Well, I as always have a few opinions
I think the 18+ thing is a serious mistake, Not that I think we have had an intelligent crop of youngyins sign up lately, I just think it is wrong to put an age limit on what people can enjoy young or old. Maturity isn't necessarily based on age. And being over 18 doesn't mean you arn't a total newb and about to ask a million stupid questions.
I do like the newbe forum idea. People with intermediate experience could tackle those questions and feel like they had been a help instead of trying to answer questions that are way over their head like now. which leads me to the next point,
The restricted forums idea. I definately think it would be worth it to make tech and advanced tech restricted to people based on their experience. Specific masks could be made to allow access to those areas based on admin approval etc. That would cut down a lot of the OT stuff and provide less BS to navigate.
The club idea is cool, everyone likes to be considered part of something bigger and represent so I don't think that is a bad idea at all. Same with the events etc.
Banning is cool when needed, I can usually think of a few people that could be banned. I don't think limiting the site to dsm type cars only is necessary, those people just have to realize they probably won't have access to anything but the parking lot anyway.
I also think we should have a specific idiot award for the most annoying person each month. We could have it in the parking lot and everyone could post why they thought that person deserved it. Maybe the point would get across and they would change. Never know.
For someone without much wind, I think I have typed enough.