Ever look back....

And think to yourself, "Man... i should have just left it alone."

Pertaining to project cars, at least.

I ran across an old photo of my car, and realized that it was probably a better car, and one that i enjoyed way more "back in the day."

I should have just replaced the front bumper with the RC unit that's on there now, and left it.

The first picture is from about a week after picking it up for $600. All i added was a nice wash/wax, some tires, and brake pads. About $1000 invested at time of picture, had just gotten back from Deal's Gap.

The second picture is about a year and a half later, with around $8000 invested. But hey, at least the GRM bumper sticker on the windshield gave me 40hp.

Then, then now:

How did you manage to spend $8000 on it?

And yes... I look back and wish I hadn't bought/modified/sold/scrapped a lot of the junk that I own/have owned.

My miata was a lot more fun on the street stock than it was as a full built CSP autoX car. And it wasn't even more fun at autoX, just faster

I try not to look back, it's depressing.

914Driver wrote: I try not to look back, it's depressing.

This.

Hey, that white 626 in the background of pic #2 is a dead ringer for my 88, except mine was perfect. That one looks a little messed up on the rear quarter.

Yeah, where did the money go?

Powar wrote: How did you manage to spend $8000 on it? And yes... I look back and wish I hadn't bought/modified/sold/scrapped a lot of the junk that I own/have owned.

Ooooooo that stings!!!!

Lots and lots of little stuff...

Bumper
Mirrors
Rain guards
Front Fenders
Wheels
Tires (Those are 245/45-16 in the second picture, and i've got room for bigger, see "front fenders" above.)
Brakes
Lights
Suspension completely rebuilt/replaced/upgraded, no stone left unturned

And then not installed:
TRD Japan Solara V6 LSD
Solara E153 trans
ST185 GT4 transmission crossmember
South Bend custom DXD-series clutch
SpeedSource billet crossmember bushings
SpeedSource braided clutch line and a bunch of other small SpeedSource stuffs.

I haven't touched the motor yet. Basically a lot of money sunk into JDM y0! stuff that ehhhhhhhh i was happier with what i saw in my mind than what i actually ended up with. It doesn't look like anything that came to North America, but it's also too subtle i think. Doesn't look better. Just different.

At least the suspension is/was fun the last time i drove it.

1988RedT2 wrote: Hey, that white 626 in the background of pic #2 is a dead ringer for my 88, except mine was perfect. That one looks a little messed up on the rear quarter. Yeah, where did the money go?

Wierd.... that's an Accord.

See above for answer.

I think about that every time I hear my swaybar thunk and get huge road nastiness from my wider wheels/tires.

mndsm wrote: I think about that every time I hear my swaybar thunk and get huge road nastiness from my wider wheels/tires.

Heh, yep.

I've got big meaty Whiteline bars on the car with twosRus endlinks, and big 'ol tires instead of the stock 205/55-15s. (Which is another gripe. Can't find a decent tire in my new size 245/45-16 anymore.)

This thing SUCKS to drive on the street. I have to plan my route around what roads i can or can't drive on.

93celicaGT2 wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Hey, that white 626 in the background of pic #2 is a dead ringer for my 88, except mine was perfect. That one looks a little messed up on the rear quarter. Yeah, where did the money go?

Wierd.... that's an Accord. See above for answer.

Wow. I fought back the impulse to argue and searched google images. Amazing how similar those cars look, right down to the wheel covers.

1988RedT2 wrote:

93celicaGT2 wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Hey, that white 626 in the background of pic #2 is a dead ringer for my 88, except mine was perfect. That one looks a little messed up on the rear quarter. Yeah, where did the money go?

Wierd.... that's an Accord. See above for answer.

Wow. I fought back the impulse to argue and searched google images. Amazing how similar those cars look, right down to the wheel covers.

You could have argued, i AM bored.

Front is a bit different. I can take a pic of it when i get home, if you'd like. It's always parked there.

I kinda go thru this with my MR2. I don't really have that much sunk into it (3-4k including purchase), but at the same time, I know I'll never get that money back, so I'm relucatant to move on to something new.

I really want that turbo miata in the classifieds, it's local enough, and I have the cash. I just don't have a place to put it since I already have a toy car and I don't want to sell the MR2 to get it.

gah

But, every time I drive my car (not in traffic), I remember why I love it so much.

yes. I had a nicely built automatic in my 72 Firebird and spent a lot of time swapping in a manual. I liked the car with the auto better.....oh well.

Mostly regrets I didn't have better skills or tools back when. Although I'm considering some regrettable projects.

My e30 M3 is getting close to being somewhere in the awkward middleground. half cage, stiffer motor mounts (vibration), loud exhaust center section, BUZZY abnoxious ass shifter, electric fan so no clutch fan (traffic can get her a little warm), etc.

of course on the autox course i never remember any of those things, the engine/exhaust at full song is glorious, shifter feels nice and positive, motor mounts dont flop all over the place. same thing with a trackday, the whole thing just comes together in one fabulous agressive package. now i know i started with an e30 m3 here so it's already criticized as being mediocre on the street, great on track, but my tolerance is extremely high and i'm still just sometimes a little wanting a more stock street toy.

but i think the jeep's evolution has been only for the better

ya took a 1.8 eclipse and put in a 4G63t. Lowered it and all the little stupid parts that make it go faster. looking back it was a pain in the ass too low, not built right. I would have spent less if I would have just bought an awd to begin with. It fun car but totally unrealistic as a driver. I wasted 2 years and a ton of money on it.

93celicaGT2 wrote: Basically a lot of money sunk into JDM y0! stuff that ehhhhhhhh i was happier with what i saw in my mind than what i actually ended up with. It doesn't look like anything that came to North America, but it's also too subtle i think. Doesn't look better. Just different.

That's what I've seen with MOST JDM stuff. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Part of the reason we bought a SAAB was to be different.

I often do about my 84 RX-7 GSL-SE.

Sure it makes 160rwhp and revs to 9k now but has about zero torque a 9lb aluminum flywheel and 6 puck clutch. Soo much fun at an autocross or on track but a pain around town. I ran a 15.9 with it stock. Last year after all the modifications it ran a blistering 15.1. Granted it was hot as crap and I either had lots of wheels spin or bogging with that flywheel and clutch setup.

The stock 6 port motor has a nice flat torque curve that I miss. If I could go back I would just do a exhaust, springs and shocks. Or just do a stock Turbo 2 transplant.

I really want to go back and figure out how to work the 5th & 6th ports and VDI with the Megasquirt. That and a less agressive flywheel and clutch should make it more pleasant again.

I occasionally feel that way about every project that I am ever involved in, automotive or otherwise. Even if I am not thrilled with my final destination, I am easily reminded that I did indeed love the journey...

Luckily, I have little enough invested in the SAAB that I could just walk away if I ever get fatally frustrated with it... but I have considered the issue when planning my next project.

Scouring the country for a rare, pristine and expensive european sports car with a mind only to hack it apart might just actually be an exercise of poor judgment, but then I just shrug and think "Meh, It is just what I like to do..."

oldtin wrote: Although I'm considering some regrettable projects.

That made me laugh.

I plan my projects pretty carefully, and usually have them fairly well researched before I start, but that was after some learned lessons.

The big mistake I make is taking on more project than I have time for. If I don't wrap it up in a few months, I lose interest, and stop working on it.

I regret selling my 2.3 turbo Pinto. It was just too much fun!

I just bought a built motor for the first time ever. Work has been really busy, and I couldn't get the motor I was building together because of it. On the flip side, I had a few spare bucks and a friend was changing his setup, so I jumped on it. Immediate regret followed (the new shortblock cost me more than I had in the car when it was running 12s)

Yeah - over and over and over.

I actually RAISED the '62 Sprite ride height nearly 2". It was incredibly low and hard - you couldn't go anywhere there was a speed bump and I had to weld spring retainers to hold the exhaust to the header as I'd grind through a U clamp annually.

The Miata is fun to drive now but it's pretty beastly hard on the abysmal DC "pavement".

The '36 M3 is just glorious on track. The harder you go the better it is. Stone reliable, easy to go fast in. Predictable - and a pain in the ass - literally - on the street. The seats will cripple you on the 6 hour drive to VIR when theres traffic and it's noisy and the clutch is grabby and the brakes sound like death and it beats you 'til your kidneys bleed.

But ~berkeley me~ it is so much fun when you're hooning around a race track.