I'm A Car Enthusiast That is Starting to Hate Cars. Here's Why.

[Sprintey]

A very perceptive vid from this fellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8jp_lligz0

I was thinking it would be a story about cars becoming more like electronics, but no, he mentions the pain of owning a ****box fleet - you will chortle at said fleet - and the impact of designing most urban areas around them.

He finishes with a nice thought, just using the cars for the drives we dream of, and living in a much more pedestrian friendly world all other times.

Any of you think this way? Are cars losing their lustre? Are you downsizing your fleet?

If any mods can embed the video, much obliged.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Embedded vid

[Franco Cozzo]

If you do it as a career/job - then it drains it hardcore because it ruins a hobby.

Do I like cars, sure,

Will I get rid of my ****box fleet? NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS!

Well, technically one of mine is going this month.

However I do agree with pedestrian/cycling friendly city planning, you build a community around those things, the place I live encourages you to take your car to do short trips due to the way the joint is designed.

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

A
Any of you think this way? Are cars losing their lustre? Are you downsizing your fleet?

If any mods can embed the video, much obliged.

i'm currently downsizing ...... about 14 cars [in various states of decay] to two cars. currently without work - one is registered .. one drives .. one has a blown headgasket .. most are parts cars. so .. anything that cannot be used on those two cars ......... will be scrapped or sold etc etc.. only the BA wagooon & the BF wagooon will remain.

only watched about half the vid & can understand his torment.

[Citroënbender]

My car “hobby” is solitary in the flesh, not a social thing. It’s just one part of a life notion around working and contributing by creating. As society seems to be increasingly stifling true individualism to favour managed categories, it definitely takes the gloss away from mixed fleets.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

...
Any of you think this way? Are cars losing their lustre? Are you downsizing your fleet?

...

My head says no, but my actions, or lack thereof, say yes.

I have four cars in the fleet at the moment and I keep saying that I would like to add at least two more that are reasonably specific, however, when they come up for sale I don't buy them for any number of reasons. Some of the reasons I could very well overcome but just choose not to. I have the money, but just prefer to spend it on other things.

Working on cars has become a chore that gets in the way of other things.

I don't work in any sort of car related industry so it is strictly a hobby, or at least it used to be.

[jpd80]

In other news, guy on an internet channel has a mid-life crisis and wonders if
he’s the only one addicted to collecting vehicles he’s never gonna fix…….

I think the idea of buying low cost vehicles and “doing them up” is now
a thing of the past, everything is now just so expensive.

[arm79]

Damn... I thought the thread title was an opening to a News.com.au article.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by PG2

My head says no, but my actions, or lack thereof, say yes.

I have four cars in the fleet at the moment and I keep saying that I would like to add at least two more that are reasonably specific, however, when they come up for sale I don't buy them for any number of reasons. Some of the reasons I could very well overcome but just choose not to. I have the money, but just prefer to spend it on other things.

Working on cars has become a chore that gets in the way of other things.

I don't work in any sort of car related industry so it is strictly a hobby, or at least it used to be.

Spot on,

Also it takes me much longer to get up off the ground now too

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Spot on,

Also it takes me much longer to get up off the ground now too

your not kidding, plus gettin down . . . .

[prktkljokr]

In answer to the OP's question, my fleet wont downsize anytime soon, the lustre is still there, and the opportunities to own and drive a large range of different vehicles is still appealing, I didn't watch all the vid, but I can see from the vid that he owns a lot of older vehicles, I think this is most of his problem.

Originally Posted by jpd80

I think the idea of buying low cost vehicles and “doing them up” is now
a thing of the past, everything is now just so expensive.

I think it depends on how you look for cars, I do cars as a job, I do cars at home, it pretty much consumes most of my time, I actually have about 15 cars at home, of them 10 are registered cars, then 2 are parts cars and 3 are cars that are being repaired and prepared for registration and sale, I still find cars, bikes and trailers that are cheap and worth doing on a regular basis, sometimes I buy cars, bikes, trailers etc just do a 24 hour flip on them, buy add some $$ to the price then resell, I have made very good money from it, the opportunity to buy cheap cars happens pretty much every day, you just need to look in the right places, you also need to have the funds ready and be ready to buy straight away, get to them straight away and make a decision on the spot, always have to be looking for that next opportunity.

Every car that I own was purchased unlicenced and damaged and owe me roughly a 1/4 of their retail value, Just for example my Wife's car a 2014 C200 Mercedes I purchased for $2900 5 years ago with a damaged LH 1/4 panel and side airbags deployed, spent another $3200 in repairs and registration, currently insured for $24000, Just a week ago I bought a 2013 Mirage for $609 from Gray's and it has already been repaired by the seller , these still sell for $7000, not going to be one of my best profits but still in the $3-4000 profit.

[Jack91]

Its complicated.
I agree with him, its a royal PITA, we have 2 spare cars, (mrs landcruiser and my bronco), both full rego and insurance that sit around for months on end as we both have work cars. This causes dead batteries and the seals to dry out from lack of use and create oil leaks. Both cars also have near 3k worth of tyres that will dry rot before they wear out. If we lost the work cars we wouldnt daily drive these either and would snap up a couple of cheap buzz boxes. We are also in the market for a 70 challenger or 68 charger aswell to make it 3 that are sitting around doing nothing. We plan to use the dodge 2-3 times a year.
But cars are cool. Even some of his garbage is more fun to look at than numbers on a screen. Parts are a total nightmare, rules are ridiculously tight for new regos of old stuff, the scene is dieing or being overtaken with rich ****ers whos idea of building a car is writing a cheque.

But yeah i still like it. If a chunk of steel makes you feel something when you walk past it in the shed its all worth it. If it doesnt youve got the wrong cars

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by arm79

Damn... I thought the thread title was an opening to a News.com.au article.

Thats how I read it, 'Five reasons this guy is beginning to hate his cars. The third will SHOCK you'

Perfect number for me would be a nice daily, fast classic and a classic for cruising.
I'm growing quite indifferent to the building process although I'm a compulsive tinkerer and it does give me a great amount of satisfaction and purpose.

[DJM83]

Im capable to do a lot of stuff on my car.
I choose not to not because i might lose interest, because im lazy

I wouldnt start hating cars if working on them, moreso get bored owning the same car.
My current car is the longest ive owned any car, i do get bored with it even sometimes, but its a car engine ive wanted in a car for a long time so its staying.

[UTXR8]

ive got a vw mkv golf R32...1979 mgb....2005 saab 93 aero manual....2005 saab 93 linear convertible ...2006 saab 93 vector and a 2008 renault megane rs cup hatch....need to thin the herd and have maybe 2...3 at the most...

[jstanovic]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I think the idea of buying low cost vehicles and “doing them up” is now
a thing of the past, everything is now just so expensive.

I agree. Unless you are in the car selling/repair business, bargains are few and far between. If you want something in particular it generally won't be a bargain priced find.


My old Merc needs a few bits and pieces. Cheapest is getting stuff from overseas, but at the moment I need about $1k worth of stuff (inc postage) just to get everything working 100% again. Nothing that stops me from using the car, just things like central locking diaphragms, bonnet release cable, HT leads, windscreen seal, rocker cover seal etc etc. Nothing available local unless I want to pay 3x the price and not worth getting secondhand parts.
Used to be able to go down to the local wreckers and get a load of parts for your XF Falcon for $100, now you pay more than that for a good headlight. Just the way it is nowadays.

[Swordie]

Extreme Car Hoarders is a great show on people who have vast amounts of old cars. They just loved buying and storing the cars. The most extreme hoarders store their cars at different locations.

[Walt Kowalski]

Drive a new Mustang GT

[ebv8]

I'm at that point now, all my cars are actually projects although they are all registered
the cost of keeping them in usable condition is adding up
the AU racecar has cost $5500 this year alone just for parts.
the BA GT needs a full rear end rebuild and paint repairs from touching kerbs (not knowing how to drive or just not used to a low car)
Adventra is having its second trans rebuild
the kingswood is waiting on headers to get the exhaust done and it needs paint.
Bike needs coils, I have them but no time to do it
and i haven't used my boat in 4 months.

The kingswood and bike are on the chopping block just to free up time to get the GT fixed up and time to enjoy the boat for summer.

i even had to borrow a car because all mine were broken....

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by ebv8

I'm at that point now, all my cars are actually projects although they are all registered
the cost of keeping them in usable condition is adding up
the AU racecar has cost $5500 this year alone just for parts.
the BA GT needs a full rear end rebuild and paint repairs from touching kerbs (not knowing how to drive or just not used to a low car)
Adventra is having its second trans rebuild
the kingswood is waiting on headers to get the exhaust done and it needs paint.
Bike needs coils, I have them but no time to do it
and i haven't used my boat in 4 months.

The kingswood and bike are on the chopping block just to free up time to get the GT fixed up and time to enjoy the boat for summer.

i even had to borrow a car because all mine were broken....

If you have a partner she/he must be a saint.

[Citroënbender]

For me, the “Do not cross” line is doing nothing to contribute to a mutual situation, yet telling the other party what to do. Everything else is up for negotiation.

[nearlythere]

Enjoy them while you can.
Soon you won't legally be allowed to modify or even repair them yourself.
Not to mention they'll all be electric in a few decades.
It'll also be illegal to eat meat and grow your fruit and vegetables.

It sounds silly doesn't it...

[westoftown]

Originally Posted by Jack91

If a chunk of steel makes you feel something when you walk past it in the shed its all worth it

This hit home.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

I agree. Unless you are in the car selling/repair business, bargains are few and far between. If you want something in particular it generally won't be a bargain priced find.


My old Merc needs a few bits and pieces. Cheapest is getting stuff from overseas, but at the moment I need about $1k worth of stuff (inc postage) just to get everything working 100% again. Nothing that stops me from using the car, just things like central locking diaphragms, bonnet release cable, HT leads, windscreen seal, rocker cover seal etc etc. Nothing available local unless I want to pay 3x the price and not worth getting secondhand parts.
Used to be able to go down to the local wreckers and get a load of parts for your XF Falcon for $100, now you pay more than that for a good headlight. Just the way it is nowadays.

Good points
It’s also becoming increasingly harder to fix up and sell cars from home, some councils take a dim view of this especially if regular panel bearing and spray painting operations happen. Not like the old days when neighbours were more accepting of what people did at home, these days “neighbourhood watch” is all too quick to drop people into the council.

Had mates that used to fix up and turn cars but that was over 30 years ago now and times were different…

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Good points
It’s also becoming increasingly harder to fix up and sell cars from home, some councils take a dim view of this especially if regular panel bearing and spray painting operations happen. Not like the old days when neighbours were more accepting of what people did at home, these days “neighbourhood watch” is all too quick to drop people into the council.

Had mates that used to fix up and turn cars but that was over 30 years ago now and times were different…

There's a guy who does it locally here, he always does Falcons and Territory, or last one was an old F series.

You drive by his place and there's always a new one parked outside his place on the nature strip with a for sale sign on it.

[BENT_8]

As someone who's owned well over 100 cars I can say that the novelty has well and truly worn off.
I still update regularly but they're just cars to drive now, not to do up, with the exception of my Ranger which Im adding to for purpose rather than image or enjoyment.

For me it was gradual and the irony being, the internet, a source of so much info, hints and tips set the ball in motion. It started off as a reference point but slowly I spent less time doing and more time reading to the point where I'd rather read of someone elses exploits than tackle my own.

Its not just tinkering that I've lost the passion for either, I once loved driving and even when I began doing it for a living I'd still go on long drives in my own time. Since I returned to the bus industry and due to the severe lack of drivers combined with an employer expanding by the week I found myself doing 50+ hours per week, many days never seeing home in sunlight and its burnt me out in 12 months to the point where any time away from the wheel is spent sleeping or sitting on the couch.
Last Friday I reached tipping point and pulled the pin.

Hoping to recharge my batteries, get away in the new van for a while and when I return, find a job back in the industry in a slower paced environment so I can enjoy driving again.

[kevino]

Why don’t you just do three or four days a week
You know it’s hard to get transport jobs that are not 11 or 12 hours a day.
Four days by 12 hours is 48 hours gives you $
Three days by 12 hours is 36 hours maybe not enough $

If the industry is so short of drivers why don’t you just ask the question?

I know a guy here on the Gc that does one day a week drives a brand new electric on the airport Broadbeach run
Then he does ndis care one day and volunteer driving another day

There is a few ways to skin the cat

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Its not just tinkering that I've lost the passion for either, I once loved driving and even when I began doing it for a living I'd still go on long drives in my own time. Since I returned to the bus industry and due to the severe lack of drivers combined with an employer expanding by the week I found myself doing 50+ hours per week, many days never seeing home in sunlight and its burnt me out in 12 months to the point where any time away from the wheel is spent sleeping or sitting on the couch.
Last Friday I reached tipping point and pulled the pin.

Hoping to recharge my batteries, get away in the new van for a while and when I return, find a job back in the industry in a slower paced environment so I can enjoy driving again.

That's a recurring theme in this thread, you're the first one to put it so eloquently, there's a lot of people in this thread suffering from burnout, not necessarily from work but their hobbies and probably haven't been able to identify it.

Everyone loves it until they don't all of a sudden then it feels like your dragging yourself out of bed to get something done you previously enjoyed.

One of the things that's been great about this hobby and AFF has been the people I've met from all across the country from different age groups and walks of life, I regret doing it for a career but it lead me to the people and I wouldn't give that up for anything.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by kevino

Why don’t you just do three or four days a week
You know it’s hard to get transport jobs that are not 11 or 12 hours a day.
Four days by 12 hours is 48 hours gives you $
Three days by 12 hours is 36 hours maybe not enough $

If the industry is so short of drivers why don’t you just ask the question?

I know a guy here on the Gc that does one day a week drives a brand new electric on the airport Broadbeach run
Then he does ndis care one day and volunteer driving another day

There is a few ways to skin the cat

Because the minute you tell this mob something they dont want to hear you get put back to the bottom of the pile doing **** work in **** coaches, its the most petulant employer and industry as a whole I've worked in.

I gave them 1 weeks notice 4 weeks ago siting burnout as the reason and said i needed to get away before my frustrations spilled over, they hassled me to stay so by the Thursday I caved in. Spent a week away in Victor Harbor with a school group, took a week off and went back to a week up near Maree with another school group, came back feeling refreshed. Got back to the day to day grind last week and was back doing 12hr shifts by day 2 and 3, bus break downs, copped road rage, by Friday morning I was over it again.
I get why they load me up, in the 12 months I was with them im about the only driver to not put a mark on a coach and as the owner is image concious that compliments him to a T. He actually told me they love me because they can throw anything at me and it gets done right without the constant whinging and issues they get from the others, but everone has their braking point and being that reliable guy has been a rod for my back.

Problem is, the mob I was working for have been buying up all the small operators, keeping the workload whilst selling off the assetts meaning we're covering the work of 6 former operators with only our fleet,. Theres not enough turn around time to do shorter shifts or half days, the coach rolls out at between 6 and 7am for school runs, does charter work all day and expected back for arvo school runs followed by after school sport transfers and we haven't even hit peak yet when summer sports, private charters, cruise season, weddings and wine tours ramp up.

The only upside to what this company has been doing is poaching drivers from other operators as for every driver he gets free's up a seat for me elsewhere.

They we're good to work for, dont get me wrong, but too fast paced and high pressure for what I want in life right now.

[Techno]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

A very perceptive vid from this fellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8jp_lligz0

I was thinking it would be a story about cars becoming more like electronics, but no, he mentions the pain of owning a ****box fleet - you will chortle at said fleet - and the impact of designing most urban areas around them.

He finishes with a nice thought, just using the cars for the drives we dream of, and living in a much more pedestrian friendly world all other times.

Any of you think this way? Are cars losing their lustre? Are you downsizing your fleet?

If any mods can embed the video, much obliged.

Because there are no more bargains to be had. What do you call a box fleet. Yes they could be losing there lustre when considering battery operated cars.I was once told they are the future and laughed, but now thin selling my ice cars might be a good idea