.A as a quality rather than quantity type club,makes sense now!

You hit the nail on the head rich!

"Quality not quantity"

i'm glad you get what TOA is "about" now mate.
thanks for clearing it up Dave.

Glad we are all on the same level, and recognise the issues we have to deal with/try to find a way to deal with.

and to add another dimension to what ive already said, some people would be put off when they join to see everyone complementing an horrendous car, which if we do, it won't be portraying what TOA is all about.

As Duane said earlier, we are far from saying the TOA members have THE best car's, and anyone joining has the match or better them.

alot of us have work in progress projects etc, and me for instance, i don't even have a japanese car right now! (saving up to import one)
but i suppose that underlines the fact we can't take everyone at face value, especially to evaluate THEM by the car/quality of car they have at that point in time.
being welcomed by TOA will hopefully encourage them in the right direction with their build etc...which i think we already do to a certain degree, if we can see potential

I'm only here for the bitches

Gary. wrote:

I'm only here for the bitches

bitches or bitchin? I dont see no bitches on here but a load of bitchin!

doesn't it equal the same thing?