Build or buy?

[Barry Donovan]

As long as someone can carry on an intelligent conversation about the vehicle they own, I really don't care if they built it or bought it.

Same thing with an engine, if they can tell me why they chose that crate engine vs the other 500 crate engines available, and have that answer be an intelligent one that speaks to the needs they were trying to address, then I don't care.

Buying doesn't usually scratch my itch, but if it scratches someone elses, and that person is a "car" guy (in other words, its not just some bauble attached to their automotive finger) then more power to them.

I agree.

As time and knowledge goes along, getting older needs less work, ends up more talk. Feel free to buy a memory...let someone else work it over.

if I pulled in my dads yard with an old fury wagon with points ignition.. I would rather remembering my dad working on it than him doing it himself today.


I guess I am at an extreme too, my locale put me there. the steel is horrifying.. no matter what it is. you got frames strong? pop goes the cabins... you got unibodies? sheets are failing...weight ranges not even the arizona sun keeping it brittle carbon could save.

I make my own stuff, buying anything would have me ripping into something.

and my version of stoich math, it does not even happen anymore. I am on my own...and in my own words.

I hope to buy some day, I am a bit too worked at just 38.

[Loren]

Both.
The only thing that matters is that BOTH guys are out there doing something with their cars, instead of playing Keyboard Commando on the internet all day long.

Oh Scott...don't you know those other guys think they're lighting the place up? Even if it's scaring off guys with actual cars? Lol, sorta.

[1931s/x]

i like building stuff way more than any other part. i dont have an endless supply of funds so it takes time. thats ok though, id be bored with a totally done car and jsut be looking for another. if a car i liked popped up at the right price id buy it. my biggest concern would be the quality of any work already dont to it though, i dont look at built cars so if anything it would most likely be some kind of unfinished project. my problem now is time is at a premium with my little guy. i jsut spent about 5 weeks thrashing on my duster to build it and get it ready for a road trip/vacation, its far from done, but i think i put enough time into it for a while.

[Thumpin455]

Oh man I know the feeling of I have put enough time in it for a while. Problem is I cant stop now..

[HEMI]

Depends.For example:If you're looking for a '50 Hudson are you going to buy just a bare shell or do you want one that has window's
and regulators,all trim pieces,basicly all there roller? I'd buy the most complete car I could.Much easier to change a complete or semi complete vehicle than an incomplete one.

[ksj2]

Good thread.I was into cars from 1969 until 1987 and got married. Got divorced and custody of my son so cars were put on the backburner.During that time I had a 305 Camaro and a 66 318 Poly headed Satelite.WHOOHOO!Still had my balls somewhat. Got remarried to a GREAT gal(balls came back).The day after we got married my son had his first JrDragster race so the next few years were spent doing that.Once he was out I started thinking about getting a muscle car.Build one or buy one?Due to the size of my garage and what little tools I had after the divorce I bought rather than built.I got lucky with the car I bought as both myself and the seller were happy.Seller needed to buy a car for his 16 year old daughter.I still spent money getting it where I wanted it to be and I enjoy the shit out of working on it(except broken bolts in the block)I drive mine! My brother on the other hand his car just sits.Hopefully after he goes on DW he'll get his done.

[Caveman Tony]

There are two kinds of rodders.

Those who have time, but no money...

And those who have money, but no time.



I hover back & forth in the middle....
When I have time, I have no money... and when I have money, I have no f'n time.

[ksj2]

There are two kinds of rodders.

Those who have time, but no money...

And those who have money, but no time.



I hover back & forth in the middle....
When I have time, I have no money... and when I have money, I have no f'n time.

I hear ya.The timing worked out for once!

[Gary 351C]

I admire guys who build their own cars. Guys who buy cars already done (Barrett/Jackson crowd) I don't have a problem with as long as they're honset and don't try to take credit for someone elses work.

And as far as having money and no time versus having time but no money, I know that situation all too well.

[Thumpin455]

I always have the time now, just might have to be cold when doing something. I collect parts and vehicles all the time so I can always have something to do. Also because I like all the old junk sitting around. Having kids really puts a hurtin on car projects.

[ksj2]

Kids do cost money but its worth it(I think)LOL. My son wanted to get something to race and I told him this time its his dime.I dont hesitate to tell people what the former owner did and what I have done.Ive got a buddy who has had his 37 Chevy since he was 13 which was 37 years ago and just got it finished.Got to give him credit as he did most of all the work and he knows he could have bought something for 50 cents on the dollar.As long as its driven and maintained I can see both sides.

[A/Fuel]

When I start making the big bucks my only delima is weather I'm going to get a 440 'Cuda, or a Buccaneer Red '73 SD Trans/Am.
I'm not going to lift a wrench at all.

[dieselgeek]

When I start making the big bucks my only delima is weather I'm going to get a 440 'Cuda, or a Buccaneer Red '73 SD Trans/Am.
I'm not going to lift a wrench at all.

but... TC said you need to have "Street Cred" - you're gonna be screwed!!

[A/Fuel]

I'll try and live with that!

[Dignlif]

I admire those who can do their own work as well, especially when they have the patience to do it right. Whenever I've come into a bit of money, like an unsuspected bonus or parts sales, I try to invest in a tool that I otherwise wouldn't be able to get. Over the years I've amassed a decent set up of tools to help make new things possible. As time goes on, I'm working on my own skills in fabrication and custom building. Patience is something you can't buy however and must be worked on daily.

I agree car owners should never try to take credit for work they didn't do. Shoot there have been times I didn't want to take credit for something I did.

I also admire the shops who build the out of this world cars that require thousands of hours of intricate fab which they charge time & materials for. My good friend is a fabricator at one of those shops so I've been lucky enough to visit a few other shops as well and just hang out. In my experience, the owners/checkbooks I've met haven't been snobs or dill holes at all. They're car guys that happen to be successful business men with no time or skill to build what they want or envision. I see them more as the Renaissance Benefactors of our hobby. By footing the bill and allowing these shops to go over the top, they are helping introduce new methods, styles, and pushing the envelope on what is 'cool'. (agreed-sometimes not so much) For some projects they're even investing in the creation of new products that we hobbyists can buy. Sure they had it first on their car but once the R&D was paid for, reproduction can follow and parts can be made at a somewhat reasonable cost for our rides. This can be anything from new style fender washers to custom suspension. Should they be in the same class as our garage builds at a car show or other gathering, no...but then again there are some home hobbyists who have built over the top cars themselves that would be competitive with them so it's a never ending argument.

I'm sure others have had bad experiences with posers or the guy who says 'look what my $350,000 bought me," (douche I agree) but I have not met those. The men AND women I've met through my friend at these shops or talked with at the bigger shows have all been cool, down to earth people who enjoy being able to fund such projects and drive the results. And they were far from yuppies by the way, two being from Tennessee and Alabama as examples.

I try to look at their cars with an eye to what I can take away and try to reproduce in my own garage. Naturally, I'm often not as successful in pulling it off, but the challenge is part of our hobby after all isn't it. Do what you can with what you got and enjoy it as much as possible while you have the health and time on this earth to do it.