Author Topic: Why Dont People Finish Projects? (Read 4138 times)

amishrabbi · « **on:** March 19, 2007, 04:51:11 PM »

so as i see a million project cars for sale on here, i was wondering what is the limiting factor when people end up not completing a project car? is it usually time or usually money?

AirCooledRules · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2007, 04:57:36 PM »

its ussually money.

I sold my 1958 beetle because i was in highschool and not working, i didnt see an ending in sight. So i sold the car in mid restoration to fund a driver.

Now ive got a couple restoration projects which im taking it slow on due to school and money but im not going to sell.

vanBoven · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2007, 05:09:46 PM »

sometimes when your not motivated enough it seems to take to long and you think you will never get done and loose interest and then a complete one that you can enjoy right away, personally it is not as fun because then it is not \"your car\" it is the previous guys. my 2cents

vwboop · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2007, 05:14:07 PM »

Neither.

If it was time we would make time B)

If it was money we would re-order our spending to accomodate what is important in our lives

.

I sum it up this way:

\"Having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting\".

Most of us don't buy cars with the intention of not finishing them, and most of us don't sell projects, and not get into another soon after. You could say, \"we grew apart\"

, but it's you that's changed

.

It's also way easier taking things apart than it is getting them back together, but I still get bored of the running ones

surgerypending · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2007, 05:28:19 PM »

[/QUOTE]I still get bored of the running ones....... Well said Chris!

I love having a project in the garage...no pressure....pic at it whenever I have the time...put your own personal touch to it and then....sell it and find another!

amishrabbi · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2007, 05:30:35 PM »

people need to stop taking apart perfectly good drivers and not putting them back together

i havent done any huge projects, but me and my dad did a decent size one on the cougar and i can see how a full pan off one would get bored and un motivated in the long run

egspot · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2007, 06:41:00 PM »

This is a insert from a previous entry:

I was once told by a wise man in the VW community \"If you want a good project/VW just wait for someone else to sell theirs.\" I made sense because we can all see the potential on a project but sooner or later we find our self unable to finish them for whatever reason i.e. I can visualize my 66 project all I want but if time is an issue, and money is an issue, and my ability to crawl right in and go nuts on it is compromise as it has been ultimately it starts to look like wishful thinking. I can wish all I want but I have to make it happen or loose money on it because a project is viewed as a project regardless of how much work has been done.

You may see the potential for all the projects you get. You have to go NUTS on one at the time to be rewarded with the result of your effort. That would improve the chances of not loosing money and finding a buyer willing to pay what it takes.

As for all the above entries, it is somewhat motivational to finishing a project once you re-think about whether to sell or not.

silas · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2007, 06:53:03 PM »

Quote

is it usually time or usually money?

yes.

AirCooledRules · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2007, 06:58:26 PM »

i dont think its time. if it was time you would find a little bit here and there, or you would be able to afford having it sit or be stored until you had the time. Or you would pay someone to do it or get help.

kirin · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2007, 07:00:00 PM »

Restoration burn out. Seriously every one suffers it and sometimes you look at new cars and realize really if you wanted something perfect you would just buy a new car. However you just got to buckle down and realize one day when the cars completed sitting in your driveway its as perfect as you can build it.

Then you drive it and get a rock chip in it and then drive the hell out of it!

Thats my plan anyway....

Lanny · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:31:16 PM »

I've often wondered myself. A fire that burns too bright, burns out fast.

silas · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:11:36 PM »

Quote

A fire that burns too bright, burns out fast.

didnt neil young say that? B)

BUSDADDY · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:36:09 PM »

Obviously you are not married with kids. What used to take weeks now takes months or years, not that I'm complaining, I just have different priorities with my free time.

There was a time when I would practically live in the garage till god knows how early in the morning (how I got up and went to work I'll never know). Probably a good thing Molson didn't put underwear in beer boxes as well as the t-shirts ,there would have been no reason to leave until the job was done.

Now things take longer and for some their priorities or financial situation change midstream in a project.

slammedbus · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:53:33 PM »

Quote

Obviously you are not married with kids. What used to take weeks now takes months or years, not that I'm complaining, I just have different priorities with my free time.

There was a time when I would practically live in the garage till god knows how early in the morning (how I got up and went to work I'll never know). Probably a good thing Molson didn't put underwear in beer boxes as well as the t-shirts ,there would have been no reason to leave until the job was done.

Now things take longer and for some their priorities or financial situation change midstream in a project.

I am going with what he said

dannyboy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:06:50 PM »

because you get to the point in any project where you say to yourself \"this aint gonna be as easy as i thought\"

Chris · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:17:32 PM »

because something better comes along.....

egspot · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:19:38 PM »

Quote

Quote
Obviously you are not married with kids. What used to take weeks now takes months or years, not that I'm complaining, I just have different priorities with my free time.

There was a time when I would practically live in the garage till god knows how early in the morning (how I got up and went to work I'll never know). Probably a good thing Molson didn't put underwear in beer boxes as well as the t-shirts ,there would have been no reason to leave until the job was done.

Now things take longer and for some their priorities or financial situation change midstream in a project.
I am going with what he said

BINGO!

amishrabbi · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:42:38 PM »

i wonder how many of yours guy's wives know you are laying the blame for all your unfinished projects on them

thrasherbill · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:59:36 PM »

My wife is ok with me buying another project!

The only reason I'm not finished my current project (other than a lack of a welder) is that I am too busy driving it!

dannyboy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:21:14 PM »

heres another one, i get bored easily!
im already thinking of a 70s rally inspired 411 2door coupe.... badass!

amishrabbi · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:26:00 PM »

so seems everyone has different reasons lol

i know for me the only reason i dont have a project is because i dont have space to work on it

egspot · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2007, 12:01:26 AM »

Quote

i wonder how many of yours guy's wives know you are laying the blame for all your unfinished projects on them

Ouch! :wacko:

Be Gentle... :blush:

We are weak and a man can not live off bread alone.

I couln't help my self

steveo_32 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2007, 12:20:47 AM »

For me, it has always been better cars on the horizon.
I started with two 68's then a 71 super, then on to a 56, 57, back to a 56 then to a 57 vert and added a 58 rag, 58 sdn, then went to a 54 oval rag and a 59 single cab...........but since the 71 super i have yet to drive one.......
I just get caught up on the buying, organizing and selling.
Each time i keep one piece that makes my dream car closer.
And now the 54 has NOS parts galore and a sweet interior and a kick ass drivetrain and some sweet rims.
It all just takes time to learn every step in which you can correct your last mistakes and apply new knowlege to them.
I don't like buying alot of other poeples pet projects, I have seen way to many hack jobs screwing over poeple in the end.
Once and a while thou, you'll luck out on a good one and it is worth it to spend one fifth of what it cost some guy at a body shop.
Luck of the draw i guess.

ehos · « **Reply #23 on:** March 20, 2007, 01:03:40 AM »

Winter.

And summer is too short to waste working on cars. :ph34r:

Lanny · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2007, 06:52:17 AM »

I do have a 'Wife and kid'. It's hardly an excuse IMHO. I found waking up extra early(long before my 19 month old) and wrenching for a few hours before work is the ticket for me.

Mike Scott · « **Reply #25 on:** March 20, 2007, 07:16:03 AM »

Quote

because you get to the point in any project where you say to yourself \"this aint gonna be as easy as i thought\"

I think this is a great point. Im building a Manx clone to improve my welding skills a little, and its something to do when the weather isnt great outside. I thought to myself when I bought the trashed body. How long could this take to build? How long could it take to chop a chassis in half and knock out 14 inches, install shortened pans, change the panhead, etc?

...... Well, if your a pro and have the time and tools to do it right maybe not that long. However, if your me, you work out of a small home shop, dont really know what your doing, tools could be better, have limited time........... it ends up taking forever!!! I bought it Feb 7th ish, I've worked on the chassis in most of my spare time and I haven't bolted a part on it yet! But, it still feels good to do something at night, rather than vegging out in front of the TV watching CSI.

CHEECH · « **Reply #26 on:** March 20, 2007, 08:19:18 AM »

DIVORCE :lol: :lol: [_[

silas · « **Reply #27 on:** March 20, 2007, 10:08:53 PM »

Quote

Quote
because you get to the point in any project where you say to yourself \"this aint gonna be as easy as i thought\"

I think this is a great point. Im building a Manx clone to improve my welding skills a little, and its something to do when the weather isnt great outside. I thought to myself when I bought the trashed body. How long could this take to build? How long could it take to chop a chassis in half and knock out 14 inches, install shortened pans, change the panhead, etc?...... Well, if your a pro and have the time and tools to do it right maybe not that long. However, if your me, you work out of a small home shop, dont really know what your doing, tools could be better, have limited time........... it ends up taking forever!!! I bought it Feb 7th ish, I've worked on the chassis in most of my spare time and I haven't bolted a part on it yet! But, it still feels good to do something at night, rather than vegging out in front of the TV watching CSI.

good point mike.

it's a learning process for me too. i've always driven and been into cars, but it's just in the last 4 1/2 years that i have really started to take it more seriously (education, job as an apprentice, starting a body-off build, actually doing more than an oil change).

i feel i'm coming along quite well and learning alot as i go. but it is slow and like everything else, there are good 2 steps forward days and bad 4 steps back days. B)

Al Canuck · « **Reply #28 on:** March 20, 2007, 10:53:21 PM »

My 323i project has been 2 years in the making, with at least another year to complete, my 68 Beetle has been sitting since last summer, and my 630csi for almost 2 years. I WILL finish them all, but working in the business, I spend all my time finishing OTHER PEOPLE's projects! 72 2002tii, 75 2002, and a 70 2800cs are all client cars that I need to work on, to pay bills, to complete my own stuff. It's a vicious circle!

Al

Author Topic: Why Dont People Finish Projects? (Read 4138 times)

CHEECH