by "ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
Published 03/23/2017 at 00:43
by "ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
Published 03/23/2017 at 00:43
No Tags
STARS: 6
A client told me today be has a 1959 Austin Healy (he says it is in perfect restored condition for sale. I did not bother to ask how much.
I paid $5K (and change) for the Sunchaser. But, as you are painfully aware, I have an unnatural obsession with this car.
I have been figuring numbers, and if you count the initial work to get it running righr, radio restoration (factory cassette repair, yo), the restoration cost will be between $10K and $15k (US real dollars, not Candian commie bucks or Australian death dollars).
When Sunchasers are up for sale (less common all the time), they sell for about $3k - $10k usually....usually.
The most expensive Sunchaser I have seen for sale is this one:
I have seen it listed constantly over the years for $13,500, but I find no sign it has sold at that price.
My point is that I have an irrational love for this car, leading me to spend a stupid amount of money that realistically has no chance of ever being recouped.
But I don’t care. I want the car more than I want the money. You cannot measure my joy against a number. I am not selling it.
So I ask you: What car would cause you to abandon financial logic for enthusiast emotional satisfaction?
You can be honest. Sometimes, you can’t put a price on a car.
"Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever" (superchan7)
03/23/2017 at 00:49, STARS: 2
It’s not only a car. It’s a project and an experience. You can’t put a dollar value on that.
Love that you’re restoring a relatively obscure car.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
03/23/2017 at 00:55, STARS: 2
As I mentioned, I turned down $2500 for my pickup, which I bought for $1000. I don’t ever anticipate getting an offer that high ever again. But it’s not for sale.
"TFen" (tfen)
03/23/2017 at 00:57, STARS: 2
On a different but somewhat similar note: I never understood why some people continue to fix up junky vehicles.
Until my tranny and front axle went in my beat up F350 last week....
$6000 to fix a (maybe) $10,000 vehicle. And when the engine envitably goes, probably soon, I’ll most likely spend another $10-$15k on that.
It’s crazy how these things tug on your heart strings... I don’t really love the thing but I don’t want to send it to the crusher either.
"Xyl0c41n3" (i-am-xyl0c41n3)
03/23/2017 at 01:02, STARS: 3
If I ever finally get my hands on a vintage Mustang (anywhere from a 1964.5-1968) I’m never letting it go.
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
03/23/2017 at 01:05, STARS: 1
The same thing could be said for modifying a car.
"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
03/23/2017 at 01:15, STARS: 0
Right there with you. My 1987 Cougar. Over the past 19 years I’ve cleaned, fixed, restored, and/or modified everything you can on it. Overall cost? I really don’t want to think about it. I know it puts the figure you put out for the Sunchaser to shame.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/23/2017 at 01:16, STARS: 1
Nothing irrational about that.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/23/2017 at 01:18, STARS: 1
I so very much was a Maserati gran cabrio, but I won’t abandon financial logic for it. So, I guess it doesn’t count.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
03/23/2017 at 01:21, STARS: 1
I figure my trans am is about even financially, but it has kind of worn me thin on the whole restoration game. I think I am done with rust, I want something that is still in decent shape from this point forward. I like wrenching, but not when the car is fighting me the whole time.
"sony1492" (sony1492)
03/23/2017 at 01:44, STARS: 5
My sc400 has taken many many many hours of my time fixing things that most peaple would just sell the car over. The money spent by me is close to $4000 just in parts(I installed everything besides mounting the tires) last time I checked. A total of all the parts that have been put on it put it closer to $7000. But it’s still looks like a POS so the highest offer I’ve seen was $1500 ( I tried selling it a few months back). All in all its still gonna get alot more money thrown at it because things are still broken and because it still all comes together occasionally to remind me why.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/23/2017 at 01:50, STARS: 0
Well right now I have at least 4000 into my GVR4. I paid 1500 for it. And put lots of parts, and even more time into it. Plus it still needs lots of work just to run right, no to mention interior, and exterior work, and suspension upgrades I’d like to give it. If I tried to sell it I’d be lucky to get 2500 for it.
I don’t love it like you love your yellow beauty, but I don’t regret the time or money I’ve spent on it, not at all. It’s been fun.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
03/23/2017 at 01:53, STARS: 0
Shortly after I got the VR4 back on the road some one offered me 3500 For it. At that time I would have made about 500 on it at that price. Some times I wish I had sold it, but I’m sure I spwouod habe regret selling it to.
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
03/23/2017 at 02:26, STARS: 1
Well like Seinfeld says, it’s a dead guy car, I bought it from a dead guy and it ain’t gettin sold until I’m dead. So... if you love the car it doesn’t matter, get it in the condition you want it in. I spent $5500 on my Z that was in a shed, but original engine and had never been molested. I know I have spent more than $15k on it. Not exactly sure how much. If I wanted to I guess I could go over my bank statements online, but I don’t think I will! I got my Z when I guess people started looking into them, I remember that Petrolicious video came out with the Rebello motor in it and then all of a sudden Rebello was like back ordered for years. I made sure to get an early car because lighter, the 1970 cars will be worth more but they are not as good to own since the 71s fixed a few issues. Well I’m not selling it so... Then there is the 300D, I put a whole new A/C in it, like $2400!
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
03/23/2017 at 03:18, STARS: 1
Believe me, I totally get it.
Please don’t tell anybody, especially my SO...
...but 2 weeks ago I paid $7,600.00 in repairs and maintenance for the E32 which has a wholesale value of, maybe — maybe — $750.00
I told the shop guy, “Thanks for helping keep her on the road. Probably a man could buy 3 of them in decent shape for this coin haha.”
He made it a little better when he said, “Yeah, but it would cost way more than 3 times this much to make them as nice as this one”
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/23/2017 at 04:21, STARS: 2
Only one car would make me react that way and it’s my father’s Alpine A110 1600SC... Other than that , I never buy cars I can’t make money on when I resale. I like to think of the cheapest ways to maintain and enjoy it too...
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/23/2017 at 04:39, STARS: 0
With the help of my father, we spent way too much time restoring a Gen1 Pajero Turbo Diesel, doing the chassis, suspension, brakes, complete engine overhaul, and building a custom roofrack. The car in it’s current condition is maybe worth 2000€, 3000 if you find someone that really wants it. But I don’t plan to sell it anyway.
I also pulled the engine from my 1989 Peugeot 505 turbo diesel. It has 400.000km and virtually no value except for scrap. I will overhaul the engine, fix the rust issues, and get it painted. Those who say it’s a waste of money are right, since I could get a cleaner one with a third of the kilometers for way under 4000€. but they don’t get it. This one is mine, and will stay mine.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/23/2017 at 04:56, STARS: 0
Most of the cars I buy are totally thought through. For example, I plan to sell my 208 in a few months for about the price I paid. The ones I spend too much time and/or money to keep on the road are special, those are part of the family.
But that makes me wonder, what about your RX7? Did you buy it in the intent to make money reselling it? Also, say you would have to do repairs on it that would cost more than the value it would add to the car, would you do it? Genuinely wondering, because when I bought my RX8, I planned to sell it after some time, I ended up spending quite some time, money and effort to maintain it, and still sold it at loss after 2 years. It cost me about 3-3500€ in two years (not counting fuel and tires,counting value loss, also some repairs were my own fault) I drove it for 25.000km. I know selling it was the right thing to do, since I would have continued spending on a depreciating car, but I still miss it.
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/23/2017 at 05:47, STARS: 0
Since I have owned the car (2 years), I have spent roughly 1000$ for it. About 300$ was for stuff I actually needed (5 oil changes or so, a new clutch cylinder, 3 ball joint that needed replacement, a couple of fuse here and there, new wipers and some other 2$ fixes I forgot about). 200$ was for rare parts that I bought in prevision of a problem later (a full OEM clutch kit from Mazda... The 12a-turbo being super rare with a specific clutch kit, this is very hard to get) and 500$ for tires. I was given 2 extra set of wheels for it, one of those set had snow tires I use when I go to Nagano. I was also given a nicer steering wheel.
I also bought the car for roughly half of its value (6000$ plated when those are roughly worth 10 to 12000$ if not more here... Mine being an actual period correct RE-Amemiya tuned and prepped in their shop with quite a few rare body parts (someone in the UK tried to buy my hood for 2000$ lol), it makes figuring out its value fairly hard). I drove it around 20000km for now...
I bought it knowing that an engine rebuild was a high risk. I can have that done by a local specialist here for 2000$ in case of a problem (the guy is a monster, from the moment you bring him the car and the time you leave with it, he can have done a full rebuild in 4 to 5 hours: http://re-sugiyama.co.jp/ )
For now, nothing... But I have quite a bit of margin in case of a problem with the car.
"E90M3" (e90m3)
03/23/2017 at 05:53, STARS: 0
Life is meant for livening, money is meant for spending. Everything doesn’t have to be a financial decision. If something makes you happy, as long as you can afford it, it’s worth it.
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/23/2017 at 06:15, STARS: 0
Thanks for the write-up. That’s surprisingly cheap, all facts considered.
How come you got it for that price? Was there something wrong with it?
Wow, I spent about 1600€ for the engine rebuild parts and 400€ on the clutch,Not having to import everything sure has it’s benefits!
"Flavien Vidal" (flyingfrenchy)
03/23/2017 at 06:23, STARS: 0
In Japan, with the right contacts and knowing the right people, used cars can be bought for really, REALLY cheap. This is kind of why I work as a car exporter now :)
My car was roughly abandoned for 5 years before I got it... A bit of work was done to it before I got it myself. No problem ever since.
400€ on the clutch is harsh indeed. But 1600€ on the rebuild PARTS alone?? Seriously?? Did you fuck up the rotors and housings too? Atkins Rotary (which is NOT cheap) sells complete rebuild kits for my engine for 900$. Most expensive ones I have seen for it are around 1300$. I don’t use those as RE-Sugiyama has everything needed on the spot, but it gives you a good idea of the prices these should normally cost.
I got my clutch brand new from old stock sold on Yahoo Auction (they don’t use eBay here, Yahoo Auction only). Couldn’t resist :)
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
03/23/2017 at 07:08, STARS: 0
I got the parts from Atkins actually, 450 for the rebuild kit, 250 for cryo treated apex seals, 410 for the clutch (reinforced exedy stage 1), 110 for a porting template, 110 for the shipping, and then about 400€ in taxes. which brings us to about 1700. I also added a omp adapter from rotary aviation, which cost 135+ shipping and taxes.
It’s not really 1600 on rebuild parts alone, and the clutch wasn’t the standard unit. But even with just the basics (rebuild kit, apex seals, stock clutch), it would have been north of 1400€ with taxes and transport
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
03/23/2017 at 07:15, STARS: 1
I have yet to own a car that makes me abandon all logic and sense ... but I hope to someday :)
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
03/23/2017 at 07:27, STARS: 1
But your sunchaser is yellow You can’t put an upper price bound on a yellow car. Worth it.
"MonkeePuzzle" (monkeypuzzle)
03/23/2017 at 08:40, STARS: 1
pretty much every car we jalops own and call a project is an abandonment of financial logic. mods rarely if ever increase the value.
my last civic was probably $15k+ in ownership and I sold it for ~$8k.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
03/23/2017 at 08:45, STARS: 0
Oooo! Who repaired your factory head unit? My 85 4Runner cassette/radio needs going over.
"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany)
03/23/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 0
Unless a car is rusted to hell, most stuff is FIXABLE man. It makes me angry that the same dude that is totally ok with trying to remodel their kitchen is scared to death to attempt even the most basic DIY automotive jobs.
"V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches" (jbv12)
03/23/2017 at 09:05, STARS: 1
My S600 is like that. Since I bought it about 2 years ago, I’ve put in just over $11,000 in maintenance. Not upkeep, mind you, but just breakdown repairs. I’m only 29, and I make a pretty great living, but that money could have gone towards retirement, or remodeling the upstairs bathroom, or an emergency slush fund. But no. Instead I dumped it into my stupid car. I’ve been contemplating selling it over the last few months, but as soon as I started driving it regularly, any notion of a sale was quickly dispelled. Its hard to describe driving an S600. It weighs 5000 lbs and it’s pretty gigantic, but I can’t help but giggle every time I get behind the wheel. Sure I could drive a nicer, newer, more reliable car for less money, but I guess some experiences are worth more than money.
"fintail" (fintail)
03/23/2017 at 09:17, STARS: 0
I try to be logical with my fintail, but if I add up the bills over the years, it wouldn’t be a financially responsible thing. However, financial responsibility isn’t the point of old cars.
If I had the spare money and could tell myself it was a good idea, I’d do a restoration (have it done by a known shop), which would cost a few times the value of the completed car, but that’s how it goes. If you have the money and love the car, numbers don’t matter. Lots of sentimental value now, and it is such a pleasure to drive, any red ink is worth it.
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
03/23/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 1
I previously had a SC400 that I paid $1500 for. Great fucking car. I am now considering spending $14,750, or about a 10X my old car for an imported Soarer.
Is it stupid? Yeah. But after months of “car shopping” nothing else has excited for around that price.
"Wacko" (wacko--)
03/23/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 1
I thought that was the jeep thing. I guess you now understand the jeep thing.
"TFen" (tfen)
03/23/2017 at 10:14, STARS: 1
I meant more along the lines of when the cost of the repair exceeds the value of the vehicle.
I know all about DIY repair... I owned a BMW lol
"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany)
03/23/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 0
I meant more along the lines of when the cost of the repair exceeds the value of the vehicle.
When I get to that point I always think, “how much would it cost to replace this car with something in similar condition?”
I just did a full suspension on a 13 year old car with 250k. I have not spent close to what I paid for it and models like it in good shape hold their value well, so I will keep the car a few more year.
It helps if one enjoys wrenching and doesn’t look at it as a pain in the ass.
"TFen" (tfen)
03/23/2017 at 11:19, STARS: 1
“ When I get to that point I always think, “how much would it cost to replace this car with something in similar condition?” “
Lol well, ya... How else would you determine the monetary value of a vehicle?
I was referring to when people get beyond that number and still proceed to fix a junky vehicle, as I’ve just done with my beat up 2009 F350.
"Trevor Slattery, ACTOR" (anacostiabikecompany)
03/23/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 0
I used to work in British car restoration. With very rare exceptions spending more than the car is worth is the expectation. lol!
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
03/23/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 1
my vw bug. i have coming up on not quite $12k ? into it(have to check the build notes for the up to the moment number) but it is not for sale either, any price. i have too much time and effort to let it go.....
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
03/23/2017 at 23:16, STARS: 1
dude, that’s why we are here - honestly, we are all jealous as hell.