This is going to be a bit of a ramble, but figured I'd post since I know a lot of us struggle with dreams that exceed our means/time for piles of projects. And because I need to write my thoughts down to deal with the feelings of buyers remorse.
I've always had a problem getting in a bit too deep... I look at a vehicle and see a blank canvas for modification, and end up buried up to my ears in projects that will never quite be done. It's a bit of a bittersweet day for me since I've realized that, if I want to have time to do things not in the garage, I need to offload projects. So I went out and bought an Answer vehicle.
I love GMT400s and currently have these two. A '98 K1500 Z71 for truck stuff, and a 2000 Tahoe Limited that has been the tow rig for a few years. I have a built engine for the Tahoe, along with all the manual transmission swap parts....it was going to be great. The pickup doesn't have the interior space, but I kept it around for when the Tahoe was out of commission, and the Tahoe is 2wd. I race dirt bikes, and I've been pulled out of (basically dry) fields 3 times this year and nearly couldn't get into the pits at the last race, let alone back out. The Silverado I am not so attached to, but the Tahoe is different. It feels special like all of our enthusiast vehicles, and it would be even better with 3 pedals and more power. But it needs months of solid work to "finish", and what do I have when I get there? A truck that still gets stuck easily, isn't terribly quiet on my many long drives, and that you have to drive like any other lowered vehicle: somewhat carefully. Also, 8 mpg, foot on the floor to maintain 70-75 mph with the trailer is a drag. And I have 3 non-op E30s and DrBoost's old LS1 944 that I'm still chipping away at and will never finish if I don't make some hard decisions.
Pics:
So I finally forced myself to do something. Saw this Suburban for sale while I was out visiting my family and ended up buying it, which means that it's time to sell the GMT400s. It's a 2004 2500 8.1 with all the options and totally stock, and it definitely doesn't have the special feel of the Tahoe. So I guess I feel like I'm getting old and giving up, taking that step from every vehicle being a toy to something that I have no desire to modify, lower, engine swap, transmission convert, or anything else. But hopefully it means I'll have more time for the other things in life that I do miss out on with so many projects, and that will eventually offset feeling like I'm giving up on a great project.
/ramble. Happy to hear thoughts, but mostly just needed to get thoughts out of my head in a place where people might understand it vs. friends and family who can't see why I wouldn't be 100% thrilled getting rid of older, high miles vehicles and going to a newer, nicer one.
I have a 2004 Suburban. It's a tank and does everything I ask of it, they are good at what they do.
I'm going through the very same thought process myself currently. The R53 MINI is getting long in the tooth with mechanical issues as well as rust. I'm quickly approaching 70 and I have a Challenge build to complete, a driver grade Miata to play with and current offerings at any dealerships all bear a striking resemblance to CUVs. I've been waffling between finding a low mileage 1st gen MINI, or just go buy a brand new CUV of whatever brand. My current MINI has been my daily driver for 14+ years now and feels like my favourite old pair of shoes. A better old car would likely be the best choice, but finding anything reasonably priced and with a manual transmission right now isn't easy.........what to do?
Edit: I did buy myself a brand new GMC Canyon in 2019 and that's the dependable, boring appliance one would expect. I just don't see it as a "right sized" vehicle for running errands and it certainly isn't a vehicle that I would just go for a drive in.
I understand. It's a lot better to let go of some of the projects if it means it will allow you to finish others, rather than have a pile of out of commission vehicles, or ones that just need constant attention. It still sucks, though. I think most of us here have a huge mental list of things we'd do if only we had the money, time, and space.
In reply to eastsideTim :
To your "time, money and space," I'll add another ingredient that I'm short of: skill.
I wouldn't hesitate to make the change to that Suburban. I have a rust free GMT400 C2500 and I've been ready to replace it for a while. I'm only holding back due to lack of cash.
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