Have you ever totaled up what you spent on your c3? Of the total I spent to purchase and upgrades about 60% is after my initial purchase. So I'm guessing I'm not out of the ordinary and people should expect to spend at least as much after their purchase than they did to purchase it, Am I wrong? I purposely didn't say just how much I spent not because I don't want to know but because I don't want my wife to know how much I spent. I think she would just smile and shake her head.

 

Mind your damn business!



Seriously.... more than its worth

 

Seriously, never, ever add up recipts! It's a hobby.
I am certain that I have triple the value of the car in paint alone.
And absolutely NOTHING on my car is untouched. Many things 3 and 4 times.

 

OK, at least now I know I'm not crazy by putting so much into my vette, we all do it.

 

I've had my '74 for 26 years and averaged spending about $1,000.00 per year.

 

We have had our 75 for 51 plus years now, $8300.00 new, some years it never moved, two paint jobs, bodywork, insurance, misc items i would guess the cost is up there and would be afraid to total it up.

 

Look on the bright side...WHAT would a new one cost?

I have $15,000 in my basket case purchase;

The question is: What will the front 1/3 cost to finish the car?

 

Far more than the wife knows.

 

Too much

 

Most people say they spent too much or a whole lot of money, but then we find something else to buy for the baby and we find a way to buy it. So does that mean we haven't spent enough on it yet?

 

MUCH...much more than it’s worth.

However, I purchased my 1969 in 1974 for only $1600. So, let’s see.

Two engine rebuilds

One new engine

Gary just did the differential

New rear control arms

Rebuild the transmission

Numerous clutches

Numerous specialty suspension parts

Brakes part

Numerous sway bars

Paint job

I could go on and on…

But I’m sure you got the picture. BTW: Let me add, it is rarely one and done.

 

More than good sense would indicate, but I consider the relationship with the car and this community worth it.

 

Im very frugal (cheap) but i don't keep a running total on my vehicle expenditures. It's a hobby so I cant use the info for a tax write-off so it's one less thing to keep track of.

I do have a spread sheet for each vehicle containing info on maintenance and repairs but no costs. I have another spread sheet for each containing selling points and current market value because none of my heirs are "car people".

My wife always had a newer Jaguar (I hated them), and now Cadillac which diverted her attention from my car expenditures.

 

I’ve owned my 69 for 53 years. I’ve had the body of the frame 3 times. I painted it myself 39 years ago and it looks like it came out of the shop this morning. Other than machining, I do all my own work. Every nut, bolt and washer is either plated or stainless steel. There is no exposed bare metal anywhere. I see it everyday and always puts a smile on my face - priceless.

 

I think the bigger question is: does the value of your car exceed what you've invested in it? What is the difference in cost vs value?
​​​​​

 

I'm lucky. I spent $8126 new and I've still never had a major repair. The most expensive thing so far was having the steering column rebuilt a few years ago.

Otherwise it's been just been routine maintenance over the last 50 years & 78,000 miles..

 

Purchased my 72 coupe in June of 2022 with 126,000 miles for $23,000.

It had been restored in 1990 at 105,000 miles.

Put about $7,000 into it, some things were necessary, the rest was carpet and lots of dynamat and insulation to help the AC efficiency.

Been nothing but smiles and at 141,000 miles now.

 

indeed, it’s good to at least be aware of the reality of what you’ve spent vs what it’s worth. I’ve been fortunate in my classic car/corvette hobby dealings to select undervalued examples then improve them until my expenses roughly equal their respective market value. That’s when I sell and start searching for the next car but always being mindful of the fact that it is a hobby and in most hobbies you don’t get your money back when you quit. I always think of golf as an equally expensive hobby where you don’t get your money back when you’re done playing unless you own the golf course you’re playing at.
So far, Ive just about broke even on the seven “hobby cars” I’ve owned over the past 50 years.

 

I've owned my 70 for 55 years now and have no idea how much I have in it.

 

I bought my 68 11 years ago...$19000, registration and insurance was another $2000, that winter it got a new tires, carpets and a screw set to replace the lag bolts, and wood screws....then I put an addition on the barn for my garage..that had to $4000. Then I found the original motor and bought that for $1500, and bought a separate 327 for $800 and put $4000 into that, then upgraded the cam every year for 3 years after that. Then Rebuilt the original motor into a roller cam solid lifter motor...that was more than I remember. Then covid hit and the roller lifters werent rollers anymore. That caused me to buy a 69 427 for $2000 and build that up for another $10000. The bearing babbit came apart and cost me another $4000 I believe to get going again. I forgot what I have into the Tripower set ups I have...probably $5000. Theres a lot of other stuff I bought for her i their like C5 seats, late 68 leather seats with headrests, stereos, the used Steeroids which I love, side pipes, etc...Then I decided to go with the Webers...just the carbs were about $2600 not including all th epieces to tune it which is X8 for the 8 venturis...so I think Im okay as Im still below what a C8 costs. It could be worse, I could have put the money into an untrust worthy bitch that was my fiancee.. So yes I am very happy with what I have into her and how she treats me....And she is very fun to drive too!!