This is going to be a long rant/personal think on paper, so sorry ahead of time.
Ive had my car for 7 years, and built it up from a bone stock to the paper filter car to what it is now, all by myself. It was a college DD, a road trip warrior, and now once in a blue moon weekend play toy/sleeper that runs low 12s and shits on much higher HP cars in the 1/4. I recently sold my 9" and BMR rear suspension (which I got for free after parting out a car) for $2000 and picked up a 3.73 LS1 rear complete with a spohn adjustable torque arm and LCAs for $500, so I am up $1500. I put the car on craigslist 2 months ago at $3500 with no pictures and a shitty description, and have been very up and down on if I would actually sell if if someone came with cash, but didnt really think it would happen.
Well, today, someone came with all $3500 cash and didnt even haggle after he heard it fire up. The 3.73 rear is still not in the car because I need to pick up some brake lines, so he left with a handshake that I would call him when it is driveable, but was willing to put down a $500 deposit and was absolutely certain he would take it, but I told him to bring it all when I call him.
I also have a standing agreement to trade it plus $1000 for a 01 Ram 1500 ext cab short bed 4x4 with a 5.9 at the end of february so the guy can use the truck through winter. The truck is probably worth $5000, although I havnt seen it in person yet.
If I take the cash, I will have gotten $5000 for an LT1 with 140k on it. If I take the truck, I will take a gamble on a vehicle, but will be possibly trading up, and basically be getting $5500 for an LT1 with 140k on it.
I dont know what the **** to do.
I love this car, Ive had it for 7 years, Ive had blood, sweat and tears, literally all over this car. Ive pulled apart and put back every single tiny little piece on this car. Every ding, dent, scratch, hiccup, sound, rattle, everything, I know in this car. It is the most comfortable car I have EVER driven.
Yet it sits. And sits. I still daydream all freaking day and night about what I will do with this car. One day its a 3.875"x4.060 sb2.2 converted vic jr OBD1 with an opti LS1 killer, the next its a chinese single turbo 4.8 TH400 8 second drag car, the next its a mild 450hp take it on road trips again head/cam 357.
LS1s are cheap now. stock LT1s that need work are practially free, and if you build a car now, why start with one that already runs and drives? Shouldnt I pick one up that needs an engine rebuild for dirt cheap since Im going to rebuild it anyways?
Or how about going back about 25 years and getting something COOL.
Imagine $5000 day trading on the stock market instead of depreciating in my garage? Lt1 tuners are getting rarer and rarer these days.
$5000. I want all of you who have been building your LT1s for years now to think about the path you WISH YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN if you knew then what you know now. I have probably $10,000 into my car, and if I could do it again, for $5000 I would be 2 seconds faster in the 1/4.
A man and his first sports car, when do you let it go? Can you move on? Can you get another car? What if you dont? Will the regret eat at you?
oke:
