Is this a rich mans hobby?
 

In a recently locked thread (in the "Open Discussion" Forum?) I was accused of being too hard on someone because I questioned them asking for donations from forum members to support his hobby. A "hobby"... something you don't really NEED. Here are my responses to his rantings.

• I am not a rich man by any means. I stayed in school and got a degree like my parents, who are immigrants from Eastern Europe, told me to do.
  
• I sold my Grand Sport because I couldn't afford to pay the debt I incurred building it. Didn't want to part with it, trust me. I borrowed some money too and paid every penny back. I learned a lot and had tons of fun with the car but I didn't ask other people for money, not even a dollar, so I could keep it.
  
• I work hard in a full time job too, take side jobs, created an internet side business, etc. for extra money to support my family and hobby.
  
• I have a wife staying at home now with a 6 month old baby who is no longer bringing home an income. Yes, less money which sucks, but we believe the sacrifice is worth it.
  
• I lost my job last September (company closed) and found a new one right away because of my work ethic and skills.
  
• My 2 bedroom starter home is too small after 10 years living there. I need a bigger house now that I have a child and can't afford one in my current town so I have to move farther away, thus increasing my commute to work.
  
• I paid student loans for 10 years, never missed a payment on any debt, never bounced a check - ever! How'd I do that?? I just decided a long time ago that I would never do it.
  
• Like most people, I make less than 100K a year. I try to save money, which doesn't leave much to "throw around".
  
• I am generous when the collection plate comes around at church because I know others have needs far beyond mine. Once, when leaving a supermarket, a woman approached me asking for a few bucks for food. I brought her back inside and filled a cart, paid for it and left her in disbelief. (I only reveal that story in hopes to inspire others. Nothing feels better than helping someone truly in need. Try it.)
  
• Until the sale of my "hobby car" my wife and I both drove 1992 vehicles with over 150K miles on them. They were old but they were paid for.

We all work hard. Some of here are blessed with the ability to scrounge up enough to have some fun with a car hobby. Sometimes we also have to sell our beloved hot rods. Some of us are blessed with amazing income levels and feel no want, piling up cool cars left and right. That's just how it is.

Is this a hobby just for rich people? You tell me.

No, this hobby is as expensive as you WANT it to be. I am writing a feature on a guy that has $16k into his '68 Camaro and it's pretty nice. He did this by hunting bargins, doing his own labor and horsetrading. Look at Alcino for another example as well as many others on this board.

My '68 is an expensive car, but I am not rich. I got it by "building up" over the course of many many years. My Fairlane looks pretty good and there's only $10,500 cash into it. So, to sum it up, to play in the big leagues you need big money, but to just play it's not expensive at all.

Well said, Steve.

I couldn't afford to build the car I am without the side jobs I do. It's a challenge, but that's also why it's so rewarding.

Mecom,

Ok... Look, I have to say, I was a bit harsh coming back at you. Stress lately has been at its all time high for me and i hadnt had my morning smoke. Those two combined didnt help me reply all that well. I'm sure you and I could be good friends, I apologize for coming off too harsh.

On to your question.

Steve is right, the hobby can be as expensive as you want it to be. But lets face it, you wont find a car these days for $100 in show car condition. It just ain't happening. It is however one of the most expensive hobbies when you compare it to, say.... Tennis or bowling.

I'll explain my situation... i had planned on saving the $1,000 i need for my car in the upcoming year, however... i have a current situation that i cannot... under any circumstances let pass me by. Which means the car needs to be bolted up and ready to drive by spring. Hence my haste and anxiety about the situation. Mecom PM me if you want more details, i promise it wont be a sob story.

No its not a rich man's hobby, but it isnt for broke folks.

Apology accepted. I'm a bit edgy too, as you can imagine, after having to sell my dream car that I put my heart, soul, time and treasure into. It just bugged me to see someone asking for money after the sacrifice I just made.

Well said,Mecom racer.100% right. I do understand charity but begging for hobby car:rolleyes:

How does charity begin unless one asks for it?

I guess i dont see it as begging, more as asking for charity.

I agree with the general consensus. It is all in how you want to play the game. The problem comes when your wants far surpass your means. This happens to be the case for me. I am just lucky that my Dad wants to build a cool project and I get to be involved. I have a 69 Camaro with 20k original miles on it my dad and I restored 20 years ago. I would love to redo it, but..... One sub-100K income, 2 1/2 year old twins yada yada yada. Sound familiar? So they say patience is a virtue, I'm counting on it. I will enjoy the car the way it is until I can do more. Until then, I will enjoy helping my dad spend my inheritance!!!! LOL:lol: It is not a rich man's hobby per say, but as with most things I would definately like to try it as a rich man! Hang in there Max and breathe before you ignite the keyboard. You'll work it out.

You are right i ment asking.I truly dont think charity is begging.Sorry.

I think you were on the right track when you were asking for opinions on ways to earn extra money. Beyond the jokes about selling yourself, you did get some good advice.

Yeah I think asking for charity or donations or whatever the heck you wanna call it is wrong, unless you are joking.

As said before - this is a hobby. Pay for the necessities in life in good proportion and then use what's left over on your hobbies and passions.

Take a side job to get that extra thing you want, but to just extend a hand and ask a stranger for it is pretty weak IMO.

I have wanted to get in the game for over 10 years after having a POS Nova in high school. Well, it's been over 10 years and I can now finally afford to get back in the game. Plenty of other stories here about hard work and earning it.

I would have reacted harshly too had I seen the original post.

If you want it bad enough, you will find a legal way to go get it done and pay for it without extending your hand. And patience is a virtue.

I don't know of anything getting cheaper. Its the people that count and friends don't cost too much. Unless your buying drinks for Mr. Howell, LOL. JK big guy.

Indeed, this passion of ours is defiinitely getting out of control price-wise. Just look at B-J auctions to see that. It may eventually be a rich man's hobby... and soon. I hope not. I know that at this point in my life I couldn't start any project like my Grand Sport again any time soon.

I'm getting a bit off-topic but...

Watching this discussion makes me very proud to be a part of the Lateral-g community.

I can't imagine such a discussion as this not erupting into pure flaming chaos, anywhere else. :thumbsup:

I'm with you. I like to see this kind of resolution to a conflict.

AMEN!!

Speakin' of flamin Chaos...anybody here ever got the screamin' hearshey squirt ate too many Hot Peppers woke up in the middle of the night confused and convinced that a flaming Tennessee Porkupine(sp) had crawled up you dookey shoot and was trying his damnest to back out?


I hate it when that happens.

AAAHHH!!!!!:question:

Its nice to hear from the orginal post there are some special people on this earth that just happed to love hot rods, ecs Chevys :thumbsup:
With that said i too am an avid hot rodder growing up with a father and grandfather that shared a true passion for chevys and tri- five chevys and show cars and shared that love and passion showing and building our cars through the years right up till my granddad passed away, the great man got out of open heart surgery and his first words to me were, were still going to super chevy right! with a big smile,
Do we spend too much on hot rods probably.... do people spend to much in bars probably but ive found building cars and family go real well together and sure you dont have to spend a million bucks on a cool car the high end of the show feilds are an art form now revolving around a great design and theme, and for sure money but the point is one can build a sweet well detailed super clean ride if its well thought out and designed, this comming from a designer my self and a father as of yesterday of 3 I look forwrd to finishing my 48 chevy pro street the way i designed it and with the quality that i will always persist to have in every car i build and look forward to my children daughter age 9 named Chevy ..and son 4 named Novah. lol for real and a new born daughter named Sydney sharing the time in the gargage together and enjoying life in general i look back on my life and 36 years passed pretty quick,
And i plan on enjoying plenty more and my hot rods "Thank god i have an understanding Wife"

Jim...Yes. Exactly that...

Although in my case, it was a Sierra Nevada foothills porcupine...quite possibly the worst. :D

I needed that- thanks for the laugh. Just when i started taking life too serious.

Mine was a run-in with a pizza called the "Flame-Thrower" had no idea what that meant- til later that light-Chris:_paranoid

True true. I did put a ton of stuff on ebay. So far it looking pretty good, might make a good chunk of the money i need :)

btw, you have a PM mecom.

to the rest, i agree, i'm glad i calmed myself down, had a smoke and responded to mecom more like an adult... That's debatable i know, my adult status! LOL. Thanks to everyone for having a level head and no completing writing me off :D

Family and faith first. Cars can always be had later. I have been working on mine for about 4 years. I haven't done a thing till recently. I am not allowed to use the familys money. If I want something I have to budget and save. If not, I dont get it. Simple as that.

I made a decision a few years ago, that I could not realistically afford a real nice show car. I could however, afford a real nice weekend driver. It may take time, but it will be there some day. I could finance it, but then it changes the true flavor of what the car means to me.

I now enjoy what others do with thier talent and thier cars. I really like to see it when someone does something diffrent. Actually seeing cars like Jodys and Charlies make me appreciate our muscle cars that much more, as it shows me what can be done to them. I may never have a car of that caliber, but they are cool to me none the less.

Keep you money and mind in balance. If you can afford it, by all means do it, if not, be true to yourself and admit it that you really should be happy with what you have. I will guarntee there is someone who whishes they have what you got...even if you fell you have nothing.

There is no doubt that you have to 'pay to play'. When I go to a car show, I tend to notice that most of the people who drive deuce roadsters, and midyear Vettes have gray hair. To me, this says that these people have finally come to a place in their lives where the kids have moved out, retirement is close by, and they have earned enough extra bucks to build or own the car they have always dreamed of.

Anybody can have a cool car. It just depends on what level you want to be on. I have seen $1500 cars slammed on the ground and coated with primer that interest me more than some 100k+ cars. But.....you still have to have that $1500 bucks.

I have sacrificed many things in order to induldge in my car habit. I don't go to the bar on Friday and Saturday nights. I don't go out to the casino. I try to stay away from fast food lunches. Little things like that help me to have a few extra sheckels in my pocket for when it is time to order parts. Yeah, I have missed some good times going out and partying. It is all worth it when I put the key in the ignition and fire up one of the cars.

What forum was this on??

Very well said in my opinion. I do the same thing. I spend when I have to, but mostly, I "keep my eye on the prize"!!!
I own a '99 Hugger Orange SS which I will eventually sell, investing that money and then building my '69 Camaro/Chevelle SS. May take some time, but, it will be well worth it.:cheers:

Not a rich man's hobby at all, IMHO. Unless you don't consider a car PT until every part has been upgraded from stock and it outhandles 'vettes and looks like sex on wheels. But that is not the definition of Pro-touring IMHO. To me any car, especially a classic, that has been upgraded with more power, better handling, and body and interior improvements (but not necessary), qualifies. IMHO some guy who goes to the junkyard finds big brakes from another car and bolts them to his car, or uses lowering blocks to improve the roll center of the car, and other such mods, I would consider a PT guy. You don't always have to use expensive aftermarket parts (although they are nice). You don't really have to spend much money to be into PT, again my humble opinion only. If you want it to be nice and look great then yes you gotta pay to play.

I think we get the impression that this hobby costs big bucks because the pics and specs of the high-dollar cars are much more widely circulated, whereas the average dudes' car doesn't get the coverage, leading to the false impression that a "real" PT machine costs HUGE money. But truth be told, I think the vast majority of us (like me) have less-than-complete cars, with only a few thousand here and there invested of our hard-earned dollars, as time and money allows. Most of us sacrifice big time and put in extra hours to get that next trick widget for our cars.
:lateral:

rich mans hobby... with this hobby not rich for long :-)

seriously, like any hobby it costs all the money you can spare, and some people spend close to a million on a cuda and sell it for half.. others spend what some considder alittle, others alot.. on a camaro.. or malibu :unibrow: and end up with somthing that is just as pro-touring, so the answer is definately no, it is not a rich mans hobby, but it certainly isnt cheap either

if you look at some of the coolest tro troring cars out there they are built by somone with a a good welder and a lot of clever engineering, not all the money in the world, take charles libbys 66 fairlane, or the schwartz caddilack attack... they arent super high dollar cars but i cant say they are any less PT than any other car..

I could come up with a extra $1200 a year for ya. When I quit smoking 10 years ago I put $4 a day in a jar as I left for work each day to substitute for my 2 packs I would purchase every morning. At that time with 3 kids 9 to 13, my money was as precious as yours appears to be. 1 1/2 years later I was on vacation in Jamaica for my 10th anniversary, something I would never had been able to do.

BTW, this is not some quit smoking preaching, Lisa still smokes like a chimney. The money savings was the focus here.

yes you can build low buck pro-touring car,chevy high performance did on it was call the brady wagon,i have two novas i am build right now,1978 nova that i driven since 1989, it has 350ho 330 motor ,200r4 with 2.73 gears,lowed two inchs and has 255/60/15 and 195/60/15s, on rallys,plans are to get 16 inch rallys, my other car is 1979 nova it been lowered two inchs,4 wheel dics brakes, a 4 speed with 290hp 350hp, with tbi fuel injection been working on both car for over 10 years that my 2 cents

I'm right there with you- I want my Camaro to handle, stop, turn like a new car but sound and look like the classic stuff i remember. I'll continue to buy up all the "not so cool" stuff that worked before from the guys chasing the latest trick widget parts. Thats one way to afford this hobbie. If that means stuffing in a basic big block and a 4 speed until i can afford the cool drivetrain so be it.
4 speed girl is a classic example: she is out enjoying open track day with a 12 second, 4 speed, factory control arms, non glossy paint, etc, etc sweet Camaro, while the majority of us have have projects in the garage taking extra time because funds are short.

We used to be ok with acually going to the junk yard to find a 9" Ford and spending the afternoon at the local car wash irritating those in line behind us as we clean our new found treasure- anyways I'm rambling- this is NOT a rich man's sport anyone can play - do you remember "Project S-Curve" 15k build?-Chris:_paranoid

Great input Chris!! I can't tell you how many times I wished I would have just built the ''simple' car I started to build and not this higher tech car that just sits in the garage because I'm short on time/money to finish it...but I do belong to the ''I have all these cool parts'' club!!!

Ah what fun it would be to do some laps around PIR in a primered car today!!!

My opinion is that you either have to be pretty well off to have one of the more bad ass cars on the block and actually keep it running. Or have an average income, no life, invest every penny and do it ALL yourself and dread any time of breakdown.

This is what I have seen around here.:)

like i said.... ist a hobby, and any hobby.. be it: building hotrods or collecting ball point pens.. takes all your spare time and costs all your spare money.. and then some!

and there are guys running twin turbo mustangs that has less than 1000 bucks in the engine, and if you can weld and paint you could make a bad azz car for prety small money.. there just wouldnt be any brembo. penske. kinesis, nelson etc etc...

Keep it simple and learn to work on things yourself and it wont be so bad .
There are many good points on this thread .
MY bonus is my wife, she couldnt care less what I do with money . Not sure how I landed this but it works.

She saves every damn penny too .

Is this a rich man's hobby?

Yes, there are no poverty cases on this site or in this hobby!

But then again, ANY hobby today cost's at least $10K up so virtually any hobby nowadays is for a rich man.

Only in America!

I think It becomes one when you dont build your own car yourself.

just my .02

amen!

lol Its very true!