How do you low budget guys keep motivated?
- Thread starter Crazynate
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Vinnietbird
Member
- Jun 2, 2005
- 584
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I built (and still building) my Thunderbird with no funds at all from my paycheck. I have to be very creative at times, but in the end, it's paid off. I got a Mountaineer GT40-P engine with less than 15,xxx miles on it for $125.00. Sold the engine I was using for $550.00. Profit for more parts. Sold my polished Explorer intake for enough to buy a "cheap" tubular GT-40. I polished it and sold it for enough to buy the 'used on a dyno only" Trick Flow Street heat intake and 70mm t-body and new, in the package, Summit 24# injectors. I shop around a lot on Ebay as well. I saw a guy who had a polished 70mm t-body and spacer for the right price. I sold the non-polished 70 for enough to buy them and had about $25.00 left over. Lots of trading, and selling of my old parts. I also hit up the salvage yards looking for cool parts. I get them cheap, and sell them for a profit to make funds for the car. I've built the whole car that way. Nearly every part has been replaced.
Like stated above, buy low, sell high....so to speak. I do that a lot, but sell at a price that's fair for others, yet puts a little in my pocket. Patience and keeping your eyes open. Also, after a while, I grew to love the thrill of the hunt, and, knowing I have no paycheck money in it.
Like stated above, buy low, sell high....so to speak. I do that a lot, but sell at a price that's fair for others, yet puts a little in my pocket. Patience and keeping your eyes open. Also, after a while, I grew to love the thrill of the hunt, and, knowing I have no paycheck money in it.
I think people have a misunderstanding of what a low budget is. My car is anything but cheap..it cost me a damn fortune...i just spread that money out over a longer period of time than the guy with fat wallets.
I keep at it because my kids love it and it's a healthy outlet for me. What else would i do with myself?
I keep at it because my kids love it and it's a healthy outlet for me. What else would i do with myself?
Mindset. My car will never be the fastest, and I'm far from the slowest. I enjoy my car for what it is. Yeah I want to go faster, but I like it how it is. It's not very high on my priority list. I don't base my self worth on my car. I've learned this, no matter how fast your car gets, you'll just want it to be faster.
THIS!! Whatever you do dont rush a goal just to get it back on the road either. Even if it takes you a month or more. You will hate yourself later.
93project
Active Member
Oh yea, I do consider myself low budget but now into the third year of building / restoring .... With a mortgage of $1200... I just added the new sn95 master and booster, and tipped the scales at $15000!!! And it still needs paint, and some interior...
Even "low budget" will creep up there....
Even "low budget" will creep up there....
Having a wife and 2 kids, and being the only income makes it tough to build a car. My 88 GT has been torn apart for a year now. The winsor motor I'm building still doesnt have a crank, rods. and the car is 10 differnt colors still but its getting there. Just work on it when I have some free time (not very often right now)
striker911
Member
Having other cars to fall back on is key. Mine was down from last winter till less then 2 weeks ago. It was well worth the wait ill tell you that much, but ive already got use to the mods and now have to be patent again while I get funds to do more.
What does it for me is the looks I get. Its mean and fast by now cause ive been building part by part since 2003. Im also friends with everyone I come across when I park it for gas or whatnot.
. Its a labor of love. I will never part with her till its time to pass it on to one of my kids. When ur poor u cant just say the heck with it and get another car to start over. Just have to keep going. It will pay off. I have been so discouraged that I just let it sit for months at a time but you look at it so many days just sitting with dust on it and the day will come where your ready to move to the next step with it.
Im on my second motor and it was stolen and ragged out. Just never gave up. Third motor is already on my mind. Also a tko 600. Maybe ill just go with a 427 w and a stout automatic. LOL. Get it? Its a car guy thing.
slow90coupe
Member
- Apr 25, 2010
- 272
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I'm one of the world's biggest tightasses. I think for weeks and weeks before buying any part for my cars. Even being this big of a tightass and waiting for good deals, I still have $8200 (including the car) in my coupe. But I guess that's not too bad for 4 sets of wheels, TFS heads, TFS intake, Lunati cam, and EVERY bolt-on possible on a 5.0. Not to mention 5 lug conversion and full suspension. But I am done spending money on it now (or so I think).
It's like I said budget is relative. After seeing what some of you guys have in your cars, I got to adding up what I have in mine.....Wanna guess?
I'll tell you it floored me.
Bottom line. Yeah it might take along time to get where you wanna be, but it's better than making a damn car pymt and the insurance that goes with it.
I'll tell you it floored me.
Bottom line. Yeah it might take along time to get where you wanna be, but it's better than making a damn car pymt and the insurance that goes with it.
Hell, I've been building my Cobra brake conversion for 5 years. I STILL don't have all the parts together. LOL
The heads on my 347, ive had them since '04 and it took me until '09 just to put them on the old 302. They sat in my closet for 5 years. Persistence is the key
The best advise I can give anyone on a tight budget is to (if all possible) drive and enjoy your car. And like said above do small projects that can be completed over a weekend. Then drive and enjoy your car until the money is available for your next (small) project. I have seen (and bought) cars that people take apart and than lose interest. Remember cars come apart alot faster than they go back together.
Also remember that your labor is free (well not really) so if possible refurbish and reinstall parts instead of replacing.
That being said it seems as though every vehicle I restore comes in at twice the expected price and takes about three times longer than I expect. But I do have a habit of starting with basket cases.
Good Luck,
Paul
Also remember that your labor is free (well not really) so if possible refurbish and reinstall parts instead of replacing.
That being said it seems as though every vehicle I restore comes in at twice the expected price and takes about three times longer than I expect. But I do have a habit of starting with basket cases.
Good Luck,
Paul
i go to swap meets as much as i can, i got a FULL 5 lug 4 wheel disk brake setup w/ booster and everything for $150, stock efi intake w/TB, dizzy, e7 heads, oil pan and pick up on craigslist for $35. a NIB set of 17x9 bullet wheels shipped for $375. the deals are out their if you keep looking
I think I'm in on this one for about 5.. an interior needs to be finished, but I have most of the parts for... and one day I'll get to engine/trans... Mostly suspension/brakes/bodywork/paint/wheels/tires/various stuff...
Riceslayer302.0
New Member
I try to save money every month just for my project. Me and my dad are doing most of the work so I mostly have to pay for beer and water. I've been working on my car for two years now and I'm still repairing rust.
I have all my parts ready to install ,but I left the best for last. It's not my DD I didn't even purchase it running. The best advice was already mentioned "Picture your end goal and go for it"
Don't get me wrong I've had those crazy notions on selling everything, but the wife tells me No. So i keep pushing forward. Oh and I only work on it three days out of the month!
I have all my parts ready to install ,but I left the best for last. It's not my DD I didn't even purchase it running. The best advice was already mentioned "Picture your end goal and go for it"
Don't get me wrong I've had those crazy notions on selling everything, but the wife tells me No. So i keep pushing forward. Oh and I only work on it three days out of the month!
I think people have a misunderstanding of what a low budget is. My car is anything but cheap..it cost me a damn fortune...i just spread that money out over a longer period of time than the guy with fat wallets.
I keep at it because my kids love it and it's a healthy outlet for me. What else would i do with myself?
What he said. Ive always considered myself a low budget guy. After 4 years of low budget projects on my old car, I realized I had sunk $6K in it and there really wasnt a whole lot to show for it. It performed much better than stock, but still wasnt anything to look at. Just take your time and it will come together.
