Ok, I'm back thinking of a track car Options

[trackbird]

Hey kevin heres a car for you.

ebay

Hey check out some funny things in the Decription. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

John

Man, I have to have that car. It's apparently so fast that I'll instantly explode from the heat of doing mach 3.....(with rear drum brakes even.....). And, I love how the seatbelt is mounted....someone is going to get seriously hurt in that car if it's in an accident.....

[Ojustracing]

don't forget it doesnt have a Brake fluid cap, it doesnt need to be there it just makes a mess.

John

[trackbird]

don't forget it doesnt have a Brake fluid cap, it doesnt need to be there it just makes a mess.

John

Geez, he could of at least stuck a rag in it..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[Rob Hood]

Ojustracing Posted Today, 04:33 PM
don't forget it doesnt have a Brake fluid cap, it doesnt need to be there it just makes a mess.

Maybe it was a 3/4 ton brake fluid cap - they do weigh more, ya know... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[rmackintosh]

Alan, I converted my '89 Formula from daily driver to "full cage, 22 gallon fuel cell, -8 braided lines up front and back, etc". So, I've been down that road (and might do it again). I got to the end, the headers and oil pan didn't fit together. I had both modified and finally got mad and sold the entire project (after putting 30k in it). It had been apart for 6 years and I decided I was "done" with it. It became the "get it out of my garage" special. I put the chassis up on Ebay the week of the attacks in New York. It got one bid, $500. I sold it with cage, fuel cell, Mallory comp 100 EFI pump, filters, braided lines and a harwood hood (and the T-tops). I took a beating on that one when I sold it, but I was moving and needed it gone. So, I'm trying not to repeat past mistakes.

My other thought is, I can tear down SB Chevy's in my sleep (I used to have the torque values and sequences memorized and will again if needed). No fancy valve spring compressors, no metric hardware and again, parts are a "dollar". I know 3rd gens inside and out (as far as repair goes) and am comfortable with them. That's why I was/am leaning that way.

.....and that right there is why it is ALWAYS cheaper/smarter/easier to buy a well sorted, preped, ready to race car..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

You can always find the guy who has committed to another race car/series, and NEEDS to unload his current car....or guys like yourselft that just nickel and dimed themselfs to death, and just run out of steam on a project, then sell it for pennies on the dollar...smart way to get into it....

On the other hand, it is an extremely seductive path to slowly mod and upgrade a current car, or build your own car your way.....I myself have had 2 race cars and I built BOTH from scratch myself......not smart, but it was something I wouldn't trade for anything......of course, I spent $5 for every $1 I would have spent on buying a similar car from someone else.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

The smart man would buy a "depreciated" race car, race it, and if it is not for them, for whatever reason, they can sell it for less of a loss....JMHO...

[92Voodoo]

Noticed your post and as usual I feel the need to add my two cents as your advisor and friend. You've got to get over your hand wringing and get racing. The only way that'll happen if you can do it both cheaply and in a car you can wreck. You are right. You're never going to feel comfortable racing you current car. You are too attached to it both emotionally and financially. It is not what you need to go racing. You need a plan that will not require more debt, so that you'll have the money to go racing.

My suggested plan:
1. Get focused on racing now or you'll be using social security checks to fund your late mid life crisis.
2. Stop spending money anything wasteful. Money on other hobbies (guns, computers, & house). Money on fast food and dinner out more than once a week. Cooking at home is healthier and cheaper. Take it from one who knows there are plenty of meals to be made within 30 minutes of getting home without much work.
3. Sell off what ever toys except the ones you can absolutely not live without.
4. Clean out the garage and sell off anything you can.
5. Put your the 02 Camaro back to stock and sell the parts that are not allowed in CMC.
6. Buy a reasonably priced reliable used tow vehicle. Here's 38 found within 100mi of you.Tow Vehicle Search @ AutoTrader.com
7. Take the '83 chassis you have lined up in VA to build a cheap car to race. Build it for CMC. Do not waste any $, like I have on my car or like your old '89 Formula, with unnecessary changes. Keep it simple and light and cheap.
8. Sell the 02 Camaro. Less debt, less insurance $, less $ speeding tickets, less garage space (reason to move and spend more $), less temptation for spending on a car that is not on the race car. I know you'll miss her. I know commuting in a pickup truck is boring. You will make up for it with fun on the track.

I know this plan means sacrifices but...
1. it solves worries about racing your 02 baby.
2. it does not get you in to more debt.
3. it allows you to put together a low buck car that you won't care if you wreck on the track.
4. it allows you to finally race competitively.

Forgive me if this sounds harsh. I'm just trying to help. You need get out on the track. It's in your DNA. You just need a reasonable plan to remove the "can't afford to" and "can't crash it" barriers to make it happen.

[trackbird]

Damn, Bill brings the logic.....again.

For those who don't know. Bill and I have been racing/crewing and road tripping together for many years now (and working on his road race project car, though his move to Manhattan has crimped that a bit). He's the one of us who's good with money (and a pretty smart guy).....

Spring is the best time to sell off a beast like mine. I'm still considering plans to do so. The question is, will it being "winter" be more of a hinderance than the extra depreciation of a few more months (but it being "in season").

[marka]

Howdy,

Spring is the best time to sell off a beast like mine. I'm still considering plans to do so. The question is, will it being "winter" be more of a hinderance than the extra depreciation of a few more months (but it being "in season").

Assuming you're going to try and sell the car with the mods in place... You need to find the right buyer more than you need to sell it in the right season.

Put it up for sale now, and if you don't get an offer you want... So what?

(and I agree with your buddy re: advice to start racing, presuming of course that you want to sacrifice the other stuff to go racing... There's nothing wrong with not wanting to do that if you'd rather not.)

Mark

[trackbird]

Nah, I'd probably de-mod it and then ditch the remainder. I can probably generate a couple grand out of all of the parts on it. If I sell the car assembled, I'd probably wind up giving the parts away and hoping to get close to "book" out of it (with the parts). So, that's probably the more correct plan. Or, demod it for race car budget and drive it somewhat stock (if I can handle that). Then trade it on a truck at some point.

[92Voodoo]

Well some one had to. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) As I'm caged up here in Gotham till the spring I'd like to see one of us have some fun. Hopefully my plan to move us to a place with a garage in NJ will enable me to work on getting out on the track too. I know the reduced rent, taxes, costs won't hurt.

Regarding the depreciation question... What's another 6 months on a 2002? Can't be that dramatic. I'd start getting it back to stock now. I'd think that winter time is ideal for selling parts so that buyers can install them before next year's racing season. Besides I know you love working in the garage in the winter time. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Start now so you won't be behind in 2007.

And I still contend that trading your current car in on a new truck is a bad idea. Dealers won't want your car. A third party will likely give you more $. Sell it outright and use the proceeds to buy an already depreciated used truck. Let someone else waste their dollars on the inflated new truck price. You of all people should know (given your sales experience) that the value of a new vehicle is much less than any deal that a dealership will give you. Values drop as soon as you drive it off the lot. I know financing can look good but in the long run, less debt due to lower starting price is better. Especially if you can use the $ from selling the 2002 Camaro to cover a chunk of the costs. Financing $5 to 10k at used car rates is still less than financing $18,000+ at new car rates even from desparate dealers.

[tom97ss]

Here you go kev, $5500.

http://www.t-boneranch.com/racing/forsale_ls1.html

ITs been up for awhile don't know if its sold yet

[CMC #37]

Here you go kev, $5500.

http://www.t-boneranch.com/racing/forsale_ls1.html

ITs been up for awhile don't know if its sold yet

Dislike the cage! You get what you pay for there!

[trackbird]

Dislike the cage! You get what you pay for there!

I was thinking that one scared me a bit too....

[rmackintosh]

Dislike the cage! You get what you pay for there!

I was thinking that one scared me a bit too....

That is an R&R job for sure.....good news is it looks stripped and ready to prep.....new cage day 1 for SURE!

[tom97ss]

It says Wheel 2 Wheel did the cage, the've done a few World Challnege Cars. It'd be worth a look at least and possibly update the cage a bit. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[mitchntx]

IT's been up for awhile don't know if its sold yet

Yeah .. a LONG while. I looked at it before I started building mine.

Julie ... you're spoiled. You've got that Alan Blaine silver spoon thing going. We all can't have the best, you know.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[CMC #37]

IT's been up for awhile don't know if its sold yet

Yeah .. a LONG while. I looked at it before I started building mine.

Julie ... you're spoiled. You've got that Alan Blaine silver spoon thing going. We all can't have the best, you know.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Yes I am spoiled! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tom97ss]

IT's been up for awhile don't know if its sold yet

Yeah .. a LONG while. I looked at it before I started building mine.

Julie ... you're spoiled. You've got that Alan Blaine silver spoon thing going. We all can't have the best, you know.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Yes I am spoiled! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/bow28.gif)

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Blainefab]

Julie ... you're spoiled. You've got that Alan Blaine silver spoon thing going. We all can't have the best, you know.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Sure can - truck your car here, or meet me in Phoenix ;-) bring silver ;-)