When is it time to settle?

[stillridin]

Your doing your project. You have a plan,a vision,even a rendering. So you come to realize that maybe you set some goals a little to high. No matter what you do, it just seems like life just keeps throwing challenges at you that keeps you from pressing on. So maybe now you can't get those big brakes, or that nice motor or that custom paint job. So when is it time to settle for second best. Or do you keep striving to meet your goals?

[analyte]

My motto is do it the way you want it the first time around or you'll spend more money later on replacing what you settled for......

[LeighP]

My project has been revised many times on details....some up, some down.
The best thing is, these tactical decisions can be made if you have a clear strategic view of the end result clearly in your head.

[Yelcamino]

Another way to think about it is... how long do you want to build your car before you can actually drive it and have real fun? Things can be replaced down the road, such as brakes, wheels, seats, even suspension components. I know a guy that refuses to put his car together with the parts he has because he wants the "good" stuff. The car has been sitting for around 10 years because life keeps getting in the way. He has the parts to put the car on the road and hit the events but he thinks it won't be "competetive" with the parts he has. The car isn't competetive sitting in his garage and I doubt he's improving his autox skills in his truck on the way to work.

You can call it "settling" or as I prefer, "using what you've got" and upgrade it as you go. My El Camino has been on a continuous transformation since I got it road worthy in 2003. It started with junkyard brakes, stock suspension, and a mild engine. But I drove it on two Power Tour Long Hauls, numerous autox events, car shows, track days, and just cruising around, while my friend's car sat in the garage waiting for the "good" parts.

[MrQuick]

I think the first step to accomplishing a goal is to make one you can accomplish within your means. No point on building the car of your dreams only to live in a tent besides it.

But like I always say and I'm sure people are tired of hearing it " regret is a very expensive emotion".

[rustomatic]

I just wanted a nicely driving old car, after not having one (an old car) for too many years. I love the simplicity of my soon-to-be 50 year-old car, and I also love the options for changing things whenever I want. More importantly, my current old car (Falcon) gave me the opportunity/excuse to learn how to weld, which I'd been wanting to do for 15 years or so...

I have to say that other cars I've had over the years, from new to old, along with motorcycles and 4X4s, allowed me to get a lot of vehicle angst out of my system. Unfortunately (or fortunately), not all of it will ever be gone. As a result, my Falcon projects have gone a bit off the rails, what with a few stock car parts now appearing in place of a steering column. I do like the dash-mounted toggle switch that now operates my turn signals...

I'm more into functionality and having fun driving the car (not by any means in comparison to what new cars can do); others are into perpetually building an ideal, rather than a vehicle. Others are into making the prettiest thing that also has a 700-horse motor that never gets used (or can be used in any reality). Align your goals with your urges, and find some realism in between.

Have fun.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

[shmoov69]

I say do the "big stuff" once. Meaning the items that are a total PITA and uber expensive to change. Other than that, get what you can afford to get it going. Waaaay too many projects go by the wayside because of unobtainable goals IMO.

[srh3trinity]

I personally had to have a long hard look at what I need and what I want. I made some allowances here and there, but if I dwell on a "want" for long enough, I will wait and watch for the right time/deal. I looked at leafs vs. a 4-link. I probably won't tub now, but I want the option to down the road, that along with tunability pushed me towards 4-link. Doing the math, the ridetech setup I went with wasn't too much more than a really good set of leafs. I have gone through this process system by system and answered these questions at each stage. When I looked at brakes, I looked at the aftermarket stuff and decided to go with C5/C6 stuff for cost and parts availability. I also decided that I will probably never drive my car hard enough or do enough track days for me to need that extra edge that huge aftermarket brakes would give.
Otherwise, I have been very patient and comb the classifieds here and on LS1tech along with ebay to buy parts here and there and then I pick other things up from trusted vendors. With enough patience, you can get some pretty great deals on things. I am not setting any records on build time, but it is more important for me to build the car the way I want the first time.

[Zoomin]

It's not the destination that's important, it's the journey. Have fun doing what you can do instead of whining about what you can't.

[sporter]

Cars are never really finished. I've owned my car for over 16 years and I can't tell you how many times I considered my car to be "finished" only to see or ride in another car that gave me new ideas. And the changes began anew...

[rfalker1]

I say settle... get parts that can be easily be replaced and stuff.. dont worry about the custom paint and have fun with the thing. If u find you dont like something then replace in time!

I tell u this. I have a 68 and I got a lot of goodies and love my cars. My paints not the best... maybe a 10 footer. it has a dent. some whole that probably need to be replaced and a bunch of other stuff. But who cares. I have blast driving my car!! and when the time comes and money is saved maybe I will buy some new stuff and upgrade. Who knows. But for know I love this car!

Love your car man!! DO what u can, but most importantly have fun with it. You might decide after u finish it as that you love it like that!!!

Bets of luck... P.s Dont worry about the paint. Go for the goods in the engine and suspension and brakes first. Unless u want a show pony/garage queen

[66larkgs]

15 years.. not done yet.. i only started hard on it once i could afford it about 3 years ago.. when times get tough i dont work on the car. But dont give up!!

[BuddyP]

Another way to think about it is... how long do you want to build your car before you can actually drive it and have real fun? Things can be replaced down the road, such as brakes, wheels, seats, even suspension components. I know a guy that refuses to put his car together with the parts he has because he wants the "good" stuff. The car has been sitting for around 10 years because life keeps getting in the way. He has the parts to put the car on the road and hit the events but he thinks it won't be "competetive" with the parts he has. The car isn't competetive sitting in his garage and I doubt he's improving his autox skills in his truck on the way to work.

You can call it "settling" or as I prefer, "using what you've got" and upgrade it as you go. My El Camino has been on a continuous transformation since I got it road worthy in 2003. It started with junkyard brakes, stock suspension, and a mild engine. But I drove it on two Power Tour Long Hauls, numerous autox events, car shows, track days, and just cruising around, while my friend's car sat in the garage waiting for the "good" parts.

Nicely said! I'm almost 10 years into mine because of "waiting" to get specific parts. Looking back, I'd do it differently to at least be driving it and upgrading as I'm able to aftewards.

[keithq69]

I've done the build it the way you want it route several times before.
It always drags on for years.
I bought a car this summer that is a driver, I have plans for it but I'm breaking them into manageable projects. I'm not going to get in deeper than I can climb out of during the winter when the car is off the road anyways.
I'm getting too old to have s car that I love but can't drive.

[Rod]

I know what I want my car to finish as (but because of budget) I built it stock first (peg leg and all) in 14 months, then drove it at a few SCCA events to learn to drive (without a paint job, no interior and all stock suspension because that's what I had), and then upgraded the car every month there after, while still hitting auto-x events, and My car (Plain Jane) is competitive now (always top 5 or better at every event, goodguys autocross winner)and is still not were I like it to be, it will never be finished, because every day there's a newer better part, setup, tire, rim, seat, battery, exhaust, fuel cap, gauge, lug nut, ignition map, fuel pump, transmission, steering wheel, package tray or whatever, but I have built and driven the car for a little over 2 years now have made some awesome friends doing so! just get out and drive it


this was November 2012 and now in December 2012 the cars apart again (new transmission and a possible front coil over upgrade)

[BonzoHansen]

Another way to think about it is... how long do you want to build your car before you can actually drive it and have real fun? Things can be replaced down the road, such as brakes, wheels, seats, even suspension components. I know a guy that refuses to put his car together with the parts he has because he wants the "good" stuff. The car has been sitting for around 10 years because life keeps getting in the way. He has the parts to put the car on the road and hit the events but he thinks it won't be "competitive" with the parts he has. The car isn't competitive sitting in his garage and I doubt he's improving his autox skills in his truck on the way to work.

You can call it "settling" or as I prefer, "using what you've got" and upgrade it as you go. My El Camino has been on a continuous transformation since I got it road worthy in 2003. It started with junkyard brakes, stock suspension, and a mild engine. But I drove it on two Power Tour Long Hauls, numerous autox events, car shows, track days, and just cruising around, while my friend's car sat in the garage waiting for the "good" parts.

Herb is all knowing!

[Steve Chryssos]

A spreadsheet is so important for helping to itemize, prioritize, and realize. It will help you identify items and tasks that are missing as well as help you move entire project chunks down the list to help you with budgeting. I also set milestones. For example, one critical juncture in a car-build is called: "Roll-Stop-Steer" It ain't a car until you reach that stage. I haven't built a car in a while. All work and no play makes Steevo a dull boy. I'm getting the itch. Get organized and keep fighting.

[C6Z06]

It's really simple once you break it down into the basic components:

First you get whatever "clearance from the tower" you can talk her in to.

Next you make the most of the flight, wherever it's going, each and every day.



Sorry, that's the best I could come up with, I'm really whipped...er.. I mean tired.

[TheJDMan]

Settle is a relative term. I installed all new high end suspension and running gear in Dust Off but reused my gen 1 small block and 4 speed in order to save some money. I consider the present state of the project only the first stage. In the second stage my plan is to install a new LT1 and T56 Magnum. Of course the second stage is a few years off since the new LT1 has not been released yet. In the meantime I can drive and enjoy the car.