I've been on a personal crusade of simplifying my life and paying off debt. I'm divorced now, 32 years old, live in my grandmother's basement, and don't have a place of my own. It's time to move on. I devote so much time to my projects it's coming between me and the boys, not to mention getting time and money to start dating again. I'm tired of working on cars and buying parts for a dozen or so projects. I feel overwhelmed. None are getting finished, many haven't even been started, others have been sitting for years. I've been keeping up with how much I spend on cars and parts the past few years and it's been enough that I could have went out and paid cash for something in the 30-40k range. What I'd like to do is sell all my quest stuff for around 12k. You'd get one excellent running car, two rollers (one fat one flat), two parts cars, complete leather black and tan interior, mint black interior, fully built forged 4g64 with all necessary swap parts plus some, TII trans, t56 trans, couple of different engine management solutions, several blocks, a coveted 4g63 wideblock, enough parts to build a couple of DASH 4g63 12Valve engines, whats left of an AWD talon, several sets of JDM tails, and many many more parts both USDM and JDM, nearly all rare and desireable. What I would keep is one 4g64 SOHC and turbo mani, DSM wiring harness, Eprom ECU, cloth black and tan, my first 89 SHP, and a few other odds and ends. 12k is way less than what I've got in all this stuff. It's enough to fill up a large U-haul to the brim and five trips with a car hauler.

I don't have time to part all of it out, SO DON'T ASK.

Even considering liquidating my 1st gen Celica, V6 KLZE Escort, and Raider projects. See a trend here? I'd keep my 89 Quest for me and Rambler wagon cause the kids like it.

Sorry for the tirade, but I've been looking at things a little different lately. I was going through a bunch of pictures a few days ago from when me and my buds would go to car shows. There were hundreds of pictures of cars and only one of my friends. Same with my high school sweet heart, just a handful of her. My priorities have been in the wrong place for a long time. I feel I have missed out on sooo much in life from worrying, spending, and working on cars. Feel even worse since I don't really have anything to show for it. Want to sell most of my car stuff so I can buy a boat, camper, or something along those lines. Don't forget a house too. People in my life are becoming more important and something like a boat would be enjoyable to more than just the guy behind the wheel.

Kane

Sounds like you've got it figured out, Kane. Best of luck.

John B.

The only problem I see is finding somebody to buy the whole chunk. Not many folks with that much cash free to play with.

Hate to see an old 'quest maniac quit, but you make a lot of sense.

I'd love to be able to afford the 4g64 forged for a swap into my 3.0 shorty a/t...

Kane:

I hear what you are saying. My situation is similar, though not as invloved in so many cars as yours. I feel like time is slipping and the need to simplify. It takes a while to work through in your head, as you have thought so much and for so long on all the projects/ideas. I can say that I feel I am starting to turn a corner on doing some heavy pruning, and at some point you start to feel a little peace with it. Doesn't mean you are giving it all up, just doing a reorg as they say in business.

On the whole lot for $12k, sounds like a good deal. But as Eddy said, may not find a taker. Understand how you don't want to go into the parts business either. I would suggest being open to seeling large "chunks" of the whole.

Lastly, get that boat and get out with your kids. Mine are teenagers now and I spend much of my thinking moements on how little time I have left before they move into the next phases of their lives...

i remember that feeling ... but i kept them then when i turned 55 i had them all done and a new place to park them ..... wheels and the new place

Even tho I am new here & don't "know" anyone I feel compelled to write. I was in the same situation as you some 8 years ago. Went bankrupt then divorced. My son was 2 at the time and that part alone ripped me apart. To this day I still live in the same apartment that I moved into when we divorced. Have been house shopping for the better part of 2 years but in the 80XXX range there is not much decent choices unless you want a major project, which I don't. My son will turn 10 on the 26th of this month and time has flown by. I think you have a good plan as later in life there will always be more projects to start, but your kids are only little once. Keep your most favorite/s and move everything else. Find a place you and your boys can call home and be the best Dad you can be. Good luck to you.

These cars in the end are just masses of steel and wires. I am lucky to catch myself and say WTF am I doing, and smack myself out of buying more money pits. I have a self imposed limit of 3 cars, but in a seconds notice id sell them to help my girlfriend or family. In the end your time is short here and you can't let "things" get in the way of people you care for. Good luck with the consolidation, but also consider using your cars as a way to create memories, not be the focal point of them. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Same stream, different shore... I'm still married, 2 children, a new ranch with a menagerie of livestock, cats, dogs, and Monteros. My work often precludes good service with dismantling and I'm finding myself without time for projects because of recovery time after work assignments. I've been out of state for weeks at a time, get home and just feel like sitting.

I'd love someone to make an offer on my parts and parts cars, take them all away, but this is just a dream. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />

I was married for 18 yrs,,,, divorced for 10.What I learned in that time was to be a better Dad & to be comfortable in my own skin... Also figured out that's it's better to be by yourself than to wish you were.Projects come & go...pick 1 to occupy your down time if you need to.Do what's right for the family & the other stuff will fall into place.

Good luck to you , don't think you need it.You seem to have a good handle on things.

Your kids are the most important project of the bunch.They
grow up fast and you have to make the most of the time you
share,cause when they have their own lives they'll have less
time for you.Don't know how old your boys are but involving
them in Project Raider could blossom into many good memories
of offroading and camping, that might lead to something that
can build a bond that continues, leads to you shareing time
with your boys on their Raider projects when they are grown
and lead to family outings in later life. I'm sure many here
can attest to how the family that wheels together has one
more reason spend time together.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />