Who else can't afford this sport but

[W8avenger]

Makes the best of what they have.
I really can't afford to build a engine or rebuild it but I make what I have work.
I found myself buying things for my car but know deep down its hurting my family a little .
Almost like taking food out of my kids mouth.
Anyone else feel this way and wonder is it really worth it when racing costs so darn much.
Everything costs big bucks and it seems like every time I have a few extra bucks,I take a 2 steps backwards putting me right where I left off.
Sorry for the rant but race season is getting close and I'm not nearly ready due to lack of funds.

 

[lewtot184]

i'm very burn out on it. started another "fire", not by choice, but have to see it thru. working on this stuff anymore is like painting the house, always trying to find a way to get out of it,...lol.

 

[67Satty]

I've owned my car since '95 or so and it's been a long, slow road but I love it anyway as long as I make some progress once in awhile. You should see what I'm doing to save up for aluminum heads. Selling off stuff from the garage on here like a set of cop wheels for $100, a swaybar for $50. I might put my heater box on the auction block next. Working extra. I'm even saving my recycling and putting it into those machines outside of the grocery store that spit out a receipt to cash in. So far I've got $300 saved.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

I found myself buying things for my car but know deep down its hurting my family a little .
Almost like taking food out of my kids mouth.

Uhhh...

Unless racing provides a living, it's one of the worst ways to spend your hard earned money.

If it's just a hobby, man up and get your priorities in check. If you can't afford it, admit it and get a less expensive hobby, like putting money into a college fund for your kids or funding your retirement. If you just want to enjoy cars, build it so it will drive reliably and provide you w/ what it was intended for...transportation.

Whining because you don't have money to 'race'. Wow.

Sorry, I have no sympathy.

 

[WP29440SE]

I cant afford to race , so I don't , period. I build my crap to drive on the street. its within my budget and I get great satisfaction out of people ooooohing and aaaaaawwing over my budget builds

 

[dvw]

I take no money from my check for my cars. I save lunch money,drive a 230K Caravan as a daily driver, do side jobs. My car was built with used, swap meet, and donated parts. My friends help me out, and I help them out. The end result is a very nice car that took about 3K a year and a little over 5 years to build. Almost all work done at home, metal work, cage ,engine, trans, axle,wiring. You can do it, just takes work.
Doug

 

[Michael789]

I agree, you never take away or put a hobby before your family! You should give it up and do an activity you can afford and do that with your family.Good luck.

 

[747mopar]

Amen to that although my wife is really good at making me feel as if I do. I don't race for the same reason "to expensive" besides there is no return on the investment for the most part. I build mine for the street and pay for it by doing side jobs and using my overtime money. If I ever felt as if I was taking from my kids to build my car, well that would never happen "kids are everything". Gotta know your priorities

 

[callofthemopar]

I am glad you started this thread for all of of us who cant really afford it!

I dont race. I cant afford it. I work on my car little by little and get discouraged sometimes when I see all the great builds on this forum. I know it takes lots of money or lots of patience. Guess which one I have to have. You have to look at it this way, atleast you have the car and some thing to look forward to. Many would love to just be able to have the car and dream about fixing it. I keep mine driveable therefore enjoyable. I will not be able to do all the great things I see on this forum But I will figure out ways to get it done within my means. Its part of the hobby and some have money to spend and some have to get resourcefull. Its easy to get discouraged when funds are low but life has a way of turning 360 and can get better in an instant. Just be patient and do what you can day by day because you never know what good fortune is coming tomorrow.

 

[43tutor]

I don't race my car but if I did that would come last on my list of priorities. God and family come first. My wife and I have always budgeted our money together. We only spend money on our Plymouth only when there is some extra funds available only after all other items are paid for first. It can be an expensive hobby.

If you want to race find the funds elsewhere instead of your paycheck. Talk with local businesses for sponsorships deals. They might not just hand over the funds without something in return. Look for books about how to market to small businesses. There are funds available, even at the local level. Provide a professional looking "service" and sell that "service" to provide a benefit for your local business. Promotion is key. I know several people that have raced professional and one thing is common between each of them. No one has used their own money to fund the racing effort. All funding was through sponsorship deals.

 

[snakeoil24]

I raised 4 kids, did work on the side for others. did the tuff jobs others could not do. Weling sheet metal, lead work, roll cages electric wiring. I waited 25 years to get back into the hobby for myself. Lived in a small home, spent below whqt I maid. I never took house money for the car habit. All the years did work for others. I had Hemi parts in my garage since i was 17. Now I am 56. Years ago i was diagnoised with cancer, fought it twice, survived. Then realized I migght not have a chance to build my only car. Sure it is expensive, I bust my nut as a salesman, travel alot work late nites and heavy pressure on me. But it is my release. I went to car shows saw all my friends, with theeir cars there. They all knew I had a hemi car and maybe 15 years when you you build the car? every year I said some day. I bought used equipment, learned to do things I could not affor. saved the money wheeled and dealed. Now the car is 1/2 done and I'm too busy with work to spend much time. then I spend 2-3 hours on a Saturday block sanding and my hands hurt from Arthritis, but I keep at it.

Our Great Country is run by idiots, 30 percent unemployment, everything is very expensive.

 

[petieg383]

I've often wondered how people are affording not only the car itself, which typically 'looks' expensive let alone actually is, but the truck, the trailer, the huge Winnebago, the ridiculous tools, the pit bikes, etc etc... it gets out of hand.

I don't take $ away from the rest of the house for cars. I put myself through Undergrad and graduate school to get a good job, and I also teach college courses on the side for extra $ (and because I like it). I make a very good living and I still can't afford all the fantasy stuff I mentioned above. I have no idea how people are doing it. They sure, and please don't take this the wrong way, don't *look* like they are rolling in all the cashola that it takes to buy that stuff. Crazy.

Good luck with whatever you're struggling with man. Sounds like nothing but some good old fashioned elbow grease and brain power can overcome it. Maybe a dash of luck too?

Oh and 1 other thing. If you want to become a millionaire in the racing game, you better start with 2 million.

 

[Moparmatt72]

For me my family comes first then it goes to the car. I love racing but its not my life, if it takes a while to get my car up so be it. I have also been studied like trying to have my race car my daily driver so when it broke I was in a pickle but I had parents and in-laws that I could borrow a car. Some times a I only get to work on my car on Saturdays but I'm also plating with my one child for now. Course I can't wait to get to a point to where I can finally take my car down the track have never been down one with this car and have owned it since I was 16 my first car, its sat for a while but now that's changing. Step by step its coming along. Its just something my dad instilled into me he did the super stocks with his cuda but he sold it when he had kids, but he saw some guys put all their money into the car and their family suffered because they needed to go that much faster. I know my final look for my car is a ways off but piece by piece I'm making it and I have a pretty good job bit lots of bills like everyone else.

 

[Sonny Black]

Budget for it....old age comes along real FAST before you know kids are grown and gone!:icon_winkle:

 

[Dennis H]

I cut elsewhere to have $ for the Coronet. Nobody goes hungry. Brown bag, carry coffee, take the train etc. Blessed to have a job with adequate pay. No racing for real, just some tire smoke at 1/8 mile fun tracks. I hate the "kids - even my own ;) and will wear out the Coronet as soon as I can. They will get squat.

 

[kdtjb]

I'll bet your kids aren't that skinny.

 

[HT413]

I hear ya, fellas, like many of you, I do the best I can with what I have. Almost everything I've put on the belvedere I've bought used or traded for (if I'm lucky enough). When I do replace something, I try to sell the old piece quickly to help fund the next piece. It was a bit of a stretch when I bought the car and every major purchase is a conversation with the wife and plan of action. We do ok, but like others, saving for a rainy day and for our 2 kids (and one on the way) is a must.

 

[Herr_Poopschitz]

I'll bet your kids aren't that skinny.

Is this cuz Americans are fat, or simply an argument to spend more on the car? Either way...LOL

 

[67 B-body]

I sold my 69 RR and Front engine Dragster when I was in my 20's, made a Family and couldn't afford another car until now.... The kids are grown, two are graduated, one Senior, and one Junior. Both of the High School Boys are enlisting into the AirForce and College ROTC....
We had another child, she is now 4yrs old, but I can still now afford to bit by bit get my car to what I like...
Money comes from selling parts I don't need or want from my ride, and when upgrading components, I sell the performance parts that I have outgrown and removed...
My parents still like to pass cash along for Christmas and I usually use it to apply to car parts....
Whatever Tax return we get goes to the House funds, Payroll including OT goes to the Family, Bills, and House.....

 

[Cranky]

I know a few people that have a good income and even they had to downsize but I've always felt that it's more about what you spend and not so much about what you make. Many of my friends make more than I do yet, seem to be living hand to mouth. Kids are grown and gone and now I'm saddled with the youngest one's college debt and she didn't even finish! Go racing again? I probably have enough stuff in the shop to put a drive line together but the car still needs a cage, body and paint work and updated safety equipment not to mention it's getting harder for me to do things. Getting old sucks. Been selling a lot of stuff that I know I will never use but I already need something that's now gone. Another thing is that this stuff isn't bringing in what it's worth either. How bout the cost of food and fuel? No inflation? My ***. As for the kids....it wouldn't be so bad if they acted like they appreciated the help they've received over the years. One feels like she's entitled to it and another hardly talks to me and the oldest has been out in her own drug filled world for a number of years now. They will find out how I feel about it all when it comes time to settle the will....if there's anything left for them to fight over....