Had a thought...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
Had a thought...
While I was out last evening installing the hyperflash harness in the car prior to some LED installs I had a thought...
Whether it be repairing something, doing normal maintenance or installing some new "gadget", I actually enjoy working on the car ALMOST as much as driving it. Don't get me wrong, I really love driving the car, but it has been so long since I had a car that was not under some kind of warranty that prevented me from doing much, that I really missed it.
When I was young I could not afford a car with any kind of warranty and normally I could not afford to pay anyone to fix them, so I got to work on them a lot. I have really missed that.
Anybody else feel that way?
Whether it be repairing something, doing normal maintenance or installing some new "gadget", I actually enjoy working on the car ALMOST as much as driving it. Don't get me wrong, I really love driving the car, but it has been so long since I had a car that was not under some kind of warranty that prevented me from doing much, that I really missed it.
When I was young I could not afford a car with any kind of warranty and normally I could not afford to pay anyone to fix them, so I got to work on them a lot. I have really missed that.
Anybody else feel that way?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I told myself as a 16 year old kid under a tree swapping out engines and transmissions in a 56 Chevy when I grow up I will not spend my time working on a car. And I haven't. Always had a nice dependable car.
But now that I own a vette I find I am 16 again and can't afford to pay someone to fix my vette and have money left for eating.
So I work on it, but enjoy it?
No not really. I can see why people do though, but my problem is a time problem, I have too much else I have to do than work on a car constantly. I can't even find time to go to car shows. I've been to 2 this year and I doubt I will able to find time for another as much as I would like to.
I do however enjoy cleaning it. That I'm good at. As I tell my wife, I am mechanical, but I am no way a mechanic and have to research everything I do. I can follow instructions very well.
But now that I own a vette I find I am 16 again and can't afford to pay someone to fix my vette and have money left for eating.
So I work on it, but enjoy it?
No not really. I can see why people do though, but my problem is a time problem, I have too much else I have to do than work on a car constantly. I can't even find time to go to car shows. I've been to 2 this year and I doubt I will able to find time for another as much as I would like to.
I do however enjoy cleaning it. That I'm good at. As I tell my wife, I am mechanical, but I am no way a mechanic and have to research everything I do. I can follow instructions very well.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Aug 14, 2013 at 04:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
Likes: 2
From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
Understand Mike, I would not want to work on it constantly (and thankfully I have not had to). It is just nice to go out to the shop or garage now and then and "tackle" another project on the car. I guess it is kind of my "escape", just me and the car (and like you, maybe some instructions of some kind). Again, really, really like to drive it too!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Understand Mike, I would not want to work on it constantly (and thankfully I have not had to). It is just nice to go out to the shop or garage now and then and "tackle" another project on the car. I guess it is kind of my "escape", just me and the car (and like you, maybe some instructions of some kind). Again, really, really like to drive it too!
I wish I was more of a tinkering sort and knew what I was doing, I would love to spend my time in the garage.
I have done a lot on my vette. But nothing compared to most of you.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 234
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From: Fall City WA
With my cars in general, there's a distinction between fixing vs. modding/improving. For example, I don't mind swapping out the water pump on my old truck, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much as doing something to improve my Corvette. Luckily, I've spent next to no time repairing my Corvette.
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I enjoy working on my cars, but with all the new fangled gadgets they have on them, much of the potential problems are beyond my capabilities. Simple stuff still is fun though and I don't mind doing the work - saves a lot of money that way.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 458
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From: The Great Northwest
St. Jude Donor '13
Agree Jack, some of the "stuff" in our cars really boggles my mind too. Really happy about the fact that guys like Bill Curlee (and others) are around to explain some of the harder stuff.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Richmond, Ky
Enjoy the feeling. I used to work all day and come home to spend hours out in the garage working on my Chevelle. Now I come home and even though the garage calls, the couch calls louder!!! I still do most all my own work but the Corvette has been trouble free. Only out of the ordinary thing I do to it is the Ranger service.