Build it or buy it, the debate

[awd-drifter]

Me personally, I would love have the technical knowledge and build my car up like John did BUT I don't have the tools or the knowledge that John has. Yes, I could learn it and all but realistically, there isn't enough time for me to learn it. And purchasing all those tools and all just isn't worth it for me right now even though I have dreamed of just owning all the tools in the world in my garage. I know eventually I will learn how to do a timing belt job or head gasket but I just don't trust my self enough to do the work...BUT, at least I know what the issues are rather than pay someone to tell me what the issues are.

I'd rather people be car enthusiasts by writing checks than not be interested in cars at all.
^this.

I'd rather pay someone who knows what they're doing to my car than someone who says "...that should work...". I respect the work that most mechanics do because I envy the skills that I don't have......yet. But those guys that know what they're doing deserve what they get. But, if someone is just writing checks to a car they have and they have no clue what or how it works, than those are the kinds of people who shouldn't be driving at all.

This topic is less a debate and more a personal choice. Not everyone likes to run around in ratty $500 1G's and not everyone wants to own a $50k+ Evo. Good thing there is plenty of middle ground so we can all find exactly where we fit in this community.
agreed:) After going to a dyno-day, I just stuck with this community.

This is also why I went from MNSC to here because some-to-most of the members on MNSC never helped out the new guys or just didn't know enough and talked a shit ton of trash to other "enthusiasts".

[Halon]

I really wish I could build a car from the ground up. But no way could I. I don't have the skill, knowledge, or experience. Fabbing is my absolute weakest link. I have tried fabbing, but I kinda suck. So I can do my own work meaning I could install an exhaust or header. But actually building one is where my weakest point is. But I'd like to do more of that so I can become better. I'm going to try and dabble into fab a little more with this new project.

I am guilty however of sometimes just being too busy, and ending up having shops do the work for me even if I could have done it myself. I've had shops do clutches for me, 4-bolt swaps, things I could have done but simply didn't have time for. I think that's probably the norm for most people here. A balance between DIY and having help.

I personally love to help other people, because I crave more knowledge, and I love to spread anything that I know or have learned to help someone else. I ask a lot of questions. But I guarantee I answer more than I ask. What bothers me is when people start becoming unwilling to help, start to feel they are better than you because maybe they now work at or own a shop, or have made XXX power and feel they are above you now. I don't know everything. Nobody knows everything. I think it's good when people accept that, and just simply help when they can, despite their "status" whether it be a shop owner, a racecar driver, a regular everyday normal guy, or a 16y/o drop out.

[sleepydsm]

I personally don't trust anyone enough to work on my cars. I want it done my way, and no other way unless someone can show me that their way is better.

For me, most joy is from building the car. And then the working end result is the icing on the cake!

The next car I build, whatever it may be, will be amazing. Is all I can say :)

[blackawdtsi]

I personally don't trust anyone enough to work on my cars. I want it done my way, and no other way unless someone can show me that their way is better.

For me, most joy is from building the car. And then the working end result is the icing on the cake!

The next car I build, whatever it may be, will be amazing. Is all I can say :)

:score010:

[Goat Blower]

I started out doing my own work because I couldn't afford to have someone else do it. Now I can afford it but still do most of my own work because I enjoy it to some degree. I actually got into doing everything myself because I had a shop do my timing belt way back in the day and it made it 500 miles before it snapped and took out the head. Learned to do timing belts right then and there. Then I had a local speed shop(not around anymore, nobody that's on here) build a short block for me which they effed up. That experience got me to build my own engines from then on. Now I sent me Lotus off to a shop for repair and it took all summer and it still isn't done, so now I'll probably do all the work on them as well. I guess your experiences can drag you beyond the basic mod install. And BTW, I found that the money I saved doing this stuff myself more than paid for all the tools needed to do them, that's how I built my tool collection.

Just some hopefully useful tidbits from the old guy.

[95tsi]

I try to balance it out... right now John is installing the center diff in my Shep tranny... But I just dont feel comfortable tearing it apart and guessing on what the shims should be to make it work 100% proper. But, I did all the tear down to get just the tranny to him.

MAP did the machine work and assy on my shortblock and I did all the long block assy. Just a matter of not having some of the tools or the time/proper environment to do it all myself. I've done my own intercooler piping and plenty of other work on the car. Just a mix of what I feel i can and can not do.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

Best thing is to buy someone else's already built car and pay a fraction of what it would cost to build. Main problem is buying someone else's disaster instead of a good car.

[Goat Blower]

That's true. If you can find a built car that's done right, there's big savings to be had.

[tpunx99GSX]

Some day i would love to get a K-1 Attack kit and build that... someday...

[Matt D.]

Some day i would love to get a K-1 Attack kit and build that... someday...
Let's hope you work on your fabrication skills between now and then. :scared: