Vision Too Big For Bank Account????

[Al Moreno]

OK, Flame suit on!

I think a lot of the project for sales are guys who to a second mortgage on the home to build a toy.

My philosophy is not that thing are to expensive, it's that you can't afford it.

As long as we deal with thing on the outside, you'll never fix the problem which is you.

Go out and make it happen, take care of the family and your responsibilities and than you can buy your toy and you wont have to worry about the economy or whatever.

You have to think winter in the summer.
Don't wish things were easier, wish you were better.
Don't wish for less problems, which for more skills.

OK, off the soap box.

[Camaroguy]

I believe alot of the most projects problems are two things:

1) We have alot of high profile cars on this site and not very many times is the true price of what those cars cost to build shared with the public. A guy just getting started or not very experienced wants to build a car like we see on this site and has no clue of what that will cost him to fully complete. Most have no idea how long it even takes a shop to assemble a car after all fab and paint is done. This leads to my next point.

2) In the last few years we have had a bunch of new shops come to the table and try to build these cars for our members. Most time the new shop is not experienced enough to accurately relay to the customer what it would cost and low balls just to get the work. Then half way through he has burned through the guys budget and the car is not anywhere close to being done and most of time is not done right. I have seen several cars that guys have spent hard earned money on and have to pay someone again to fix the problem. We have a couple on this site that have been bit by this. So if you want high end go to the guys that are proven. It costs alot of money so just understand that.

This is a great thread and could go on forever, just some input!

[MoparCar]

I'm building a Mopar (not much for economical parts) pro-touring project.

I really feel that the majority of people on this site and PT.com can't afford the pro builder to actually build the project (at least I can't!). I do think that there are some exceptions or possibly someone without the fab skills, shop, space, time, commitment and a large desire that hires the complete build. Nothing wrong with that at all. I wish I could for a lot of the build..no flame I appreciate the pro builder and those hiring these awesome shops!

I know my industry (electrical construction/management-I'm a project manager) has take a very large hit this last year. I'd say 1/3 less wage this year and most likely next. So that in line I definitely look at costs and it does slow the process of the build. Everything depends on the next big purchase. Tranny=crossmember and angle, mini tubs=rear suspension=rear end width=suspension, etc. etc. etc.

It is sad that some major projects are being sold right now. But if it is to save the house, feed the family, etc. So be it. Otherwise i hope they hang on an ride it out The car will still be there next year!

Wes

[monza]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Remind me to never build a custom house.

Originally Posted by Van B

Been there, done that. My wife actually printed up $1000 bills with our picture on the face because every time we turned around, we were dropping another g note because we figured "we've gone this far, we may as well add that".

Yea, just finished that as well... If you think a car has cost over runs it's nothing compared to a custom house! Doom and gloom needs to end. It's making the car hobby less fun....

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Remind me to never build a custom house.

At least if you do it right and have a good sense of market understanding and timing, you can and will make money with that house.

Originally Posted by XcYZ

I also think a big part of it is time. It takes a long time to finish a huge project and I think a lot of people get burnt out on spending money over a period of years and never getting to enjoy it.

I've seen the exact same thing in the restoration side of the hobby, too.

Originally Posted by Stuart Adams

The situation is multifactorial. First it takes twice as long to build. Within that time things come up and life can change, especially if its 2-4 years as most are. With those normal life changes over a 2-4 year period, money situations possibly change, creating whole new set of reality. Secondly, the project ALWAYS costs 2-3X more than you think. No matter what level of build it is. You combine a triple expense with a double time period and given the chances of life changes, cars get sold early, projects get put on the back burner, etc.

You guys nailed it there.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I just don't get it. How can you spend 1000's of hours and not drive the car. To me that's like chasing a hot chick, taking her out dancing(I hate dancing), romancing her, and you finally get her buck naked and don't go the distance. Getting that far was good enough. That makes me want to bang my head on the wall just thinking about it. Just seeing mine ripped apart in the garage is less than exciting. In fact, I'm almost to the point where I only work on it so I can drive it or make it faster. Of course I'm towards the end of a very long build here. The do overs aren't that great either. I guess if you never drive them you don't have to worry about that now do you? LOL Maybe I'm just bitter because mines broke!

Todd, you're always good for a laugh. But that analogy is pretty spot on for me! I get pissed when I think it's taken 3 years to build my frickin car.

Originally Posted by Al Moreno

OK, Flame suit on!

I think a lot of the project for sales are guys who to a second mortgage on the home to build a toy.

My philosophy is not that thing are to expensive, it's that you can't afford it.

This can very well be true in some of the cases, but you don't know that for sure.

It can simply be a matter of prioritization.

Great thread!

[DFRESH]

Great thread! Seems like I can identify with a part of every single post made thus far. I personally like Greg's comments about the added feature of the hobby bringing new friends along your path--it is a great ancillary side affect.

Personally, since I got my first 69 at the age of 16 and still have it, it was all I ever wanted--never got into any form of drinking or drugs, spent every waking moment and every penny on that car---it's now my race car. For me, back then, it was a form of identity. Now, it is purely for the love of the hobby/sport and the friends and fellowship that come with it. I can honestly say that I am emotionally attached to the race car--it carried me though and kept me occupied through some tough times. I've had people ask me how I can be so into this (doesnt' make sense to some of them as professionals) since I don't fit their perception of a gearhead---I don't want to know why I love it---ignorance is bliss in this case---and I'm glad I still have such a huge passion for it.

I say all that to say this---for many folks, it's still a form of identity--we all know some of these guys/gals where it is hardcore identity--and when that's the case, they will have to have the best of everything--and if that shoe fits, man--this site has the capacity to destroy a savings account quickly which often forces the sale of the project. There are so many perfect and off the chart cars here---it's like going grocery shopping hungry--you come back with way too much food which means you spent way more than you should have.

I've fallen into spending way too much so many times simply out of just not wanting to wait---I call that greed--sounds like I am not the only one!

I like my new approach with the PT car, one mod at a time---refine that mod, move onto the next one--it will never be the nicest car, but I dont' care. It has to be fun and I don't want a blown apart project--I have the race car for that--and it sucks to have to work on it all the time and then wait for what will break next. If it starts to be a "have to work on it" for me, then I will think about getting rid of it.

In the end, there are obviously many reasons for the abandement of unfinished projects. I always have a soft spot in my heart for those who run into this since I can't imagine them sharing the same passion I/we feel for these cars and then having to let it go---family first, I understand that--but the death or end of a dream is very, very hard to take. A good solid plan up front (I'm convinced) like others here have mentioned, and an rock solid commitment to stick to it (which is even harder to make happen) is the only way to go for someone starting out in this hobby/sport. It's what I will tell my kids when they are old enough to get swept up into this wonderful mess.

Doug

[Vegas69]

Doug,
I agree after speaking with you a few times that you don't fit the boiler plate car addict personaltiy. In fact after dealing with literally 1,000's of folks over the years I'd nail you at a psychologist or financial advisor. I'm sure I'm way off.

I envy you a little bit. You have the perfect car for exaclty what I'm talking about. Add this or that as money is available or it makes sense. I've yet to see your car but I will soon. At the end of the day, you will be competitive with me and have half what I do in my car.

I had a good solid plan and it's somewhere around here? I'm only at double my original plan so I'm about average.

[Flash68]

Whether people are able to keep or have to sell their cars for whatever reason, that is a great point about these things bringing people together from all over the country and world sometimes and creating new friendships. Those can outlast the cars.

Cheers to my fellow Pro Touring and Lateral G biatches!

[Vegas69]

You drinking?

[GregWeld]

You're wrong Todd --- Doug is a janitor... and a darn good one!