How strict is the Challenge?

poopshovel wrote:

914Driver wrote: Admitting $3k in parts is OK? I understand this is an editorial exercise, but rules level the field and promote creativity.

It's a modern VW. Do you honestly think it's not going to break? Worst case, I guarantee at least one headlight or tail light is out. You could always call BS on that. There are lots of POS cars out there with $3k worth of parts on them. Does that mean the car is worth $3k? Almost never. Ever sold a race car? Ever tried to get out what you've got into it? We need new faces at the Challenge. Heck, we need your old ugly mug there too! Pics and a general parts breakdown, OP, por favor?

At one point in time, my car was dropped off at a speed shop and a check was written for somewhat over $4000 to said speed shop.

Doesn't change the fact it was purchased for $900.

poopshovel wrote:

914Driver wrote: Admitting $3k in parts is OK? I understand this is an editorial exercise, but rules level the field and promote creativity.

It's a modern VW. Do you honestly think it's not going to break? Worst case, I guarantee at least one headlight or tail light is out. You could always call BS on that. There are lots of POS cars out there with $3k worth of parts on them. Does that mean the car is worth $3k? Almost never. Ever sold a race car? Ever tried to get out what you've got into it? We need new faces at the Challenge. Heck, we need your old ugly mug there too! Pics and a general parts breakdown, OP, por favor?

Ahhhh, poopy.... keep on poopin! :)

Yeah, I am not trying to pull a fast one here, I would claim $1000. Almost all of the $3000 was just maintenance parts. The stuff that wasn't, like the exhaust, and the poly rear mounts (which were actually cheaper than stock), were all on the car when I bought it. The time span of me selling it and re-buying it was not a couple of days either, it was literally months. I honestly forgot how bad the car was and just bought it back..

Also, I would swap out or claim things added since my purchase, like the headlights, and I wouldn't claim money back for the interior, since I sold it ($75) the first time I owned it.

also, here is a thread from when I listed the car for sale on vortex last summer HERE

one guy told me he sold one in similar shape for $400 in 2009, and another guy offered me (surprise!) $1000

here are pictures from that listing:

here are some newer ones, since the rust got worse, and I have the bumpers removed since I'm trying to get them to mount straight and try to add a hitch while retaining a bumper cover (since the bumper mounting bolts rotted away)

You paid $1k FOR THAT?

Lulz, anybody that protests you for coming out in that would need to give their head a shake. Not being offensive, but there is zero special about that car. I wouldn't have even paid $1k for it.

I also found this diagram of where the OP's $3000 went:

haha. yeah... at the time my wrx's transmission went, so I bought this at the local dirt lot for $1k... i have since sold the wrx, but this thing haunts me.. i figure if i can't race it, i'll take off the parts that are worth anything, sell them cheap, and crush it.

I'm missing a few electronic receipts but would have all needed hard copies, here is most of it though, and, all of this was already on the car when I re-bought it Parts breakdown:

Holy hell! If that's a thousand dollar car these days, I should sell my Miata.

Your OK in pricing that at $1000.00 Here is a $1000 VW in ATL:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2974246817.html

1999 Volkswagon Jetta - $1000 (Gainesville)

Have been told it needs with starter. Not running at this time... Not interested in fixing ~ my son wants a truck. VW Jetta sunroof, spoiler, automatic. Red in color. Car has 1 year old transmission, New crank position sensor, spark plugs. VR6 Motor, great on gas

Asking $1000 obo 678-622-3066

The receipts that aren't accounted for are for the rear struts, the tires (which would be changed before race anyway), and a few items bought at Autozone like CV-axles (lifetime warranty FTW), so I guess I don't have $3k in parts, just $3k total investment.. but as stated, on car before re-purchase...

Thanks for the replies everyone! and trust me, i know that i basically burned all that money...

Per Schroeder wrote: This is supposed to be fun, not an exercise in accounting.

I really like this answer.

However, I would really like a bit more explanation on this one. A complete listing of parts has been posted- none of these need to be included??

Stainless hoses? Poly bushing trailing arms? HD shocks? Struts?

How does all this get a pass? Have I been doing it entirely wrong for a really long time?

I'm kind of serious here. mrjoshm, I'm thrilled to see new participants, so don't take this personally.

But Per, what's up? I've been charging ALL that stuff for 7 years. Is there a pass on all factory parts? Can I rebuild it piece by piece to make it original then add $2000 in performance parts?

I'm not trying to be a butthead, but I need a little help understanding.

Thanks.

Essentially, he sold the car and then it came back to him (or could have gone to anyone) for that price. He's not doing it to cheat the system, it just happened that way. We've given that allowance for insurance totalled cars too...Again, as long as it's a realistic 1000 car (and that's generous here) it's OK.

But...if you buy and sell a car just to cheat the system---well, that's pretty crappy and amounts to cheating on an IQ test. So....

I think $1k is a very high number for that car. I say bring it to the Challenge and have fun.

93EXCivic wrote: I think $1k is a very high number for that car. I say bring it to the Challenge and have fun.

I agree with this. He could have lied and said that he bought it for $500, and most people wouldn't have questioned that.

He could have said that someone gave him the car and I wouldn't question that as FMV. I can't see any reason to value that car by any metric but weight at a crusher. Burning down at the challenge would be a glorious end to the sad decline of that poor poor piece of German engineering.
(I didn't go to far did I?)

the best part is, you said decline, to imply that it got worse at my hands! you should have seen it when i bought it, i'm actually making it nicer!

mazdeuce wrote: He could have said that someone gave him the car and I wouldn't question that as FMV.

if it comes down to a vote from people who are attending the $2012 challenge, I'm voting to let that POS in.
That is a $100 car, and if he has to take a $900 penalty in order for us to let it in (as a $1k car,) I'm fine with that

I'm more worried about his sanity...what with paying $1k for that heap!

haha, thanks guys! the best part of all of this, i'm hoping to DRIVE it down. we'll see though, my boss does have a sweet veg powered sprinter i could tow with...

and just to address this, i don't know what the deal is, but pretty much every driveable beater in my area goes for between $500-1000...

In reply to mrjoshm:

Looking forward to seeing you there!

From one POS VW to another.

Thus begins another very heated battle for 23rd place, while teams 1 and 2 see which combination of chemicals, in what quantity, will send the loser to bed before 6AM. It's all fun & games kiddos, and that's a challenge car if I ever saw one. Certainly ain't no cheater Hong Norr POS with $1,000 in wheels & tires!

You've got a LOT of weight to get out of that bag of ass, OP!

Challenge car? That looks like daily driver fodder to me.

Appleseed wrote: Challenge car? That looks like daily driver fodder to me.

Pretty much every challenge car we've ever run has been nicer than my daily. Actually, our first challenger was my daily for a while. 20 degrees + no windows and no heat is a good motivator to get "the other piece of E36 M3" back up & running.