Would you ever buy a weekend/project car?

[project15]

I'm really thinking about buying a third car as a project car and weekend/fun car. I'm considering a miata since it's the cheapest convertible roadster on the market and it's easy to fix and make performance modifications to it. I have the knowledge and skill to perform any work on it myself which will be part of the fun of owning it.

Does anyone else have a car or expensive toy that they don't really need, but just think it's fun to have around?

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by project15

I'm really thinking about buying a third car as a project car and weekend/fun car. I'm considering a miata since it's the cheapest convertible roadster on the market and it's easy to fix and make performance modifications to it. I have the knowledge and skill to perform any work on it myself which will be part of the fun of owning it.

Does anyone else have a car or expensive toy that they don't really need, but just think it's fun to have around?

Hell absolutely freaking no!!! Weekend project cars quickly turn into a money pit if you want to do it right. It's the worst way to spend your money if you're on a budget.

I have a half-tub roadracing car. It's the biggest money pit in the world.

If you still want to do it though let's talk more

[cschin4]

It is a big expense. But, everyone has to decide for themselves what is "worth" it. I have a friend who is absolutely enthralled with combustion engine. When I suggested he sell all his car parts and junkers and buy one good car, he looked at me as if I had 2 heads. Then, I got it. He enjoys the work of it more than anything. I also have another friend who has a "summer car" a small roadster. A cute little 2 seater which she only gets out in the spring. And, her bills are paid, her kids are grown and she really enjoys it. So, do what you want.

[disneysteve]

Not me, but I'm not a "car guy." On the other hand, I know plenty who are. For example, my cousing drives a 98 Toyota Avalon normally, but also owns a 1955 Pontiac Safari and a 1960 Corvette. He takes both to antique car shows almost every weekend from April to October and spends hours and hours working on them.

If you've got the money, time, space and interest, go right ahead.

[zakity]

I figure that it is a relatively cheap hobby for DH. DH likes to tinker. He does it as we have the money for it. And, it is cheaper than smoking or gambling or hanging out at the nudie bars.

I know where he is, what he is doing, he is happy, and the boys get to help him and learn how to work on a car.

[MonkeyMama]

Not project, but I will buy a weekend car.

We don't spend much on cars so I don't find it a big deal. Will pick up a good deal on a used sports car down the road.

I gave up my convertible when we had kids. Was paid for, but could not justify insurance on 3 cars, and keeping a car that I would not/could not put the kids in. (The carseats wouldn't fit anyway if I had wanted to).

But yeah I'll get a weekend car in a few years. It's all relative. Since we don't spend much on our regular cars, we have the room. We also heard our insurance rates may be going down (due to political stuff - zip code remapping) so when that happens I am buying my car! For now it is really the insurance more than anything that we can't justify quite yet. The insurance rates are horrid here, for now, even with perfect driving records and driving very used cars.

If you can pay your bills and make your financial goals, then why not? We all have our very different hobbies.

For us, if for any reason the car came too expensive, we'd just sell it/donate it. So it goes. That's the nice thing about extras. They are easy to drop in times of need.

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

Not project, but I will buy a weekend car.

I agree with this. A project car will need constant repairs and improvements. Ideally a weekend car will need very little provided you store it correctly before putting it away for the winter.


I honestly attribute part of financial drama to project cars gone bad. I like everything to be perfect and I don't like to cut and run, which is what I should have done on some of them.

If you're set on a project car, make sure you have a budget and don't go over. Understand that everything works perfectly in your mind, but when you try to actually do stuff yourself it's much harder. I worked several years as a repair tech and some stuff is still very difficult for me.


I would say ideally you want a cheaper hobby, like painting or music or something that doesn't need a bunch of money.

[PrincessPerky]

My father in law bought an old truck and repaired/rebuilt it on off days and such, he loves it, it is his pet (wins quite a few antique car awards for it)..he also has a corvette and at least 3 other vehicles..plus his wife has one.

He is retired, but is not pulling his 401K money, doesn't need it...so I would say he has it to 'waste'.

To each their own hobby wise...however..didn't you also post about buying a house? or am I mixing up posters?

While I have lived in my car, and I know childless it is quite doable, I do not recommend risking a decent bed for a fun hobby..even one that has enough room to lie down in.

[project15]

Originally Posted by InDebtInDC

I agree with this. A project car will need constant repairs and improvements. Ideally a weekend car will need very little provided you store it correctly before putting it away for the winter.

If you're set on a project car, make sure you have a budget and don't go over. Understand that everything works perfectly in your mind, but when you try to actually do stuff yourself it's much harder. I worked several years as a repair tech and some stuff is still very difficult for me.

I would say ideally you want a cheaper hobby, like painting or music or something that doesn't need a bunch of money.

I worked at a garage for 4 summers during high school (24 now) so I have a bit of experience with cars and the confidence to do most repairs myself. But yeah, there are some things I wouldn't want to attempt especially on an old rusty car. I do have cheaper hobbies (guitars, cycling, computers), but will always have a love for cars.

I guess I meant more of a weekend car rather than project car. The project part would be to upgrade it (turbo, suspension, etc...).

Yes, PrincessPerky, I did start a thread about buying a house. This is just a dream of mine for someday down the road (2 or 3 years if I feel it's affordable at that point)

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by project15

I guess I meant more of a weekend car rather than project car. The project part would be to upgrade it (turbo, suspension, etc...).

Oh God no! No turbo. They cost so much money and are very tempermental.

If you're set on Miatas, they're actually quite cheap. Look on miata.net for more info.

If you want to cut cost, get a 91.5-97 model for the cheapest replacement parts. Avoid the 89-91.5 models due to the crank failure. Read on miata.net for more info.

[hawkster]

Up until this past June I had 3 cars in my garage....

2001 Ford Focus driven by my wife

1995 Ford Contour driven by me to commute to work

1993 Mazda Miata - our weekend blow the hair around car


After June the contour crapped the bed I got the focus as a daily driver and we traded the miata in to get my wife a new 07 Mazda 6.

I miss the heck out of the miata, will most likely buy myself another one this coming summer.....was not a money pit either, at least mine was not.

Zoom - Zoom