What do you guys do when you're at an all time low? Options

[bccentaur3]

For some of you guys who know me on here or know me on a personal level, you've seen my celica transformation over the year. I have had my car for about a year and 7 months.

I've went from having a stock motor stock body celica to a 5sfTe celica to a gt-four front end 3sgte swap celica in that period of time. I used to come home and spend time on ebay to look for nice parts for my celica or browse and drool over others on this site on what they've done. But being a student and only working part time, I don't have the money to do the things I've done to the car.

I am a little bumbed out because all my celica buddies around me have big things going on for their motors. Either building it up or upgrading to a larger turbo for more fun. I had plans for suspension work for auto crossing, but I just feel like giving up on her. Just no time and money.

Lift up my spirits guys.

[gt_driFFter]

Well, if you're at an "all time low" due to your car, then the first thing you need to do is be thankful for all that you do have.

Secondly, anytime I feel frustrated about not being able to spend the money on the stuff I want to, I use that as motivation to finish school as quickly as I can.

That's just me.

[bccentaur3]

Yeah, well my goal is to open up a tuning shop here in Minnesota. So I won't be making money. I'll finish school and end up spending money on getting the shop together.

Yes, I'm thankful for the car, but my heart isn't full.

[nzmo]

I just drive around. =]. I honestly don't know how you feel like seeing is it looks like you've done all you can to your car.
I'm in school too, work, hardly any time or money to mod my car . That's why I havn't been bored I'm in the ebay stage you were in.

[Muggs]

If I had your car, I'd be driving the hell out of it. Enjoy the fruits of your labor.
You did more to your car in 1 year than I did in 3. Whatever you want, you'll make it happen, a little at a time.

Hang in there.

[xredjokerx]

there are people on this website who see your car and aspire to reach that level... every single day. i know i do. i love your car, it looks amazing. you should be really proud of yourself in that you've done so much in such a short amount of time. enjoy what you've got because that baby seems amazing.

[Coomer]

Just be happy you have a running car. My methods of transportation are my bicycle and my bus pass.

[tomazws]

WTF? Just look at my crap ass car. Feel better now?!?!? lol...

[delusionz]

Beats my JDM dude! Sure you don't have Super Strut Suspension or 4WD but you do atleast have LSD!!!!

What's your power output? 230@7000? That's more than enough for a FWD? And with the turbo, You have the torque through the range which I can only get by winding out the engine to around 5000...

I love driving my car, Why don't you go and love driving your car? How does it handle in twisties and hair pin roads? Does it stick to the road and power through or does it take you straight off the road?

[samir0189]

You really have achieved alot. You've done what many of us only dream about, and for some of us without the money and time and resources it may remain just that - just a dream. Your car is amazing, well, it looks amazing. I can imagine it is just as amazing to drive.

IMO if you live life with a "mine is bigger/better than yours" approach and constantly compare yourself to others you will never be happy. Try to take the time to appreciate what you have accomplished, and in such a short space of time! Most of all, don't worry, be happy.

[bccentaur3]

Beats my JDM dude! Sure you don't have Super Strut Suspension or 4WD but you do atleast have LSD!!!!

What's your power output? 230@7000? That's more than enough for a FWD? And with the turbo, You have the torque through the range which I can only get by winding out the engine to around 5000...

I love driving my car, Why don't you go and love driving your car? How does it handle in twisties and hair pin roads? Does it stick to the road and power through or does it take you straight off the road?

It handles like a dream. You know what after reading the response you guys gave me makes me feel a lot better. Not tyring to seem emo or anything, but I feel good.

I'll take Bob Marleys advice and not worry be happy. hahaha.

[Jaws4God]

yeah I know the feeling.. I use to have an air ride, and lambo doors.. but since mine was a daily driver I took those off and feel like my car won't reach its full potential..

Plus its even tougher when you have people in your area that have engine builds going on.. (Matt.. :-P) or other guys who have show cars that they take to HIN.. (Nick :-P)

and right now .. mine is acting up.. having some kinda power problem.. something draining battery..

so really I just try to be thankful that I have a 6gc that I love and enjoy the community that goes with it.. and I know someday I'll get my bills paid and be able to spend more time on her..

[njccmd2002]

god, many wish to have a car like yours. I lurk ebay too, all the time. You have reached so far in so little time. I work full time, and still not able to do what you have done.

I mean, what else is there, what else would you like your car to have. I enjoy my car with crappy engine. Heck, my wife is driving a brand new 2008 camry, and i take my celica over the camry anyday. If i had your car i would be in nirvana.

[Random_Stranger]

Man, I get like that. But you are missing the beauty in it. If you won the lotto, trust me, you would get a car that everyone else has, or people just like you. This Celica is not like any other car. For one, they are hard as hell to find, especially fixed up, and you may disagree, but compare to other vehicles you see out there. Second, it has the most bad ass bodies on a Celica in Celica History. Last, going back to my point about the lotto.

You may not realize it, but it is fun to be broke and do things little by little. Because you appreciate every little thing you do to you car. I remember how scared I was just taking the cluster apart to make those lights red. And people notice all those lil things you do here and there and no matter how much faster their car is, they acknowledge it. Fixing up a car, yes, you do want to be noticed, but this is a time to humble yourself my friend.

It is a time to sit back and say "I have come a long way, and there is much more to be done". I have a desire to own a car like Tufy's, because someone simply told me I will never have that car. I am doing things I thought I could never be capable of, such as doing my own car mods, patience, being noticed/standing out from the rest, knowledge about autos and so on. I have owned my car for 4 years now (Well..... 4 years in Feb) and this year was the first time I did a mod. I am so grateful that I am almost done with the exterior and soon can begin saving up for a swap. After that, I will only have to worry about having someone do the back end (because I ain't doin' it!) and then I can start a new project.

But this isn't about me, it is about you. Be thankful you have a car that can be beefed up and still be reliable, unlike some of those other show boats on the streets out there. Stick around.

[DEATH]

"What do you guys do when you're at an all time low?" - Hit boost!

I'll take Bob Marleys advice and not worry be happy. hahaha.

Pretty sure that was Bobby Mcfaren [MSP or something like that - working off of a 20yo memory here ] dude.

I feel you tho - I've been there with various previous Celicas. You get to a point where you feel you're done and it gets somewhat depressing. Tho for me - the boost or the striving for it has always made me smile again.
Give it some time - don't just sell off the car. I did that before and I can tell you from experience - you will regret it. That's your baby - go love her some.

This post has been edited by DEATH: Oct 22, 2008 - 1:18 PM

[bccentaur3]

But I think I've loved her enough. Having a lot of bills to pay don't help much either. Thats why I can sell her with no regrets, because when I do have money I'll start fresh and do it all up.

[Culpable04]

how do you pay for school ?

[x_itchy_b_x]

I clean things.

[RickJamesBish]

I don't see where the low point is...you've exhausted money to get your car the way you want it, and it's gone through two stages. I'd call that success.

[DEATH]

I clean things.

x2 - Actually I like to completely strip large portions of the car down to the frame and clean, prep and paint everything, use all new gaskets/seals/etc to put it all back to OEM quality and take my sweet time doing it all perfectly.
Maybe that's what you should try.