Young mid-life crisis

[Mitternacht]

k so I got until Spring to make a big decision. My dad got the Corvette's qusrterpanel repainted, so it looks good now. The problem is the primer. A ****ty primer was used, and that was the reason of the paint bubbling up, and now its starting to happen on other parts of the car. Now, do I:

A. Sell the Corvette
B. Keep it to fix it up.

Option A: I find it nearly impossible to sell it; it's what I've always wanted, a C4 Corvette. But something came to my attention. Go on eBay.com and look at the 1997-1999 Corvettes. A 1997 Corvette is on eBay with a buy-it-now of under $16000. I can sell my vette for $9k, pay off my loans, have a small down payment on the side. I also am gonna collect 4-5K dollars from 2 insurance claims I have. That could be near 6-7K on the side. That puts me down to 9-10K away from a C5 (1997-2004) Corvette. I pull a loan for that amount, pay on it for 4 years, and monthly payments will be near $250 a month.

Option B: I also really wanted to make this Corvette a SCCA Corvette Race car for the track. Search SCCA Corvette and you'll see what I mean. Including the price of the car, you can build your own race car for under $15,000!

[DaveW]

Ouch...hard decision.

I'd sell the car...but then, i'm not a car guy. If it's what you always wanted, then fix it up man, follow your dreams.

-Dave

[Airbozo]

By the title I thought you had found a 18 YO honey and a new Porsche. Just from the shock of a new kid... ;)

Hehe

Well one thing I did not see in your list was the "emotional value" of the car. From earlier posts it sounds like you have been eying this car for a while. That has got to count for something. New is not always better. What is the year of the Corvette? Is it _just_ a paint job that it needs?

I do consider myself a "car guy", not because I own any special rides or envy one particular brand. I love the way they look, I love the way they feel, I love the way they sound. You have to ask yourself _first_, "What does this car mean to me?" If it has no special or emotional attachment, and you can get a good deal on it, sell it. If you have always imagined this car sitting in your driveway, or rumbling underneath _your_ butt, and I mean _this_ car and not just a Corvette, then keep it and invest some time and money in it. The payoff will be HUGE!

[Zephik]

If the paint is the only major thing that needs a fixin, then I say keep it. Paint is expensive, but it isn't as expensive as say... having a 351 Cleveland rebuilt because it has volcanic ash in every nook and cranny.

It's not everyday you have a corvette. If you can afford it, I say keep it. If you can't afford it, then fix it up as much as you can and sell it for as much as you can.

If I was in your position, I would fix it up as much as possible and then sell it. But I would only do that because I _really_ want a Toyota Celica or even a Supra. They are like ready to race right out of the factory. Well, chump change racing that is. But I don't care, I just like the way they look. ^_^


You have to ask yourself _first_, "What does this car mean to me?" If it has no special or emotional attachment, and you can get a good deal on it, sell it. If you have always imagined this car sitting in your driveway, or rumbling underneath _your_ butt, and I mean _this_ car and not just a Corvette, then keep it and invest some time and money in it. The payoff will be HUGE!

Well said.

[Mitternacht]

This is the first car I:

drag raced
drove solo in
drove over 120 mph in (legally)
drifted

This car, I just can't imagine selling it. But I'm gonna step up to full time soon and get a better pay. As well as go to school. I pay $300 a month for this car. I sell it, pay off the loan and then some, get my money from 2 settlements/claims, use that as a pay down, and then pull a $10K loan. Over 4 years & 9%, That's 248. Over 5 years it'll be $207, which I'll probably do. Then I can throw any extra money on it as well to pay it off faster. Also, a proper complete paint job for this car is $6000.

Here it is. (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2184298)
And here's what I want. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-97-CHEVY-CHEV-CORVETTE-6-SPEED-CALIF-CAR-WOW_W0QQitemZ280066929087QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6168QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[Mitternacht]

I've been thinking about it, and talking with my dad, so...



































The Corvette's for sale.

[DaveW]

Man...i would never be able to sell that car. I envy you. And i'm not a car guy. If i had that car i'd just drive around in it. But i'd still never be able to sell it.

-Dave

[DaveW]

The Corvette's for sale.

DUM DUM DUM!!!

Will Mitternacht sell the corvette?
Will he change his mind at the last minute?
Will he see another car that takes his fancy?

Find out next time, on TBCS Soap!

:D Sorry to hear you're selling...hope you made the right choice dude. :)

-Dave

[Mitternacht]

Take a look at the 2nd link I posted. Then scroll down to the third photo. How can you resist a car like that? It's impossible. It's time to upgrade from a C4 to a C5. As soon as this one sells ($9000 expected, $8000 towards the loan I have now), and when I get my other money from the attorney and the bank (trust fund), I'll put down a big payment, and then pay monthly. I can afford this.

[Mitternacht]

DUM DUM DUM!!!

Will Mitternacht sell the corvette? Yes'm.


Will he change his mind at the last minute? Not likely.


Will he see another car that takes his fancy?...taken? My fancy's been stolen.


Find out next time, on TBCS Soap!
...I have my own show?


:D Sorry to hear you're selling...hope you made the right choice dude. :)

-Dave
Thanks. :D :up:

[DaveW]

I can afford this.

If i had that kind of money, I'd be scared to spend it. You got balls man, big decision, hard choice. Well done!

-Dave

[Mitternacht]

It'll be 207 a month. My dad'll actually have it in his name, but I'll pay the loan. If I actually owned and insured that car, I'd be raped on insurance. But I do have my own policy, for a Z-34 Lumina I own and insure. Therefore, I am insured to drive any vehicle my family ownes. So I'll be covered to drive the Corvette, just like right now.

[ESX]

I hope you made the right choice Mitter! :)
Sad to see such a car go... but hey, I aint got any car yet so what do I know? :P

[Mitternacht]

https://www.eoi.com/sites/folder14788/site_images_system/user/DSCN49460135.JPG

I'm not buying this particular one, but I am buying one exact to it.

[Ronyx]

hellova sweet car man, but personally, i'd buy the big ass jeep you can see in the top right hand corner there
ROFL

but well done on makin up your mind man, you went well about it. Saw what could come of it, analyzed, and made up your own mind =].

[GT40_GearHead]

but personally, i'd buy the big ass jeep you can see in the top right hand corner there
you know there is a joke about guys and big cars.....:rolleyes:

[slytherock]

you know there is a joke about guys and big cars.....:rolleyes:

Same about corvette (dont know abut english, but in french it s about corvette)


:D

[GT40_GearHead]

Same about corvette (dont know abut english, but in french it s about corvette

that I dont know
a PM maybe ??? :D

[Airbozo]

hellova sweet car man, but personally, i'd buy the big ass jeep you can see in the top right hand corner there
ROFL


$100 bucks says the guy driving that "truck" would hurt you for calling it a jeep...

:think:

Hehe JK, but really most of the 4x4 guys are sensitive that way. I give people sheeite when they call my landcruiser a jeep. Even though it resembles one.

[Airbozo]

...

I'm not buying this particular one, but I am buying one exact to it.

Nice choice. I personally like that body style better... Plus from what I have read that newer car sticks to the road better.

[Mitternacht]

Nice choice. I personally like that body style better... Plus from what I have read that newer car sticks to the road better.

In fact, I have a April 1997 Issue of Motor Trend. this Corvette beat the Acura NSX in every aspect of performance. handling, 0-100-0, and lap times.

[Airbozo]

... this Corvette beat the Acura NSX in every aspect of performance. handling, 0-100-0, and lap times.

...Including looks! Plus nothing sounds like American muscle. Nothing!

[GT40_GearHead]

are you gonna live it stock or are you gonna go ahead with the SCCA(?) ?

[Mitternacht]

are you gonna live it stock or are you gonna go ahead with the SCCA(?) ?

When I buy a C5, it'll be stock for a good long time, that is, until its paid off. Then I'll consider a STS turbo system. (http://www.ststurbo.com/c5_corvette)

[GT40_GearHead]

hhhhmm lots of great stuff in there

chevy engines haw always been a mistery for me, i'm more of a ford guy

[Mitternacht]

bump

My friend Ronnie says his boss is interested in buying. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Edit: Ehh, that link to the silver C5 on eBay; the car sold for $13,900....I want!

[moon111]

Personally I find the new Corvette a shining example of why GM can't sell enough cars. The copy-cat styling to me says, "Hey look, we're acting cool like a Viper." This car could of been a legend. The Viper turned my head and it's still living off that image. For too long the Corvette hasn't drawn any more attention then the Camero's did. If I were the head of the style department I'd give one mandate. Make people say, "WOW there goes a Vette!"

[Mitternacht]

Surely there's opinions, but think for a minute. Viper is the new kid on the block with 2 extra cylinders. Corvette is a 50+ year american legend, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hour of LeMans, and a lot more affordable than the Viper is. Corvette is instantly recognized as the original American Muscle. And yes, Viper is American Muscle too, but it doesn't carry as strong a legacy as that of the Corvette.

[Bucko]

I've always wanted a Corvette like the one you are selling.
I personally think they are the best looking model they have produced. I think white with a red stripe up the side and over the back looks great!
But then, maybe I've been watching to much A-Team...

[Mitternacht]

haha, you got the colors backwards. WHAT KIND OF CORVETTE FAN ARE YOU?!?!??!?/1/one/1 :D

[AJ@PR]

Plus nothing sounds like American muscle. Nothing!
Here HERE!!!

(('cept Aussie muscle...))

[Mitternacht]

They're the same exact cars, but called Vauxhall and Monero.

[Bucko]

haha, you got the colors backwards. WHAT KIND OF CORVETTE FAN ARE YOU?!?!??!?/1/one/1 :D


I have the colours correct for Face's car:

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1719/corvette3377f6iz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/9511/normalvette0436fb51vh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Mitternacht]

Preach ON baby, i get all hot-n-bothered with american muscle cars


whoooo!

-Jeremy

Ever own any American Muscle? Anybody here? Just curious.

[Bucko]

I've had a '67 Chevy Impala with a 327 and Powerglide.

The other big Yank Tank I've had was a '76 Rambler Matador with a 360 and 727 Torqueflight.

Another American V8 was a Land cruiser with a 351 Cleveland (that was a project and a half to fit it!) and an Aussie V8 too, a 253 powered Holden Kingswood sedan.

[Airbozo]

Ever own any American Muscle? Anybody here? Just curious.

First american muscle car I owned was a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. Loved that car, but alas it was destroyed in a hail storm... I still tear up thinking about it.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1968-Chevrolet-Chevelle-blue-2.jpg

I now own a 2002 Ford Mustang GT. My first ford performance car (as opposed to my old taurus or f150). It is fun to drive and has relatively good acceleration and drives pretty good (although the wife's outback corners better). I really was not looking to buy a mustang but got a _real_ good price on it (and got thrown out of the dealership twice). :D Two main complaints with this car are cornering and the seats. This is the upgrade model with the leather seats. Word of warning and information to ford "Leather seats do not work well in this style of car". The seats are not deep enough to keep you from sliding around while cornering.
http://media.dealerfusion.com/images/000265-T836.jpg

[Airbozo]

I've had a '67 Chevy Impala with a 327 and Powerglide.

The other big Yank Tank I've had was a '76 Rambler Matador with a 360 and 727 Torqueflight.

Another American V8 was a Land cruiser with a 351 Cleveland (that was a project and a half to fit it!) ...

MMMM I lusted after my moms 66 Impala....

I am looking to install a 350 4bolt into my Land Cruiser. Fairly easy since I only have to move 1 motor mount and buy a bellhousing.

[Bucko]

I am looking to install a 350 4bolt into my Land Cruiser. Fairly easy since I only have to move 1 motor mount and buy a bellhousing.

That's what I thought too....

Trust me, there is a lot more to it. Things I had to modify to make it work in my FJ45:
Radiator
inner guard (to clear the ford P/S pump)
battery tray
throttle travel (the Toyota has a lot more travel in it's cable than a Holley does).
exhaust routing (and hugger headers to give clearance)
various wiring
adapter so that the Holley would work with the Donaldson air cleaner mounted on the front guard
And a whole lot of other fiddly **** along the way.


These days I play with British cars. My current car is a 1963 Hillman Super Minx Wagon.

[Airbozo]

That's what I thought too....

Trust me, there is a lot more to it. Things I had to modify to make it work in my FJ45:
Radiator
inner guard (to clear the ford P/S pump)
battery tray
throttle travel (the Toyota has a lot more travel in it's cable than a Holley does).
exhaust routing (and hugger headers to give clearance)
various wiring
adapter so that the Holley would work with the Donaldson air cleaner mounted on the front guard
And a whole lot of other fiddly **** along the way.


These days I play with British cars. My current car is a 1963 Hillman Super Minx Wagon.

Hehe that's the problem, you went with a ford engine. Not that I wouldn't love to have the 351, but with the chevy 350, it is _almost_ as easy as an engine swap. I have been researching the swap for a couple of years and have even helped install one. A couple of companies sell complete engine swap kits based on the engine/transmission combo. I may even make it more complicated and swap out the transmission for a 5 speed (need a little gas $$ relief on the highway). Oh and yes I would have to change the exhaust setup.

And a quick search reminds me I would have to replace _both_ front mounts on my FJ40, not just one.

http://advanceadapters.com/
http://sor.com
http://coolcruisers.com

[Mitternacht]

My friend, Ronnie, referred the car to his boss, which is interested, but the thing is that he got my number a week ago. So, unless he buys it, I'm keeping the car for another couple years.

heheh, on Saturday, when it was nice, I found an empty parking lot near the Penn State campus and did a couple reverse 180s and some spins/donuts. You know, the usual. :D It felt good; I haven't ever done that before.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/gigaglytch/parkinglot.jpg

Yeah...

[Redundant]

Sounds fun. :up:

Is that your car in the lot in that pic? If so, how'd you get it? (the pic, not the car)

[GT40_GearHead]

GOOD question :|

[Mitternacht]

Naaa, my car is red/white, and that's a satellite shot courtesy of Google.