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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 09:32 AM
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Default way over budget

the cars running pretty good now but the trailing arms , bushings etc. not so good . so I am into the next two years budget , at the doctors now putting in rebuilt trailing arm assemblies , a 340 mono spring , all new u joints , rear end bushings , the cushion bushings , tie rods , shock mounts almost all back end . what gets me are the rotors there original and they don't have a grove in them with 145,000 miles . total fix around $2500 and I can get back up to $400 on the trailing arms if you don't count freight .just hope he doesn't run into any other problems .
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 10:19 AM
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I don't think there is such a thing as being "under" budget with a Corvette.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 10:44 AM
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actually there was . when I bought it almost 30 years ago my goal was to put a grand a year into it to get it up to where I wanted . but ive gone almost 20 years without doing hardly anything . hard thing is convincing my wife I should have a 20,000 credit
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 11:47 AM
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Some spend money on green fees, others spend it on cars.....it's a hobby, enjoy it.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by sstocker31
Some spend money on green fees, others spend it on cars.....it's a hobby, enjoy it.
My friend told me I was spending a lot on this car. But he's taking his family to Europe! I told him I'll drive my car for another 15 years then I can sell it and take my family to Europe when the kids are old enough to appreciate it.

But if things work out well, the kids can take me there and I'll keep the car.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 07:39 PM
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With any old car, that you use on a regular basis, you either need to be able to do the work yourself or you need "deep pockets". Material and Labor costs from any repair shop will add up VERY quickly, if there is much to do on the car.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 07:47 PM
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Budget, budget, what's that ? ? ?
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 08:09 PM
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I'm pretty sure I've burned through the next owners budget already....
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
With any old car, that you use on a regular basis, you either need to be able to do the work yourself or you need "deep pockets". Material and Labor costs from any repair shop will add up VERY quickly, if there is much to do on the car.
Well said
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
With any old car, that you use on a regular basis, you either need to be able to do the work yourself or you need "deep pockets". Material and Labor costs from any repair shop will add up VERY quickly, if there is much to do on the car.
I've done 100% of the work myself on a full rebuild of the front and rear suspension.

However, the spousal unit audited me recently and said that I've spent over $5K since I purchased the car in April. I maintain that she cheated when she added in the cost of various tools like impact wrench and impact sockets.

She'll have a rude awakening when I order the Vintage Air.

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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 08:48 PM
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Yep, they can get into your pocket pretty good, but at least there's no depreciation to speak of and one might actually make a few bucks at sale time. Good luck.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 09:01 PM
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just hope he doesn't run into any other problems .[/QUOTE]

I hope it doesn't happen, but, with 145k miles, your next phone call from him will be to tell you your yokes have excessive play. Diff will have to be rebuilt. That is another years budget.
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by wendellp601
I've done 100% of the work myself on a full rebuild of the front and rear suspension.

However, the spousal unit audited me recently and said that I've spent over $5K since I purchased the car in April. I maintain that she cheated when she added in the cost of various tools like impact wrench and impact sockets.

She'll have a rude awakening when I order the Vintage Air.

Man I know! I so far over budget win full suspension, engine/Trans and tires & wheels. If I count the purchase of the car and all my parts I'm not just over budget I'm way over value on return. I like it and have a good u standing of why the nice cars cost so much. 50 miles on it since Sunday and nothing but a big grin. No looking back; just enjoy it.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 12:03 AM
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145,000 mi. And $2,500 cost for wear items in 20 yrs. I think you're getting away cheap.
Good luck with the next 145,000.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 01:33 AM
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You guys don't understand Corvette money management!

Learn from my example...................

I planned on spending $10,000 to rebuild my project car.

I added another $10,000 to the project in case of OVERSPENDING.

I am well within my budget.....I have only spent $5,000...............

of the $10,000 allocated to................OVERSPENDING.......... ....

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPS................... ...

never mind

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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 01:44 AM
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I keep everything. To the point of wishing I didn't keep everything. I've got a big box of Corvette parts from when I rebuilt the front and rear suspension(s). I even have the old ball joints and all of the bushings.
My budget is used on an "as needed" basis. I figure out the next major project, figure out the approximate cost, stash cash until it happens and on to the next one.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by TimAT
I keep everything. To the point of wishing I didn't keep everything. I've got a big box of Corvette parts from when I rebuilt the front and rear suspension(s). I even have the old ball joints and all of the bushings.
My budget is used on an "as needed" basis. I figure out the next major project, figure out the approximate cost, stash cash until it happens and on to the next one.
Tim, you are the long lost brother I've looked for all my life! I even kept my bent strut rods, why, I'll never know. I can't bring myself to throw away a worn out, useless original part. Even my budget works the same as yours. Except, I have two list. 1) "must do " reliability list. 2) "it would be nice" to make it pretty list. After this winter, my "must do" list will be fairly completed. Then I can start on the "it would be nice" list.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by dpw21562
Budget, budget, what's that ? ? ?
It's what you told your wife you spent.

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Old Sep 17, 2015 | 09:28 AM
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2500 was just the back end . I also did new carb and fuel lines $700 . new shocks, brake booster another $550 . redid top of distributer , new wires , plugs .$200 . and its sitting in the shop with only a few weeks left before I store it . of that there's about 700 in labor .

Last edited by upnorth; Sep 17, 2015 at 09:39 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2015 | 09:29 AM
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Budget, was that a factory option ??
If it was, then it wasn't bought to my car !!
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