We have a great diversity of people and cars on here. The cars range from the scratch-built budget masterpieces to the full-on bling, big money jobs.
Now, I have a senior management position with a decent salary but not too much free time which has led to my car being a sort of mid-budget job which suits me well enough for the time being. I don't have much garage space so I have no "proper" workshop tools (counting lathes and stuff here) and have ended up buying a reasonable amount off-the shelf (apart from the motor related bits due to my unusual choice).
So the question that I have been pondering today is... what produces a nicer spec (in the owner's opinion) car, time or money?
And another one... How much is too much to plough into a toy car?
And finally... given the law of diminishing financial returns on the investment in nice shiny bits, is it done because we need to or just because we can?
Sorry if it's a bit rambling, I'm off sick at the moment (hence the time for thinking) and on some quite strong pain killers (hence the not doing something more productive in the garage!).

money and imagination

creativity, vision and cash!

Time and love can make more of an impact that money. Time, love, money ,imagination and LCB make a truly wonderful machine!

Time and acess to a full workshop

Definatley time spent doing it well but also money to enable you to do it.

Time for me... seen guys doing amazing things on tight budgets over the years!

Time and effort, even a caterham can look crap if the hearts not in the build. I have seen some pretty amazing looking cars created from little spend.

You could always buy one already registered and spend money making it your own.

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Originally posted by scootz
Time for me... seen guys doing amazing things on tight budgets over the years!

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Originally posted by Danozeman
Definatley time spent doing it well but also money to enable you to do it.

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mine is be different whatever the price, mine has cost 20k so far and another 5k to go, but if it cast another 10k so be it, money is not the issue, its time to do it, and getting it right.

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And another one... How much is too much to plough into a toy car?

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time and patience of doing a good job, not rushing (which i do a lot of) but also buying higher spec parts like brakes and turbo/superchargers etc.

i dont have the time or the money, so will give you an opinion in 18-24 months time

TBH i'll just be happy with something that passes IVA, goes like stink and that SWMBO will never want to borrow to take the kids to school in

Reading, understanding, time, effort and a specific range of skillsets that allow determination and belief to be the prevelant factors and then the money (or in my case, someone elses!)...

[Edited on 28/1/10 by Steve Hignett]

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Originally posted by bj928
mine is be different whatever the price, mine has cost 20k so far and another 5k to go, but if it cast another 10k so be it, money is not the issue, its time to do it, and getting it right.

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^ he's right, as long as its different, and you're happy to spend the money, then why not?

(thats my excuse anyway, not looking at how much i spent and it'll still already look about 5 years old when its done)

[Edited on 28/1/10 by blakep82]

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Originally posted by Richard Quinn

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Originally posted by bj928
mine is be different whatever the price, mine has cost 20k so far and another 5k to go, but if it cast another 10k so be it, money is not the issue, its time to do it, and getting it right.

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I appreciate that your's is a little different to most but that's £25k to £30k for a homebuilt car which falls into my "why?" category. Is it because you need it or because you can? How much disposable income does a person need to have to justify spending that amount on something like that? Or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and it's not about the money, just the need to show that it can be done?

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Originally posted by bj928

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Originally posted by Richard Quinn

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Originally posted by bj928
mine is be different whatever the price, mine has cost 20k so far and another 5k to go, but if it cast another 10k so be it, money is not the issue, its time to do it, and getting it right.

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I appreciate that your's is a little different to most but that's £25k to £30k for a homebuilt car which falls into my "why?" category. Is it because you need it or because you can? How much disposable income does a person need to have to justify spending that amount on something like that? Or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and it's not about the money, just the need to show that it can be done?

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i wanted to be different, money not an issue, all my money is mine, no family to worry about, and yes i am doing it because i can, also want to try and hit 200mph in a seven and maybe get in the guiness book of records for the fastest 7, or maybe the most powerfull, or something!!!!! but mainly cos i can, wanted to get noticed

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Originally posted by bj928

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Originally posted by Richard Quinn

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Originally posted by bj928
mine is be different whatever the price, mine has cost 20k so far and another 5k to go, but if it cast another 10k so be it, money is not the issue, its time to do it, and getting it right.

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I appreciate that your's is a little different to most but that's £25k to £30k for a homebuilt car which falls into my "why?" category. Is it because you need it or because you can? How much disposable income does a person need to have to justify spending that amount on something like that? Or maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree and it's not about the money, just the need to show that it can be done?

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i wanted to be different, money not an issue, all my money is mine, no family to worry about, and yes i am doing it because i can, also want to try and hit 200mph in a seven and maybe get in the guiness book of records for the fastest 7, or maybe the most powerfull, or something!!!!! but mainly cos i can, wanted to get noticed

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The skills to carry out the build,then the time and then money, in that order, in my opinion.

i think for me, ultimatly, its a hobby. Some people spend all there time learning to fight or play sport. Some build models or paint. We are gas guzzling, diesel snorting, octaine oggling petrol heads. Plain and simple. Some love the build, some love the drive. I like the learning and will put what ever effort, time and money i feel comfortable into this hobby i want. As long as it brings a smile and i want to do it all again tomorrow i think its ok.

I think Effort, Skills, Time, Money in that order!

Lots of time and the correct tools can make you anything. money just speeds the process up. everyone will get there in the end although some people die first.

look at some of the historic buildings in london and various other city's they are engineering master pieces. most took over 20 odd years to build mainly due to lack of modern tools and money but they got there in the end!!

Time patience and vision.......

Very little bling was purchased, and utilising everything possible from the donor...

Time and patience stripping all of the components, rebuilding and refurbing....

Fozzie

Lots of people are saying "skill". Mine should be on the road this summer and I can honestly say I don't have a single drop of natural ability in car building!

I think skill can be replaced with "a willingness to read mountains of information until something explain precisely how to get a job done"

[Edited on 29/1/10 by cd.thomson]

Yep i agree Craig, I think Effort can turn into skill through reading etc...

Money just gives you short cuts and time multipliers.
ie you can buy nicely finished and bling parts that would take many hours of labour to achieve for nil cost. Or being able to pay someone else to do certain jobs.

Skill is achieved by a combination of doing and learning. As said above and with lots of reading.
Access to LCB.. ie all of US on here. Thats a a huge resource of skill and know-how. Its a major part in building a quality car.

What do you want FROM your car?

A sporty looking car at the least cost cos your broke?

A High Cost 200mph Bling-mobile that catches everyones eye at any cost.

Something else that you can be proud to say I built ALL of that! Regardless of how much or how little it cost you.

IMHO it depends on what you want from the finished car.

BUT.... Bear in mind very few of us on here ever totally finish their cars. There is always something to do or modify or upgrade.

So the Car can become an On The Road rolling Hobby!

In life you either have the time and no money, or the money and no time.
Rarely do people have both.

You decide how much you want (or can afford) to spend, and start to build on that.

I'd Love a 7 litre Supercharged Ultima GTR.
However, the likelyhood of me ever owning one is about NIL.
Even if I could afford it, I wouldn't be able to get in thru those tiny doors, as I'm a Bat F'stard
Still... The Gov'y cant tax dreams can they?



EDIT:
Having seen Fozzies car, its a blinder... and I didnt realise until now just how much of it was home brewed and done at minimum cost.
Its a real credit to the builder.

[Edited on 29/1/2010 by wilkingj]

Skill, Effort & Imagination in no particular order but always lots of Time

and if the money has to be spent on something - don't try and cut corners to avoid it

but as above you can substitute skill & time for research & money - at least I hope so, because I don't have enough skill

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Time and patience stripping all of the components, rebuilding and refurbing....

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I agree with the time and access to a workshop bit. Money to a lesser degree (I'm happy with mine and it cost me about 6k total).

I think the quality of a build depends on the ability of the builder and access to the right tools. It's true you see people do amazing things from very little but they usually have the skills and the right tools and equipment...