Automotive ADD... How do you deal with it?

Like many of you (I'm sure), I'm always thinking about getting different cars. For the past year, I've been really wanting a Dodge Challenger or 2011-up Charger R/T as a DD. I miss the power of my old WRXs, but I want a more grown-up "Man-Mobile" that is comfortable inside, looks cool, has some tech gadgets, and can soak up highway miles without a problem.

My current DD Mazda 3 has been a great car, in fact, it could be the best car I've owned yet, but I'm bored of it. It does the DD appliance thing really well, and it handles great, but man is it boring.

Meanwhile, while I'm complaining about my DD, I have 3 broken vehicles sitting at home: A 1987 Shelby CSX that needs to be patched together and finished, a 1979 Trans Am that needs body and interior work, a new starter, and some valvetrain adjustments, and a 1997 Dodge Dakota that needs front end work, brake work, and a set of tires, not to mention it's slowly rusting apart. I'm finding that I have ZERO motivation to turn a wrench on them at all. Maybe because it's cold out? I have no idea.

I've had the Trans Am the longest, but I don't want to sell it. The CSX? I think I can part with it if I had to, but I'm not sure. And the truck? Well, I need a truck, but this one is beginning to wear out its welcome.

I know I'm not alone. How do you all deal with this phenomenon?

Buy more cars.

Lets see, I have the Daily truck 2010 Tundra The daily gas saver /autocross car 99 Miata. Former challenge car long term project car basket case that I don't see ever getting rid of 71 240Z. Former challenge car/paperweight 300ZX runs driver all there just kinda done with it but worth more as parts than whole). Former challenge car chump/lemons hopeful but not looking likely 92 turbo miata, and then there is the 68 mustang.

I wouldn't say I deal with the automotive ADD so much as I ,hey look a squirrel!

I ask you guys about 2-3 wildly different cars/SUVs every month. I figure if I change my mind fast enough, I never have a chance to buy more cars.

EvanB wrote: Buy more cars.

This is how I deal with it as well.

Drive the wife nuts so you feel bad. Although after another week of driving the truck I really want that 4.8 in somethign light and RWD.

Looking at my bank account usually cures any ADD

EvanB wrote: Buy more cars.

Just by the post title, this was my response.

evildky wrote: Lets see, I have the Daily truck 2010 Tundra The daily gas saver /autocross car 99 Miata. Former challenge car long term project car basket case that I don't see ever getting rid of 71 240Z. Former challenge car/paperweight 300ZX runs driver all there just kinda done with it but worth more as parts than whole). Former challenge car chump/lemons hopeful but not looking likely 92 turbo miata, and then there is the 68 mustang. I wouldn't say I deal with the automotive ADD so much as I ,hey look a squirrel!

Amateur

This is a car swapping group if I've ever seen one.

Why do you all think Vehicle ADD affects you?

amg_rx7 wrote: Looking at my bank account usually cures any ADD

Or get married. Which usually leads to the bank account that cures automotive ADD.

gofastbobby wrote: This is a car swapping group if I've ever seen one. Why do you all think Vehicle ADD affects you?

Look in my garage, current total is 25 and I am looking

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

If I don't have problems to solve (projects to work on)...I start causing/creating problems. I need to be surrounded by problems so I can keep busy. Someone looking from the outside might see one of my projects and think it is moving incredibly slow (and it is...from that viewpoint). however, I look at my list of projects and pick one that I want to work on for 15 minutes or an hour at a time. On the whole...I get a lot done.

Complete home restoration
1978 Malibu
1994 Caprice
Power Boat
Sail boat with a hole in the hull
16 acres
Ford 8N Tractor
Implements to go with Tractor
Car Hauling trailer (a project that will haul home more projects!)
4x4 toyota Truck
'82 XL500 Dualsport
Suzuki Samurai
A handful of other field racers
Hobby stock Dirt Track Car
A truck to pull all the trailers and projects mentioned previously
At least 3 cars in various states of drivability (daily transportation candidates)
The list goes on...and on...and on...just ask my fiancee

The key for me has been to embrace the hobby and find someone (aforementioned fiancee) that understands and accepts that.

I'm cash poor.

... ooh ooh, 8N tractor, off to Craigslist I go

The other factor at play is that I actually want to reduce costs! I am a homeowner and don't have unlimited funds. I have just under 3 years left on the Mazda loan, but I got 0% financing and getting something else seems monetarily stupid. Nothing that I can think of could put up with the DD use that I require and reduce costs while being fun and fast. I put about 26000 miles on a car a year, and I need something decent in all weather conditions, as well as something that gets decent gas mileage that is not a maintenance money pit.

The 3 other lumps sitting outside are total PITA money pits and are perpetually broken.

The CSX has nearly a zero budget at this point with all the buying and selling I've done, but it needs major body work as well as a title. I have gotten pretty far with it, and have a ton of spares and replacement parts already, but I am getting sick of wrenching. I just want to drive the damn thing!

The Trans Am is much the same story, except there are large ticket items that still need to be purchased, such as interior parts, sheet metal, a new exhaust system, etc. I have had it for 12 years, and I never want it to go though. It's part of me at this point.

That truck... it was bought cheap and worked great but it's becoming a PITA lately. All my free wrenching time (which I have little of these days) is spent on it, and that sucks.

I'm just not having fun with cars lately.

One plan I have is wait the 3 long years to pay off the Mazda, ditch one of the projects, and get a fun newer DD and keep the Mazda as a winter beater and possible Autocrosser.

I review new cars. Keeps the new toy itch at bay.

slefain wrote: I review new cars. Keeps the new toy itch at bay.

I would LOVE to do that. I think there's a motor pool for new car reviews right in my town too. I have zero clue how to get that coveted gig though...

Man, I still think we should get together a GRM car swap

Shipping costs are paid by each individual.

You bend it, you mend it.

I bet I'd save a million dollars by the time all was said and done

i had to start my own car dealership. no other choice made sense.

Heavy drinking. And we keep horses, which means my wallet is empty.

How do I deal with Automotive ADD?

Poorly.

Pretty poorly for me. 2 years is the max it seems. I just keep the separate budget for it and I try to make extra money where I can to feed the hobby.

I also live in a cheap house for my income and don't buy a lot outside of car stuff. That helps a lot.

Burrito Enthusiast wrote: How do I deal with Automotive ADD? Poorly.

The exact response I was about to post.

http://misfittoysracing.com/?page_id=9 <the list thus far

I text Ditchdigger all the ads I don't answer after re-re-re-re-re-re-re-realizing that I still don't have anywhere to park another car 'til I finish the garage and get either the Ranchero or the 2002 in there...