Now that your car is done, do you seem to use it less?

[1969chargerrtse]

Most of you know I have been through hell and back with my eBay special car.  I worked long and hard to get it where it is today.  Which is just fantastic.  It fires right up and drives great.  I haven't had an issues with it in over 2 years and I use it a lot.
What I'm noticing about myself and wondering is,  Now that your car is basically finished and where you want it, do you find that you actually use it less?  Odd but that's where I'm at.  I see it basically finished and now enjoy that it's sitting in the garage and take it out basically on weekends when last year I was using all week every week until winter set in.
Thoughts?

[Darkman]

Time to sell it (to me) and move on 

That is my biggest fear, that I will not enjoy it as much when it is complete. Having said that, I will be building mine to a very nice daily driver quality so the excitement factor may dwindle, but I will find myself driving it almost daily. Food for thought really 

 

[Chargerrtforme]

Time to sell it (to me) and move on  

That is my biggest fear, that I will not enjoy it as much when it is complete. Having said that, I will be building mine to a very nice daily driver quality so the excitement factor may dwindle, but I will find myself driving it almost daily. Food for thought really  

 

I'll buy it!!

[MoparManJim]

Well from my stand point of view here. People tend to want things they don't yet have. But when they get the things they want, for while they use or look at all the time. Then after so long of owning something, you start to loose the "ah I want that, or I have that" to getting so use to it that it just wares off of you is all.   

[1969chargerrtse]

Time to sell it (to me) and move on 

That is my biggest fear, that I will not enjoy it as much when it is complete. Having said that, I will be building mine to a very nice daily driver quality so the excitement factor may dwindle, but I will find myself driving it almost daily. Food for thought really 

 

Not for sale.  It's not a negative feeling, more of a feeling of accomplishment.  I still have the same happy grin on my face when I drive it.  I just feel more content and tend to family things more on week days and cruise in the Charger just on week ends.

[1969chargerrtse]

Well from my stand point of view here. People tend to want things they don't yet have. But when they get the things they want, for while they use or look at all the time. Then after so long of owning something, you start to loose the "ah I want that, or I have that" to getting so use to it that it just wares off of you is all.  

I understand that in a way as I always thought if I had all the money I ever needed and I could buy any car I wanted the interest would be so much less.  I worked long and hard on this car and so much appreciate it's done.  I bet my weekend driving alone beats many people's total year driving.  My all the time driving was like most peoples daily drivers.

[PocketThunder]

I use my car as much as i can afford to put gas into it...!   

[bobs66440]

I think it's common to feel that way. For some, it's the thrill of working on it and when it's done...time to move on. It really depends on how long it takes you to finish it too. If it's a years-long drawn out nightmare, the thrill is usually gone by the time it's done and you don't want to look at it any more (that happened to me on a Corvette resto).

For a while I was in with the hot rod/street rod ranks and many of those guys generally build it, drive it for a year and sell it and start another project. That's why I think if you check, in most every state, the vanity plate "FOR SALE" is most likely taken.    And most are on a street rod.

I didnt have to do a lot on this one after I got it, so I drive it quite a bit...though the weather hasn't cooperated this year...

[ACUDANUT]

 I drive my cars once a year...I always am busy restoring something else..It's a nice feeling knowing they only appreciate in value though .  I need to really start driving my toys that are road ready and keep the fluids moving.   I am a fair weather guy...If it's too Hot I don't want to get into a oven and money for gas is always a issue.

[Darkman]

Time to sell it (to me) and move on 

That is my biggest fear, that I will not enjoy it as much when it is complete. Having said that, I will be building mine to a very nice daily driver quality so the excitement factor may dwindle, but I will find myself driving it almost daily. Food for thought really 

 

Not for sale.  It's not a negative feeling, more of a feeling of accomplishment.  I still have the same happy grin on my face when I drive it.  I just feel more content and tend to family things more on week days and cruise in the Charger just on week ends.

I realise it is not for sale, I was just  , and I believe that I will be in the same boat (Charger if you like) when the time comes (make it a weekend cruiser)

[71wrenchhead]

my suggestion......pick up photography, then you get to appreciate your work, show others your work to appreciate, AND get to drive it to new and exciting places for different backgrounds
either that, or get another project
thats my plan
charger
wifes roadrunner
RAT ROD
(cant wait for that last one)

[ChgrSteve67]

Mine just sits around collecting dust.
I should probably take it for a spin around the block one of these days.

[Sublime/Sixpack]

Once I finish a car I tend to be more protective of it, so yes, I tend to drive it less from that point on. But I still get them out and enjoy them.

[HANDM]

For me it was all about the journey and not so much about the destination......

[aussiemuscle]

you see lots of 'just finished' project cars on ebay. i guess you're not alone.

[472 R/T SE]

you see lots of 'just finished' project cars on ebay. i guess you're not alone.

Lots of folks are like that.  They get their thrills out of restoring them, once they're done they get bored with them & sell.  In essence to move on to the next project to get their fix.

I have a buddy like that.  He'll buy something that's already painted but upgrade/tinker with it & then sell.  He's had 100's of cars' but has only rotisseried a dozen or so.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I have used mine less & less over the years.  I do take it out once in a while but since a few of my good car-show-buddies moved away, I have less an urge to go to a local cruise night.   Mostly take it to the larger shows & thats it.

I also attribute my laziness to the fact as well.....since I have a 1 car garage, detached behind my house and a 1 lane driveway, I now have to shuffle 3 other cars to get the Charger out.  Also sometimes the Mustang wins out because its car #3

[tan top]

price of fuel has a lot to do with it 

what i do get & thought i would of had enough of working on cars ,   been doing it as a day job since 87 ,  & think i need my head testing     wanting to start another rebuild in my free time ,     with all these new repoped AMD parts now !!   (( there is nothing like new fresh sheet metal !! ))  got an itch for more pain & using up  another 3 years of my lifes  weekends & after work  time !!        if i had the dough & was younger would look around for a charger to rebuild    

[1969chargerrtse]

I have used mine less & less over the years.  I do take it out once in a while but since a few of my good car-show-buddies moved away, I have less an urge to go to a local cruise night.   Mostly take it to the larger shows & thats it.

I also attribute my laziness to the fact as well.....since I have a 1 car garage, detached behind my house and a 1 lane driveway, I now have to shuffle 3 other cars to get the Charger out.  Also sometimes the Mustang wins out because its car #3

I can understand that.  I plan on buyinmg another Honda Gold Wing this winter and when springs come around I'll use the charger here and there but when it comes to going for a fast cruise to visit a friend or grab a coffe the gold Wing will win.

[1969chargerrtse]

Once I finish a car I tend to be more protective of it, so yes, I tend to drive it less from that point on. But I still get them out and enjoy them.

I think I relate to this best.

[440]

Not driving it all the time and only taking it out on occasion makes it feel more special when it does go out. If you drove it every day you'd take it for granted.

On the other hand it if only sat collecting dust and never went out then I'd say you'd probably need a new project. Like anything it only stays "new" for a while until things start discoloring etc.... ...

[bobs66440]

Mine just sits around collecting dust.
I should probably take it for a spin around the block one of these days.

Yeah...the "block" for you is the continental United States! 

[Patronus]

Maybe its time for the next one...??

[gtx6970]

For me personally , in recent years I seem to enjoy  the hunt and build process more so than the driving part.
Thus why right now I have nothing old in my garage that isn't a paying customer.

When my last one ( 1970 Challenger 340 ) was done it sat , and sat,,, and then the decison was made to sell. Family activities take presedence over old car time. With 2 girls in every after school activity imagineable. Leaves little time for dad, and I'm fine with that,,, for now.
Besides I think I want a Hemi or wing car next, and that requires saving. There is a very slim chance I may get this done sooner than later. But thats another story.

[XS29LA47V21]

Some of us have some very similar thoughts on this topic.  For me it has always been a part of my life back to hot wheels days in the 70s, still playing with cars.  Inherently some days, months I look back and see limited drive/play time.  But that comes with other wonderful things too, like family, friends, kids other hobbies, work, etc.  Ok not the work so much....   But I know the cars are always there when the time comes .  The photography thing is a great idea and is also one of my things too, chasing cool photo opportunities which I can frame as shop/garage art which in turn also shares memories with family, kids and friends which is fun too.   May consider additional cars, to include a beater that you can drive more and worry less, leave outside, drive to store, park wherever, hammer on.

[twodko]

I use my car as much as i can afford to put gas into it...!   

The price of fuel has a lot to do with how often we drive our Charger too. I think we'll always take it to the larger car shows and the ocassional weekend drive but I've become kinda over protective of the car as well. Go figure?

[jobbless]

i hope that doesn't happen to me. i have been driving an old car since i got my license. though some were nice. none were perfect. but i fear that after i get my 68 charger or my 354 hemi powered model a roadster finished. i won't drive them. for fear something will happen to them. the nicest car i ever put together is a 66 fury 2dr ht for my girlfriend. she helped with paint and interior. she liked it for a year or so, wanted to take it everywhere. now the only time it gets driven is when i take it out. she doesn't like it out of the garage. 

[ChgrSteve67]

Mine just sits around collecting dust.
I should probably take it for a spin around the block one of these days.

Yeah...the "block" for you is the continental United States!  

I'm planning on shipping my Charger to the East Coast for my next spin around the block.
The trailer is for Sale.

Back on topic.
There are some that do not want to drive thier completed project becasue they feel it will reduce its value. So they sell it and start a new project.

I know one guy that restored a trans-am for his girlfriend and backed it out of the garage to take it to a show and while he was closing the garage door someone came around the corner and ran into it. He is completely afraid to even take his Chevelle out of the garage now. Sh*t happens.

[moparstuart]

 i love mine and drive the hell out of them

[jobbless]

when you haven't much money. and you spend it all on your favorite car (68 charger) and your grandpas model a. they are a little more precious. than say the guy with 10 restored cars. it may be just money to them. dreamed of these cars since i was a kid. i cant just go buy a nice one. or pay someone to build/paint my cars for me. so as proud as i will be of the cars. i still think i will be scared to take them out. unless i can watch them the whole time. it has been 15 years i have been working on my grandpas car. just hoping to get it done in time to take my grandma for a ride in it.

[SFRT]

nope. I drive it as much as possible. thats why I fixed it up.

[bull]

I'm confused about a couple of points here, maybe because I've been working on my car the whole time I've owned it.

So first, I was under the impression that no one ever really gets done with a project car, meaning there's always something you can be working on. And second, by "use it" do you mean work on it because I don't see how you can use it any less for its intended purpose than when it's incapacitated in pieces in the garage?

[Brock Samson]

This is a really great topic!  
I've been totally into Chargers since '66 when i was 9 years old and cars since my first memory of them.
 When i began working on my Charger in '84 i had my Van for work and daily transport but still drove my charger whenever it was practical or for just plain kicks. It was very special to take it to work.
A lot has changed since then, i've had six other vehicles since '84 and really whupped the Charger into shape (more or less) in '99... But when my Dad got sick in '99 my life changed significantly and the charger just sat in the garage mostly... new and replacement parts are still sitting in boxes for 12 years now...
After my father passed in '05 - the '71 Road Runner was my idea of a fun daily - but after the first Yr. it became pretty problematic - still I drove the Runner more the first few years.
In retrospect - I wish the money I put into it - I put into a another faded Sunburst paint job and a general interior refresh of the Charger, if i add up the other fund$ I spent on my R/V. the Charger could've been an absolute stunner show car by now...   (that I'd probably worry much more about and drive less than I do now.)
 But the R.R. was another car I promised myself I'd own someday and the 21' R/V too. So, what you gonna do?..
Now I'm back down to two cars the R/T and the 300 M & my life and choices are considerably simplified.
Everytime though I get in to the Chargers' Gas Pedal I remember "WOW! this is the best time I can have with my clothes on".    
It's important to have balance in our lives, Cars are a lot of fun for sure but there are a lot of other things to enjoy like travel and family and reading a good book, I love to collect old photos as well as take my own and then there is the music too... I've also managed to play a few small shows in the last couple years and that's been nice after being out of the scene for the past ten years.
Again a Great topic!

[76charger]

I drive mine around not as much as I would like to. But I have found that I like to work on them more than drive them around. I guess I'm the guy who works on them then sells them as soon as they are finished, but I don't sell any. I just collect. My 76 charger is now at my grandma's house with my 64 impala conv. I can't keep them at the house because my garage at home is filled with new projects. I take photo's of them drive to cruise's and whatnot.

[ACUDANUT]

 A 76 Charger and a 64 Impala ?    YUCK !!

[Charger440RDN]

A 76 Charger and a 64 Impala ?   YUCK !!

Don't want to hijack this thread but I have always liked the 64 Chevy Impala, just not the convertible, the hard top looks better. You will never see cars again with that type of chrome detail.

[TK73]

Had mine 10 years.

Been "out of commission" for less than 2 weeks total. 

[1969chargerrtse]

A 76 Charger and a 64 Impala ?   YUCK !!

Don't want to hijack this thread but I have always liked the 64 Chevy Impala, just not the convertible, the hard top looks better. You will never see cars again with that type of chrome detail.

I Had a 62,3,4,5,6,7,8,9and 2 70 Impala conv's.  Most were SS.  The 64 Impala is a great car.  Back in the day that's all you saw on the road were Impala's.  my 66 SS conv was a 6 cyl!!
The 62 was my first car.  I Hot Rod ed it.

[Chargerrtforme]

A 76 Charger and a 64 Impala ?   YUCK !!

Don't want to hijack this thread but I have always liked the 64 Chevy Impala, just not the convertible, the hard top looks better. You will never see cars again with that type of chrome detail.

I Had a 62,3,4,5,6,7,8,9and 2 70 Impala conv's.  Most were SS.  The 64 Impala is a great car.  Back in the day that's all you saw on the road were Impala's.  My 66 SS conv was a 6 cyl!!
The 62 was my first car.  I Hot Rod ed it.

I remember those. I think the 65 only came in light blue?

[ACUDANUT]

We all started out with Chevy's but graduated to Mopars...I think some of YOU should sell your Mopars and go back to Chevy's, since you want to talk Chevy's and highjack this thread.

[Brock Samson]

 it's OK - They saw the light and now realize that MOPAR is a better Musclecar.
damn Johnny came latelys

[TK73]

Don't be hatin' on other American brands when you can bash on imports.  I Dig all the old cool iron.

Only way I'd own a new Dodge is if it was given to me... then, maybe

[1969chargerrtse]

Don't be hatin' on other American brands when you can bash on imports.  I Dig all the old cool iron.

Only way I'd own a new Dodge is if it was given to me... then, maybe

You tell em bro!  American pie. I love all the old iron and own a Mopar.

[Charger-Bodie]

I use mine way more now than when it wasnt done!!!

[1969chargerrtse]

You don't count. You have a Hemi Daytona. Nuff said. 
If you werent using it, you'd need to seek mental help. 

[moparstuart]

You don't count. You have a Hemi Daytona. Nuff said. 
If you werent using it, you'd need to seek mental help. 

he should anyway

[mauve66]

I have used mine less & less over the years.  I do take it out once in a while but since a few of my good car-show-buddies moved away, I have less an urge to go to a local cruise night.   Mostly take it to the larger shows & thats it.

I also attribute my laziness to the fact as well.....since I have a 1 car garage, detached behind my house and a 1 lane driveway, I now have to shuffle 3 other cars to get the Charger out.  Also sometimes the Mustang wins out because its car #3

I can understand that.  I plan on buyinmg another Honda Gold Wing this winter and when springs come around I'll use the charger here and there but when it comes to going for a fast cruise to visit a friend or grab a coffe the gold Wing will win.

absolutely not!!!!!!!!!  i like street bikes but would never pick a bike over my car (if it was running of course)

[bull]

I use mine way more now than when it wasnt done!!!

That's what I was asking earlier. Doesn't "using" it mean driving it? And if it's in pieces on the floor how can you drive it?

[1969chargerrtse]

I use mine way more now than when it wasnt done!!!

That's what I was asking earlier. Doesn't "using" it mean driving it? And if it's in pieces on the floor how can you drive it?

What I was talking about was a car in good shape as mine was while I was improving things on it. Now that it's done, I don't use it as much as I used to.
As for the bike comment. That comes from a guy with a Charger not on the road who uses his bike a lot. When the Charger is done and used for a few years, I'm betting it'll be easier and cheaper to jump on the bike for a quick ride than uncovering the Charger and going for a ride.

[mopar0166]

Mine is done for now, HAAHA!  but i think it will always be a work in progress.  its like wine

[HeavyFuel]

I've got a brother, former owner of a sweet '70 red  w/ white gut 4 speed 383 Super Bee, that can't keep the same car around for more than a year.  He craves the high of searching out a different vehicle, drives it for a while and moves on.

He has had between 30-40 cars over the years, as daily drivers mind you, not stuff that just sits in the yard or garage.

Right now he's in a white with red int. '93 Vette, 6 speed, glass top, and it's cherry.  It'll be gone this time next year.



And I want his address;  he lives on the corner of "Dodge Dr" and "Daytona Circle".    No shit.

[1969chargerrtse]

Actually took my ( done ) car out tonight for a short ride.  Tomorrow am again for a DD run, then again Sun.

[ugly2u]

I bought mine to drive! I was driving it daily, even in the winter, until the motor started making bad noise. Now the motor is on the shop floor, car in pieces, not being driven. It's only been 3 weeks, but it kills me. I've been driving the 72 blazer with the top off.

I built the charger to drive, not look at. But several moths ago, driving down the highway, I hit a piece of styrofoam from someone's bumper and put a huge hole in my otherwise perfect grill! Looking for replacement grill makes me reconsider daily driving the charger. If Im not driving it, I don't want to storage it.

Once I fix the motor, I will daily drive it again and see what happens. I have not lost interest in driving it, just torn if it's a good idea....

[Khyron]

I use mine less since the divorce, but thats because the car is farther away from me now LOL

[69 OUR/TEA]

Rob,you did'nt even start your car yet!!!! It needs to come all apart,strip it down,paint the inside of the trunk,jambs,eng bay,body,all in the orig......... Y2 !!!Then put the new black vinyl top on,dog dish w/redlines,then it's done.            The car would look killer like that !!!!!!!!

[1969chargerrtse]

Rob,you did'nt even start your car yet!!!! It needs to come all apart,strip it down,paint the inside of the trunk,jambs,eng bay,body,all in the orig......... Y2 !!!Then put the new black vinyl top on,dog dish w/redlines,then it's done.            The car would look killer like that !!!!!!!!

I do like the Y2 idea, but that's way over my head.  There's already to much money in it.  Most people would like the Orange over the Yellow anyway.  

[CharcoalCharger]

I have my '02 Stratus R/T as my daily driver.  I drive my Dart Sport every chance I get (short errands and weekends).  I'd take it to work more often, but that is 40 miles one way.  I usually will only take it 2 or 3 times during the summer.  I built it to be driven.  I don't take it out on purpose in the rain, but if I get caught in it, oh well. My '67 Dart GT doesn't get driven as much.  It just isn't as much fun (ie fast) as the Sport.  At the beginning of every summer I drive it to my grandfather's house.  The GT used to be his, so he enjoys taking it to church and whatnot.  The Charger doesn't get driven yet (still in pieces).  I suspect tho when it's done it'll get driven quite often.   

My buddy has his Charger wrecked into while it was sitting IN his garage.  I have insurance and I'll take my chances.  I don't know how long I'll be here, so I want to enjoy things like my cars whenever I can. 

I also have a buddy (2 actually) that are into buying/selling cars.  It could be a month between when I saw one of them last and they could have a different car.  The one buddy bought an '03 Cobra in Oct., parked it for the winter (Northeast PA) and sold it in April.  He may have driven it 5 times.  Between the 2 buddies they've had more cars than I could remember.

So to answer the question in the original post...NO

[A383Wing]

well, we got 8 cars here....and I can honestly say that none of them are ever "done"

[chargermike]

 i have never lost interest in my charger. i still 5 years later after finishing her love to drive her. for me the thrill was not building her but being able to enjoy her. mine is not a garage queen. mine i drive all the time.  hope the mojo comes back to you.

[Roger 68 charger]

Its been 15 years sense I have been in my car and drove it down the road---I cant wait till she is finished. I plan on driving the doors off It   

[ACUDANUT]

well, we got 8 cars here....and I can honestly say that none of them are ever "done"

With 8 cars you will never be "done" 

[kamkuda]

For me it was all about the journey and not so much about the destination......

Thats probably the fun of it. The build may be more fun than the driving

[elanmars]

these cars are never done. i bought a solid driver and have sunk about $6,000 just to keep it on the road as a daily driver.

[Back N Black]

Mine is done and I'm getting bored. Not too many muscle cars in my area and its boring driving around all alone.

[1969chargerrtse]

Mine is done and I'm getting bored. Not too many muscle cars in my area and its boring driving around all alone.

I have one friend I meet up with but 90% of my driving is alone.

[A383Wing]

well, we got 8 cars here....and I can honestly say that none of them are ever "done"

With 8 cars you will never be "done" 

actually, I'm "done"..the cars never will be in my lifetime

[472 R/T SE]

If it wasn't such a pain in the ass I'd drive my red car more.  As it is, I have to move my Magnum that's in the street & when I come out of the driveway I end up with over half the car in the yard cause my driveway is so f'ed up & it'll bottom out real bad if I don't use the yard.

That reason alone keeps me from driving a lot more than I do.

If we had a different house & I had endless room so I could shuffle the hot rods in & out easily I'd prolly be driving one of them almost daily.

So I guess my answer would be no.