Whats the most you spent on junk?

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Valiantknight

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Mornin FABO. last year i bought a 1970 more door valiant for $2300. Its my first mopar and i jumped on it becuase i thought it was unique for a decent price. Never heard of a slant6 and for a $2300 classic i didnt expect much. Previous owner had "set it up to race" with electronic ignition long ram intake manifold, mild cam, qft carb, a single dutra dual exhaust header comboed with a stock exhaust manifold that had been cut in half and welded lol. My favorite part was ( and most frustating now) that he had cut a hole in the hood for the air cleaner to stick through. Which could have been avoided if he hadnt used a 2 inch spacer on the carb but It looks so ratty i kinda da love it. Interior was clean and had the aftermarket compreasser and AC parts gutted except for the underdash mk4 unit. (not hooked up of course). Im in the process of bringing her back around becuase shes a solid driver and its a passion project at this point. lol ill never profit from selling it but its nice to wrench on the weekends. Whats the most you've spent on a potential money pit? And do you regret it?
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I've learned all vehicles are a money pit. Very few will yield equal too or more than you invest unless you have a TV show or run an auction for rich drunk millionaires.

My Dart. Never should have bought it. But I was young, into Mopar's and it had a 4 speed. I have probably close to $25k into it over 24 years. Some money spent several times due to mistakes and allowing other people to work on it.
 
I paid $4500 for what my dumbass at the time thought was a really nice 75’ V8 manual Jeep CJ5. When I went to go look at it, it was dark outside so I missed a crazy amount of mess on it. The body had more bondo than steel, and it had about 7 layers of paint over that. Not going to get into all of its problems because it would be a few pages. But yeah I definitely regret buying it. After driving it and repeatedly fixing the damned thing, and then almost getting killed by it, I cut my losses and sold it for $3200
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Never again.
 
I paid $4500 for what my dumbass at the time thought was a really nice 75’ V8 manual Jeep CJ5. When I went to go look at it, it was dark outside so I missed a crazy amount of mess on it. The body had more bondo than steel, and it had about 7 layers of paint over that. Not going to get into all of its problems because it would be a few pages. But yeah I definitely regret buying it. After driving it and repeatedly fixing the damned thing, and then almost getting killed by it, I cut my losses and sold it for $3200
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Never again.
Jesus. I almost spent that much on a fast back mustang in the same condition as my valiant. Im happy to say i made the cheaper choice. The worst ive had to deal with is my ignition going out in traffic but then i got it home and tossed in an MSD. Glad my car hasnt tried to kill me. yet
 
56 ford pickup, had over $10,000 in receipts, was a total POS vice grips window cranks tilt front end primer and rust. 351W engine, C4 trans , 9" rear, centerline's 4 wheel disc, serpantine accessory drive belt, power brakes and power steering.
this was mid / late 80s, no kits available for any of it. Custom fan and wrecking yards.

Today it would be a $50,000 Rat Rod.
 
I've learned all vehicles are a money pit. Very few will yield equal too or more than you invest unless you have a TV show or run an auction for rich drunk millionaires.

My Dart. Never should have bought it. But I was young, into Mopar's and it had a 4 speed. I have probably close to $25k into it over 24 years. Some money spent several times due to mistakes and allowing other people to work on it.
Ill probably end up in the same boat eventually. Theres no way anyone makes money off these cars. I dont regret it though still get thumbs ups when i drive my car and its more fun than my toyota.
 
56 ford pickup, had over $10,000 in receipts, was a total POS vice grips window cranks tilt front end primer and rust. 351W engine, C4 trans , 9" rear, centerline's 4 wheel disc, serpantine accessory drive belt, power brakes and power steering.
this was mid / late 80s, no kits available for any of it. Custom fan and wrecking yards.

Today it would be a $50,000 Rat Rod.
What ever happened to it?
 
My first Dart a 1972 Swinger that was running, I drove it home. Started taking it apart to see how bad it was. Time I got to the fame and couldn't lift it by the rails because they were rotted through, I gave up on it. Paid $2000 sold it for parts and ended up with $750.
 
My first Dart a 1972 Swinger that was running, I drove it home. Started taking it apart to see how bad it was. Time I got to the fame and couldn't lift it by the rails because they were rotted through, I gave up on it. Paid $2000 sold it for parts and ended up with $750.
I was spooked about this exact situation a buddy of mine paid 4000 for a project charger that had EXPANDING FOAM i. the frame to cover rust holes. I went under my car and poked the frame and floor pans with a screw driver to make sure i hadnt gotten duped.
 
I was spooked about this exact situation a buddy of mine paid 4000 for a project charger that had EXPANDING FOAM i. the frame to cover rust holes. I went under my car and poked the frame and floor pans with a screw driver to make sure i hadnt gotten duped.
I did exactly the same thing when I bought my 74. It's nice and solid underneath.
 
You guys are too hard on yourselves. Everyday people buy 30, 40, 50K new vehicles they drive them off the lot and lose 5, 7, 10K on day one. That why we all have jobs and make money so we can spend it on stuff. You can’t take it with you. Enjoy the hobby and the car. Don’t sweat too much about the money. You can always make more money.
 
65 barracuda. Bought it a few days before i signed up here on fabo. paid $750. So far around 5 grand in parts, labour is all me.
still not even close to turning a key.
About the same money into my 51 fargo,it at least runs and moves.

there was a nice looking barracuda for around 10 grand, i could be driving that. Instead i fix. And fix some more.
 
Bought my 66 Valiant for $2k. By the time I got done buying parts to rebuild everything to solid modern performance, I was up to $17K. I don't care. I will never get sold and I may get buried in this car. It's not about return on investment, it's about having fun and getting what you want.
 
I have no idea why "car people" are always so worried about returns of investments and resale value.

Cars and building cars is entertainment.

When is the last time you went to an amusement park and bought over priced food and drinks and then tried to figure out how to get your money back. If you're normal then never and cars are the same thing, cars are entertainment, you build and have a million miles of fun and when your old you remember and bore the young kids with all your crazy stories.

I'm probably into 10s of thousands in the hole but dang I got some stories and memories and i still have another couple million miles to go and I don't care about the money.

All money is just a nice portrait of an ugly old dead dude that only those who stayed awake in history class know.
 
We bought a '91 Dynasty in 1995. 6700 back then. In a year and a half we replaced the transmission, engine computer, starter, and got 2800 for it. Yeah....... never has a classic burned me like that! Car was 4 years old and had 72,000 miles. JUNK
 
I have no idea why "car people" are always so worried about returns of investments and resale value.

Cars and building cars is entertainment.

When is the last time you went to an amusement park and bought over priced food and drinks and then tried to figure out how to get your money back. If you're normal then never and cars are the same thing, cars are entertainment, you build and have a million miles of fun and when your old you remember and bore the young kids with all your crazy stories.

I'm probably into 10s of thousands in the hole but dang I got some stories and memories and i still have another couple million miles to go and I don't care about the money.

All money is just a nice portrait of an ugly old dead dude that only those who stayed awake in history class know.
Im right there with ya i just wanted to see how many other people fell in love with their projects and stayed in love even after being afew thousand in the hole. When im out and about and park my car i steal a glance at it when im walking away, cuz it may be beat up with acouple of dents and a funny air cleaner stickn out the hood but its mine and its the only one like it.
 
Couple years ago I bought a 2005 Magnum R/T, had about 95k miles on it, well equipped, paid $3500.00 CAD for it, did a complete brake rebuild, and front end, struts, major tune up, serpentine belt, oil pressure sensor, oil temp sensor. Drove it for a couple months, heading to work one morning, driving slow in traffic, suddenly it started jerking, and making grinding noises. Transmission crapped out, shop quoted me $5 to 6k for a rebuild.:wtf:
Put a used one in for $1900.00 and sold the car for $5000.00 CAD, had invested about $7200.00 by then.

Several years ago, an acquaintance was looking for a clean Chevy Suburban. I found one, super clean, low mileage, rust free truck, put about $7700.00 into it only to have him bail on me. Said his wife wanted a minivan. I sold it for $4500.00 after being stuck with it for about 8 months.:mad:
 
Couple years ago I bought a 2005 Magnum R/T, had about 95k miles on it, well equipped, paid $3500.00 CAD for it, did a complete brake rebuild, and front end, struts, major tune up, serpentine belt, oil pressure sensor, oil temp sensor. Drove it for a couple months, heading to work one morning, driving slow in traffic, suddenly it started jerking, and making grinding noises. Transmission crapped out, shop quoted me $5 to 6k for a rebuild.:wtf:
Put a used one in for $1900.00 and sold the car for $5000.00 CAD, had invested about $7200.00 by then.

Several years ago, an acquaintance was looking for a clean Chevy Suburban. I found one, super clean, low mileage, rust free truck, put about $7700.00 into it only to have him bail on me. Said his wife wanted a minivan. I sold it for $4500.00 after being stuck with it for about 8 months.:mad:
Thats why i dont buy anything newer than '88 lol. Im in the middle of getting rid of an 05 beetle that my wife wanted cuz "its cute" but its chock full of issues and its only got 19k miles. Shes driving an 88 camry i put back together for her and its been trucking right along for about 5 years now no issues with 118k miles.
 
My 70 Dart was purchased in 1991 complete, but not running, for $70.00. I estimate that over the 20 years of ownership and restoration I probably had about $15000.00 CAD invested in it. I enjoyed the hell out of it for at least 10 years, and sold it for $13,500.00 CAD. Easily got many times my money's worth in fun and good times with it. Now I'm working on a 75 Dart Sport that I bought for $800.00, probably have spent another $4k so far, but am largely enjoying resurrecting it, and am getting close to having a running and hopefully driveable ratty muscle car.
 
Thats why i dont buy anything newer than '88 lol. Im in the middle of getting rid of an 05 beetle that my wife wanted cuz "its cute" but its chock full of issues and its only got 19k miles. Shes driving an 88 camry i put back together for her and its been trucking right along for about 5 years now no issues with 118k miles.

My ex wife drove an 87 Camry for several years, was a great car, only problem it ever had was a timing belt failure.
 
My ex wife drove an 87 Camry for several years, was a great car, only problem it ever had was a timing belt failure.
Im actually doing the timing belt and waterpump tomorrow. Id love to see the ratty dart once youre driving it. Im about to get a crazy looking scoop for my carb since its gonna be cheaper than sourcing a new hood. Its time to embrace the junkyard project car look for a while lol
 
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