Vision Too Big For Bank Account????

[DocJr]

I'm just a young'n, but I listen and watch people. I do think many people's visions are too big for theyre account (I could be wrong haha)

It's a hobby that costs money. I don't want to to judge, but I feel you have to have money to be in this hobby, unfortunatley I don't, and thats why you dont see pics of my '69 Olds in the project section. (Rendering's in the art section) LOL

I think the cost of buying parts makes for a reasonable build, it's when you hire someone to assemble those parts, it becomes expensive...it has to be, its called profit.

I've noticed what you guys said already is true, this site pushes people, could be a good or bad thing, IMO you have to know what you want. Heres an example...Im not buying an LS engine for my Olds. I know what I want, my olds is a mix of pro touring/pro street. The engine I want is a 700+hp, 12:1 455. I like ole' Skool compression....(It sounds better) LOL

Some can argue that my engine will cost as much if not more than buying an LS, but that's not my point. Some people are swayed a little more, they have to be the best of the best, and thats a good way to blow your budget...you always want more.

When it comes down to it...I think the main thing to think about is time. When you dont have the money, you dont have the money, store the car live your life, return to it later. I for one, don't envision paying someone 6 figures to build my Olds (Unless I become a big name car designer). As of now, I plan on building it myself, and just pay parts and meterials....

Adding to that.. I feel you would apprectiate your car more too. I'm restoring my own trim right now (As minute as it may sound) It's very rewarding (and if someone was to scratch it, I would kill 'em!)

That's just my opinion of course, I hope I don't cause any conflict haha

[96z28ss]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

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.

Greg, you should do a road trip, Start sweeping at Tony's house, then my house, then Brunning shop floor, then ... etc. 'll even grill you a burger to eat, to keep your energy level up.

[Northeast Rod Run]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

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.

after reading through this entire thread, this one quote states exactly the way I have always thought when it comes to cars. my Camaro is nothing special, but after I built it (for the second or third time), friends and family kept telling me that I'm wasting my money because I'll never get the money back. I just told them it doesn't matter, and they will never understand.

some people think I've "wasted" too much money on cars in my life. I think they've "wasted" too much time not enjoying life.

[ALLSPEED01]

[Quote:
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. [/QUOTE]


Greg,
Well said!
I totally agree if you don't drive it...don't buy it!
What a thought provoking thread. After reading this I find myself sitting here and just smiling thinking of all the funny circumstances and interesting people that I have met because of cars. I have been involved with this crazy hobby since birth, my father owned a few local service stations back in the 70's and it was normal to just hang out at the shop. I got my first car a 68 camaro when I was 14 and my friends and I used to work on it in my mothers driveway including using her tupperware to drain the oil in. (not a good idea by the way) During and just after high school I was heavily involved in sand drag racing and most recently I started All Speed. My point is I have a thousand great stories that involve cars and interesting people. I have heard many times that what matters is the journey and not the destination...and you can not put a price on a good time. I deal with all types of people that pass through the shop doors and all I can say is that I'm sure they all have their individual reasons, plans, budgets etc. for their projects, and yes they all get carried away in their own respects. But what really matters in the long run is if they had fun doing it. I think I speak for all of us when I say we would all do it again... and have a smile on our face! Thats what is so cool about this hobby a millionaire can hang out with a mechanic, and guy with a $200K car can go cruising with a guy with a $20k or less car and they can both have fun. Maybe we should start a thread on "car memories"? By the way no offense to you Greg but I have been in Todd's garage and I would call him to sweep ASP!

[camaro2nv]

Originally Posted by ccracin

I was talking to a board member last night and we started discussing the fact the we are seeing more and more unfinished projects showing up for sale. What's the deal? I understand the economy is bad and all, but I'm looking at this in a different light. Alot of these projects were started way before any of this happened. Some were already stalled before the bust.

My question is: Is it better to have a finished 40-70K car that you can drive and enjoy or an unfinished 150K+ car that you have to sell because you are 40-70K in and can't see the end of the tunnel?

Is this a product of poor planning up front, lack of knowledge in what it takes to get to a particular level of build, or was there a reasonable budget in the beginning and then things went south after spending many hours looking at build threads saying I want that or I need to get rid of this to get that or something else?

We are victims of my last scenario. We changed from a Big Block we had to an LS mostly due to my time on this site. LOL Is it going to be cool, hell yeah. Is it going to be alot more money, Hell yeah! I find myself now trying to treat our project more like I treat my projects at work. What is needed, what is wanted, what's the budget? I don't want to have a 50K pile of parts that I have to sell for 30 2 years from now.

I just thought I would throw this out and get some input. Maybe people starting builds or progressing along will be able to gain or keep some focus as they move forward.

Remeber, You can't have 1000hp TT taste on a 350hp Q-jet budget!

What's everyone think?

Im one of "those" But Im selling for health reasons. In a year or two I could finish it but I just hate to have it sit. I bought parts for the time were in. In a couple years who knows what new parts will be out. Then what are my parts worth?
I look at it like this. I dont have to sell it. If I dont Ill finish it later. But Im giving someone else a chance to build a car with top of the line parts for thousands off!

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by camaro2nv

Im one of "those" But Im selling for health reasons. In a year or two I could finish it but I just hate to have it sit. I bought parts for the time were in. In a couple years who knows what new parts will be out. Then what are my parts worth?
I look at it like this. I dont have to sell it. If I dont Ill finish it later. But Im giving someone else a chance to build a car with top of the line parts for thousands off!

Take care of your health issues first !! Hope all is going to be okay!! Sux but I hear where your coming from...