Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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.

^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.

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".

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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 :)

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

:score010:

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

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

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

Let's hope you work on your fabrication skills between now and then. :scared:

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

My fabrication skills are just fine thank you. And what have you seen that i have fabricated?

Edit: If you say my workbench, that thing is still up and working great with a ton of crap still on it.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

As cool as a K-1 is, nobody wants to see/ride in/drive one that looks like your workbench. ;)

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

You just gave me an idea! Hey guys, now taking donations for plywood!

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

I build/fabricate everything I do, but time is normally the issue for me personally.

I have no problem with people who just pay to have a car built(or work performed in general). It comes down to time a lot of the times for those who pay to play.

It would take a lot for me to have someone else build me a car(trust wise), but those people are out there, and if money isn't a concern, I'll happily pay and drive(however, I'm sure I'd also have a project or two that I'm working on myself at the same time).

Case in point, I just don't want to deal with or have time for building my next tranny(even though I'm fully capable of/and have done so). I'll either find one that I'd want that is built(or basic tranny that shifts well), or end up sending one of the extra trannies out to Shep at some point.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

I have built every one of my cars. I could never bring my self to pay some one to do it for me. I would not even want to know what one of the shops would charge to build a evo 3 like mine. I know I just have mine,family's,and freind's time and help in it and around 50k in to all the parts and car by it self. But then I started building cars with my dad when I was 9. I always have to have a project going on it is what I love to do for my self and aly. I have also been building mirage swaps for people now to fund all my cars.

Shane is the only person that I have gave money to for my car and it was for a tune. that and an aliment are the only things I pay for

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

Got any pics of it with the "ton of crap" on it :D. I was about to find that post when I saw your original post.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

There's three things I don't do. Trannies, alignments and tuning. Shep does my tranny, Jeff does my alignment and Shane does my tuning. Everything else including paint, I do. It's personal pride, and like others have said, I don't really trust other people with my car. Any other car of mine, no problem, but not the GSX.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

Some people like to spend the money and do things right themselves, some people are very cheap and half ass their own cars but still do them their selves, some people open up their check book and let someone else build their car and some people want someone else to build their car for cheap. To all is their own and Ill keep doing things how I like them.

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

Re: Build it or buy it, the debate
 

I think it comes down to what part of cars you are into. I like cars as a hobby, there for I have done every thing my self with cars. to find out what I can make them do. I think others enjoy cars because they like the sport of driving/racing them. I am sure there is cases that money/time have a lot to do with what people do as well. In the end we can all enjoy a well put together machine, wethere it was bought or built. just my 2 cents.