I need a pep talk

[Boulder69]

Project has been kinda stalled lately, mostly because my crappy job has me working 55-65 hours a week. But I have been selling off old hobbies on ebay to fund wheels (finally!) and that oh so sweet steering box from ATS. So, long story short I rustle up $4K to give to Budnik, ATS, and BFG, and planned on doing some ordering right before Thanksgiving since I finally had some time off. I come home from the local ski hill last tuesday afternoon to find a rather large envelope from, you guessed it, the freakin' IRS! I screwed up last spring and instead of a $2K refund (which they mailed me and I spent) I actually owed them $2K. So now I owe Uncle $4K plus interest. This is the last time I do my own taxes, it has become too complicated for me at this point in my life.

I'm really discouraged now. The car has some mystery ignition problem (runs like crap, probably the opti again), and I still have boxes of brakes, spindles, and control arms I can't install until I can save enough to try again. I should be saving for an LSx/T56 now, but again it was my fault.

I'm starting to think about cutting my losses and getting a used M3 or Vette so I can finally get some track time. Please remind me why I shouldn't?!?!?

[LowBuckX]

I can relate. Ive done the 1 step forward 2 step back dance all my life. BUck up..suck it up ... and do what you want to do.

[baz67]

You could always run down here to Arvada and see where my car has been for a year or so. That may help.

[68firehawk]

HA! I recently felt the same way.

My grandfather just bought a 94 ZR-1 from a kid in California. Needless to say I was the one who got to fly down to California to go pick it up. Man what a car. It was a blast to drive. It was everything a normal speed craving human being would want. This was his third recent used vette purchase. The one he bought about a month prior is modified for mild track use and at close to $10K makes a guy like me think about what the heck I’m doing spending more then $25k on my 1968 dream car.

I guess in the end it’s all in what you really want in a performance car. M3’s are expensive to keep up and everyone has a Corvette.

For me it’s the shear performance. I know that when I’m done my car will pull over 1G on a skid pad and still look like a car built in the late 60’s. Everyone knows vette’s can move but it’s not every day you see a vintage car out corner, stop and accelerate a car built decades later. I look forward to the day I pull up to or get to compete with a new Z06, GTS viper, M5, Ferrari, ect.

My two cents anyway.

[DeepBlue68]

I'm starting to think about cutting my losses and getting a used M3 or Vette so I can finally get some track time. Please remind me why I shouldn't?!?!?
Because anyone with enough money can buy an M3 or a Corvette. It takes time, skill, and initiative to build a bad a** street/track-worthy muslce car. And not only that, but in a way it will be the only one like it because you built it and no one else has one that's exactly the same as yours. How many M3 or Vette owners can say their car is completely unique and that they built it with their own two hands?

But, probably best of all, think of the smile that'll be on your face when you walk on your first M3 or Vette at the track. Without your Camaro, you'd just be another guy in the crowd getting spanked by the one or two guys that seem to be at every track day with really cool, unique cars.

You'll always have setbacks in whatever you do, whether it's building cars, your job, or whatever. The important thing is that you stop acting, start thinking, and figure out a way to get your a** out of it with the least amount of loss possible as soon as possible. Worst case, you sell all the parts you got and that will get you probably at least 3k of your money back. Scrimp for a few months and you've got the other thousand, and you're square again. I doubt you'd have a lot of trouble selling those kinds of parts on here. You might even contact the manufacturer and see if they'd be willing to do some type of consignment arrangement with you. Sell your brand new parts through them at a 10% discount or something. Who knows what you could come up with. Be creative and keep your chin up...and don't forget that it's just cars, not your life or health in jeapordy :twothumbs

[Gordz32]

DUDE!! YOU HAVE A 69 CAMARO!! NEED I SAY MORE!, New Cars are nice, I'm thinking of getting a Terminator Cobra, but If I had a car to build on I would, at least when I finish my DAds Chevelle. Its funny b/c the build started as he just wanted a 70-72 chevelle, and 20k was the max budget. We Are about 35k into the car and were at the halfway point. Keep in mind he just turned 60 yesterday and he has worked his ass off his whole life to get where he is today(able to build a car at this level. Aside from that, this car is alot of my own in that its what I would build my car like, but I have to compromise with him b/c its his car and $$. After today seeing the car with all the sheetmetal on it, I'm in a way reborn with this project and its absolutely amazing to see how far its come, and how sick it looks . Keep your head up, There's nothing better than fireing that badboy up and going for a cruise ( Not to mention showing the younger guys what real HP is about). Don't know if I made any sense but hope I helped. Cars can't be built over night, and no matter how long they take, It will certainly be worth it in the end. The thing I like about Pro-touring, aside from the regular is that its peoples creations or matsterpieces. I'm gonna shut up now

[muthstryker]

has anyone ever told you. youll never get it done. you cant handle that type of a project your stupid. youll get bored with it and be kicking your self in the ass. or my favorite. youll never get it complete because you need 50grand and you dont have that kind of money. you have big dreams but you wont suceed. (i actually was told these by family members last time i talked to them) just keep building the car even if it takes you 10 yrs. im building my car and not giving up to prove the *******s in my family wrong. put them all in their place. just dont give up on it. there will always be things that get in the way of things, when you would rather spend it on the car. just look past them and save again. i know how you feel.

[ProTouring442]

It's been over 13 years since I bought my project... I've never driven it.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442 (http://www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442)

[paul67]

Go to an acountant as they might have got it wrong , I've been fending off the uk tax people for 3 yrs for a friend who they say owes $6000+ , finaly find out that she's entiled to it.

[BonzoHansen]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[stealth71]

This looked like motivation to me: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gi3PdHEfVHs

[jaybee]

I know how you feel. I bought my car planning to have it on the road in 3-4yrs. Then my employer imploded in the 2000-01 recession. Things got so bad they needed a go-ahead from the bank at 8:30 on a Friday night in order to keep the doors open into Monday. Needless to say all promises of advancement fell by the wayside. Eventually I was offerred the opportunity of a lifetime, which turned out to be 60hrs/week in an impossible situation. One of my employees told me I was his 7th boss in 5 years. Then 5 1/2 months of unemployment followed by 10 months at substantially less pay. Now I finally have a job situation that I like, but the economic stresses of the last 5 years have meant the car has gone nowhere. Financially I'm still not ready to go, but I've used the time to research and think out the vast majority of my build. I have a plan and it's solid. The car is going to be great and there won't be another just like it. I say all of this to remind you:
-Don't give up on your dreams.
-You aren't done until you quit.
-Anything worth having is worth waiting for.

[6'9"Witha69]

I have bolted parts on my car, run new wires, fixed leaks and cleaned the rims. Still my car goes nowhere. 4 years of sitting on it's wheels. And no motion (other than vertically). I have had the thought, we all have at one point in time, but perseverance will pay off in the end.

[toxicz28]

Don't do it! I've had my car for over 3 years, the first 8 months it sat in the driveway, then 2 years of metal work (quarters, floors, trunk, suspension, etc), now it's in storage so I can redo a car for money. (one car garages and unemployment really suck!) At this rate, by the time it's done, I won't have to worry about having car seats recovered to match the interior. Everytime you think your ahead, something will set you back. Take it in stride, we've all been there.
And don't just hand over $4,000 to the IRS without checking out their #'s real closely. They tried it with me once with a 1099 that had taxes withdrawn and was included on the return.

[hdesign]

Don't give up on that car!!!!!! Project cars take time, some more than others. That's why it'll all be worth it when it's finished. Not everyone has an unlimited budget to crank out a car every 3-6 months.

I would also suggest talking to an accountant just to be sure Uncle Sam put their decimals in the right place when calculating your return. Who knows!

And after all that, if you're still in need of motivation, you may be in desperate need of some artwork for your garage walls! Gimme a call! LOL! (talk about a totally shameless plug! Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

[PhillipM]

I hear ya buddy. I am in the middle of an IRS addendum to my taxes that I did myself and screwed up!!! I don't want to know what I owe!

[Boulder69]

But, probably best of all, think of the smile that'll be on your face when you walk on your first M3 or Vette at the track. Without your Camaro, you'd just be another guy in the crowd getting spanked by the one or two guys that seem to be at every track day with really cool, unique cars.


That's exactly what I needed. Besides $4K that is.....

Thanks to everyone.

Baz, we should get together sometime considering you are probably 30 minutes away tops. Always good to have a fellow PTer close when you need a hand.

[6'9"Witha69]

And don't just hand over $4,000 to the IRS without checking out their #'s real closely. They tried it with me once with a 1099 that had taxes withdrawn and was included on the return.Same thing happened to me last year. Suddenly I owed $3,500. When I ran the numbers they double counted a 1099.

I would also suggest talking to an accountant just to be sure Uncle Sam put their decimals in the right place when calculating your return. Who knows!
Do as Hdesign suggested and see a good tax atty.

[JoshStratton]

You know, with all the legal questions landing on this board, someone here should become an attorney. I have been thinking of going back to school, anyone want to sponser me? :rotfl:

Hang in there man. I hadnt worked on my car for 2 years until last weekend. I put it in the classifieds here, and now that I got some wrench time, I am all psyched up again!

[DeepBlue68]

I hadnt worked on my car for 2 years until last weekend. I put it in the classifieds here, and now that I got some wrench time, I am all psyched up again!
Congrats! What made you change your mind?

[JoshStratton]

I found some spare time. :)

[Rybar]

Edited your quote:


Because anyone with enough money can afford an M3 or a Corvette with a Zero down lease.

Trust me, I've been in your shoes thinking of selling my project for a C5 Z06 Vette a few years back when it wasn't going anywhere and I didn't have the cash.

Now when I drive the '69 people pull me over, take pictures, tell me stories about thier old muscle car. Even a new Ferrari F430 owner gave me the thumbs up and told me I had a sweet car. People will pay attention to your '69 much more than they will a Vette or M3 which anybody can lease.

Why don't you keep the LT1 in there? They are good motors and respond well to mods. You can always swap wheels/suspension on at any point, so pay off your tax debt and start saving. One step at a time. You will regret selling that '69 for a newer car.

[79PonchoUK]

IF the worst comes to the worst.....for christ sake, dont buy a BMW. lol

[Boulder69]

Honestly I am so sick of the Optispark BS that it is worth it to swap. In the last year in a half the car has run for 7 months. All from Gen-U-ine GM replacement Optisparks (3) that go south. At least one was a refund for the $, but still out another Saturday. Hasn't run again since late August.

I managed to get home before dark on Monday and pulled the cover off of the car. Sat inside and had a beer/puff and listened to Band of Gypsies, which was pulled from 4 shows from New Year's Eve 1969 and the next day, Jan. 1, 1970. Anyway it was some sort of "experience" because I came to remember why I went this crazy PT route in the first place:

THESE CARS HAVE SOUL.

Plus it wouldn't be nearly as fun to rock Jimi, Billy, and Buddy in some cheesy late-model. Thanks again for the support. Car is going nowhere and it's ski season so I can pull some serious G's every weekend.

[novanutcase]

NO NO NO......don't listen to any of these guys. That car is a money pit and you need to wise up and get rid of it! BTW....my number is ........KEEP IT!!!!

[Jim Nilsen]

I had the IRS send me a bill for more money years ago and I went to a really good accountant and he not only made it so I didn't owe any money,he did a 1040X on the previous 2 years and got me money back. Don't roll over for them without getting it checked out and if you do owe them still, pay them immediatley because the way they charge interest these days will kill your wallet.

[trapin]

Eric...you're on the "10 steps backward 1 step forward" track. Nothing to worry about. You're in good company here. LOL!!!

And no...don't sell the ride. Keep the faith.

[EFI69Cam]

Honestly I am so sick of the Optispark BS that it is worth it to swap. In the last year in a half the car has run for 7 months. All from Gen-U-ine GM replacement Optisparks (3) that go south. At least one was a refund for the $, but still out another Saturday. Hasn't run again since late August.

I managed to get home before dark on Monday and pulled the cover off of the car. Sat inside and had a beer/puff and listened to Band of Gypsies, which was pulled from 4 shows from New Year's Eve 1969 and the next day, Jan. 1, 1970. Anyway it was some sort of "experience" because I came to remember why I went this crazy PT route in the first place:

THESE CARS HAVE SOUL.


Plus it wouldn't be nearly as fun to rock Jimi, Billy, and Buddy in some cheesy late-model. Thanks again for the support. Car is going nowhere and it's ski season so I can pull some serious G's every weekend.

Look into the deltech igntion. I replaces the coil and high voltage side of the ignition with a V8 northstar waste spark setup. More money yes, but it will solve your problem.

I had my waterpump drool on my opti on my Z28 soon after I got it. Is your's leaking?

[Ricoch3T]

Look into the deltech igntion. I replaces the coil and high voltage side of the ignition with a V8 northstar waste spark setup. More money yes, but it will solve your problem.

I had my waterpump drool on my opti on my Z28 soon after I got it. Is your's leaking?

Def look into something to get rid of the high side voltage. You can also go to anohter ignition all together such as fast,motec, and whatever else they have.
They all cost a little more money to setup and what not at first, but for years of problem free miles def worth it!
Check out ls1tech or cz28.com for more info on it. cz28 is more geared towards lt1 in my opinion though.

[Bandit]

Back to the subject at hand...one of the things I love about driving a Pro-touring style car is surprising the heck out of the folks who still think "musclecars can't handle". I love it when one of my non-car guy friends rides along with me, and we come up to a freeway onramp and they think I am going to hit the brakes--then I don't. It's funny how they try to grab onto something for dear life and then make some remark about how my car "is like riding in a roller coaster!" as one buddy said.

As some folks have mentioned, any fool with money can go out and buy himself a new vette or Porsche. They are making a statement: "Look at me, I have money!" I like the fact that our cars make a different kind of statement: that we are serious about performance, and truly love our hobby.