Is anyone else bored with their car?
12-28-2009, 11:54 PM
#44
Slowest Progress Ever
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The problem here is, (I was at the dyno event and I saw his face), he didn't make the power he expected. I had the same problem when I dynoed. I can't say I'm bored with my car though, cause I'm always messing with it. My fiance and my friend both keep telling me to buy a C5 Vette. My problem is, I keep playing Megasquirt games to try to find the right way to go, but I get nowhere. I could put a clutch in it, and just run 1 standard setup and run 12's all day, but part of my lack of boredom is the constant tweeking. I have a 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 that I chopped. My friends bust on me all the time as to why it's been 2 years since the bike last ran. The way I see it, if I finish it, then I'll be bored with it. So it's either I have the baddest bike around and be bored, or have a project that never ends, but always be occupied. There is no happy medium, there is just personal preference. I prefer to drive a '99 Miata that I can't stop messing around with, instead of a C5 vette with the same bolt ons that anyone can buy. If you'd rather ride a bike, and you need to sell your miata to get on that bike, then that's what you have to do.
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12-29-2009, 07:23 AM
#49
Since you talked about bikes...
I used to be the same way with motorcycles. I'd buy one...and flip it as soon as I got tired with it. This worked well since it was easy to do (at the time) and I kept making money while still selling below market value (=happy customers). I kept stepping up...and saw the boredom take longer and longer to set in.
Then I found my bike, a 2002 Triumph Daytona 955i with a nice TBR can. It SPOKE to me. It was more than I had...but I was working an internship that payed well and could foresee splurging the savings and still getting enough back in the bank by the end of August to pay tuition. That and the wife was happy with me at the time.
I finally bought the bike I should have bought all along...and I LOVED it. I never got bored with it. It had a great chassis...a torque curve as flat as your dining room table...fully adjustable suspension...amazing brakes...and made fantastic noises. It was the gentlemen's superbike. I never got bored with it...even after a year of commuting 200miles daily on it.
What did I learn from this?
If you're going to do something...do it right. Otherwise you'll keep doing it over again anyhow. This is your second iteration of your turbo setup right? Either do it again no holds bar, or step back and access another project. Either way do it the way you really want...with a clear goal you know you'll enjoy as I said before.
With the bikes I got lucky, since I kept stepping up. This was also good for developing skill. I also did an occasional track day, which is easier on bikes since they're made to run like that all day (with good oil and pads). This can be expensive with cars though.
When you find a vehicle that really moves you, I mean really moves you, you can be content. I got a smile (and wood) every time I threw my leg over that bike. I feel like I almost got there with this car, but now regret not having gone the built motor big turbo route. I honestly can't afford it...and shouldn't be pining away for it, but such is life.
Go for a ride in a 300whp Miata and see what you might be missing. I've never been in one...so maybe my own perception is skewed (and may have something to do with my disappointment now). Therein lies the problem...unrealistic expectations. I read enough of hustler's account of blowing off exotics..and thought: "I can live with 80% of that and be happy." Turns out I was wrong.
I used to be the same way with motorcycles. I'd buy one...and flip it as soon as I got tired with it. This worked well since it was easy to do (at the time) and I kept making money while still selling below market value (=happy customers). I kept stepping up...and saw the boredom take longer and longer to set in.
Then I found my bike, a 2002 Triumph Daytona 955i with a nice TBR can. It SPOKE to me. It was more than I had...but I was working an internship that payed well and could foresee splurging the savings and still getting enough back in the bank by the end of August to pay tuition. That and the wife was happy with me at the time.
I finally bought the bike I should have bought all along...and I LOVED it. I never got bored with it. It had a great chassis...a torque curve as flat as your dining room table...fully adjustable suspension...amazing brakes...and made fantastic noises. It was the gentlemen's superbike. I never got bored with it...even after a year of commuting 200miles daily on it.
What did I learn from this?
If you're going to do something...do it right. Otherwise you'll keep doing it over again anyhow. This is your second iteration of your turbo setup right? Either do it again no holds bar, or step back and access another project. Either way do it the way you really want...with a clear goal you know you'll enjoy as I said before.
With the bikes I got lucky, since I kept stepping up. This was also good for developing skill. I also did an occasional track day, which is easier on bikes since they're made to run like that all day (with good oil and pads). This can be expensive with cars though.
When you find a vehicle that really moves you, I mean really moves you, you can be content. I got a smile (and wood) every time I threw my leg over that bike. I feel like I almost got there with this car, but now regret not having gone the built motor big turbo route. I honestly can't afford it...and shouldn't be pining away for it, but such is life.
Go for a ride in a 300whp Miata and see what you might be missing. I've never been in one...so maybe my own perception is skewed (and may have something to do with my disappointment now). Therein lies the problem...unrealistic expectations. I read enough of hustler's account of blowing off exotics..and thought: "I can live with 80% of that and be happy." Turns out I was wrong.
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12-29-2009, 08:09 AM
#50
i'm starting to get sick of the escort. after all the work i did to make the trans bulletproof..................... and its still fwd. sure, its close to 350whp..... but i dont have **** for traction until 80+mph unless i'm at the drag strip w/ wrinkle walls on.
i'm thinking maybe in a few years i'll have to chop out the trunk and make it an Escort MRGTR, or something...
you guys have a huge advantage by already being RWD, ignoring the breakage issues of the stock components of course.
i'm thinking maybe in a few years i'll have to chop out the trunk and make it an Escort MRGTR, or something...
you guys have a huge advantage by already being RWD, ignoring the breakage issues of the stock components of course.
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12-29-2009, 08:18 AM
#51
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I was a little dissapointed on my number but I know for sure I got the up now with the new wastegate and tunning the rich top end. Maybe I just enjoy working on cars more then driving them? I had this miata for almost 6 years. Maybe it's just time to move to a new project. I think I need something more beefy then a 4 banger
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12-29-2009, 10:07 AM
#53
I think you need to be honest with yourself. List the things about your car that you don't like. Are they fixable items?
For me, my car rides like ****. It is stiff, and there are rattles that I dislike. However, I accept those for the time being because it is a blast to drive. Sticking a corner on the way to work going way to fast (in most other cars) always puts a smile on my face.
Knowing that my almost 10k money pit can hang with cars that are many times more expensive makes me happy. It's cheap to maintain.
I plan to fix the things I don't like by installing FCM re-valved bilsteins and deadening the rattles after the suspension is changed.
I definitely prefer driving it to wrenching on it constantly. Dynotuning solved this problem last time. Once the new motor, turbo, and trans go in. I will have it dynotuned again and do a lot more driving than wrenching.
You have to be real about what you have ad what you want.
Maybe the miata doesn't fit the bill anymore and you'ed be happier with an S2000 or an M3. I think both of those cars have a more refined ride. At least when compared to my miata.
For me, my car rides like ****. It is stiff, and there are rattles that I dislike. However, I accept those for the time being because it is a blast to drive. Sticking a corner on the way to work going way to fast (in most other cars) always puts a smile on my face.
Knowing that my almost 10k money pit can hang with cars that are many times more expensive makes me happy. It's cheap to maintain.
I plan to fix the things I don't like by installing FCM re-valved bilsteins and deadening the rattles after the suspension is changed.
I definitely prefer driving it to wrenching on it constantly. Dynotuning solved this problem last time. Once the new motor, turbo, and trans go in. I will have it dynotuned again and do a lot more driving than wrenching.
You have to be real about what you have ad what you want.
Maybe the miata doesn't fit the bill anymore and you'ed be happier with an S2000 or an M3. I think both of those cars have a more refined ride. At least when compared to my miata.
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12-29-2009, 11:40 AM
#54
I'm not bored with mine but becoming annoyed at its impracticality with every month that passes. I can buy a new car, but dont want to keep it outside and my rented garage has only space for one. I really really dont want to sell the miata, to much blood sweat and tears in it and from a financial stand point I dont need the 5k that I can get for it.
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12-29-2009, 12:05 PM
#55
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I think I need a fun four door car. Every time I want to go on a nice ride with the family I have to take my Acura mdx and it sucks, I need a fun and fast car I can take the family with.
When we go out to the beach, for a ride, the park, etc. I can't take the miata cause we won't fit. When is just me and the wife going out for drinks or dinner we won't take the miata cause is harsh, and just not a nice car to go on a date in. So the only time I drive it is by myself and it sucks.
When we go out to the beach, for a ride, the park, etc. I can't take the miata cause we won't fit. When is just me and the wife going out for drinks or dinner we won't take the miata cause is harsh, and just not a nice car to go on a date in. So the only time I drive it is by myself and it sucks.
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12-29-2009, 01:55 PM
#59
I'm not bored. I'm always thinking of what to save up for next. But I'm not Hyper and am not trying to reengineer the entire car. Like I recently picked up some Bomex mirrors for a little cooler exterior appearence, added a new brace to improve drivetrain movement and am loving to drive the car all over again. I also do my autoX'ing which keeps my interest because I'm determined to take 1st place next year. Mine also happens to be my daily.
If you have a use for the car, you shouldn't get bored with it.
If you have a use for the car, you shouldn't get bored with it.
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