Vision Too Big For Bank Account????

[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

[67ragtp]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I've noticed the same thing lately. All kinds of projects not even half done with a boat load of quality parts. The fact of the matter is they will need to take a hurting of at least half to off load the project.

These projects take a long time to plan and execute. They Always cost more than you think. They are also the first to go in any hardship. This site is horrible for the check book. If I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn't of built this car. I have to be honest. I have way to much money tied up in it. I'm my own worst enemy. Remind me to never build a custom house.

With out getting to personal I dont understand when people say "if I new then what I know now" the future cant be predicted. You obviously have a huge passion for this hobby, perhaps you may have built your car differently. Is it knowing the state of the economy now as opposed to then and not spending the funds at all. At some point your passion is going to lead you in to spending it now or later.

I built my 67 around the same time, and spent a boat load, I dont regret it. Im doing another one now and have a basement full of high dollar parts, it will get done, you are right about the execution taking a long time, for me it always seems that Im waiting on a vendor, and it becomes out of my control.

Maybe poor planning is responsible for a lot of projects being on the market. I think its a combination of long term projects especially the ones that go on for years and then financial hardship forcing the sale.

Rich

[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.

[chr2002ca]

Yep, same stuff happened to me during my build, and mine wasn't half as complex as some of these I see out there. Much more time and money than I thought it would be. And I'm still spending to get it right. It just goes on and on. That's the very reason why I dumped all the details into my own build site, to give people some realistic insight into what it really takes and how all those small things and parts and costs really add up. My site is more of a 'warning' than anything. A few of the people who have signed my guestbook have mentioned things like "thanks for opening my eyes" and "I had no idea", so I hope maybe my passing along of details is helping a few people in one way or another.

Yes, Lateral-g has cost me some money also, but without it and the contributions of all its members, I probably would have never built my car and made some great friends from here. So to hell with my empty wallet, it was worth it.

[akrapovic]

Just a sign of the times. I attribute some situations creating to a budget when times were good. Followed by being too far into the project to adjust when our economy crashed. Luckily I never had the capital to dream of building a six figure car so I still have mine. I will agree though it kinda bugs me at times when I think about the other things I could've spent my money on. Oh well, love the car and wouldn't change a thing.

[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.

[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

[EddDeeEye]

Good topic, and I'm hoping not to fall into the category. I think you really, really have to love this hobby to spend as much money as we do on a 30 - 40 year old vehicle. Is it worth it? Each of us has to answer that for ourselves.