Vision Too Big For Bank Account????

[XLexusTech]

Perhaps its because the price of finished projects is down driving folks to cut bait and look to pick up a nice car cheap

[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.

[J2SpeedandCustom]

Scott hit the nail on the head. The majority of projects get to that stage where the owner starts to justify the amount of money spent and the amount needed to be spent. Then you look at what you "could" buy with that money, and the doubt starts to creep in.

I tell all of our customer this, "How many times are you going to build (insert car make/model here)? Everyone always says "once". I say, "So then take your time enjoy the process and do what you want within your means." If it takes 10 yrs, then it takes 10 yrs. In the end you will have the car of your dreams and all those memories to look back on.

Some of the projects I see end up costing "double" when a clear plan isn't followed. I call that "scope creep". And this site is great at doing that. I see stuff on here all the time, that makes me drool! In my mind this is the NUMBER 1 thing to a successful project - staying on plan.

[COYBILT]

I am the second paragraph, My car was a mistake. I never meant to go all out crazy on it.

[LSX69]

I think a lot of guys jump into the project before truly adding everything up. I know I really wanted to put an ls in my car and thought ill just save up 5k and buy a good used one with a trans on ebay. Well after that I realized by the time I change the fuel tank, fittings/lines, mounts, tuning, accessories, etc.. im in near another 5k. And once you buy one part you feel obligated to buy the other stuff to accomidate it. I know im not the only one who has done this. After doing this three or four times you are way over budget and possibly in debt with a long way to go. I guess that is why they say hindsight is 20-20.

[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.

Love the PT cars. None better for me.

[Teetoe_Jones]

For me it's a bit of both. I learned some hard lessons along the way, lost lots of cash, and ended up having to re-do everything at least twice. I guess for me I was running into uncharted territory; I was planning 50/50 in 1998, and started building it in 99 at the age of 22. No one had ever tried a transaxle back then, and full frame cars were almost unheard of.

Now I find that I should have kept that green car as a running, driving, enjoyable vehicle. Now I'm way over 6 figures in the damn thing, and it's almost back to square one. Body kit prototyping? Trash. First full frame? Trash. All the metal work we did? Rusted. Running/driving again? At this pace, another decade.

Now I'm selling one, or both of my 68 Camaros. Which ever sells first will determine what I do with the cash made. If the black car sells first, then I keep 50/50 and give Rodger all my cash and start walking to work. If 50/50 sells, then the black car gets a new F&R suspension, vinyl wrap and LSX/T56 upgrade.

This is the most expensive hobby to be in at the moment.

Tyler

[awesometool]

I think most of it comes down to cash. If I was half way thru my build now it would be up for sale. Times are not what they were before it’s going be a couple of years until that changes. I could not walk past a half done project “pile of cash” in the garage when the wife is trying to scrap every penny for bills and food shopping. My work is really slow and if it stays that way I will sell it completed for a loss and be ok with it. The first things to go are the toys in bad times.

[GregWeld]

This whole discussion is EXACTLY why I personally chose to build my own "shed" -- and stuff it full of tools -- and I choose to do 98% of my own work... Okay -- I fully understand that I have the TIME and money to do that... and many people don't have the time - but have the funds etc. But I - and many people I know - chose to "invest" in their HOBBY and plan to continue to invest over a long period of time - to be able to continue to do what they love doing. I have a couple real "average" cars... it's the best I can do... they're never "done" - and have lots of road rash... I've restored the same car several times... It's a hobby.

#1 - I can afford to buy any car I want = repeatedly - so what! Who cares. NOBODY.

#2 - I like DRIVING my cars not showing them... so it's a different build level for ME. I don't want something I can't enjoy anytime anywhere. Look what Charley does with his cars - tell me he's not having F U N... and it doesn't have to be a RING Brothers build (keep reading)

#3 - It's a HOBBY -- not a bigger "D***" process for me personally. I LOVE reading about how much FUN Steve R is having with his car... But I don't have to build one like it... I love seeing the RS Corvette being thrashed at Optima... but I'll never own a car anywhere near as kool...

#4 - I understand my limitations - and build what I can... budget is not the constraint for me - skill is... but by building stuff yourself - your skills gradually get better. (keep reading)

#5 - It's a HOBBY. Mark Stielow works all day with cars - and comes home and "relaxes" by building one for himself.

#6 - I'm eternally grateful for the pros and the people willing to do pro builds. It's what lifts us all up and what we shoot for... like pro sports stars.. but I still have to wipe the drool off and build what I can. Only in my dreams will I EVER be able to do anything near some of these guys.

#7 - It's ALWAYS all about the money.... I don't care what anyone says... If money is no object - then the builds get finished - finished quicker - and then they get sold 'cause they're worth more done than the sum of their parts rusting and dusty in a heap.

#8 - It's a HOBBY. Try to keep it just that, regardless of the level someone else is capable of.

#9 - This website doesn't cause people to spend too much money on a build... A persons EGO causes them to spend money they can't afford to spend. It's like a gun doesn't kill people - people kill people... some use a gun.

#10 - I'm always sorry to see someone sell their dreams. Hopefully it's a good learning experience... and they'll stick with this HOBBY and perhaps be a bit more reasonable with their expectations.

#11 - It's a HOBBY... Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.

I'm not "dumping" on anyone here - nor pointing any fingers - nor trying to cause a fight and flame session.... But the fact is - whether we're building a house - remodeling one - or doing a car - or a boat... "WE" can all get over our heads whether thats time management - skill level - or wallet size... And one of my favorite sayings is - I don't care how much money you make - you have the ABILITY to spend more...

MY HOBBY comments are made because if it's a hobby -- hobbies take time - over a long period of time - and should never be based on "what it's going to be worth". If these builds get canceled because they're not going to be "worth" continuing - then the builder/owner shouldn't have started in the first place. That was NEVER what this hobby was.... and if you think it was - then you've been watching WAY TOO MUCH Barrett Jackson.

I'll leave it with this... I love fussing with my hobby -- but I love fussing around with the FRIENDS I've made because of my hobby, more. In the end - it's about the PEOPLE - not the cars... The pasta is just there to get the sauce to your face.. cars are that way for me... I've met GREAT people of all walks of life because the car hobby makes me get out and do stuff... I have friends whose cars break down every time they drive them... and I'm called upon to help rescue them... and we always end up having fun with the "experience". I have friends that have MILLIONS of dollars invested in cars... and we have just as much fun blowing their stuff up - or scheming about "what coulda shoulda"...

I'd like to have Ironworks - or Prodigy - or Comp-Spec build me a car - but not because I want to impress any of you with how much I can spend - I'd do it because I'd love to hang with them - and learn from them - and be friends long after the build was finished... I can buy their shops and close 'em up and never skip a beat... but I'd sweep their floors for months just to be around what they're doing. Does that make sense to anyone? It's why we all hang around Lat G isn't it? The hobby. I don't care if people even own a car... if they love the hobby and choose to participate, regardless of their level.

[70rs]

[QUOTE=GregWeld;259859[/......but I'd sweep their floors for months just to be around what they're doing. Does that make sense to anyone? It's why we all hang around Lat G isn't it? The hobby. I don't care if people even own a car... if they love the hobby and choose to participate, regardless of their level. [/QUOTE]

This sums it up for me as well.