And so it begins... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

V · 10-12-2009, 07:00 AM

After being extremely into the automotive hobby for over the past decade... I can honestly say I have very little interest left any more. In about 3 weeks, it'll be 13 years since I got my first car. Once I return to the states, my Iroc project will be up for sale, along with my 79 Corvette getting parted out. Once those are gone, the SS will probably be getting de-modded and/or eventually sold off or traded for a more practical vehicle. As of now I only plan on keeping my firebird race car project, but even that, once completed, will probably be up for sale in a few years. I'll be keeping my Saturn though, I like my SKY because its simple, quick, comfortable and not something you see on the road everyday. The main reason for downsizing is because I have come to realize I will never have the time for all the projects. One is enough. I remember the days when i'd swear i'd never sell my SS... those were good times, but times change. You may say i'll regret it but after going over the pros and cons of it all, I see i'll be better off taking this route. And this isnt the first time I felt this way, and recently ive been thinking about it more and more. In a year or so, i'll be looking for a sedan or SUV of a more common nature, nothing crazy fast or special, just a nice, classy, family vehicle. The SKY will be the weekend toy then. The next things i'll be looking forward to are marriage, a family, and a home of our own. Maybe one day i'll get back into the hobby as much as I once was.

HardcoreZ28 · 10-12-2009, 07:23 AM

Good God Man....have you gone mad? Trust me the burning desire for cars comes and goes, but it never goes forever. With the insane hours I put in on working on customer cars I've often thought to myself it would be nice to get out of the business and do something "normal" but then out of nowhere you'll hit an epiphany and realize what you're doing it for.

If some of the projects have gone stagnant then maybe selling them off and taking some time away is a good idea. Then start with a fresh one or two when the bug bites again.

The other things in life will come. I bought my house 2 years ago and trust me it's the same as a car project...never ending. Marriage comes too....somehow I've found the time to meet the perfect girl for me, win her over, go through tons of planning, and looking forward to finally getting married next weekend.

Through all this the cars are still here....and plans for more. But like I said there's plenty of times I've wanted to fold and get out. Trust me....the urge to build always comes back.

sweetbmxrider · 10-12-2009, 07:23 AM

thats the thing, one project at a time. sucks though, best of luck with it all.

BonzoHansen · 10-12-2009, 07:59 AM

Who stole Paul's login?

Paul's automotive ADD has yet taken us another way. Yeah, too many projects and nothing gets done. We've all done that. Good plan, get rid of the project that are never happen, then maybe see how you feel.

maroman88 · 10-12-2009, 12:31 PM

it does come and go... im more interested in buying a car that is already lightly modded rather then working on them myself anymore, just dont have the time. when i bought the TA and did a bunch of stuff quick to get it where i wanted it, and since then ive just driven it and love it

BigAls87Z28 · 10-12-2009, 12:46 PM

Family car eh? Trade ya the Sky for the Bu!!

FlyingDutchman · 10-12-2009, 01:04 PM

RIP

WildBillyT · 10-12-2009, 03:43 PM

Take some time to think about it. If I were you I'd dump the Vette first, since it seems like it needs the most work.

deadtrend1 · 10-12-2009, 04:02 PM

I'm in the same boat as you Paul. I'm cutting loose of the projects I'm keeping around based on hope

Squirrel · 10-12-2009, 10:00 PM

Goodnight sweet prince

bobbyn362 · 10-13-2009, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingSS

The next things i'll be looking forward to are marriage, a family, and a home of our own. Maybe one day i'll get back into the hobby as much as I once was.

once you have the marriage,family and the home of your own. you will regret not having the past cars that you put your heart into. been there and regret it everyday. had a 72 orange 340 duster. sold. 85 mustang lx with 351 sold the only good thing i got from getting rid of those cars was the ambition to buy what i really wanted when i got the money. a camaro. and i already told the wife this one is staying.

91chevywt · 10-13-2009, 10:44 AM

I hear you about not wanting to be in the hobby anymore. About 6 months ago I lost all my motivation to work on cars, and all my desire for a nice car. Sometimes its just overwhelming, especially when you spend money, and do work, but it seems like nothing gets done.

I feel like now I'm motivated to work even more on my '79. I think being active in this hobby is something that comes and goes. Sometimes its the best thing ever, sometimes you just gotta try out something different for a while. You should sell things slowly to start out with, just in case things change for you.

jims69camaro · 10-13-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91chevywt

Sometimes its just overwhelming, especially when you spend money, and do work, but it seems like nothing gets done.

that there is the crux of the matter. if you never hit your goals, then it might be time to re-evaluate. i am holding to my limit of no more than one extra project at a time. that way, it will never really get away from me and i will always have something to work on. it's been a while since i've really worked on something - years, in fact - but getting back into it with a deadline included has really worked wonders for my motivation. just something to keep in mind that might help you keep things in perspective.

The Fixer · 10-13-2009, 11:29 AM

Paul, I think the best thing would be to part out the Vette and sell off/part the IROC, and then see where that puts you. The SS owes you nothing now; it's complete, paid for, and driveable as is, so enjoy it. Same with the SKY - enjoy it, but don't mod the hell out of it so that it starts breaking parts and gets expensive. The race-car can be a long-term project, and finished on a relative budget, especially if you stay with the ideas that you were telling me when I stopped by with my son.

FWIW, when I got married 7 years ago, I was 29, and had hardly any $$ in the bank because I pissed it all away on car stuff. If you sell off the projects that may not ever get finished and bank that money, plus save the $$ you make now in the service, you'll be in a pretty good place when it's time to buy a house. And if you find the right woman, keeping the cars won't be an issue, as long as you don't continue to spend more on them than other responsibilites. My wife hates the Monte sometimes, but I've been real careful with what I've bought, how I've paid for it (only from side gigs, not my regular income), and it's NEVER come before a mortgage payment, or anything we've needed for our kids. The car is at the bottom of the ladder on the $$ tree, but I still have it, and can still cruise around in it. It just takes a LOT longer this way.

Think about it long and hard before you dump everything - you might be miserable later on if you do.

sweetbmxrider · 10-13-2009, 11:59 AM

great advice steve, best way to approach it.

The Fixer · 10-13-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

great advice steve, best way to approach it.

Thank ya sir. Just take it from someone who's BTDT, and now trying to teach others to not make the same mistakes.