Seriously considering getting out of the hobby

Belgian1979vette

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Koersel/Belgium
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Thats why I only change my oil every 15k miles. Figure by 150k the car is worn out anyways so why bother with oil changes every 3k miles.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.
Yes, most sensible. Do quit. Its so much cheaper with Porchses, go with them. ;)

What I am saying is: in sport cars it doesn't get much cheaper than with Vettes. What are your options?
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.
Yes, most sensible. Do quit. Its so much cheaper with Porchses, go with them. ;)

What I am saying is: in sport cars it doesn't get much cheaper than with Vettes. What are your options?

No porsche, no nothing.
 
Feel your pain. This hobby is certainly expensive enough here. I can well imagine trying what I'm doing here in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, etc. With import duties, transportation, and then ultimately road registration problems, it looks like you need many times $$$$ as compared to here, and to repeat myself somewhat, it's expensive here.

(I think you asked about alternatives before, and it seems a consensus was RC airplanes. That moslem guy they arrested here in the US was going to buy turbo-powered RC planes, load them C4 plastic explosives to fly into public buildings. Reading about that, it turns out the F-86 turbo model airplanes start out at $6000. If I wanted to get into RC turbo powered airplanes, I'd have to drive 150 miles just to fly it. In Belgium, there might not be any convenient place. The turbo RC's are difficult to fly. Each mistake will cost $6000)

....But back to Corvettes. Maybe you're trying too hard under your circumstances? Just a stock Corvette has a great deal more performance than almost any other car. Can you just settle with a driver 'Vette and just drive it and not upgrade it?

....Anyhow, it's likely that whatever is happening in Europe will eventually start happening here with regard to the economy, government regulation, etc. So for us here in the US that feel comfortable that we don't have the problems you have, I'll cite Ernest Hemingway's famous line....."Ask not for whom the bell tolls."
 
during my recent visit to Germany I saw a 5 liter bottle synthetic oil for 65 Euro, that's about $100 ... incl oil filter your oil hange is about $120 :eek:

back to the Vette:
If you want all top of the line stuff then yes, it's very expensive. If you go with the average guy parts from Summit or Jegs then you can have it dirt cheap, even in Europe.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Just take a break. I did that with my Model T. It can wait, and will only appreciate in value. It will wait for you, and you will regret any rash decision now.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Just take a break. I did that with my Model T. It can wait, and will only appreciate in value. It will wait for you, and you will regret any rash decision now.

I guess i have to. The car will be worth next to nothing right now. But you know, it gets to be a pain in the ass when working on it for so long. The thing is that all of the mishaps have been caused by others one way or another. Maybe i want it to be to perfect...

On the other hand, the way things are going, money will soon be worth next to nothing. It might be better to buy things i need now. It will only get more expensive tomorrow.

What a shitty situation.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Just take a break. I did that with my Model T. It can wait, and will only appreciate in value. It will wait for you, and you will regret any rash decision now.

I guess i have to. The car will be worth next to nothing right now. But you know, it gets to be a pain in the ass when working on it for so long. The thing is that all of the mishaps have been caused by others one way or another. Maybe i want it to be to perfect...

On the other hand, the way things are going, money will soon be worth next to nothing. It might be better to buy things i need now. It will only get more expensive tomorrow.

What a shitty situation.

I can relate to you, I have a 82 and 90 project vette but my daily driver is a 97 camaro and many times I have just felt like calling pick-a-part to come and get the 82 and 90 vette. Everytime I walk out the door and hop in the camaro they they are sitting in front of me and neither has been on the road in many years. But hey, they are paid for and don't cost me anything sitting there, I have had many nice offers of like 1k for each of them but when I get around to them I do. Don't let the cost of it get to you, sooner or later things will get better.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Just take a break. I did that with my Model T. It can wait, and will only appreciate in value. It will wait for you, and you will regret any rash decision now.

I was watching the Mecum auto auction a day or two ago. A 1969 L88 4 spd. coupe with original paint, interior and tires sold for $565,000.00:D

Our cars go up in value every day.
 
I had more than one serious set back with it and on top of that it's getting increasingly difficult to even drive the cars when finished, parts are getting way expensive not in the least because of ever increasing transport costs which are even more aggravated because of taxes and what not. Went into a shop this week to buy 5 litres of oil... Jesus, you would think it was made of pure gold.

Seriously, i'm thinking about quitting.

Just take a break. I did that with my Model T. It can wait, and will only appreciate in value. It will wait for you, and you will regret any rash decision now.

I was watching the Mecum auto auction a day or two ago. A 1969 L88 4 spd. coupe with original paint, interior and tires sold for $565,000.00:D

Our cars go up in value every day.

Well, a 79 is a far cry from a chrome bumper L88, but i know what you want to say.
 
I have spent twice what I paid for my car on "improving" it and now it's "value" is half of what I paid for it. Talk about an "investment". (It sure runs a hell of a lot better now though....!:D)

The reality aside from TV auctions is that they are only old Chevys and the true 'value' is only what any given person is willing to pay you for your particular car. If you find a sucker willing to pay megabucks, well lucky you. But more than likely that won't happen and you'll take a loss monetarily when you sell.

But I also know I need something to work on for my own sanity, "investment" be damned. "Investment" is not why I bought the car in the first place. Well, OK, mental investment, but not monetary.

But I too am growing weary. It's beginning to feel like an albatross around my neck. When it's good, a good night of running and all is well and I pull into the garage and I feel good! then it's worth it. Fuck show&shines and runs and all that--midnite county roadrunning all by myself is where I find my solace. But those times are seeming to come fewer and farther between. I admit, I know full well, I am getting older and my priorities are changing.
But this car is beginning to seem like a horse. It matters not if you ride it or not, it still sucks money & effort to just keep. And the way things are now, I don't have as much "discretionary income" as I used to.
I know exactly how you feel Yves, and I don't have any 'advice' one way or the other.
And ya know, those little 50cc stripped down home built hot rod bob job scooters that the 14 year olds bring out at dusk are more and more apealling to me, for their basic simpleness & joie-de-vivre
 
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Over a 6 year period, I poured about $20,000 into my 68 Corvette. Now, it's street registered and almost all new in appearance...it needs a paint job. My 70 is midway and to complete will still require substantial money. A couple of months ago, I spent $4000+ plus on just parts to upgrade the rear end (Tom's Differential). I'll have to go several months of not spending money on it to pay off the credit card charge. I have a tremendous amount of money in this car and it's only part way to completion. Before I started with the 70 upgrade, if I knew how much was being offered by Corvette with the Z06 and ZR1, I won't have bothered with the 70.
......................

If your Corvette habit is getting too expensive, maybe just cool it for a while.
..........and never drop out of contact with vettemod!!!
 
I too am upside down in the investment side of this hobby. When I bought my 'Vette I had no idea which ones were more valuable than others. What I did know was that I was buying a piece of history as well as one hell of a sexy and fun car. I have replaced my drive train, steering, suspension and interior and am in the process of stripping the paint down to the 'glass and re-painting the car. It is therapy for me. Sometimes it sits for months and nothing gets done. Other times the progress is surprising. In the end I will have something that not too many other people have, something that is unique and special. When it comes time for me to go, the car will go to my daughter and she will have it to remember all the good times we had in it, as well as create some memories of her own.
I don't think that I would ever willingly sell my Corvette, I have too intimate a relationship with it.
I just received a poster from Hemmings Muscle car magazine and it has a chrome bumper 'Vette among a few other muscle cars. It made me feel good to know that I have a cool 'Vette too.
Sure I could have bought a hot new car with what I spent on the 'Vette, maybe it would have been wiser, but then I never would have had the VetteMod crowd to hang with either! No regrets for me. The 'Vette is too much fun!
 
Denpo el cheapo here.
I can feel your pain.
Single paycheck household, good salary but nothing to call your mother about.
I Dumped way too much on a bucket of rust, end up redoing everything.
I never loaded the credit card for parts, just waited, hunted Ebay and forums like crazy and decided to cut some corners.
Mine a 76, no real collectible value anyway.
It's a glorious mix of used parts from so many years.:censored:
Interior will be refreshed but far from new, there will be scratches on the leather of the seats....
I don't care, one day I'll have my fucking C3, the most beautiful car ever made, back on the road.
In the meanwhile, my clothes are slowly wearing out, I haven't bought anything out of necessity for a year. No game, recreation, no nothing. Garage is my theme park and a used front clip makes a proper birthday gift, thanks you myself!

Now I go pick my parts at the border, my shipping cost nightmares are behind, you being in Europe this is even worst.
Maybe find a trustworthy fellow forum member to collect your purchases (when you buy on Ebay for instance, you don't group ship that much), do the basic checks/returns and wrap them all together in a slow and cheap shipping way (like not using UPS) in exchange of some "beer money".

Lower you expectations,
set priorities,
take your time,
never give up.
 
it doesn't cost you anything when you let it sit there for a while...

Mine has been sitting and I dont mind because I have not set any time frame on the build.

I dont have money for it? no problem! the car just sit and wait patiently.

Denpo el cheapo here.
I can feel your pain.
Single paycheck household, good salary but nothing to call your mother about.
I Dumped way too much on a bucket of rust, end up redoing everything.
I never loaded the credit card for parts, just waited, hunted Ebay and forums like crazy and decided to cut some corners.
Mine a 76, no real collectible value anyway.
It's a glorious mix of used parts from so many years.:censored:
Interior will be refreshed but far from new, there will be scratches on the leather of the seats....
I don't care, one day I'll have my fucking C3, the most beautiful car ever made, back on the road.
In the meanwhile, my clothes are slowly wearing out, I haven't bought anything out of necessity for a year. No game, recreation, no nothing. Garage is my theme park and a used front clip makes a proper birthday gift, thanks you myself!

Now I go pick my parts at the border, my shipping cost nightmares are behind, you being in Europe this is even worst.
Maybe find a trustworthy fellow forum member to collect your purchases (when you buy on Ebay for instance, you don't group ship that much), do the basic checks/returns and wrap them all together in a slow and cheap shipping way (like not using UPS) in exchange of some "beer money".

Lower you expectations,
set priorities,
take your time,
never give up.


trust me , I've seen Dempo's determination and he's right, he's not making anything up, he's that obsessed.... and then some....LOL

A great inspiration for me anyway because I have tendency of putting it off a bit too much.
He just kick me back into it.
LOL
 
I too am going thru a "stage". I call it "manopause". Too much clutter. Too much shit. Weighs on my mind. Did not even start the engine in my '65 at all this year. Weird. Just didn't feel like it. I always have a long list of stuff that I think it "needs". Should just drive the thing and be happy. Still got the scoot. 00' Superglide. Not for sale. Only ran a 5-6 tanks of gas thu it this year. No time. Started getting rid of a bunch of "Collectables". I was kinda vicious about it. Get it outta here. Any Heirloom is going to the nearest kid. Sold the wife's Superglide. Cheap. She wasn't using it.
Its a bad time to unload crap-nothings selling but I don't care. So you gotta give it away - but if I need something it's still retail. WTF? No deals there. Everything is so f-ing expensive, if it's not a thousand dollars it's 5 thousand dollars. Tryin' to get down to one daily driver but the wifes car is not selling, had to sell my driver for about 6k less than I expected. Don't care. Bought an all purpose pick-up. Gotta get down to lean and mean. Seriously consider selling the Corvette every day. Thankfully that market is was down too. May have to keep it. Oh well - I do still think it's the coolest thing going. Just always dumping money into it that I know I'm not going to get back. It takes a while to get over a lifetime of buying and bringing home crap. F-all of any value. Sometimes I wish the old lady would give me shit but nnoooo ...

"I have spent twice what I paid for my car on "improving" it and now it's "value" is half of what I paid for it. Talk about an "investment". (It sure runs a hell of a lot better now though....!)"

Just last nite I was compiling a parts list to order.Maybe next spring I'll feel more like gettin' out there ....
 
I bought this '72 in '95 and it sat in a garage for most of it's life, was a old show car owned by a series of two chicks in Suitland Md. other side of town from me in Rockville, outside DC.....I paid 8 grand even for it, after getting club guru to examine the car and give a ok on it....I immediately spent another 5 grand fixing/modifying the mechanicals....rear suspension was new, and updated with usual mods....engine grew serp drive from '88 vette and aluminum radiator, and TPI, kept the muncie in it with 336 rear...two years later my house finally sold, and I moved south to here in Florida...last vehicle to go was my work truck, sold the Pontiac after here a year...bought and sold a '88 Fiero Formula too....tired of the lack of overdrive I put in a automatic for being the cheepest thing I could do, speeds up north never demanded it....speeds down here are a easy +25 or so on freeways....engine doing 3k is kinda on the high side, engine doing 4k aint getting it....

so over the years it's been maybe 20k into the car, total with tires....

getting ready to change cams and gear ratio tired of the lack of MPG, chip should be here this week, another 100 bux shot.....picked up the gaskets yesterday....I wait for the chip, test it out first, to see it's what I need for sure, make sure no unwanted down time,....vette is a DD for me, not very happy driving anything else....but over the years I have modified the car to suit me, there is nothing stock about ANYTHING on my car, NOTHING....maybe the passenger seat, maybe......

so 20k for 16 years....nearly 200 months....or 100 bux/month to drive this car daily basis....forget the work effort, gotta do SOMETHING, call the grin factor my payback for that effort, it's been a continuing project over the years, with most of the inspiration coming off the 'net'......but it's not the ONLY project either, been many others, from house to motor home to cars to shit, you name it.....everything but aircraft.....

:crutches::D:D:friends:
 

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