Not since this morning. :_paranoid

Dude---LOL----now that's funny right there---

Yep--always cleaning up after others---it certainly fits in many ways for sure--

That's pretty good man---you certainly get a good read on folks--I'm actually a Controller for a University here in So Cal---

Funny thing is, I want my stuff to be as nice as yours---just won't let myself--yet--I'm sure the greed will kick in once the cars are together in June---LOL --If Dave also brings his, I can guarantee a major decrease in the savings account.

Just trying to keep Todd off balance...
:rofl:

Didn't think about the janitor comment and your real occupation -- does kinda fit though!

All in good fun...

Is that what they call a Janitor nowadways?:rofl: Can't wait to see you in June.:thumbsup:

Slight hijack....
No difference here either guys. You set the budget for your vision and almost 100% of cost over runs are due to client redirection and over-selection. Doesn't matter if its 2000 or 20,000 sq. ft. (auto- mild build/mega build) Homes are always a fixed price with slotted allowances (auto-typically always hourly)which I assume both Jeff and Dave know. Just giving insight to those that haven't built. Most likely not , but if there's a developer out there that charges by the hour like this auto industry, I will go out of may way to shake his hand. Side note- Sorry Jeff being local and all, just wanted to rattle your cage for going with somebody else LOL

Great thread, excellent insight. And I would like to nominate Greg as our spokesman on wisdom. Scott can we get a Lat g wisdom sticky.

Now I understand....

Ok, seeing as how my father and I are just about done with our car, I think we've learned just enough to contribute to this conversation. First, this site is horrible on the check book, especially for someone looking to start a build. There are a ton of really well built, high end cars on here, with all of the right parts. When we first got our car back from Vegas it was just a clean shell that that barely rolled. The first thing we needed then was suspension. Going in to the project I had done a ton of research on parts. I knew what what was good, what was bad, and what was average, and I wanted something that was well balanced. I didn't want to have great suspension and crappy wheels, motor, etc. or vice versa. We knew we wanted it mini-tubbed and the shop we sent it to was a dealer for DSE, they talked my dad into their sub and quadralink. From that moment on our budget was ruined because every successive part we ordered or mod done had to be built to that same level. As inexperienced owners, with little more than a passion and appreciation for the hobby we knew it would get expensive. It is ridiculously easy to spend each month without realizing what the build totals after a year. Before our car even got to bodywork we had 65 grand wrapped up in it. We were fortunate enough not to worry too much about running way over budget, and figured if we'd come this far, we might as well go the rest of the way. Even so, it has been hard at times justifying this money pit of ours. If things were different I could easily see us trying to sell after realizing how much nice paint and an interior cost. Hell, if you include a shop handling wiring and final assembly you realize you could buy a new Vette and a daily driver or two instead of finishing the car, that seems more reasonable, which is downright frightening.

Be wary, I'm sure there are more of us morons out there than there appear to be
Anyway, that has been my experience, that is, the experience of the unskilled "drug addict" type that is new to the hobby. We fell into the crowd of people that really need to take their budget, double it, then add 15-25% to get what they envisioned. I suppose I'd agree that it would be easy for one's vision to easily become too big for his bank account. Or, at the very least too big for the budget, which is were we fall, and from the looks of it we are in good company with Todd and others.

Matt

Hey Matt,
You'll find that the dse sub and quad make that car. You made the right decision. The problem which you nailed is following that trend. All I can say is get out and use the car. Don't be afraid to put a scratch in it. All that will end up doing is lose more money.

My car is no where near finished yet. It is also WAY over budget, but since it has been built on available funds and not credit, and as it has been built over the course of a few too many years, there has been no pinch because of this.

I think there are two rules that will keep any project, and any family for that matter, out of financial trouble.

Rule 1: Money makes an excellent servent, but a most tyrannical master.

Rule 2: Credit, like any power tool, when used properly and with the appropriate respect and care can be most useful. Also, like any power tool, if it is abused or used with any degree of carelessness, it can cause serious and permanent damage to the user.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill