Backstory: I used to love working on cars. I was pretty good at it. I didn’t turn a wrench for years because I lacked time and desire. I got out of the military in 2021 and started dipping my toes back into it. The main problem is depression/anxiety combined with a serious lack of confidence. Today was the last straw for me. I’m done and I can’t afford to pay someone else to do it for me.

Anyway:

I have 2 Corvettes. A 1999 FRC that I’ve had since August 2007 and a 2004 Z06 that I’ve had since January 2024.

The 1999 has 65k-ish miles, I think. It hasn’t run since 2010. Oil pump failed, trashed the bearings, and I decided to go nuts with the build instead of just dropping in another LS1. Long story short: Deployments and divorce caused me to accrue a massive amount of parts, but never put the car together. It is currently just the frame, doors, trunk, and the glued on body parts. Everything else is removed.

The 2004 has 175k miles on it. I bought it on here for cheap because it had been totaled, but didn’t have any frame damage and has a clean title. Ran well until this summer when I decided it was time to replace the diff because it started whining at highway speeds. Most of the interior is out of it because I was chasing a water leak, but I have it all.

Anyone want to show up with a couple of trailers, a minimal amount of cash, and take away my stress?

 

Would be a shame to give up man.
Are you seeking help for the depression?
VA or some other source of help?
Getting help for the depression likely will help with the anxiety as well, and get your life back on track.

Hoping you get the help you need bud.

 

Wishing you the best. Maybe try to find a local Corvette club. There are usually members that are glad to help out. Always more fun when you have someone around to help and bounce ideas off from. And thank you for your service.

 

If I were you, I'd sell one and then look it in a few months. When I came home from Vietnam, I brought a few problems home with me, It took 25 years to repair the inside of my life, Depression is something we all have to deal with in one way or another,The VA is filled with great people who only interest is helping you get back on your feet and and in your mind, but it can be done as I was there as well and very close to the end. I don't know how close you are to a VA facility, and even if not they will get some transportation for you. I think if you just close the garage door and come back next spring when you are feeling a little better about things, It will happen if you just reach out, I know it will as I was a really bad place and they helped me find my way back. Good luck and god bless !

 

I was, but my therapist changed locations and the VA won’t cover my therapy now. I was paying out of pocket, but now I’m furloughed and have no idea when I’m getting paid again. I don’t know if I’ll even have a job when the government reopens.

There is a fledgling corvette club local to me, but I haven’t gone to any of the meets, yet.

I’ve had horrendous luck with the VA. I changed from the Fayetteville, NC VA to the Durham, NC VA because of issues with the psychiatrist they assigned me. My new psychiatrist is fine, but I hate taking meds that just suppress emotion. I’m sure I’d be fine if they’d pay for my therapist, but they won’t.

I think my best bet is to offload everything, wait for my job situation to be more secure, and pick up a newer, stock Corvette (and not work on it myself).

 

I have found that hanging out in the garage and tinkering on cars is excellent therapy.

 

I think with the colder months coming, take a step back, take a breath, and a break. When you are in good headspace, dive back in. All the best to you. 🙏🏻

 

Much respect for you navigating this time in your life. You couldn’t have written a better explanation of how you feel and what you’d like to do with the cars.

About ten years ago I sold my race rig, engine, parts, even my driving suit and helmet. It was time to focus and move forward. You know what, it felt good to take that load off my shoulders. I didn’t miss it at all.

Maybe share your ideas on a bring your trailer “yard sale” and post it up with a few pics in the FS section here on the forum. Also, I believe there are some C5 dismantlers in your area that might be able to use everything as is. I have a bunch of links and I’ll look through those…


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I am honestly sorry for what your going through, sending you a prayer my friend.

 

when i was very young, i had a fun sporty little car (DSM) that i modified the hell out of and drove it until it blew up. so i fixed it!
i drove it until it blew up. so i fixed it!
(repeat 4-5 more times)

eventually the cycle got old and i just didn't want to do it any more.

i found someone who wanted the car(cass) for parts and a minimal amount of money.

i let him take it away and the monkey that had been on my back left with him.

sometimes its just not fun any more and it is time to let it go...

it can be hard giving up something you once previously loved. when the time comes, just rip off the bandaid and enjoy something new.

good luck with your decision.

 

tough decision, good luck!!

 

That's a hard spot. The harder spot is not having anyone to talk to professionally. But a really GOOD indicator is your being open about your needs and able to convey them. Keep on that pattern.

As for the cars and the hurt of the projects - sometimes the wall of all the stuff to do is just too much - yeah you might feel really good unloading one or both and not having that feeling of being stuck under them. I'll be honest. My project car has sat for probably 3 of the last 6 years at different times almost untouched.

Life takes precedence. And if your needs are now different from what those cars provide back to you, move on and let them go. It might feel awesome to be free of those two projects.

 

Thats exactly what I was doing an hour before I started this thread.

They’re in North Carolina! That is wildly convenient.

Thanks! It’s definitely not fun anymore.

I might be in a better headspace in a couple years to pick up another project, but these two need to go.

 

Lot’s to be said about removing the things that clutter the soul. Too often times the familiarity of fondness once felt in the juice of reward becomes the poison instead. The hunger for life gratification won’t be satisfied until we change the diet and taking a look at the menu often times means we find a new place to dine.

Please excuse all the colloquialisms.

The beckoning to change life focus usually comes when we need it most. I hope you can find a healthy and mature group of people who have a solid, experiential belief in our Creator. Continue to be serious about setting a different destination and act on it. Pursue the things over which our creator presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Him—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective and let him change your mind about who you are and his purpose for your place in the here and now.

You are in a good place. Making decisions and taking steps toward better rewards often times involves leaving behind what others may consider a greater value. Have confidence in His leading and know you are surrounded by a lot of good people who are lifting you up with their thoughts and prayers.

 

So true....In so many ways, even just relaxing, staring, or reflection in solitude surrounded by fiberglass.

I'm truly sorry to hear about your ordeal, and wish you the best.....Is there just no passion or love for the Corvette hobby anymore? I'm merely saying, don't be hasty, and I take into account your thread title "considering", that tells me it's not a door slammer altogether.

Divorce and deployment? Yes, I can share stories about how shitty that is in the Military with you, it's no picnic....It's a daily siege, and you have to take it day by day but, things WILL get better...Just believe in yourself, and don't give up on your hobby for the wrong reason....I'm pulling for you!!

 

A no body advising a somebody in trouble.
Ditch the cars. Your plate is full right now. Straighten out your life and if you want the car hobby? It will be waiting
for you.
Good luck. Life is work.

 

Get rid of this burden, Cars you love to drive and cant is more stress then selling them. The stress with money and the overwhelming work with the cars are eating you up. Been there done that's. Get rid of them get your your mental health back and let your mine dictate your next move on your future car when mental health gets better it will never go way but with the right meds and therapy its livable but will be there the rest of your life. I to have mental issues and when my car was down and needed work to get it running because driving it was actually the best therapy for me but seeing it everyday day ate me up inside that made my situation worst and money that will take to get the cr up and running. This are material objects. Can always be replaced. Mental health not treated will never get better. And enjoying things will be very difficult to overcome. This is what i'm going through everyday dealing with mental illness, If you never had mental illness they DO NOT understand the battle in your head every single day hour minutes and second, Its worse than doing physical work on your body. Im empathetic with you because this has been a struggle for me the pass 40yrs and to this second writing this. Hang in there i know its hard. GET RID OF THE BURDEN. That's the first step in the right direction. My mental health costed me my marriage and my business that i loved. I was in such a bad spot i was just going to walk away from my business. Close the door and just leave, but the threispy talked me into selling it which i didn't even want to deal with but ultimately i did for half the money just to get out of the burden. When i got stable enough to realized what i did with the business it got to me to me on my decision but it most likely saved my life because i had a second chance to restart and let my mine stir me in the the direction i needed and 25yrs later i'm still around and yes taking one day at a time. Deal with the now at the moment not the future it will help even though its tough. don't give up you have a lot of hurdles but it will get better. Even the smallest amount. Sometimes least then baby steps but its in the right direction.

 

If I was closer. I’d come get them and store them for You until You are ready to grab a wrench again.
i went thru the same **** 20 years ago. Step back take a deep breathe and just say F it.
All will work out.
i went to a therapist. All She did was **** Me off. I grew a set and worked My things out on My on. I’m still pissed about a few things but…. I just ignore that crap now.
Sorry if I sound like an ***. But I’ve been there.
Still wish I could come get those cars and hold onto them until You say You want them back and ready to go back to work.

 

Clean house with the car thing.Start with a fresh sheet.Focus on your priorities. I think all of us have been able to relate to your situation in some shape or form. What it took me a long time to realize is when the time is right there is always going to be another car out there.