Glad you've come to a resolution.

Best of luck going forward. 🙂

 

I've had a my NB since 2006, and I'm 34 so we're about the same age. It's went from 30k mile/year dd to I didn't drive it for 2 years.... Actually, if I don't get it going again soon, going to set a new record for how long I didn't drive it.

For me, the car is a toy in two different ways.

At any time, I can modify it which I enjoy.

Also, if it happens to run/drive, I can enjoy driving or racing it. That, I really enjoy if the car is strong enough.

The main thing that makes me sad is if I'm racing the car, but it keeps breaking or just isn't working as it should.

But for me, this works, because the bad part "it doesn't work like I want" just means I get to spend time modifying it to be what I want, which I enjoy!

I have other hobbies and interest, but cars/racing has been there forever for me and I expect that will continue forever.

FWIW, I've also had a few tiny things that bugged the crap out of me (sucked the enjoyment out of it) and eventually I finally fixed those things and then regretted not doing it sooner. One was a loud exhaust. It sounded good, but it gave me a headache on longer drives. So then I wouldn't go on longer drives, but that sucks cause I enjoy long drives! Once I got the exhaust right for my needs, I was back making 2-3 hour drives and loving it.

Replacing the leather on the steering wheel was another. That drove me nuts, and I put a really nice leather on it and it changed the driving experience for me.

Fixing any leaks whatsoever, I can't enjoy driving anything that leaks.

To that point, my current transmission has a tiny leak(s) and I'm going to probably weld a damn AN fitting to the case and re-engineer the fill tube and then make a custom oil pan for it as well as both of these appear to leak and I've considered replacing the entire (7000 dollar) transmission system just because it won't stop leaking! But an upgrade from this would cost even more... So I will come up with something that I know will work, and do it.

 

I was going to come in and suggest that wred take on the challenge of refining the car. Your exhaust example is perfect! It's easy to turn a car into a tin can in the name of "performance", but quite hard to build a refined, well rounded, GT style machine that still has the performance you want.

Maybe take it in a new direction, reverse out a few clicks, see if it makes you happy.

 

So it looks like the decision has been made for me. I no longer have a way to "pass" smog, so I will be selling the car... Sigh. Thank you, everyone, for your input and be on the lookout for my car in the classifieds.

 

I'm not going to comment on your smog issues, but I hope that you swap if you do sell, and replace the car with one that doesn't suffer that problem, but you can still tinker with with AND get to enjoy.

 

I am parting out my car because it simply began to bring more heartache than fun. After 3 engines and years or downtime and only driving it for fun a few thousand miles every couple years. Every time I drove it I was really just trying to avoid being hauled off to jail. It's hard to have good manors with 400hp. This also brought its own anxiety.
engine life anxiety
Speeding and jail anxiety
Constantly thinking about the money i spent and how much closer to a paid off house i would be.
Always on jack stands anxiety

It was too much.

Now I'm going to satisfy my car needs with a 2012 ish porche cayman. I get all the power, reliability and things like ac.

 

This is/was me, except with a C5 Z06.

 

This is why I parted out my project. I was pushing my science project to squeeze out the last 1%. It was an unhealthy addiction with no responsible way to tune after I fixed my clutch slipping. It would start to spin in 4th while already moving 70mph. It was a terror. I made 3x more money parting it out than selling it whole. That being said, I miss it. I took a lot of the rare parts for granted and it was overall a great platform, I was just too deeply invested and wishing I could start over.

I clearly haven't learned my lesson and have decided restore and modify an old Z. I'm already looking to unload it after it's complete....just change of priorities.

There will always be projects you can reflect fondly upon....there will always be new ones too. The cash flow was beneficial in the long run, and I was able to sort out a lot in my life. There's no wrong answer, and you and your mental health come first. Material luxuries will always be around.

 

Having been (and still am in) similar shoes, let me share this with you.
- Get help. No really, get help. Nothing wrong about bouncing everything that's in your head off someone else. Your depressed brain is garbage at being level headed. They might enlighten you to something that could be life changing.
- Is the car helping you avoid your problems OR is it a form of antidepressant while you work through your issues.
- Lean in but don't cut your life line.

Feel free to PM me to chat more.

Julien