I'm not riled up, I'm just extremely averse to living in such a place. You can have your HOA all you want, as long as I can still find a neighborhood without one...
What!? So you can't change your oil? What idiot thought that was a good idea?
I live in an area with no HOA. I would never live where there is one. I think it seems to attract egotistical people who like to think they are much wealthier than they really are (no offense intented to Mac or anyone here, just been my experience with many HOA types), and/or who have too much time on their hands.
In general, living in a wealthy neighborhood automatically solves this problem, because a rich guy probably isn't going to have 3 old fridges in his yard. Not to mention wealthy neighborhoods tend to have larger properties and you don't need to worry so much about your neighbor dragging you down.
But I shudder at the idea of a wealthy neighbor not being allowed to pull his all original 67 Corvette with a 427 out into the driveway and let me ogle it while he changes the spark plugs.
There is also the fact that it sort of paints people into a corner... unless you are wealthy to the point you'll never have to work again even through you spend like a drunken sailor in a Thai brothel, there's always the chance that hard economic times may befall you. And if they do, I can't imagine having it made harder by some snooty neighbors complaining that your car isn't up to snuff or that you save some $$ by maintaining it yourself, etc.