Not exactly, but strong overlap between this and "gear heads." They obsess over the tech, specs, and ofc gear. Ask them about anything subtler than that and it's clear they don't actually care about the activity in itself - just getting swept up in hype cycles and flexing on other gear heads.
Can also mean people that are really into cars or motorcycles, but I don't think it's as pejorative in that case?
Not to bash on newbies, but it's definitely a thing. It's really only sad if it causes them to waste their money on something that ultimately isn't for them. If they're actually enjoying themselves then that's cool.
Anyway I love gatekeeping on this kind of shit because I have a privation fetish, so grain of salt on my opinion.
I'd consider myself one, but I'm always skeptical when I meet others because I know my opinions are not aligned with what people generally consider a petrol head.
I feel the term can have negative connotations because whilst some may think of the kind of people who have their own little project car which they keep in their garage or put on a trailer and take to events or track days, others will instantly think of those asshole teenagers with their riced up compact cars who tear around the streets without insurance.