Painfully scattered automotive interest

What do you do when EVERYTHING interests you yet NOTHING intersts you?

Last night, I shopped and bookmarked (as if I would pursue futher):

E30M3 DE car postwar buicks with straight 8 mid 60's GM wagons Jeep Rubicons a mid 80's Toyo pickup turned rock crawler a Pinzgauer 84-89 Carreras 968 coupes supermotos KT100 powered carts MG Midgets several Elises several super 7 kit cars

WTF?

Many things hold my interest transiently, but nothing has held my interest in any lasting way for the last several years.

Am I burnt out? Am I asking too much from a hobby? Am I expecting too much from a car (or several cars?) - fast AND cheap AND economical AND visually thrilling etc?

I'll be seeing my therapist later today anyway, but I thought I'd get your opinions first.

Welcome to the world of car nuts. I have much the same problem but I just live with it.

Sounds like automotive ADD, once you get it, nothing holds your attention except more projects, afterall, different flavors are the spice of life...

We prefer the word diversity. ADD has bad connotations.

Kia_racer wrote: Welcome to the world of car nuts. I have much the same problem but I buy one of each.

Fixed. That's the way I look at it at least .

914Driver wrote: We prefer the word diversity. ADD has bad connotations.

Automotive diversity? sounds lame, I think Automotive..... oooh I just saw another $700 Volvo 240 on CL...

BoxheadTim wrote:

Kia_racer wrote: Welcome to the world of car nuts. I have much the same problem but I buy one of each.

Fixed. That's the way I look at it at least .

I would if I could. It sucks being unemployed. And living in an apartment.

Sounds perfectly normal.

I'm picking up another classic 900... And possibly a Lancia Zagato Spider. Oh, and I'm always watching for another shoebox Ford. Or a Dart. Or maybe another '81-'87 GM truck. Oh, and I miss my '94 Protegé. Maybe I'll pick up that other 96 parts car.

Welcome home, Skobie.

even employed with a yard and garage has its pitfalls. so far 5 vehicles live there and only 2 run right now.

honestly I think Im pretty steady...things with nuts and bolts have interested me since I could turn a wrench. isnt 25+ years of mechanical hobbies pretty stable? isnt it? ISNT IT!!!???

I've found that auto-ADD is caused by not getting out and finding out what you really like. Once you build some experience, you'll focus you sights a little. I'm not saying all types of cars and car adventures won't be appealing, but you find the stuff you REALLY like, and more easily be able to dismiss the other stuff.

Being broke and living in an apartment does not help and possibly makes it worse.

I always preferred the term car slut. It gives that connotation of anything, anytime, anywhere. Very low standards is the key. That's what turned me on about Wheeler Dealers.

Johnboyjjb wrote: I always preferred the term car slut. It gives that connotation of anything, anytime, anywhere. Very low standards is the key. That's what turned me on about Wheeler Dealers.

Hi my name is Jeff and I'm a Car Slut, maybe this group can help support me through this troubled time in my life...

I am stuck between desire and responsiblity......

Sultan wrote: I am stuck between desire and responsiblity......

Then you're an automotive Call Girl?

Skobie wrote: Am I burnt out? Am I asking too much from a hobby? Am I expecting too much from a car (or several cars?) - fast AND cheap AND economical AND visually thrilling etc?

OP here. Quite seriously, I'm having some trouble enjoying the hobby because I will get wanderlust for toy "B" as soon as toy "A" gets in the garage.

Are you driving toy "A"?

I'm now in my mid 40's and have had well over 100 cars, and looking back, I wish I had fewer cars and stuck with some for longer periods of time. It's a sickness really. I'm trying that now, and it's difficult, but buying a house that needed a total gut and redo has certainly helped. I think we need a support program for Reoccuring Vehicular Purchasing Syndrome! I still cruise Craigslist and ebay daily, but I've been keeping the wallet locked away.

In reply to Sultan:

Ding!!

I'm trying to decide what's the next car project after the 350is . . .then I saw these:

SWMBO approves

914Driver wrote: We prefer the word diversity. ADD has bad connotations.

You can't use diversity to create a sum. You have to ADD.

Kia_racer wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote:

Kia_racer wrote: Welcome to the world of car nuts. I have much the same problem but I buy one of each.

Fixed. That's the way I look at it at least .

I would if I could. It sucks being unemployed. And living in an apartment.

I know what you're saying, I've got to scale back a lot when I come to the US, for some reason getting to work and getting somewhere for the wife & myself to live takes priority.

Or I could buy a conversion van and live in that. Decision, decisions...

Powar wrote: Sounds perfectly normal. I'm picking up another classic 900... And possibly a Lancia Zagato Spider. Oh, and I'm always watching for another shoebox Ford. Or a Dart. Or maybe another '81-'87 GM truck. Oh, and I miss my '94 Protegé. Maybe I'll pick up that other 96 parts car. Welcome home, Skobie.

I am always on the lookout for a nice Beta coupe'

modernbeat wrote: I've found that auto-ADD is caused by not getting out and finding out what you really like. Once you build some experience, you'll focus you sights a little. I'm not saying all types of cars and car adventures won't be appealing, but you find the stuff you REALLY like, and more easily be able to dismiss the other stuff.

I couldn't disagree more.

I've found that Auto-ADD is caused by appreciating too many aspects of too many different genres to specialize in any one. In my auto-ADD world I have been associated with:

• NHRA Drag Racing (building, racing)

• Local Circle Track (building, racing)

• NMRA Mud Racing (building, wrecking)

• SCCA Autocrossing (building, losing)

• IASCA Stereo Competition (building, wasting money)

• GRM Challenges (drinking, building, drinking)

• APBA Inflatables (crew assistance)

I am still interested in Drifting, Car Shows and more.

My Craigslist searches look like an automotive minefield.

Planning to start a locost, but the idea of 302 v8 + audi getrag + europa keeps calling to me.. Thinking do locost and save the europa for when I have more time/$$ and the locost experience behind me.

i'm with mr brown. it isnt that i dont chose wisely or a lack of experience. i love every single project i chose..... just for different reasons!... some sentimental. some performance based. some just to look normal for the neighbors and get some decent gas milage.

currently i have a car for hpde's (last years challenge car), a better car for HPDE's, autocross, and land speed (when i know what the berzerkely i am doing on the track and i am no longer the weakest part of the current car), a vehicle for towing and getting parts for the other cars. a vehicle for next years challenge, and a street bike so i dont spend my whole paycheck driving the tow vehicle to and from work. i am also constantly fighting the urge to get another 4x4 and/ or trail bike for bogging and trail riding or a DD with leather seats and 4 doors for daily use. (this would be a lot easier if duke of understeer and raze would stop highlighting local finds!)

it really is an addiction!