Project Woes

[Fast Raft]

Hey everyone,

My name is John Garcia and I've been "building" my dream car for almost two years. I've only driven it once, for about 47sec and a 1/4 mile trip.

From the very start of this journey, I've been fighting off all kinds of problems.

First, I couldn't find the parts I needed(still looking for a few), then I couldn't get anyone to help me(still a problem), now there are mechanical/wiring issues and I just don't feel like finishing it at all.

Time and money are the evils that cohort to kill your dreams and good spirit. I am now out of time and money is running low. The threshold between "this is totally worth it" and "fuck this shit, I'm cutting my losses" has worn thin and is about to burst!

The phrase "I'm so over this shit." clouds my mind, when thinking about my project. I'm afraid I've lost my love for "The Build" and maybe for the car itself, rendering it worthless.

This is my dream car. Why, when I'm so damn close to finishing, do I just want to sell the car and everything I have packed in totes, on shelves, and spread around a few garages???

Could it be warm thoughts of a car that needs nothing and just gets me around town, just like another drone? Or has a different project car, looming on craigslist, stolen my heart?

Buying brand new or starting another project are more like wet dreams, than a reality, at this point.

So, what to do? Press on for who knows how long or cut my losses and buy a running, driving car? Seriously, one of the hardest problems I have ever faced.


I really needed to get this off my chest and share my experience with fellow gearheads that will understand the hardships of "The Build."

Thanks for reading,

John Garcia

[Fidel Cashflo]

Its gotta be something in your harness dude, maybe from doing the resistor pack delete. Did you add the check valve to the vac line to the booster? Or fix the intake manifold leak at the head? I'll try and get the noid lights this week so I can see which injectors are actually pulsing?

[Austin]

Slowly parting out and selling all my parts for the AE86 was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, as it was/is my dream car. I still slightly regret it, but I still have that craving to build one from the ground up and make it a drift monster.

Sometimes things don't work out now because it's not what you're supposed to be doing or spending your time/money/energy on.

Rather than think about the headache having something so close is giving you, think of what you would be doing with the money you got from parting it out. Is that going to benefit you and maybe help you get on track to maybe building another one sooner down the road than later.

It's like deciding if you should break up with a girlfriend you still love, hard shit bro.

[senor honda]

Fast,
I understand.

Austin, +1 on your second paragraph.
Things we are supposed to be doing are easy to do.
Brilliant! Right on! -Bob

[Empire]

It really depends on just how close you are to getting it together. I mean, if it is just troubleshooting some problems and ironing out the kinks, then stick with it, but if you still have 10 grand to go, then maybe cutting your losses isn't such a bad idea.
I know from personal experience that when a project drags out longer than it should that you loose the desire to keep wrenching on it. I made the mistake of getting 85% done with one, and then even agreeing to help the guy who bought it finish putting it all together. For me it was a money issue. I didn't have enough time to make enough money to get it done. So the guy that bought it, had a stack of cash to finish it which freed up all kinds of time. I helped him get it all finished. And when it drove away, I was heart broken. It had its problems and took some time to get it all right, but even just test driving it while working out the kinks, I fell in love with it all over again. I regret selling that car something serious.
It wasn't my "dream" car, but I did love that car. I miss it. I wish I could get it back.
So if it is like that with you and your car, then you seriously need to weigh the options. It sucks now, but you know how awesome it is going to be when it gets done. Can you actually get it done? Is it within your means? Is it worth waiting for? What are the chances of getting another dream car to build in the reasonably near future? What would it take to get as far as you are in the build? Maybe it might be worth tearing it apart and going back with the "If I only knew then what I know now" approach.

[agentAndy]

Pull harness bring to me. problem solved.

[Fast Raft]

I only have $1000-$2000 to go to finish, or at least get it drive-able. I know I'm going to fall in love with the car again, once it's driving. But, I'm not sure I want to. It's a RHD Cressida with a 1jz, but I know that it's only going to be a money pit forever. I was thinking of selling it and getting a hot rod or classic car. At least the value will stay the same or go up over time. Plus, if there's an electrical problem, I'll only have to check like 4 wires lol. I need to simplify my life, I have so many things going on, this car has been draining me.

Thanks for the support guys, here's a pic of the life leach...

[Empire]

hot rods and classis cars are money pits too.
we're into cars. cars are money pits.
I honestly wouldn't let that be a deciding factor at this point.
Unless you think you can sell what you've got for 4-5 grand, buy a used honda civic or something and get away with minimal maintenance and be happy with it.
But you know better than that. You know you would hate it.
Maybe you've got too many projects going on?
maybe you are just in a busy part of life? shit happens.
I say if you're that close to getting it done, then stick with it.
I would personally consider back pedaling and doing the whole "if I knew then what I know now" type deal and ironing out any kinks that I learned about after it was together.
you're too close to getting it finished to give up on it.

[CoRDiTe]

Finish the damn thing dammit!!

[John]

ive built many many long term builds, but only a couple to actual completion. It is a very frustrating process but one that reaps huge rewards when complete. If it truly is your dream car, then length of time invested, or money, is inconsequential; this is a build of passion, which flies in the face of logic and reason. You'll never recoup your losses of time or money in these builds. Maybe this isn't your dream car any longer... and if you're sure it is, and you're still too busy, shelve it. Reprioritize your life, do the things you have been wanting to do or neglecting, and come back to it when you have some fresh energy and motivation. I have to warn you that shelving a project rarely results in the project being completed, but if it's a car you'll be living with the rest of your life because its your dream car, this warning won't apply to you.

I finally sold all my toys, consolidated my life, and now I'm driving a fast comfortable car every day that never once gives me a headache. Thats just what worked for me though. I definitely share in your frustration. When I have accomplished a few more things in my life, I'll definitely build another project car.

[NT_Hardcore]

finish it, see if u still want it. if not it will bring in that much more money if you really have lost inteterst. but ill bet u fall right back in love after that first ride

[Thaking]

^ bro fix your fucking sig.

[NT_Hardcore]

^ bro fix your fucking sig.

no

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I only have $1000-$2000 to go to finish, or at least get it drive-able. I know I'm going to fall in love with the car again, once it's driving. But, I'm not sure I want to. It's a RHD Cressida with a 1jz, but I know that it's only going to be a money pit forever. I was thinking of selling it and getting a hot rod or classic car. At least the value will stay the same or go up over time. Plus, if there's an electrical problem, I'll only have to check like 4 wires lol. I need to simplify my life, I have so many things going on, this car has been draining me.

Thanks for the support guys, here's a pic of the life leach...

Ok, that was funny. Now post pics of the dream car you mentioned.

[plazma]

Been there and still doing that. My current project spiraled out of control and did similar to me. I took some time away from it and then jumped back in. It can be really frustrating at this kind of point.

Keep in mind its a bad time to sell! That being said quit bitching and go work on it.
Good luck