I asked a few other car forum people...they said the complete opposite..
people from car forums will say your site is good because their own is crap... you can't ask lower level users to rate your style, you need to ask the guys who make real sites -- sorry, but not hard feelings, you're in the world where people compete a lot here!
a website is never personal, even your own blog, so take advantage of the reviews, not being frustrated by them.
you use a 3rd party style with no real change aside of your header which look like 90% of all the cars forum i've visited in the last 5 years.
your portal is pointless... a clean forumhome will give more results.
avoid bold in your posts, avoid black text too... people are already going to read your text, no need to make them bold.