Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

General => Lounge => Topic started by: Clayton on June 19, 2012, 12:29:30 PM

Title: How much?
Post by: Clayton on June 19, 2012, 12:29:30 PM
Lets put this out there just for fun. Everyone knows that in any hobby it costs money to do what you want. Ive been sitting back looking at my car alot lately along with working on it here and there. I have quite a bit of moola wrapped up in this old girl.

This is just for kicks. How much do you have wrapped up in your car?

I have about 5k wrapped up in mine so far.
Title: How much?
Post by: Soul on June 19, 2012, 12:37:38 PM
I have about 9k in my motor (the 331), about 2k in my trans(this includes both its 4cyl and v8 usage, c4 2.3 bell housing and torque convertor are spensive) and about 1k worth of car (thats what I bought it for) and I had about 2k in the turbo motor that was in there before.
Title: How much?
Post by: 1BadBird on June 19, 2012, 01:13:09 PM
Currently I have around 5k as well. That is with the cost of the car too. I wouldn't know where to begin figuring out what the labor would be on it though lol.
Title: How much?
Post by: Dan B. on June 19, 2012, 01:38:14 PM
I'm at just over $3K including the purchase price.  Need to update my signature with all the upgrades.
Title: How much?
Post by: 88turbo on June 19, 2012, 01:43:24 PM
I'm in just alittle over a thousand on my red 5.0 TC including purchase price
Title: How much?
Post by: stangman_1987 on June 19, 2012, 01:57:36 PM
I got about 4000 in my Blue TC including purchase price, but not really any mods. Just paint, tires, wheels, and fixed the exhaust. Next month I'll see it in person!!
Title: How much?
Post by: Bruce M on June 19, 2012, 04:31:38 PM
Purchase $500, Bought him my uncle with only 88K miles ran perfect.
Engine $1500
explorer intake $75
posi rebuild $55
ring & pinion install $110
headers & H-pipe $280
exhaust $300
basic main. tires, brakes, etc. ?
rebuilt tranny $free

Id say around 4 or 5 grand. I cant remember everything.
Title: How much?
Post by: SR71blackbird on June 19, 2012, 07:05:11 PM
I have about $6500-7000 not including the car.
I go by smiles per gallon :)
Title: How much?
Post by: EricCoolCats on June 19, 2012, 07:34:17 PM
$40K in the convertible.
Less than $3K in the '84.

Those are including the purchase prices.

I have no explanation. LOL
Title: How much?
Post by: budnscrap on June 19, 2012, 07:42:34 PM
Well,
Paid 6600 car
5 deer and one crack head over the years it's probably about 18000
Wife and I kinda joke every time I buy some thing small because hole is so big it doesn't matter anymore! lol
Oh and car is being done again. The only difference is she is driving it this time...
Title: How much?
Post by: 86T-bird on June 19, 2012, 08:13:35 PM
That's an answer I'd prefer not to visit!
Title: How much?
Post by: thewestie on June 19, 2012, 09:34:18 PM
I just got a little sick to my stomach. I can't think about anymore tonight.
Title: How much?
Post by: daminc on June 19, 2012, 09:48:02 PM
I paid almost 10 grand for my 87... repainted it once in the early 90s for about $400... rebuilt the motor for almost $4000. and I figure all the parts panels, welding, upgrades, wheels, tires, exhaust, brakes, fuel lines, paint, and all the new tools to do the work..... I'm probably looking at $25,000

the Vert, I'm into it for around 10 grand right now, and I've only just begun
Title: How much?
Post by: 351fox on June 19, 2012, 09:52:30 PM
in my whole car labor and part and purchase im about 18 grand and i still have to redo the interior
Title: How much?
Post by: Soul on June 20, 2012, 08:28:08 AM
Thank god there are more crazy people, I been kicking myself for sinking more money into my car, but want something that is mine.
Title: How much?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on June 20, 2012, 09:24:16 AM
I kept track of my expenses for a long time but finally realized, I don't really care to know.  I do it as a hobby as time and money allows for pure enjoyment.  It kinda takes the fun out of it if you start realizing how much money you've dumped into something, lol.
Title: How much?
Post by: V8Demon on June 20, 2012, 09:47:26 AM
Close to $15K over the years.
Title: How much?
Post by: 1BadBird on June 20, 2012, 10:07:48 AM
Quote from: 50tbrd88;392838
It kinda takes the fun out of it if you start realizing how much money you've dumped into something, lol.

How true, How true
Title: How much?
Post by: Clayton on June 20, 2012, 12:25:39 PM
Well some people on here get kinda sentimental on the cash side wanting a really nice car. Most people wouldnt think to much about seeing a car thats all dolled up. Im glad to see some totally awesome builds go on here. The true question is would you all take every dime you spend on the car back? I sure as hell wouldnt. Like Eric, 40k in the vert, thats absolutly astonishing. Alot of blood sweat and tears have went into our cars.

It seems crazy to say but total truth, we are completly crazy about these cars and the passion we all show towards them some people would rather spend 40k on a new car. While on the other hand we spend it on sculpting and revamping a car, that to most people, would drive... blow it up... and crush it. Making a truly unique ride that, in some parts of the US and some other countries, is getting rarer and rarer to find.

Wez all crazies. And I dont know about you but Im glad I took the time to strip my car and restart from scratch and make it all mine
Title: How much?
Post by: Soul on June 20, 2012, 12:32:04 PM
IF I did take my money back it would only go back in but different things. First time around I had to learn things the hard way since this is pretty much the first car I built by hand. 331 would be some kind of 351 stroker and or I would of swapped a stick in and left it 2.3
Title: How much?
Post by: V8Demon on June 20, 2012, 01:50:09 PM
With the headaches that my car has given in the short time it's been back and running plus the 2 years that it was down, right now I think I WOULD take the money.  I'm at a point now where I'm in the home stretch and it's become more a matter of principle. 

If I'm of the same mindset come October, look for the car in the Classifieds section here....
Title: How much?
Post by: Beau on June 20, 2012, 02:20:32 PM
I'd guess 5K so far, or close to it.

I spent 2 grand on car, HO, T5, Stang 8.8, and some other little bits/pieces in 2009. Have ince gotten a TC 8.8, 5 lug axles, exhaust, wheels, and god-know-what all else..sadly, most of the remaining stuff has all been junkyard finds. Some have been sold and the money put back into the Sport. See my sig for some other stuff. It adds up, but I don't regret it or sweat it. God only knows I'd spend 25K on it in 2 hours if I could..lol
Title: How much?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on June 20, 2012, 04:48:18 PM
Not that I ever would actually do it, but I've thought many times about how awesome I could make my car if I sold my '07 GT and used all of the money for the T-bird.  I would do a blown mod motor/ 6 speed swap, air ride, redo the interior, new paint, etc etc.
Title: How much?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on June 20, 2012, 06:15:37 PM
2K.

40k is crazy..... lol :D
Title: How much?
Post by: Sinista Chicken on June 20, 2012, 07:52:22 PM
I shudder to think.....I'm 25, and have owned 33 cars  so far (the most I paid was 1400 for my dd 93 Caddy Deville) most were little to nothing, but the money I've put into some of them, I'm sure I could have retired by now if I had saved that cash instead.......I guess that's why they say cars aren't a profitable hobby :(
Title: How much?
Post by: thunderjet302 on June 20, 2012, 07:59:44 PM
I know I paid $1000 for my T-bird ten years ago. I have all the receipts for what I've done to the car since then. I'm not going to add the cost up but it has to be over $10K......maybe more. I do know the GT40P engine rebuild was $2500, then I bought a set of Edlebrock Performers to replace the GT40Ps for $1200, the AOD with converter was $2500. Lets not get into the suspension bits, tires, or interior bits that needed to be refreshed.
Title: How much?
Post by: MY83T on June 21, 2012, 01:15:19 AM
well i paid $8,100 for my car in 1987, and drove it for years so i don't count the daily driver years.......but since i have had it off the road and stored i have spent maybe $600 in NOS parts that i have been saving for when i re-do the car.
Title: How much?
Post by: Dan B. on June 21, 2012, 06:00:31 AM
Quote from: 86T-bird;392783
That's an answer I'd prefer not to visit!

That's the deal with my 351W Ranger.....over the years I have a PILE of cash into that thing.  Three different motor combo's, three or four different exhaust set ups, three trannies, chassis mods, etc, etc....so I don't want to nor would I know where to begin with adding up the costs!!!  With the 'bird, it's nice to say that for just over $3K I have one helluva nice driver that has everything in working order and will click off 13 second passes (well, 14.05 but tonight should get me into the 13's!!).
Title: How much?
Post by: daddybair7 on June 21, 2012, 09:57:04 PM
well the Mistress cost me $600 im just getting started tearing her down. so depend on how much time i spend on her will depend on adding the cost of a divorce or not. sad part is the car is in my wifes name lol
Title: How much?
Post by: Kitz Kat on June 22, 2012, 02:50:31 PM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;392777
$40K in the convertible.
Less than $3K in the '84.

Those are including the purchase prices.

I have no explanation. LOL

40K over how many years? You won't find another one like it. Let alone even close to it, maybe Jerry in a few years.
Title: How much?
Post by: flylear45 on June 28, 2012, 07:31:22 PM
Let's see. $700.00 for the car. $300.00 for Exploder motor. Got the engine I am running in it for nothing. $300.00 for tranny, $400.00 for Baumann. $900.00 for paint. $500.00 for turbo stuff. $300.00 for MS and $200.00 for wideband. At least another $3k in other junk like tires, radiator and coolers, brakes and suspension. $500 in PC bits and sound system.

What's that? $7-8K off the top of my head, which means it's closer to 10K when I add up all the little stuff LOL.

I still want to spend 2K more to do heads and converter so it'll be track worthy.:burnout::evilgrin:

It makes me smile when I drive it, so I am not sad.
Title: How much?
Post by: cougrrr302 on June 29, 2012, 09:28:37 PM
My grandparents bought the Cougar in '86 for my Uncle, after he was killed it was stored for me. I've put a whole new fuel system, water pump, rebuilt valve body in the C4, Headliner, seats dyed, TC Hood, wheels, exhaust, 5 lug swap parts, suspension goodies. I've got about $4k wrapped up in it. I've got a $10k motor planned out and a full suspension to build on top of that.
Title: How much?
Post by: EricCoolCats on June 29, 2012, 09:50:10 PM
Quote from: Kitz Kat;393037
40K over how many years? You won't find another one like it. Let alone even close to it, maybe Jerry in a few years.

 
Thanks.
I've had the car since August 1996. Most of that money was spent by 2005. It's really not seen much in the way of large expenses since then, just upkeep and little things.
Of course, like everyone else, I have plans and pipe dreams for it. Who knows if they'll ever get done.

Right now I'm just happy that it runs and is drivable LOL.
Title: How much?
Post by: cougarman on July 01, 2012, 09:17:25 PM
Quote from: flylear45;393388
Let's see. $700.00 for the car. $300.00 for Exploder motor. Got the engine I am running in it for nothing. $300.00 for tranny, $400.00 for Baumann. $900.00 for paint. $500.00 for turbo stuff. $300.00 for MS and $200.00 for wideband. At least another $3k in other junk like tires, radiator and coolers, brakes and suspension. $500 in PC bits and sound system.

What's that? $7-8K off the top of my head, which means it's closer to 10K when I add up all the little stuff LOL.

I still want to spend 2K more to do heads and converter so it'll be track worthy.:burnout::evilgrin:

It makes me smile when I drive it, so I am not sad.

If I may ask, where did you get a bauman for $400? And how difficult is it to hook up? Thanks
Title: How much?
Post by: flylear45 on July 01, 2012, 09:34:12 PM
I got it right from the manufacturer. I got a stub harness from them for $35.00 IIRRC and made my own custom harness from that.

It was very time consuming, but not terribly difficult. I was splicing a tranny harness from a Crown Vic with a TC harness, then into my own special madness of wiring, so it was a challenge.
Title: How much?
Post by: flylear45 on July 01, 2012, 09:34:26 PM
I got it right from the manufacturer. I got a stub harness from them for $35.00 IIRRC and made my own custom harness from that.

It was very time consuming, but not terribly difficult. I was splicing a tranny harness from a Crown Vic with a TC harness, then into my own special madness of wiring, so it was a challenge.