Projects versus enjoyment versus driving; a lamentation

nderwater wrote:

Klayfish wrote: Over the years, mostly before my kids were born, I spent tons of money on wild and crazy toys. FFR Cobra, Viper, Vettes, E-type w/302 and flame paint job, etc...

Please tell us more. Cobra, Viper, Vette and E Type are all on my 'lottery money' list. What did you like about owning & driving them? Dislike?

The Cobra was one of my favorites. Had a 302, which I cooked at an HPDE day. Wound up with a 351W. Roughly 350hp in a car weighing 2200lbs, with a short wheelbase. No roof, no windows, exhaust right out the sides. Stupid fast, great handling...if you didn't push it to the limit. Just put a smile on your face. Nothing to dislike except that it's not very practical. It was loud, smelly and obnoxious, and that's what was so charming about it. It's driving in it's most raw form. It's vaguely like what driving an NA Miata overdosed on steroids would be like. The FFR community is also top notch.

Viper was a '99 GTS, all black, no stripes. Probably the most beautiful car I've ever owned. It got as much attention as the Cobra, if not more. Fast car, yet could honestly get 25-27mpg cruising the highway (70mph in 6th gear was like 1300rpm). Handling on smooth pavement was fantastic. But I didn't like driving it all that much. It tram lined something awful, crowned roads required constant steering input. Driving position was super awkward, needed adjustable pedals and/or telescoping steering wheel. Lots of cheap Chrysler parts bin interior pieces. Also found many Viper owners to be d-bags.

Had 3 'Vettes - one '81 which wasn't in the greatest shape, but was my first "fancy" toy so it had sentimental value to me. The other 2 were early C5s. One heavily modified, one mostly stock. The C5 makes for a fantastic DD performance car. All the handling, power, fun you could ask for in a sports car, but it was all day comfortable to drive. Plus it got 30mpg if doing all highway cruising, and mid 20's with mostly gentle suburban driving. To me, probably the best jack of all trades I've owned.

The E-Type was a hoot. It rusty or anything, just wasn't a show car. It was a '67 2+2. Previous owner had put a Ford 302 w/C4 auto trans in it. Painted darkish red with lighter red ghost flames down the long hood. Jag purists HATED it, I got snotty looks at car shows. Non-Jag purists loved it. It would smoke the skinny rear tires with ease, and was a good Saturday night cruiser. Steering was quite vague, handling a bit wallowy, but it was fun. Lucas electronics...need I say more.

Along the lines of this thread I once set about doing an analysis of what I defined as the five segments of the car hobby: Racing, collecting, projects, buying/selling (someone who is incapable of having a car for a long time), and enthusiast (likes talking about them, going to car shows, watching races, but doesn't "do" cars). I thought maybe it would help me focus limited time/resources on the parts of the hobby that I enjoy most. Anyway, I didn't learn much, haha!

I have a perpetual project car that I drive about 1000miles/year. I also have bought, started, finished, and sold other projects in the time that I have had the long term one.

The best advice I have ever been given on this whole topic is to never spend your time or money on a car/project if it doesn't bring you joy at the moment. It's supposed to be fun, not an unrewarding labor.

I think I'm in kind of a transition phase. I really enjoy having projects, and loved building the engine for the wagon, but at this point, I'd love to have less wrenching and more actual driving/free time. Part of the problem is Lemons, racing dirt bikes, competing on trials bikes, and doing HPDEs sucks up so much time that most of my life is spent maintaining/fixing one of the 6 vehicles I own. Fortunately, the BMW hit the point of not needing much work about 4 years ago, and the wagon is getting really close....as soon as I install the new fuel tank, electric fans, do bodywork, head gaskets....you see how it is. Two of the bikes only need little things, one is in the middle of restoration, and the other is due for a light engine overhaul due to very high mileage. I do try to keep everything running and driving though.

I find that helps me keep momentum, since I still get to experience more than just seeing it sit there every once in awhile. the constant projects means that I've decided not to buy/sell any cars for quite some time so that both of them will be stable and reliable. It's taken a long time to break the habit of searching craigslist for missed opportunities ever day or two.