General => Lounge => Topic started by: RunninWild on January 24, 2010, 12:12:43 AM
Title: Venting.
Post by: RunninWild on January 24, 2010, 12:12:43 AM
So this may sound stupid, but I have to vent about this somewhere...
I feel like I'm in a rut with my car and my plans for it. The main thing that sucks for me is that all I can do at my current stage of life is make plans..
I'm a 20 year old guy in college, with a 10 month old daughter (I love being a young Dad-honestly, it really is amazing) and a fiance, and 3 years to go in school. I'm not dropping out. I am getting financial assistance from my parents, but needless to say money is tight for me, so I can't really do the mods I really want to do to my car. I have a job, but again, I'm in school full time, and so is my fiance so a lot of our money is for school and I really can't get a full time job around our school schedules. But, I've got enough to pay the bills.
Whenever I have downtime, all I think about is modding my car, an '88 Tbird with the v-6. I'd like to make it a manual (although I'd be content with an automatic, but I want a floor shifter), throw in a 302 H.O. or do a 347 stroker.(anybody ever use the water-methanol injection on these cars?) I'd like 4 wheel disc brakes, which means yanking out the rear end of a T.C. (is there any other alternative to this?)I'd also like brand new headlights(or at least clean used ones)....but I'd be content with covers (smoked of course). The sound system would be easy. I'd also like to do a 5 lug conversion. My plans really aren't that complicated, it's just frustrating that I can do nothing except the headlight covers for now-and plans. A redone interior would be nice too, in black leather, but that's not totally necessary...
All of these plans for projects are still a long way off, but I feel I need to at least get this out because it's something I think about in my downtime. Plus, my fiance could care less about cars-as long as it's "cute" and runs, it works for her. So I feel I should vent to you guys because if I try to vent to her, it's like her talking to me about hair color...I'm just frustrated that I can't do anything now I guess, and I just want to tell somebody about it because I don't really know anybody who cares about this car. I get ""it'd be cool if you had a mustang or a camaro..."
Sorry to waste your time if you found this pointless.
Title: Venting.
Post by: 88turbo on January 24, 2010, 12:34:58 AM
I feel your pain buddy, my project has been on hold for a few months due to being out of work and it just being too cold to go out and do anything on it at all. As far as talking to the woman about the car I get the same thing, she tells me she wants to learn things and help but its hard to tell her what needs to be done when she has no clue.best advice I can give is hang in there and things will pay off in due time. I might have some parts that can help you short term with some of your goals, you cover shipping and they are yours. I have a floor shifter and cable from a sport and one from an auto TC take your pick :D
Title: Venting.
Post by: jcassity on January 24, 2010, 12:57:31 AM
your priorities apparently ok,, but could be out of wack if you arent careful not to be throwing stones at a glass house but i did spend a little on cars while initially married and always day dreamed about this and that.
id say you should just keep day dreaming about it and stay on track with school.
evaluate who has the cool cars and stuff and then ask yourself how did they get there. most of them might have had things handed to them and if thats the case, its not in your options. School help is about as good as it gets so be happy for that.
those who have cool stuff for thier cars may also be people who are not supporting a familiy either and can spend all thier work money on the car. Again, thats not you so be happy with the fact that your are an odd couple who have somehow managed to beat the odds and maintain school while working and also have a small child.
I did the same thing at your age, married, work, school, kid ect. I ended up never really having that perfect car that i always wanted and for reasons that evolved around responsibility and taking a leadership roll in the family. I could now do anything i wanted to include purchase any motor my hearts desire. Will I?,, probably not becaues honestly it really isnt all that important anymore. Car stuff for me has moved from a need to a "extra" catagory. If i dont want it based on responsible thoughts, then i dont get it.
in return, i have treated myself several times and no on complains. Actually the wife is happy when I do and so are the kids. I make sure they are taken care of first right down to the food, cloths ect to include the wifes hair color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I come last, they see this, they respect me for my sacrifices. I enjoy the marrage and being a father , hopefully it will click for you to one day. Right now for you it sux to be in a ride that isnt all it can be.
one thing for sure is you are the exception to the rule, at your age you appear to be situated and very stable for your age. This is very hard to find these days.
just treat yourself once in a while but make sure you make everyone else in the family first.
Title: Venting.
Post by: Beau on January 24, 2010, 01:36:31 AM
Pretty much everything in the above posts is true...
I was married, no kids, and less than stable income. Had all these plans and dreams and hopes for my '88 V6 Tbird.
Well, that woman, and that car are both no longer with me, but I bought another Tbird, and then another, and now have a partner, and a 14 month old son, and a daughter who will be here in about a month.
I also have an HO-powered Tbird with a 5 speed and some other goodies. Seems odd, right?
Well, hard work has it's rewards...just make sure you take care of mom and baby first, and everything will fall into place.
Don't give up on the school...I only have a high school education, and , do I wish I knuckled up and went to college to make better money.
I know it's hard to be patient, but believe me, in time it'll fall into place. It only took me 11 years :hick:
Title: Venting.
Post by: Haystack on January 24, 2010, 03:33:33 AM
Its harder to keep these cars in one peice driving them every day. I am driving 120 miles a day M-F and 100+ saturday and sunday.
I love my car, and I love my family, but getting to and from work and taking care of business comes first. Did I mention that I am making these drives everyday with left over money from my two day 10 hours a week weekend job? Sometimes it sucks. But when you can't throw alot of money into the car, do an oil change or something that the car needs and is cheap.
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 24, 2010, 06:52:36 AM
I've been there myself.I am blessed with some patience,so,what I did was when I had time to work on the car....but no parts,I spent that little bit of time making lists of what I wanted to do,what I had to do it,What I needed....then,I would look at the classifieds in the forums and Ebay.When I could find a part cheap enough (really cheap),I got it and shelved it until I eventually had all of the pieces to the puzzle.I had my head lights and fog lights for 2 years before I actually bolted them onto the Sport.Time,patience,and seting goals can pay off.You have to put family and their needs first,and then the rest. Start putting all of you spare change in a container that's not easily broken into (I used a beer Keg from the s yard for $2.00),cut a slot in it and put your extra coins in there and a dollar or two every now and then.It adds up quick,then,car funds.Hit a salvage yard every once in a while.It's crazy what you can find sometimes for next to nothing,and a 5.0 can be found really cheap if you look.It doesn't have to come from a Stang.Keep your head up.A lot of us here have gone through the same thing.....or are going through it.
Title: Venting.
Post by: 86XR7project on January 24, 2010, 07:33:49 AM
You are in the exact same boat as I am right now, I even had put my car up for sale at one point. Hang in there man, it WILL get better.
Title: Venting.
Post by: RunninWild on January 24, 2010, 09:49:55 AM
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
Don't get me wrong-I don't just think about my car and let my family do whatever they want. I play with my daughter and care for her just as much as my parents did for me. Probably more than my Dad did, because he was working full time when I was born. I'm fortunate enough to have the time with her while she's young right now.
Part of it it is the fact that I'm 20 and I've never had a quick car. I guess I'm just kind of whining, but I definitely know where my priorities are. I will never forfeit something for my daughter or my fiance in favor of my car.
And I've thought about putting it up for sale, because it's falling apart....but again it has been a daily driver for almost 22 years, and has racked up 248,xxx miles on it. But then again, I'd like to get 1500 at least for it to be worth a sale and I don't think anybody here in Tampa would pay that.
I will say though, the car looks sharp and I do get a lot of compliments on it.
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 24, 2010, 04:17:05 PM
Keep it and be patient.My car was a salvage yard car.I understand about one falling apart.One piece at a time.
Title: Venting.
Post by: daminc on January 24, 2010, 04:51:43 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;307744
I understand about one falling apart.One piece at a time.
X2
I only had to wait 25 years to build my little hot rod that I always wanted.
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 24, 2010, 04:55:06 PM
Like I said,if you take your time,and look around,cheap parts are out there.It's like a treasure hunt (I love looking for parts !!!!).If you were closer,there's an LX ('87 model) 100% complete with a great body and pretty nice interior.Needs some work,but it's got keyless entry and full digi dash with a 5.0......$250.00.There's all a guy needs for a 5.0 swap.Sometimes a parts car is cheaper than individual parts.Get to looking and gathering.After the first 50 or 60 parts,it's easy after that.LOL.
Title: Venting.
Post by: 1Bad88tbird on January 24, 2010, 10:10:18 PM
It sounds like you have you're head on straight, and that's awsome! Pay attention to the advice these guy's are giving you, I know from experience sometimes it's hard to take advice but everyones just trying to help. I wish I would've known enough to listen to my Dad. He tried to stop me from marrying my first wife, he didn't like her from the start, he even tried to talk me out of it the day of our wedding and I wouldn't listen. Well I had to learn the hard way, I found out she lied about everything and cheated on me every chance she got, there's alot more but I'll leave it at that. Nine months later we where divorced, signed sealed and delievered! Then I got married the second time because I got my gf pregnant, that one lasted five years. I was divorced twice by the time I was thirty! I have a daughter to each so at least something good came out of them. Now I'm 42 and I'm finally comfortable enough to try it again. And guess what? My family loves her as much as we do each other. Finacially it was never easy either, I've had my T-Bird for twenty years now. I would try to do at least one thing to it every year at tax time, and eventually it got to where it is today. I still want to get the performance level up but the looks are where I want them. So be patient and eventually you'll get what you want. Especially with you going to collage, I've had to make it from working in a grocery store, to detailing cars, to being a laborer, none of which paid well. Hopefully you'll get that dream job then the rest will really fall in place! Good luck to ya! You have all of us rooting for ya!!!
Title: Venting.
Post by: RunninWild on January 25, 2010, 08:39:54 AM
Quote from: 1Bad88tbird;307792
It sounds like you have you're head on straight, and that's awsome! Pay attention to the advice these guy's are giving you, I know from experience sometimes it's hard to take advice but everyones just trying to help. I wish I would've known enough to listen to my Dad. He tried to stop me from marrying my first wife, he didn't like her from the start, he even tried to talk me out of it the day of our wedding and I wouldn't listen. Well I had to learn the hard way, I found out she lied about everything and cheated on me every chance she got, there's alot more but I'll leave it at that. Nine months later we where divorced, signed sealed and delievered! Then I got married the second time because I got my gf pregnant, that one lasted five years. I was divorced twice by the time I was thirty! I have a daughter to each so at least something good came out of them. Now I'm 42 and I'm finally comfortable enough to try it again. And guess what? My family loves her as much as we do each other. Finacially it was never easy either, I've had my T-Bird for twenty years now. I would try to do at least one thing to it every year at tax time, and eventually it got to where it is today. I still want to get the performance level up but the looks are where I want them. So be patient and eventually you'll get what you want. Especially with you going to collage, I've had to make it from working in a grocery store, to detailing cars, to being a laborer, none of which paid well. Hopefully you'll get that dream job then the rest will really fall in place! Good luck to ya! You have all of us rooting for ya!!!
I'm living that grocery store dream right now man (Publix, idk if you've ever heard of it). I've been there since junior year of high school. I'm going to school for accounting at USF right now, I've got two more years to go to get the degree, and I'm staying another year to get the CPA, so one day lol...
And Vinnie....I will have enough to buy that bird when tax refund time rolls around. I can't find ANY deals like that around here at all though. Where is that bird located, and maybe I'll make the trek lol.
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 25, 2010, 09:27:58 AM
For now,it's in Kingston Oklahoma.I'll try to get more contact info for you.
Title: Venting.
Post by: FLSTCI71 on January 25, 2010, 09:10:22 PM
Quote from: RunninWild;307679
Plus, my fiance could care less about cars-as long as it's "cute" and runs, it works for her.
Don't minimize this as it is key. Speaking from experience, a happy wife is a happy life. So, if "cute" is what the fiance wants, try to make sure she gets it. If she has a car she likes and enjoys, then she will be much more open to letting you play. It sounds like your priorities are in the right place. Just keep on the straight and narrow and you'll get there. Heck, I'm 50 and you should see the list of upgrades I still want to do "someday"....
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 26, 2010, 06:54:04 AM
I called,the car will either be sold or crushed by Friday.He's getting out of the used car business,and the Bird has been there for about 6 or 7 years.
Title: Venting.
Post by: RunninWild on January 26, 2010, 03:18:23 PM
Quote from: vinnietbird;307955
I called,the car will either be sold or crushed by Friday.He's getting out of the used car business,and the Bird has been there for about 6 or 7 years.
Too bad...another one bites the dust.
How did you find out about that one anyways? Just do the site:craigslist deal or some other site on google?
Title: Venting.
Post by: bigbada1 on January 26, 2010, 04:06:23 PM
Keep your head up man and I totally hear you on the wife thing the other day I was in the shop painting my HO block and she came out and was asked why I was painting it ME: so it looks good not all rusy and py HER: your going to put the motor into your car right ME: ya HER: well thats a waist of time its going to be in your car where noone ever sees it ME: go back into the house and leave me alone
Title: Venting.
Post by: vinnietbird on January 26, 2010, 05:04:14 PM
Quote from: RunninWild;308007
Too bad...another one bites the dust.
How did you find out about that one anyways? Just do the site:craigslist deal or some other site on google?
I pass that place every time I go to my favorite yard (about 20 Fox Birds and Cougars).There's a local guy I'm trying to convince to buy it and build it.We'll see what happens.His actions are limited by the female in his house that holds his leash.LOL.
Title: Venting.
Post by: RunninWild on January 27, 2010, 11:59:46 AM
Quote from: bigbada1;308013
Keep your head up man and I totally hear you on the wife thing the other day I was in the shop painting my HO block and she came out and was asked why I was painting it ME: so it looks good not all rusy and py HER: your going to put the motor into your car right ME: ya HER: well thats a waist of time its going to be in your car where noone ever sees it ME: go back into the house and leave me alone
lmao...women. Some of them get into cars like we do, but that's like .01 percent.
My fiance doesn't have a leash on me, but I know enough to not attempt to buy a parts car or high performance stuff right now...
If I really decided to just say "eff it", I could take out a student loan (the one available to me is like,3-4 grand) and build the car. I could do pretty well for it with that money. However I have no place to work on it and keep all the old stuff. I have a friend who likes to take out loans to finance car projects....but to a PT cruiser.
But something tells me I should just practice a little patience.