Built vs. Bought - Is there room for both?

[olds307 and 403]

Failing health or buying someone else's project that someone finished for cheaper than can be built are acceptable reasons. Here is the scenario, you have no mechanical knowledge and buy a completed project. The car is held together with bail wire and bubble gum, like an older Ford or Dodge🙂. The owner has no clue it is a killing machine, not cool and you better have many dollars on hand. My Dad wasn't a car guy but surprised me what he could fix on them, he was a carpenter by trade. I guess it comes down to what my Wife and do doubt some other Women think, if a Man can't fix things, they aren't a real man. I can do plumbing, carpentry and some electrical as well. My wife is pretty handy as well, I guess that makes her more of a man then some Men. But she did buy her car ready made, so you men with minimal car repair skills are at least as much of a man as my wife.

 

[fleming442]

Nothin wrong with farming out work or buying a car. Just don't walk around acting like you built it when you don't know how much oil it takes.

 

[superbon54]

Shoot, I enjoy building cars from the ground up, but can’t remember how much oil my DD takes..... have to look it up every time. Getting old is a b*tch!

Nothin wrong with farming out work or buying a car. Just don't walk around acting like you built it when you don't know how much oil it takes.

 

[CaliWagon83]

Like others have said...I know my limits. My nightmare is trying to be a DIY hero and getting past the point of no return, and having to take it to a shop anyway. I'd rather have it at a place where they have the tools and expertise to avoid a "whoops" in the first place, and if they caused it, they know how to fix it. I have absolutely no problem giving the shop full credit for the build.

 

[motorheadmike]

I haven't found my "limits" yet. Be it education, athletics, mechanical, etc. I have stumbled plenty of times in life - but always achieved my goals through will power and sheer ignorance. Unrealized potential impeded by available time is my only issue.

My wife is the same (she wears combat boots) and is tougher than most men. Our girls are routinely challenged mentally and physically - ever seen a 4 year old do 100 push ups to earn a PB&J sandwich as an alternative meal at dinner? Surprised us too.

They are told the only limitations in life are the ones you set for yourself.

Rhetorical question time! Would you pay another man to give your wife an *rg*sm and then take credit for her pleasure, or would you rather get in there and figure it out yourself? That is the difference between buying and building.

 

[waxman]

I know I'm probably going to start WW III with this thread, but I felt I needed to kind of address the elephant in the room. I want to preface it by saying I love GBF, and that this is one of the friendliest, most diverse, most helpful automotive forums online. I really do believe that, and I've been a part of several.

I am in awe of the resourcefulness and creativity of many on this board. As we all know, certain parts are extremely hard to find for our cars, and it doesn't seem like the aftermarket is especially keen on making new ones. On one hand, I think we're all in the same boat of scrounging eBay and Craigslist for original salvage parts. I've bought several off forum members already.

However, I'm realistic about my knowledge, abilities and expertise, and when it comes to hard-core wrenching and fabbing, I'm an admitted greenhorn. Sure, I can change my own oil, plugs, air cleaner, etc. But beyond that, I'd rather defer to the pros, or those more experienced. I know some of you will say "Just get in there!" And I agree! Once I have the space, means, and a better set of tools, I want to roll up my sleeves and get a little greasy. But there are just certain things I'm more comfortable letting the pros do.

I also want to say I have mad respect for you guys that are doing the majority of wrenching on your own rides. I am in awe of your knowledge and expertise, and I'm thankful for your willingness to share that expertise. However, for my upcoming wagon build, I think I'm probably going to take it to a shop. Not that I don't have the desire to put in the "sweat equity" of building it myself, but that I don't have the knowledge or tools to do the extensive amount of work I know needs to be done to get it to where I want to be. I don't want you to think I'm some moneybags "trust fund baby." Sure, I have some disposable income I can put toward the wagon, but I'm also going to have to dig pretty deep into my savings to do a lot of it.

Also too...If there's one positive to having a shop build a nice G-Body, is that it increases the exposure to the platform, and if there's increased interest in the custom/restomod community, aftermarket support could follow if demand increases. Anyway...I've put on my poncho for the inevitable rotten tomatoes I know will be coming my way, so...I'm passing the mic...

there's no shame in doing what you can or get a couple buddies to help out then farm out the rest because thats exactly what i' am doing to my 86 cutlass i 've done some engine work and suspension work and will be doing some of the body work or replacing doors and trunk deck before sending it to the shop for paint. i am not building a show stopper im building a get in drive the hell out of it car!! so good luck

 

[waxman]

I know I'm probably going to start WW III with this thread, but I felt I needed to kind of address the elephant in the room. I want to preface it by saying I love GBF, and that this is one of the friendliest, most diverse, most helpful automotive forums online. I really do believe that, and I've been a part of several.

I am in awe of the resourcefulness and creativity of many on this board. As we all know, certain parts are extremely hard to find for our cars, and it doesn't seem like the aftermarket is especially keen on making new ones. On one hand, I think we're all in the same boat of scrounging eBay and Craigslist for original salvage parts. I've bought several off forum members already.

However, I'm realistic about my knowledge, abilities and expertise, and when it comes to hard-core wrenching and fabbing, I'm an admitted greenhorn. Sure, I can change my own oil, plugs, air cleaner, etc. But beyond that, I'd rather defer to the pros, or those more experienced. I know some of you will say "Just get in there!" And I agree! Once I have the space, means, and a better set of tools, I want to roll up my sleeves and get a little greasy. But there are just certain things I'm more comfortable letting the pros do.

I also want to say I have mad respect for you guys that are doing the majority of wrenching on your own rides. I am in awe of your knowledge and expertise, and I'm thankful for your willingness to share that expertise. However, for my upcoming wagon build, I think I'm probably going to take it to a shop. Not that I don't have the desire to put in the "sweat equity" of building it myself, but that I don't have the knowledge or tools to do the extensive amount of work I know needs to be done to get it to where I want to be. I don't want you to think I'm some moneybags "trust fund baby." Sure, I have some disposable income I can put toward the wagon, but I'm also going to have to dig pretty deep into my savings to do a lot of it.

Also too...If there's one positive to having a shop build a nice G-Body, is that it increases the exposure to the platform, and if there's increased interest in the custom/restomod community, aftermarket support could follow if demand increases. Anyway...I've put on my poncho for the inevitable rotten tomatoes I know will be coming my way, so...I'm passing the mic...

there's no shame in doing what you can or get a couple buddies to help out then farm out the rest because thats exactly what i' am doing to my 86 cutlass i 've done some engine work and suspension work and will be doing some of the body work or replacing doors and trunk deck before sending it to the shop for paint. i am not building a show stopper im building a get in drive the hell out of it car!! so good luck

 

[rustyroger]

Myself and some friends built a hot rod for someone pretty much from the ground up, he took no part in the work apart from buying the parts needed. We did it for nothing btw.
However when we listened to him telling some people at a show how much time HE had put into building this, fabricating that, and the hours he put into prepping and painting we decided not to bother helping him anymore....

I read a post from a similar thread on another forum; The gist of it was someone's dad bought a car new, did all his own maintenance and repairs before passing the car on to him when it old and worn. He restored the car back to its former glory, doing all the work himself, and took it to shows. He overheard some guy (a total stranger) claiming he had done a bunch of work on the car.

Roger.

 

[565bbchevy]

I think for a majority of us the "bought" aspect isn't even an option so the only choice you can afford is to "build" it yourself.

 

[motorheadmike]

Sweat equity and mechanical sympathy are only gained when building something. The sense of accomplishment vanishes quickly after buying things.