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.

[bccentaur3]

how do you pay for school ?

I work part time wit hthe city either mowing at the golf course or working the ice rinks in the winter time. And I also ref youth football

[Culpable04]

how do you pay for school ?

I work part time wit hthe city either mowing at the golf course or working the ice rinks in the winter time. And I also ref youth football

great ! and with all that you also had money left to mod your car like this ? you should be thank full !

a lot of members here have better jobs than you and can't afford to do all the things you'd done, once you finish school you'll be in a better financial situation and will be able to do more things. just keep your head up, focus on school and you'll be just fine.

I'm going to school myself and my car is a way to relax and do something I like, not to stress over it, if I'd have to be stressed about my car, I'd just sell it.


Remember this is a Hobby not a necessity

[TRD_Ian]

i havent been on here long enough to know you or your car...but i guess you have done alot in a year and a half..be glad of that...now sit back and save some money enjoy your car how it is for right now and get planing/saving for something unique to do to your celi.....ur obviously dedicated to ur work and school and your car but for now limit it to work and school for these coming winter months and come back in the spring with some thing to make some jaws drop...dont rush ur car..."rome was not built in a day" "baby steps sir.....baby steps" good luck!

[bccentaur3]

You guys don't understand. Although I live in Minnesota, thats when all my modding happens. Except over the summer when I did the 3s swap. I boosted my car in below zero weather in a tiny garage. Thats why I plan on naming my tuning shop Blizzard Tuning. hahaha

[99GT]

Hmmm well the answer here ^ should be PLENTY as well. My car has a tire size 225/45/17, I have an LSD with very long gears (which helps in traction and racing) you CAN buy an adjustable suspension, they sell boost controllers that you can control boost by gear, and a set of softer tires. There are plenty of hondas in the 10's that are street cars....they are on the same plat form we are....as well as srt4's, gst's, cobalts, etc....You would be amazed if you saw what times these cars are putting down. The problem with us is that we dwell on that fact that we cant/dont have gt4's over on this side of the pond. If we embraced our platform there is NO reason why we cant put down some serious times like every other FWD car that em brace there platform and learn to work with it. Dont get me wrong, if you put my setup in an MR2 it would put down a faster time....of course. But how often do I really launch the car? How many times have I left a traffic light or stop sign letting the clutch go at 6000 rpms? Very very rarely/never. The car isn't just about making a certain time down the track.....thats just retarded, its about the way the car feels, and what makes you happy. If I run 12.5 and Im against an MR2 with the same horsepower and he runs a 12.1 doesn't mean anything in terms of how the car feels 95% of the time. If I came across that same MR2 on the highway on the ride home and we decided to "play" a bit.......neither one of us would pull on one another. So now my "12.5" car feels like and can run with a "12.1" car. People get caught up on numbers a little to much, I think people need to realize how often they will be in that situation where the launch actually becomes a factor. normal driving with a blast of boost my car is a "12.1" car, accelerating at wot onto the highway is a "12.1" car, a spirited side by side straight line run from a roll my car is a "12.1" (wow which is also what most street races are, not that it was what I was referring to, much just caught my attention lol) If you plans are to have the FASTEST anything, dont bother because somebody will have more money/time/resources to be faster. If you like your celica and wont to modify it because you like the way it looks but wish it had some get up and go to it, but dont do it because all you read is FWD this and FWD that......I SAY GO FOR IT, I am. I know I wont have 100% out of my car because it is FWD, but I will have 100% out of my car 95% out of the time. Besides there is nothing better than getting smoked on the launch and having enough power to catch,pass, and all out spank the competitor........ITS MY FAVORITE.

[streblo]

OP drives a girl car

[tomazws]

You know.. seriously though... I thought an "all time low" would be like.. gf cheated on u, going through a break up, business failure, diagnosed a disease, lost a body part, or something like that...

But having an "all time low" just because your car is not as nice as your friends'?



What?!?!?

This post has been edited by tomazws: Oct 23, 2008 - 2:52 PM

[Add45]

honestly if your car has all that done to it, enjoy it because i would kill to have a descent car.

[D-Man]

... i would kill to have a descent car.

X2; my only problem is that i don't know WHO to kill

[Add45]

lol exactly

[bccentaur3]

Well, I'm just bumbed out right now. My car is my life. And when she isn't at her fullest I'm not.

[D-Man]

Well, I'm just bumbed out right now. My car is my life. And when she isn't at her fullest I'm not.

If i kill you, Can i have you car?

EDIT: seriously, you wont be bummed anymore, and neither will I Would you like to restore mine?

This post has been edited by D-Man: Oct 23, 2008 - 3:56 PM

[GriffGirl]

I clean things.

That's exactly what I was gonna say too.

I'm on a perpetual budget - and it sucks. I just had to pass up a full set of OEM leather seat covers from a 99 Celica for $150 on eBay. How gay is that!? But alas, I have other responsibilities that absolutely MUST be taken care of. I'd rather have running water than leather seats, ya know? The City of Portland doesn't give a sh1t about my aspirations and hobby with my car LOL

So my car's been down for 2 weeks w/a bad clutch, and I just got to drive it home last night. It's dirty as hell after sitting for 2 weeks too. I wanna throw new tires on and finally fix my suspension but alas, the GB was short and I didn't make enough to buy new tires. So... I'm gonna focus on what I CAN do. I can vacuum it out, detail the interior, make it smell nice, give it a decent washing, and maybe even this weekend put up my ceramic coated exhaust manifold I've had sitting around for like 2+ months. Those little details can make you feel like you have a whole new car, and IMO it's the small details that truly add up to the big picture.

[bccentaur3]

I guess what I can do is put longer wheel studs in and mount my wheel spacers that are jus sitting in the shed. But its no fun. I want to buy soo many things on ebay but can't because I'm stuck making payments on this motorcycle I can even ride because its too cold.

[99GT]

Will be happy. I'd be happy to be in your shoes haha. Bills and Debt will never go away EVAR. It's just part of life unless your daddy's a billionaire.

[GMan]

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

Bobby Mcferrin - Don't Worry, Be Happy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Worry,_Be_Happy

I have had 3 of 3 cars down.
Do the best you can with the budget you got.

Regards;

[Batman722]

Lift up my spirits guys.

everyone gets bummed sometime, just watch porn

Make a list of what you want to do with the car and make time goals.
Start with small things and get them done.
Try something new that you are afraid of doing.
Ask some local friends to help, I'm sure they can help give you a kick in the a$$.
On a day off drink some energy drinks and do it.

After I swapped to the 205 I have had a few minor problems but nothing I haven't been able to fix somewhat easily. At the point I'm at now I've done 99% of everything I've wanted to do to the car and and I'm kinda at a bored/confused phase. I've spent years modding/replacing/upgrading everything I wanted to do and I just don't know what to do now.
I have a safe, reliable, fast, good looking (IMO), fun car and I have nothing else left to do to it, it's a tough feeling for me to deal with. It's kinda how my relationships used to be, I would be with a chic for a while and then get bored. It's a learning process, everyday you have to appreciate what you have and do whatever you can do to make the relationship better. Tomorrow I'm probably going to put new solid shifter cable bushings in for no reason other than they were cheap to buy. Yay.

Stay positive, you have a car and problems that a lot of members on this site would love to have, appreciate it.

[99GT]

AWD next haha!

[njccmd2002]

there are moments where you reach the top, either because you run out of money, or there is nothing else left to do.


I have a TRD bumper sitting in my garage, because i dont have the time nor money to get it professionally painted.

I have a 2 post wing, sitting in my garage for the same reason.

I even have a toms lip, that i dont like no more, that i will probably rattle can in the mean time i get the trd bumper.

I feel bad, cause i spent money that im not ejoying and i will.

I have 200dls worth of fabric, for my seats, that i dont have the time to upholster. I am really working 70hrs a week now, and sometimes 30 on saturdays. but ill survive, i barely finished the interior upgrades.

I would kill to have a better engine, better than the 5sfe, maybe a beams (there is one now in ebay, and i cant buy it) but its going to have to wait.

Just wait. A lot of people regret selling their cars. think it over, set up realistic goals.

To start all over again? with another model, on the dark side. hell no, not me. I have promised my daughter she will drive the celica for her sweet sixteen. and shes only 7.

Time will be your friend. What if you have the ability to get a real GT4, what next, swap? to what. upgrade the engine, for what?

Its time to just enjoy your car, and show off. Really my celica is one of the 2 Limited edition verts in my area. So rare that nobody knows what it is, thanks to the ghost emblems. but i still enjoy it.

Sit down, close the door, crank it up and relax. you have come to the place most people want.

[bccentaur3]

okay I'm happy now guys. hahaha

[RickJamesBish]

Well, I'm just bumbed out right now. My car is my life. And when she isn't at her fullest I'm not.

Just remember, it's across the road, not the river.

[njccmd2002]

and so that i am not just full of words. here is my proof of 500+ dls collecting dust.



add another 50 that arrived today



but who cares. one day baby!!!!!!!

[808celica]

i just spend time detailing the car for no reason. i spend way too much time with the vip crews i detail everything but my engine bay. it got to a point where im using 1/2 a box of q-tips to get in the really really tight areas.....and using some high class detailing speed detailer/glaze, about $50, and just simply wipe the car down every ngiht (no wonder my car is always shiny). well today is another toyota family meet the car is all shiny and baliin' so to speak. im gonna be with everyone and gonna be jealous that my celica isnt up to par in performance with the rest of the guys we'll see in the next couple months if i decide to order the st205 clip and piss off my dad once again

oh since i live right by the dang beach i just call up some friends and we just kick back enjoy the sunset.....that always calms me down.

This post has been edited by 808celica: Oct 25, 2008 - 3:03 PM

[jcbass7]

in the year and half you have owned and modded your car i haven't even gotten to drive mine...... and I've only had about ten good hours of work put into it since i haven't been able to get home much.

I agree with the cleaning statement... its cheap and brings visual results that should help put a smile back on your face, that and a good drive.


I miss DWG!

BTdubs your car looks great!

This post has been edited by jcbass7: Oct 25, 2008 - 3:05 PM

[808celica]

yeah it puts a smile on your face........but then it rains and your all bummed

speak of the devil.........detailed the car for the meet. went to drop off my mom at work........and it rains :cry:

[bccentaur3]

well lately I have been getting a lot of compliments. Well from people who knows toyota atleast. But other then that I am pretty happy now. Planning on installing a turbo timer because its cheap. hahaha

[Drezd94]

This will make you feel better... Try my life married with four children. I can't take the whole family out at one time in my little 6g. I don't have the cash to build her up, obviously, but finding that one $20.00 part after two monthes of hunting, or turning up some Nine Inch Nails while hitting a twisty road always makes me smile and centers me. Don't focus on the bad, focus on all the good you times you have spent with your 6g.

[bccentaur3]

yeah, I remember one time while working on the e153 tranny swap, I fell asleep underneath the car.