When to walk away from a project car
- Thread starter abodyjoe
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1969reddart
or is it Copper...
Article was written by Mike Musto. He's got some cool videos on youtube...
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Dartnut
Don't hate me because i'm beautiful
Great story.
However, looking at it on the other side of the coin, this is how we learn the hobby...........(sometimes the hard way)
However, looking at it on the other side of the coin, this is how we learn the hobby...........(sometimes the hard way)
Back in Time
Well-Known Member
Pretty much sums up me and my Dart. Solid car body wise..decent mechanically ( trans is weak) Had big idea's when I started but after a couple years tinkering around with it I realized I was in over my head due to my age and work space.It's sitting in the parking lot with a car cover on it so I don't have to look at it. Always completed projects before but this one has gone as far as I can take it. I'll definitely lose money but at this point am ok with that.
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
The mistake he made was keeping track of all the costs.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
The mistake he made was keeping track of all the costs.
Yep. I don't add them up at the end...unless I want to ride the couch and I show the wife what stuff costs.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
I just read the article. Had I kept a journal of all my cousin has been through, it would make that article seem like romper room.
I doubt anyone would believe what I wrote about it because I'm living through it and I'm not sure I believe it.
I doubt anyone would believe what I wrote about it because I'm living through it and I'm not sure I believe it.
Cool video! Thanks!
67 gt
A boy who loves his Mopars !
Before I purchased mine I had it inspected which come back positive got it for a great price and when it was in my hands took it for a test ride and found it handled soft and steered like the QE2, replaced all steering and suspension components, than drove it and worked on it at the same time so I wouldn't loose interest. Moral of the story I had a great base to start with and went on from there. Receipts well I have a folder which is pretty thick and haven't gone through it as yet but I have a rough idea 30- 35 k and once this stroker is finish it should push me over the 50k mark.
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inkjunkie
Well-Known Member
Hobbys are expensive. I wanted to upgrade my camera gear. $3400 for a body, $1800 for a 70-200 lens. $1700 on a fixed 50mm and 28-70. Wife has been wanting a new sewing machine. Got a deal I couldn't refuse. Dollar for dollar on the machine we bought in 2012, 1k off and a $1900 software package....$14k.....toys ain't cheap...
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
I'm just lucky I have been able to do mine by myself (literally all of it) and the longest it's been down where it wasn't drivable was three days when I put the new motor and trans together and got them in the car.
Also lucky that being the case I think I recently went over what it's worth resale, which I don't ever intend to do.
So with all I have put into it and taking into account it's my only car, AND I don't have car payments, And that my insurance is cheap, I think it's a win all the way around.
I also don't need to put really expensive parts into it, because I don't need them for what the car is built for. (Not a weekend racer)
Mike seems like a good guy, but sometimes it seems he has a case of doesn't know what he doesn't know.
Lots of projects go like his did, but it's just a car and lots of money isn't the only solution a lot of the time.
Didn't Clint Eastwood say in a movie " A man has to know his limitations"?????? LOL
My problem is, I am so old I forgot most of what I did know, and I get confused about what I remember!!?????
My problem is, I am so old I forgot most of what I did know, and I get confused about what I remember!!?????
Back in mid 70's I could find a good 69 runner 383 4 speed project, complete for around $1000-1200, I could restore it totally and have bout $7500 in it... , and never find anyone that would give more than that. I worked for free. I could flip that same $1000 project for $1500 and not touch it..
Fast forward to today, a lot wore 69 runner project roller costs $3-5000, and I would have $20000-25,000 in it restored and be hard up to actually find someone to give me more!!!!! If I tried to flip at project I would lose $500-1000! OK on TV they get $30,000 and at BJ they get $35000!!!!! LOL Hollywood!
Fast forward to today, a lot wore 69 runner project roller costs $3-5000, and I would have $20000-25,000 in it restored and be hard up to actually find someone to give me more!!!!! If I tried to flip at project I would lose $500-1000! OK on TV they get $30,000 and at BJ they get $35000!!!!! LOL Hollywood!
Ddaddy
Just doing what I do
Although I have more in my car than I could probably sell it for, I remind myself that the time I spend driving it has some value too. If I add up all the hours I spend driving it or showing it and deduct that cost (say $25/hr) from what I have in the car, I will be very much ahead if I ever sell it.
You're down to Earth, You do things with a subjective.I'm just lucky I have been able to do mine by myself (literally all of it) and the longest it's been down where it wasn't drivable was three days when I put the new motor and trans together and got them in the car.
Also lucky that being the case I think I recently went over what it's worth resale, which I don't ever intend to do.
So with all I have put into it and taking into account it's my only car, AND I don't have car payments, And that my insurance is cheap, I think it's a win all the way around.
I also don't need to put really expensive parts into it, because I don't need them for what the car is built for. (Not a weekend racer)
Mike seems like a good guy, but sometimes it seems he has a case of doesn't know what he doesn't know.
Lots of projects go like his did, but it's just a car and lots of money isn't the only solution a lot of the time.
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
That's kind of where I am, as the enjoyment of it is part of the return.
Well, that's debatable but I appreciate the confidence in that statement.
So I guess that makes the statement "subjective"
MrJLR
Built, not bought
Truer words were seldom spoken.....The mistake he made was keeping track of all the costs.
Jeff
harrisonm
Well-Known Member
How do you look at a car and not notice there are floor patch panels held in with sheet metal screws?
I am in the process of walkin away from one now.
SLOPAR72
Well-Known Member
Not impressed by the writer...... When he commented on even making a few dollars he makes it sound like this is some type of investment hobby. Most people will end up on the losing side of any car they purchase to fix because at the end of the day a plumber can make a bunch more money fixing a leak than changing out a headliner....
The time to walk away is the first time you see the car. Not when you get it home. It's just how things go. There will always be situation which are few and far between where a multi talented person can turn things around on a bad purchase but most of us can't. That's just life....
I personally have never owned any vehicle I made changes to (stereo, paint, drivetrain, etc..) where my money didn't take a hit. Some worse than others but a hit none the less...
If I were to guess and specifically that camaro his buddies saw a nightmare under that paint and convinced him to duck and run...
JW
The time to walk away is the first time you see the car. Not when you get it home. It's just how things go. There will always be situation which are few and far between where a multi talented person can turn things around on a bad purchase but most of us can't. That's just life....
I personally have never owned any vehicle I made changes to (stereo, paint, drivetrain, etc..) where my money didn't take a hit. Some worse than others but a hit none the less...
If I were to guess and specifically that camaro his buddies saw a nightmare under that paint and convinced him to duck and run...
JW
People substitute $$$ for labor. You supply the labor and skill OR pay someone $$ to do the labor. If we are capable, and enjoy the labor, then its a win. To bad we can many times buy a decent project, being a decent model, for a decent price, do ALL the work and make it a pretty nice car, and still not get or investment in $$ back out!!!!
Why it is called a hobby!!!
Sometimes it is not the destination, but the journey that we love the most!??
Why it is called a hobby!!!
Sometimes it is not the destination, but the journey that we love the most!??
Back in Time
Well-Known Member
Walking away from a project isn't always about Money. Sometimes due to many circumstances you just can't physically do it and your not willing to pay someone to finish it for you. It's best to let someone who can and will finish it like it deserves.
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