If it were easy and cheap, everyone would be doing it. Now that you have figured what it will cost you, set out to do it for less. Make the new project seeing how much of that number you can save, but like everyone has said, do it one thing at a time. If you figured the brakes will cost $300.00, do it for $200.00, and so on down the list. Before you know it you'll be driving, just don't give up.
#1) They will always print more money. #2) When it stops being fun, it's time to bail and find something new. I think once you get it running you can enjoy it. It's better to make a short term plan of making it a runner, and a long term plan for all the extras. Just my .02
Accounting 101: People, dogs, and cats are fed. Lights are still on, angry governmental bodies have been paid. The rest goes into deuce parts. Easy. No numbers to keep.
I had to do the same thing to figure out what month I would be able to drive my car. I was dissapointed, it was about finished and I still needed to spend $1,500. I found steel wheels, used tires, cheap valve covers, etc. to whittle that number down to about half. I got it on the road for this season even though I now have a list of things that I want to replace - but I am on the road. BTW, nice screen name.
WTF ???!!!??? Dude, next thing you know your going to tell us you answered the question "Does this make me look fat ?" honestly. You need to go buy something you don't really need and get over it !!!
"I found steel wheels, used tires, cheap valve covers, etc. to whittle that number down to about half. I got it on the road for this season even though I now have a list of things that I want to replace - but I am on the road. " The right stuff...make your compromises on stuff that will be easy to change out.
I was doing just fine until I read the last line, now there is beer on my computer screen. Funny shit right there. Like everybody else has said, one piece at a time, one job at a time. You'll get there.
This is what I do on my toys. I keep every receipt even if it's for 1 bolt, nut, lock washer, etc. keep them all. I file them by part description/ use ie: steering, motor ,sub filed by maybe carbs. fuel system, etc. etc. Never add them up while the build is still in progress, never. Then when the build is completely finished, I mean completely finished, no more to do. I take them and put them in a 5 gallon metal bucket and fucking burn them.
I finally realized this too I just need to get it running and drivable from then on add a little here and there I did answer that question I told her " Its not that it makes you look fat its you that makes it look fat" hahaha didnt go over to well
Dude, you need to seriously give some thought to what happens after you do some things, before you do them.....LOL Gene
You know, I've kept every single receipt for my build scince day one, said I was going to do a build book when I was finished (still not done) but the more I think about it the more I realize that I'm never going to cataloge everything and organize it and have oft wondered why the hell I do what I do... I mean I have a rough Idea of whats in the truck, however I really dont want to know a hard and fast number... I like your idea....
If everybody added up what it would cost for them to complete their car, no one would ever finish. Dont dwell on it, think about it one part at a time, its a long term project, if it was done what would you have to look forward to? I know I would have nothing, and thinking about what I might have one day keeps me going! keep up the good work and never stop, once you finish this project you'll soon start another! GOOD LUCK BROTHER! KEEP YOUR SPIRITS UP!
Well maybe not, sure the total cost of everything you think you need to do your build won't have all the stuff you need and it will always cost at least twice what you figured but thats still ok because the money will come up somehow. As for me I never start with a complete idea of what I want when I'm through so when I have some bucks and see something cool I buy it and stash it away and then forget about it and later on I will buy something else just as cool but it won't work with the other cool stuff because this week it's just going to be a cruiser then later on I will want an all out drag car. Point being that I have enough parts to build part of 3 or 4 cars but not enough to finish mine so I'm starting to look for some of that cool stuff I paid way too much for and then changed direction and list the stuff here because I"ll need the money and the clock keeps on ticking.
I keep all the receipts...but I quit adding them up really early in the process. But keep them - because take it from me they come in real handy when some jackass runs a red-light and you got to prove to AllSt--- or some other insurance company what your car was worth. Learned alot about insurance though.
Spend GOOD money on brakes-do not skimp with your life or safety.You can always make it faster or prettier. Best of luck. It'll come together!
Who cares about paint and all that! Listen, I got my junk on the road for like 18oo bux. And look at the pics, it looks okay. Homebuilds are the cheapest, the bestest, and the funnest! Don't let it get you down, get excited about all the time you get to soend in tha garage drinking beer with the guys while you "WORK ON" the car.
The Jalopy Journal
