questioning sanity
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
questioning sanity
I would like to see what some people post in reply to this. Sometimes when i look at what restoring my car costs, i'm questioning sanity. Did you guys ever had this happening 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Yes but , I havent got a dollar amount to look at but I do cringe when I spend money on the car in anticipation of getting to work on it. Its easier spending on it when the actual work is being done. But it can run into insanity if you dont look out. Peace,,,Moosie 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I added up my receipts last night. I've spent a little less than I thought but it's still more than the car is worth and I have a long way to go until it's done. But, I don't drink or smoke or chase women. Ya gotta do something for fun.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Most of the time buying the parts hurts... badly.
But then when you have the new parts in your hands, you forget about how badly it hurt to buy them, and you just admire your new shiney stuff.
Kinda like giving birth, I suppose.
But then when you have the new parts in your hands, you forget about how badly it hurt to buy them, and you just admire your new shiney stuff.
Kinda like giving birth, I suppose.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,006
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
I keep a spreadsheet on every dime I spend on them.
Fortunately, I calculate what a finished car should cost vs what its real-world value is before I buy it. I'm very tuned into this, so I'm usually ahead. (one reason is not buying C4s anymore)
Fortunately, I calculate what a finished car should cost vs what its real-world value is before I buy it. I'm very tuned into this, so I'm usually ahead. (one reason is not buying C4s anymore)
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Geez, guys..... 
Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. 
Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?
Give me a break!
Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?Give me a break!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,006
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I always looked at it as source of therapy, you know stress relief!
Labor = thousands of dollars.
Parts = thousands of dollars.
Stress relief = priceless.
Labor = thousands of dollars.
Parts = thousands of dollars.
Stress relief = priceless.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 13,196
Likes: 99
From: West Chester OH
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In IX Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Geez, guys..... Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?
Give me a break!
Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?Give me a break!
Think of it as spending the appreciation of your C3 as you go along. If my $20 K '68 goes up 5% per year I can spend $1K on parts and still be even.
Now the problem is keeping the spending down to $1K / year
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I don't tally my receipts for the Vettes nor groceries or the movies. You gotta be doing something & this is about as good as it can get.
Unlike other hobbies, we have something tangible when we are done. What do you have after a day of gambling? Boating? Flying? Yes - they are all fun. Each to his own & all hobbies are fun but I'd rather spent the weekend working on my Vette than any other hobby.
Unlike other hobbies, we have something tangible when we are done. What do you have after a day of gambling? Boating? Flying? Yes - they are all fun. Each to his own & all hobbies are fun but I'd rather spent the weekend working on my Vette than any other hobby.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I work on other peoples junk for a living, when I work on my own it's therapy, I can do it on my own terms, in my own time.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Geez, guys..... Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?
Give me a break!
Most folks lay down $30-40K on a new ride, and when they drive off the lot, they've lost 20+% immediately. Three years later it's worth less than half of what they paid. And you're worrying about spending "a little more than it's worth" on a classic C3 Corvette?Give me a break!
Good point depreciation sucks (money)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA
Nope, haven't questioned my sanity in restoring my Vette. This is my dream car - one I've waited years to own. Kids are both out of the house and it's my turn to play. If I ever feel the "ouch" when paying for a new part, all I have to do is take one look at my "baby" and know that it's well worth it. I've kept all my receipts but have never bothered to add them up. Maybe one of these days I will, but right now, it's just not that important to me.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine FL
I get all single-minded and just order the necessary parts & pieces. When the parts arrive I slammed the invoices into a file. That file resides in the desk. Someday....maybe...I'll tally the invoices....maybe not, though. There really is no guilty conscience on this though, because the ol' Vette is kick-ars and ready to run another 20 years. My advice: order what's needed to restore the ol' boys and bury those invoices. Life is not all about $$ and what better to direct our passions towards?
