This hobby is getting too expensive

[ron]

Incidental expenses for Vette maintenance

I don't play golf !

 

[Derek]

Hey

Whats money for ?

Answer...to spend on vettes

 

[Justin_cv87]

I like just about everything about this car. It is powerful, fun to drive and performs well both on highway and especially on winding roads. Corners beautifully and is very stable. Styling suits my tastes. I like the C4 look far more than the C5's: it is more narrow, has better visuals and a sleeker rear end. Love the Vette heritage and history. There are no cons to a Vette. What other single car model has been around since 1953? A Vette is a Vette. You either love them or really love them!!!

I feel the same way, nothing beats a Vette, and of all the generations, nothing beats a C4.

and Derek is right, money is to spend on vettes, at least in our case. Im sure you did plan to buy your vette to sell 20 years later to make a few bucks. you probally said wow, its a real nice car! and i got a few xtra bucks, and im gona spend it on the vette! then for years you enjoyed your vette, and when it gets old or boring, pour a few bucks into it, and have fun again! thats the point of the corvette! it may be one of the most expensive hobbys, put it is one of the funnest!

 

[Edmond]

Vig,

I hear ya about spending 6-7K on a brand new Vette' back in the day and it'd be worth 60K now. But it's all relative because 6-7K was the yearly salary for a lot of folks back then.

I personally like the C4 because they're affordable and have enough modern technology to get you by.

 

[JohnnyD]

1988 Black 4+3......list new .... 26,000

1988 Black 4+3......in 2002....9000.00

The look you get from others as you wave to them and blow them away at the light.......PRICELESS..

For everything else....there is always Mastercard..and Visa...and Discover...even American Express..to make the repairs necessary to retain the priceless feeling you get when people know you own a piece of Americana!!!!:L :crazy :t

 

[rich95]

Well I look at it this way. I just bought my first C4 last month and I am finding all kinds of things that need fixing. I will fix the most important thing now and do more later. Life is very short, enjoy your Corvette's while you can! In this day of terrorist attacks and sniper shooting, you just never know!
rich95

 

[Derek]

I paid AU$45,000 for my vette..so yeah
That includes.conversion.and transport to Australia,it is however a very good example of a C4.
You guys are lucky to have vette`s so cheap and available overthere....so enjoy.

 

[Edmond]

Speaking of expensive, I'm going to shell out $186 per tire for all fours next week for some Firestone SZ50's. I figure that with the way I drive and only 2.59 rears, they'll last 4 years! Local tire shop is going to charge about $20 per tire for mount, balance and stems.

 

[Ken]

That is $1,161...

:L I just realized that number sounded familiar. I paid $1,161.37 for the custom exhaust installation I just had done, $300 of which was labor cost. Coincidence? Verrrry interesting. :L

_ken

 

[Edmond]

That's a very good price on a custom exhaust system Ken. Considering a lot of stainless systems are about $1,000 or so. Stainless mufflers themselves are like $500 a pair.

One thing I have noticed is that F-body performance parts cost much less! I might have to get an LS1 F-body some day!

 

[MRANT212]

EXPENSIVE HOBBY????? NOT FOR ME!!!! I HAD A CHOICE A VETTE OR A GIRLFRIEND............BEING MARRIED WITH THREE KIDS THE VETTE COMES IN SUBSTANTIALLY LESS!!!! THE GIRLFRIEND WAS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF THE QUESTION! ALIMONY AND CHILD SUPPORT WOULDNT BE TO COST EFFECTIVE!!!! BEING IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES BIZ MY VETTES RESALE IS ACTUALLY HOLDING UP QUITE WELL COMPARED TO OTHER INVESTMENTS THAT I OWN!!! GOTTA HAVE FUN SO WRITE THOSE CHECKS AND ENJOY YOUR VETTE!!!

 

[vette-dude]

Quit drinking 1 case per wk @ $18.50 x 52 = $ 962.00 per yr
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your kidding ...right? The others I can tolerate

JonM,

What??---- is the cost of the case too low?????

 

[Vettelt193]

One must sacrifice and suffer to be worthy!!! When you can walk upon the rice paper without leaving a print you will be ready to leave the temple!! Your penance to achieve your goals are as follows Grasshopper.

Quit smoking 1 pack per day @$4.50 x 365 = $1642.50 per yr.
Quit drinking 1 case per wk @ $18.50 x 52 = $ 962.00 per yr
Video rental 1 movie per wk@ $ 5.50 x 52 = $ 286.00 per yr
Skip lunch 5 lunches per wk@ $32.50 x 52=$ 1,690.00 per yr

or

Win the lottery!!!!!!!!!!

:crazy :crazy :crazy :crazy

I would give up my 1 (or maybe 2) cases of beer per week, but it seems to be the happiest money I spend!

 

[69MyWay]

I just realized I have a serious problem.

1. I don't drink
2. I don't smoke
3. I can't remember what 3 is, but I don't think I do that either.


I guess I am already burning up all my extra $$$$ money.....YIKES!

 

[vette-dude]

You are spending too much money on TIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

:j :j :j

 

[trackitman]

My ideas for raising cash for parts

1. Bet your friend you can loose 10% of your weight before he can. (I'm trying this one right now). If I win, he buys me a clutch slave, if he wins, I buy him 1/2 case of wine)

2. Sell your daughters :confused :cry saxaphone that she never uses on Ebay. (Need new shocks).

3. Ask you family to give you cash or buy your parts for your birthday and :SANTA Christmas instead of sweaters and clothes (let's see ... new horn, repair manual, outer window sill weatherstrip).

Yep - definitely an obessive hobby. Anyone else have creative ideas on how to raise cash for parts?

 

[ToniH]

Expensive hobby? You guys get is cheap over there in USA.

Not only the cars are expensive here ($30K for '91 2 years ago) but I have to ship the parts around the world. Then I pay 30% extra tax and customs on top of the part price and shipping costs

I have felt how expensive this hobby can be this year:
1. exhaust rusted away, new cat back system $1500
2. blew head gasket, made a complete top end rebuild >$4000
3. lost an alternator, rebuilt CS-130 $200
4. lost another alternator, new CS-140 $350
5. New Koni Sport shocks $650
6. front brake upgrade to 13" $1150 (not installed yet)
7. rear brake rebuild + new rotors $500 (not installed yet)
8. rear wheel bearings $400 each
9. loads of small things like light motor bushings, low temp switch, lateral accelerometer etc. haven't calculated but maybe $500-1000
10. every oil change $60 for oil and $20 for filter
11. oh yes, gas only costs $1.10 per quart!

Luckily my car starts to be in pretty good shape now...oh well the gas tank leaks, front wheel bearings should be renewed, I am planning a engine rebuild for next year etc. This never ends.

I am sure you getting the picture. So stop complaining - it is dirt cheap in you part of the world

Regards

Toni

 

[69MyWay]

Wow, ToniH, that is a lot of money for parts. I know it is expensive here to work on a Eurpean car, so maybe that is the same kind of factor.

What is that square duct/plate on your spoiler in the center of the lower portion of the front of the car?

 

[ToniH]

> ToniH, that is a lot of money for parts. I know it is expensive here to work on a Eurpean car, so maybe that is the same kind of factor.

Yes, it probably is. I also have a '67 Beetle and a '66 Land Rover. The parts are so cheap in Europe I laugh out loud everytime I buy/order something. But when I look what you guys pay for them in USA I feel like crying The dealers over there are robbing you. Example: $100 for a new Zenith carb in EU and $400 in USA.

> What is that square duct/plate

Oh, that is just my license plate. Need to have one in the front also and I didn't want to ruin the looks by putting it in the middle of the bumper (it is wider than US plates and doesn't fit into the stock position nicely). Had it earlier under the bumper but it obstructed air flow and my engine was running hot in traffic.

Oh, by the way - don't get me wrong. This year was worst ever during my years with sports cars but I still love my car and have no plans to sell it. This is still cheaper hobby than aircraft or even old Porsches.

Regards,

Toni
Ps. one to add to my list, I just remembered I also bought a new Delco battery when I swapped the CS-144 alt into my car. $100

 

[Edmond]

Toni,

And I thought we had it bad over here!:L :L :L

$20 for an oil filter is just robbery!