[mrvandermey]

As crazy as it sounds, I honestly think I am done modding my Stang. For many reasons, I think I am not going do any further modifications to my Stang and I may un-mod a few mods.

First, it is the cost issue. I have spent way too much money making improvements on my Stang, and for what reason? Second, most of my mods have had freaking situations, like hood snot fitting, spoilers breaking, parts not performing, and parts not fitting or looking good.

As mentioend in other threads, my hood is giving me flapping issues and now I have scrapped my tonneau cover project. I have even decided to scrap the supercharger idea and most other "in the near future" mods. There is even a remote possiblity I may just sell the entire car to be done with it (I grant, I am nowhere near an accurate decision on that idea...yet).

Originally, I was like many of you, I wanted to keep the car stock. Then I realized I wanted a bit more power and then better performance, and of course the right look. Next thing I know, I have spent a smal fourtune on modifications to a car I had expeceted to keep stock. Gee, that modification bug is a doosey!!!

[Janeails22x]

I have not been here on the forums long enough to know you all that well...however, from what I do know by reading a bunch of stuff on here, that does not sound like you at all. I hope you don't have to end up selling it, as is my hope for all of us. Maybe you could try and recover some of your costs from several of your mods (i.e. removing what you can with little to no extra expense and selling) and keep the ones that you absolutely couldn't imagine your car without in order to keep it "your" car. That way you can still keep the car, enjoy it, and pamper it all the same.

[Snackmaster]

Does the "remote chance" of selling come from frustration or boredom? If it's boredom just come up with a completely different angle on modding and go that way. I've read all your posts through all your unfortunate mishaps and situations and I think it's just par for the course. You've got a beautiful ride and it would be a shame to just have someone else buy it without the love and effort that you put in to it.

Trust me... you'd miss it if you didn't have it.

[white angel]

Cool now you can start on mine!! LOL

BUT keep your baby!!! You could never get rid
of her now!! Not after all you have been through
with her!!

[Jenkinsbball]

Yeah, don't sell your car (unless it's to me). Just stay away from modding and I'm sure you'll be fine. There's nothing better than cruising in your stang, and in your case, with the top down.

[ultraclyde]

It's a vicious cycle, that's for sure. I don't want to mod mine too heavily, and I try to do a lot of research (to the point of obsession) before doing anything. Sadly, there is a lot of advertising aimed at making us want that next mod. It's hard when you read those articles on the latest supercharger or full suspension kit.

I try to stick to the things that will make a difference in my daily driving. Even with a s/c, how often will I really be in the boost? I've had the car 2 years (almost) and have yet to put it on the drag strip, so do I really need all those LCAs and adjustable UCA??

Of course, if you enjoy doing the work then the modding becomes it's own hobby, just like the old school hot rodder. Every real hotrodder I new sold a car not long after he finished it. the joy comes from planning, buyng, installing, and testing. Just driving it is sort of anticlimatic. But that quickly becomes a rich man's game.

So what's the answer? Heck if I know. Keep the things that improve the experience or that you like to look at. There's alway somebody out there faster or more modded, so you might as well just stick to what makes you happy.

Wow. That's my longest post ever.

EDIT: One other thing, and I'm not trying to be a smart a$$. Drive your car more. Sure, it might get chipped, or dirty. But, the thing that makes spending all this time and money worth it is the driving. That's what it's all about.

[Eric The MadMan]

I must say, it is definitely a disease

I have so many ideas and plans, but limited on $$. I plan on keeping this car 10 years+, so I'll do a couple more cosmetic things, pay it off and performance mod it later.......when parts may need replacing anyway. I just love it as my daily driver, I've had it for a year now and I still smile on my way to work. Ok, I stopped taking the long way to work now.......................

[2horseowner]

I'm taking a forced break from modifications. I was laid off last week. Fortunetly, I paid cash for everything so I'm almost bill free. Everything I bought myself for Christmas has been installed and I can resist further mods until I am once again gainfully employed. All I have to do now is figure out if I want to get a job in my previous field or choose something I really want to do regardless of the cut in pay I may have to take.

[mrvandermey]

Ironically, I have the money to mod. That is part of my problem. Sometimes I fall in that category of "more money than sense." I too have paid cash (or short term financing, i.e. 30 days) for everything and the car itself is paid off. So money is not really the issue. It is more the point of wasting money that may be better spent elsewhere.

I am no longer convinced that modding is necessary or even entirely desireable. In many cases, it seems more trouble or expense than the mod is worth.

[myltlpny]

It's easy to get caught up in the modding bug. I have to be careful with how I spend my money, so I think long and hard before I commit to anything. In my case, emulating the '69 Mach 1 has actually saved me money. If it wasn't on the '69, I don't use it. That meant my paint scheme was pretty conservative, and no body kits. Since I like to cruise and not race, I'm happy with the performance and handling. So very little was spent there. I have a couple of small under hood items, like braided hoses and Pi-Thon hose clamps to do for this season, and maybe a set of hood pins and I'm done. Next season I've got some chrome work I want done, but that can wait. I did the valve covers, and I'm really happy with those. If I can find the grille I want, the outside is completely done.
Ask yourself this; What is it you want out of the car? Why did you buy it in the first place? Enjoy the car. You worked hard on it. There's nothing saying you have to continue modding.

[5twenty]

Gee, MrV, just last night you were all hot on superchargers.

You'll be OKAY, it's just a phase. Just keep thinking about 445 RWHP.

Am I a pusher man?

[Mick]

Hey V, what ever you decide think it over for at least a couple of days before you do it.

[mrvandermey]

As i mentioned, I have not yet made any definitive plans, but someone mentioned here, it is a combo of frustration and boredom.

I agree, I need to walk away from it for a few days. I went ahead and covered the Stang up so it is out of sight and out of mind. Maybe if I come at it form another angle I will convince myself to keep the car and maybe even finish the original plan I had for the car. We'll see.

[005 GT]

I tell ya Mr. V.....I know how ya feel. I have modded everything I ever owned. Cars, trucks, harleys. you name it....I've owned it and modded it. As the guys I work with say....I never saw anything on wheels I couldnt make better. Thats why I could never own anything like a Shelby GT 500. Talk about losing money.....that car cant be messed with.
The last Harley I had....I tore it down to the frame 3 times and started over because I was never happy with it when I was finished. Then when I was finally satisfied.....I sold it to a friend for half of what I had in it.
Modding becomes more than a hobby for some of us. It becomes our passion......and we all need a passion. Hell......I have friends that are into golf. I've seen them spend a couple thousand bucks for a set of new clubs....only to turn around and drop 500 bucks for the latest and greatest driver. They are more obsessed than we are.
And modding our cars is about more than the money we spend......its about sharing our ideals and experiences with others who understand why we do the things we do. Its about belonging to an elite group of special people that in time become like family.
Hang in there Mr. V......we have good times to share and stories to tell.

[06 Slvr Bullitt]

I've seen people in the sport compact segment get like this. They spend hours on end and tons of money modding their sport compact to the point where they are questioning what they are doing or why they are even doing it. I think you my friend just need a change of scenary. I would say if you have a trusted friend or family member, let them take the car off your hands for a little while (laying down ground rules of course). See how it's like to come home to a garage where the Mustang isn't there...see if you will feel better or worse about it. I understand you have the Mustang covered up to give yourself a break, but it's still there in the garage so in a way, your mind still knows what lays in that garage. With it physically out of sight...you may have a better chance of grasping if you really want to keep it or really get rid of it.

Also, with your job I know you don't get to drive it that often (as you have stated) but have you thought about picking up a 2nd Mustang? This way you can keep it stock and use it as your daily driver...a workhorse of sorts so that when you are back home you can use it as your daily driver to the office and not worry about losing that wonderful feeling of Mustang ownership.

I just hate to see someone who put so much (more than I ever could at this point) passion and money into a project car turn away from it for one reason or another.