Conflicted

[tjmotter]

Anyone else who has finished their kit feeling conflicted?

I have a little over 300 miles on my car and while I enjoy driving it, I REALLY miss the build process! Yes, I still have some "little" things I can do like mount my new driveshaft safety loop, install my new carb etc. but they don't deliver the big milestone experience of finishing the front suspension, getting the drivetrain bolted in (and don't forget that "first start") or working to shape and smooth out the body. My wife claims that the "tinkering" I have left is taking forever simply because I don't want to finish. There is probably some truth in that since I have never been a procrastinator.

I'm not big on recognition so while I appreciate the nice comments and the numerous thumbs up (I even had a guy ask me how much I would sell it for yesterday), they don't even come close to replacing the feeling of finishing another section of the build.

I'm sure Dave would probably recommend I finish it off and sell it so that I can build another one ;) but I'm not sure the wife would approve. Particularly if I don't get enough from the sale to cover another build.

Anyone else having this problem?

Todd

[ram_g]

Not there yet, but I am 100% sure I'd be in the same place. As a kid I had a huge Meccano (Erector) collection and I'd spend weeks coming up with the most elaborate contraptions, only to rip them all apart as soon as they were done, so I could start again. Later I was into RC model aircraft but I much prefered building them to flying them.

I think the reason I'm taking my time with the build (and have followed a contorted build plan with some big twists and turns) is because I'm scared of being done and going "now what?"...

[Bob Cowan]

Yeah, me too. I really enjoyed the build. Sometimes I consider selling the car so I can build another one. But then I'd be without a car for 2-3 years - can't have that. So I spend my time (and money) doing "upgrades". I think I spend more time under the car than in it.

[CapeCoralCobra]

Yup, have felt that way since Jan '11 when I graduated mine. So much that I've already built & installed a nicer engine, switched wheels/tires, and added coilovers to the rear, along with numerous smaller upgrades that make it less of a donor with each step. But now I'm out of "reasonable" upgrades and am saving for the next one, either a Mk IV or a '33. Although I've had several people ask about buying it, I just can't part with my "first born," at least not yet.

[skullandbones]

I'm still not finished but can relate to what you are saying. I don't particularly like doing all the tasks required to build this car (e.g. drilling and riveting) but there is something special about the build process that I do like. I just did the first startup and I got a real sense of satisfaction out of that. I've been riding a wave of euphoria since 3-13 but I know that won't last. I need to get to GoKart for the next "high".

I guess I like to tinker so that can really get you in trouble. I have to make pick lists for myself so I won't over do a task. So getting to the "finish line" is the goal but I'm not sure it will be as satisfying to a lot of us as it should be. I know when I talk to some people about the project, they seen as excited about it as I am. So I quit worrying about getting finished and just try to enjoy where I am now. I have a feeling I will get the same "let down" when I get to where you are. Maybe another build is the answer. See ya. WEK.

[MK4]

Well I just finished the build and I am almost true the whole registration process up here. And I can relate, Now I wonder what to do on the week ends and on week nights ( I miss those few hours after the kids are in bed in the garage working on the car while the wife is there chatting with me!) so I have to figure out what will come next soon! For now I have to get the trailer ready so I can make it to the FFR open house, that will take a fair amount of time....

After that I will have to find something (selling is not an option, and space is limited in my shop!!! what to do what to do?)


MK4

[Gumball]

Jay Leno supposedly once said that he restores cars to 100 points so that he can drive them back down to 50 and do it all over again. My suggestion would be get busy driving and wearing out that car so you can enjoy all the memories of great trips while you do a refresh on it some years from now.

[AZPete]

Conflicted? Absolutely! I loved the build from delivery & inventory (admiring/caressing) to first start, go-kart, gel-coat driving and "finished" in ten months in May 2008. Driving was fun but I still kept tinkering with it so I added Konis, a better intake, re-did my dash to add glove box & grab bar, visors, wind wings, made custom floor mats, custom door panels, re-wrapped wiring, radiator baffle, 1-piece nose, etc. Still asking "what next?" I added cruise control & a stereo system. When I dropped the drive shaft to paint it a different color I realized I was in trouble! I sold my Mk3 at Barrett-Jackson in 1/2011 with 9,000 miles on the odom and recovered 98% of my expense. In the last year I've looked for project cars but can't get excited about a restoration (rust & greasy stuff) after building an FFR. I can't commit the money for the next FFR until my business recovers (2012 is better!) so I'm conflicted . . . big time.

I loved the evenings and weekends in the garage admiring the last task and figuring out the next step. Now, I think I may lose my man card because I've been watching American Idol (don't tell anyone!). What's next? Another FFR (roadster, coupe or 818?) . . . hopefully before I slump to watching Dancing with the Stars with my wife! Aaaarrrrgh!
Pete

[Pierre B]

Building one of these cars is a demanding process: not just with money, but also with time and commitment. Until the cars are complete, they're still just an agglomeration of parts, and probably worth less to a third party than the original cost of the kit. Once complete, though, everything is different: the results are much more than the sum of the parts. I perhaps knew bettter than most builders what to expect in the finished product, simply because I had the rare privilege of driving one of these (a carburated donor MKI) before placing my order. That generated a good deal of enthusiasm for me, but that first exposure proved a bit intimidating as well. An untamed beast and all. This helped me reach two of my basic early conclusions, in that I wanted a somewhat quieter exhaust (I achieved that by using cats), and I definitely would need a dead pedal for my left foot.

Anyway, building one of these requires a different set of skills and attitudes than simply owning and driving the finished product. That realization comes to all of us at come point, and thankfully most of us seem to greatly enjoy both phases. For me, the building process seemed like an unending series of often unfamiliar questions that needed immediate answers in order for me to progress. I like others worked my way through this, motivated by a firm belief the end product would reward every ounce of effort. I was not disappointed, but it did tug a bit at my heartstrings that I had to leave the labyrinth of sequential decision-making behind. So I think that feeling a bit conflicted about all of this once it (temporarily) ends is natural. And so it's something to think about while we contemplate the lovely fruits of our efforts. What we do about that is a completely individual decision. I think I'll give it some thought the next time I am out for a ride.

[Gumball]

Hey Pete - anything you do with your wife is time well spent. Good on you, man, for spending time with her - we all too often forget that these cars are just distractions from what's really important in life.

[ipsale]

Todd,

I'm right there with you! In my case I was forced to finish sooner than I wanted too. I live in the lovely state of Massachusetts and they are changing the emissions laws at the end of this month. Doing a coyote build I needed to have it complete before the change or it may never be registerable here. Anyway, the car is done and I love it but boy do I miss building it! Maybe its time for a coupe!

Rob

[buildit]

Yep, same here. I spent way more time than I needed to today just to install the aluminum cover over the opening in the underside of the trunk lid......I love driving it, but I really miss building it!

[WIS89]

Hey all you conflicted guys-

I have an excellent idea on how I could help you out. I assure you that it is a completely selfless act on my part, and I only have your interests in mind when I offer this! I would like to offer to put your roadster in my garage for as long as necessary. I will be happy to take her out for a drive in good weather, stretch her legs, and make sure she is well cared for. I can even really open her up to ensure she gets a chance to experience that thrill of a full throttle run!

This will allow you to get back to building as soon as possible without any concerns over garage space, or build space, or even your wives saying that "you already have one, why in the world are you building another one?" If it's not there, there can be no such question! The fact that I desperately want one of these cars should in no way influence your decision, or opinion that I am doing this for selfish reasons; it's all about you!!

I view this as a public service to you. Again, this has nothing to with me, just me trying to help you all out!! ;-0)

OK, now back to your regularly scheduled programming... I look forward to finding myself in your position some day, and congratulations on finishing, or nearly finishing your roadsters!!

Regards,

Steve

[PaulW]

I get this to a large degree. The building process was always aimed to one goal........driving it. Now that I have had mine on the road for a little less than 2 weeks I have to say that driving it is just as much fun. I have wanted one of these since I was 15 and everytime I park it somewhere and walk away I steal a look back and think....Wow it is mine and I built it all!! There will be upgrades and there is still bodywork and paint to do so I am not really finished. I guess it depends a lot on your emotional attachment to the vehicle which has a lot to do with your history of wanting one.

As stated here before we are moving to the US when I retire in 30 months and import rules being what they are I may have to sell it and will surely start another if that is the case. Outside of that, the only other way I am getting rid of it is when I die and even then I may ask to be buried in it!!!

[riptide motorsport]

Keep it....restore something else. Doesn't have to be exspensive, something diferent or unique.......A Pinto or Pacer or Can Am oor something.......Steven

[The Stig]

My wife has told me that when I ever finish building (and spending money continually) on the GTM, I get to build her a nice Mk.IV with a 302 and automatic transmission. She says this car will be hers! So, for me, I guess I'll get to postpone the feelings of being conflicted for a while. :cool:

[AZPete]

Chris wrote: "Hey Pete - anything you do with your wife is time well spent."
Chris, you're right but in my case my wife and I run a business so we're together all day and night so building my FFR was not as "distraction" but necessary me-time. We each need some of our own time and she's begging me to start another FFR build.
Pete

[CraigS]

Keep driving it. Go on cruises w/ other Cobras and compare cars. Change yours as you see things you might like better. Go run a few autocrosses. Doesn't matter how fast you are,just have fun. It's one of the few places where you can go as fast as you and the car can go w/o danger or tickets. Take it on errands.You will be surprised how much stuff you can bring back from home depot in it. Need some wood trim? Take a bath towel and some tape to wrap around the trim where it will lay on the body behind the passenger seat and you can bring home a lot of 8 footers.Take it to the grocery store. You can get about 8 plastic bags of groceries in the passenger footwell and seat areas. Drive to a scenic spot and take pics. Look them over at home and think how they would look if the car were parked at another angle or if the sun were setting or rising. HTH

[dallas_]

I've been working on this project for almost 3 years now (6 months of research and 27 months of build time). We are a few weeks away from being on the road.

The build process has been very enjoyable, but I can't wait to get to the conflicted stage you speak of! :)

[QSL]

We could run our engine with about 3hrs worth of work, but seem to find other things to do instead... putting it off. Sometimes i feel this is our way of making the project go on longer. Start up is a huge milestone... just seems we are scared to get to it :(

[Gale K]

Steve,

You are a true public servant! Selfless, willing to put others first. Nicely done!

:)

[xlr8or]

Todd I know the feeling well. I did the roadster first sold it after about two years, built the coupe and finished it in Dec 09. The coupe is about to go on the market. Now I have a 67 Chevy Pickup that was my dads that needs restoration and I just picked up a 67 Mustang to restore... I need more space.
Driving them never gets boring, but I get the itch to build again within a couple of years of finishing a project.

[gtaroger]

I finished my build in 2007. Every winter I do a upgrade to it. I dought it if I ever will be finished.Roger

[WIS89]

Steve,

You are a true public servant! Selfless, willing to put others first. Nicely done!

:)

Gale-

I do what I can! Anything I can do to help these poor conflicted folks would be my pleasure! ;-o)

I just couldn't resist making my "offer." I was hoping folks would take it in the spirit it was intended; thanks for getting it!!

Regards,

Steve

[CS14]

Almost finished my roadster but a rod can be an alternative to keep the mind set on the positve level... :-)

[Movieman]

Hey all you conflicted guys-

I have an excellent idea on how I could help you out. I assure you that it is a completely selfless act on my part, and I only have your interests in mind when I offer this! I would like to offer to put your roadster in my garage for as long as necessary. I will be happy to take her out for a drive in good weather, stretch her legs, and make sure she is well cared for. I can even really open her up to ensure she gets a chance to experience that thrill of a full throttle run!

This will allow you to get back to building as soon as possible without any concerns over garage space, or build space, or even your wives saying that "you already have one, why in the world are you building another one?" If it's not there, there can be no such question! The fact that I desperately want one of these cars should in no way influence your decision, or opinion that I am doing this for selfish reasons; it's all about you!!

I view this as a public service to you. Again, this has nothing to with me, just me trying to help you all out!! ;-0)

OK, now back to your regularly scheduled programming... I look forward to finding myself in your position some day, and congratulations on finishing, or nearly finishing your roadsters!!

Regards,

Steve

My Dear Old Dad used to have a saying for times like this:
"Your too willing!":D