Please help.

I have been building my locost for about four years now and have come to a critical stage. In the past four years I have gone from single life to married with three inherited children. This has meant that in last 6 months I have got nothing at all done on car. I have got chassis fully built and have most parts to complete it and can see in the future having a little more time but will I have enough?

The two questions are, 1. do I carry on with the build (enthusiasm is there but time?), 2. what do you think project is worth at this stage of build if I was to decide to quit (I hate that word but thats what I would be doing)?

Would appreciate any advice or others experience. Cheers.

I shouldn't think you would get that much for a basic Capri based locost - compared to the time/effort/money put in.

If you're not desperate for the money or space then I would say keep it - you may welcome a 'good excuse' to get out to the garage or off to a show I know I do! Just don't give yourself a hard time about not finishing it yet and just treat it as 'tinkering in the garage time'

[Edited on 6/6/05 by Jasper]

Plan your time to fit a set number of hours in per week and get it finished!

Then you can keep it and take the mrs out for a spin at the weekends

Hope this helps

Cheers

Mark

i agree with mookaloid but the best bit is that the kids stay at home

Hellooo,

Here's my humble opinion, as said if you don't need the space or money then keep it (schedule time or just freeze progress for a few months).

We have just had our first child (culture shock +++).

I immediately went and sold my Fireblade (regret, regret) I stopped at getting rid of other projects in the pipeline that were not taking time , money or space, so every project both of us had has been on hold.

In a few months or a year or so we plan to continue, I would kick myself to get rid of the collection of parts, work so far and more importantly time taken.

Mark

I'm sorry I just don't get it. I have seen loads of ads on Ebay and in the paper etc saying things like 'new baby forces sale' or 'wife and kids are taking up too much time blah blah blah!' I've had kids, I have a wife and a mortgage, two jobs and I still have plenty of time and fortunately just about enough dosh to do most things I want including mess about in the garage a few hours a week with my cars. I think people use the wife and kids and new babys as an excuse because they have lost interest in their projects. My advice is to keep the car. There's no rush to finish it and you will be grateful of the occasional excuse to escape from the kids to the garage once in a while. Failing that the cars is probably worth a good fifty quid and I'll have first dibs!!!!
Cheers
Jon

you don't have a deadline, so there is no reason you can't take as long as you like. I haven't touched mine in 3 weeks. Garden, decorating, kids, wifes job etc etc. But I have sat and read staniforths suspension book in that time, how do I find the time? Keep the book in the toilet!!

Keep it, you'll get around to it sometime. Are the kids of an age to involve them in the build?

Put it ot one side so to speak, I started mine whilst my daughter was about 18 months old she is now 4 and a half and I have a 20 month old son as well. I finished the car in Feb this year. I wasn't giving up for anything. You just need to strike a balance (and not upset the other half too much !)

ps guess it's time to change my avatar then ? Well guess I haven't changed it for quite some time !

It's been five years this month since I bought my donor Escort and started my build. I've shelved it twice in that time due to redundancy, and kept up with all those family things along the way.
I am really glad I didn't chuck the towel in as in a couple of months it will be FINSHED!

Then I can start another one.

David

I just want to add my voice to the others that say dont give up I started my build the day I learned that my wife was pregnant with our second child . and resisted the presure to give up . The best thing I could have done . I knoew that you have "inherited " the three kids and in my mind that is all the more reason to carry on ! there will be times that you will need time in your own space and the project will be a fine example to that children that life involves makeing and doing rather than just spending and consuming . It could be a good opportunity for bonding with the kids .
Best wishes
Iain

Cheers for all the advice, so of it a bit humbling. Well, decision is made.

Car will go on back burner to be recommenced when essential jobs on house have been completed (just moved).

Will make time, have set target of 3 hours per week to start with.

Have started small library in W.C.

Sorry givemethebighammer of all the avatars I had to choose?!, will change it.

Thanks again, I'm sure we have made the right decision

Just to back you up. I sold M3 when first child came along (regret regret). This spurred me on to replace it, hence building a ZR. Second child came along and i delayed build for 2 months. No problem though as i banged in some extra hours before hand to cover it. Now i manage my time effectively. Kids are asleep by 7.30 pm. I go out in garage from 8.30 to 11is 3 nights a week. Weekends are family time (sometimes build on Sat or Sun night).

Its amazing what you can get done in such a short time as long as you plan out the jobs. I know several people who have spent 3 hours a night and got nowhere - in reality they have just stood in garage looking and dreaming. I do my dreaming when watching the TV (yes i watch Emmerdale and Corra!!!) so that when i go out i know what i want to achieve and get on with it.

SWMBO wanted to move house - so i used excuse to say that i needed to progress the build faster. It looks like we are staying now (so i can keep my 13' x 29' garage - YES) and she has got used to me building now.

I have another secret weapon - my Dad has an MK, so when i start to get earache i pursuade him to take her for a spin out and She's back into the idea again.

I have to admit that i earn my pass-outs. I make the Tea, wash up, clean bathrooms, do DIY and help with the kids (she doesnt agree sometimes but im better than my p1ss head mates that just go out drinking!)

I also inherited two teenage daughters.

Do you know why they make power tools so noisy?

To drown out the noise in the house!

"You're wearing my top!"
Where's the hair dryer!"
"Your're hoggin the computor!"
"I don't want to watch this channel!"

etc, etc, etc.........

Cheers

Fred WB

You are right Fred. Buiding gives you the vital release from family life

Dont sell up. You need your hobbies to keep you sane. My garage is my huffy house.

Our car was built by myself and my brother.

Shortly after the project was started, my brother had a new addition to the family, also both me and my brother moved house (seperately of course), I got a mortgage too.

We both have partners and 2 kids.

All we did was work on the car on a Sunday afternoon (for 4 years) with a month or so break for house moving/sorting etc.

What I'm trying to say (badly) is just set some time aside and get it finished!

You won't regret the decision, nothing like a quiet garage to clear your mind once in a while.

I wasn't upset about the avatar and I was serious that it was about time I changed it so I just have !



[Edited on 7/6/05 by givemethebighammer]

Glad to hear your keeping it!

One more thing you need to do though............ get a nice wooden toilet seat, doesn't stop the circulation as quickly!!!!