>Once again, this is the stuff I have read in some books, and I really
don't
>have the practical experience (yet) to dispute your claims of fiscal
prowess.
>Personally, as the future owner (a few weeks) of a 1977 Midget, I
don't think
>I will ever be able to make the claim that my car has increased in
value to
>the point that I would make a profit in it's sale, unless I hold the
car for
>another 20 or 30 years. Actually, that doesn't sound like a bad
idea!
See, this is definitely where I have to agree with Barney. I made a
similar comment about how we can get our money out of our cars. I was
immediately slapped down about how I could never reap the dollars back
out of my car. Well, I'm back again. I've spent a lot of time and
dollars on my car, and when I get around to selling it next spring, I
think I will be able to get all my money out of it. Sure, my time was
free, but who would want some incompetent peon from Sears changing
your brakes. Or how about the tireman who doesn't notice the rear
boot lid with late-MGB style support; he slams the lid down, and when
it doesn't go down, he tries harder.
I'm not saying you can make a money restoring old British cars, but
you aren't gonna lose much money, unless you play it stupid. I spent
a grand on my engine rebuild, and I initially felt bad, since I just
finished it a year ago, and I'll be selling the car next year. BUT..
the car has given me three good years of service, and 25k miles, so
I'm not out too bad. Plus, the next owner won't have to worry about
engine work. After 10k miles, the oil pressure is pegging 80 psi on
the gauge, and it hasn't dropped much at all, since day one. Call it
peace of mind, especially when I hear people on the list complaining
about how low the oil pressure is on their rides.
I appreciate the cheap insurance, zero-dollar car payments, and the
grease under the fingernails is right nice by me. Co-workers always
tell me about some high-tech soap called Lava(anyone heard of it), and
that it can remove grease from the fingers. I tell them that grease
is like moisturizer. It makes my hands silky smooth. :)
So... it doesn't take fiscal prowess. Just some plain ole ingenuity,
and some balls.
Jay
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