Ian Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I was going through some old pictures, and found this document I created a few years ago. It was my list of upgrades I wanted to make to the Monte with the costs. I am 2/3rds done I added suspension upgrades to the rearend part. I can't wait to get the transmission part done, but funds are real low right now so I think it will be waiting a little longer. I think it will be a 700R4 instead of the 200R4 as I have one on the floor of the garage already... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
680HPStroker Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Too many receipts for too many mods. I just keep a running folder. If I need to find something I just pull it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Ian, you are not married, are you. If you were you would know that the cumulative amount on any given car is $50. No more, no less. What you have up there is considered not only evidence, it is considered divorce papers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cudax Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I started a spreadsheet once, ONCE! mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Pretty cool you made a list like that and even cooler you managed to get 2/3 of it done... Back in 83 I made a list of all the parts I would buy for my car (I still have it) and would continue to add to it over the years as I bought more stuff. This was all hand written (before we had a computer). I kept every single receipt over the years but have kinda gotten away from that lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Nice! I just have an old envelope someplace with lot's of receipts in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71monteme Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 i don't even keep receipt anymore unless it has a warranty, it is too depressing. thanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyDavey Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 well let's see...there's a stack over here...there's a stack over there.....some in a couple folders.....this drawer....now I'm depressed...thanks a lot!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsin Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Man I think I'm going to have to do that. Great idea Ian AND DUDE! Love that green!!!!!! i don't even keep receipt anymore unless it has a warranty, it is too depressing. thanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vince Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 My spread sheet is not as detailed It list 1)What needs to be done 2)My wish list and 3)what's not Finished. I like the way yours is set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allchevy Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'll take the time when I'm done. Not so much depressed but amazed how much I've spent when I only planed on having a nice driver. One thing lead into another. After 4 years I can see the end of the tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I have all the reciepts,andI did do a spread sheat on it,with the different vendors and who got how much of my money It wasnt all that bad really considering all that went into it. Its the 350 or 400 hours thats scary Lucky for me time is free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 No...I have to kinda replace items as they get old or need upgrading. Really it's unfortunate how the stock parts seem to be "not good enough", but hey, we only want to do this once, right? Might as well get the good stuff. If I had a printed-out wish list, it would prove the breakdowns were pre-meditated! That wouldn't help my case at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsin Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 So what would kind of advice would you guys give to those like myself that are just getting started? I just had this conversation with a friend of mine and was wondering what you'd suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Good spreadsheet Ian. I maintain a book with every expense and work done over the 23 years I have owned the car. When I start a specific project, I also make lists to list out all of the things that have to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chevyss Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It's crazy how the receipts add up. I've got several folders on the Monte. (1) Body, (2) drivetrain (3) Interior and (4) Misc. It gets crazy when I start to add it all up. Like I try to explain to the financial advisor, every sport costs money. I could golf, fish, fly, or drink and it would be more. Problem for me is, I bought that darn Camaro in 09 and started to pump money into it. Things would be great if I could find a buyer for the Camaro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Ian, you are not married, are you. If you were you would know that the cumulative amount on any given car is $50. No more, no less. What you have up there is considered not only evidence, it is considered divorce papers, Actually have been married for 19 years this year Andy That list is not all inclusive either It does not have the ignition upgrade I did a few months ago. It was more of a wish list a couple years ago, and Vince I am surprised I got as much of it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 So what would kind of advice would you guys give to those like myself that are just getting started? I just had this conversation with a friend of mine and was wondering what you'd suggest? I'm not sure how your car is currently equiped, or what your goals are for it, but here is my list for a solid begining: Dual exhaust with free-flowing mufflers. Free-flowing doesn't have to be loud, but often is. If you like loud that's fine, but I run these and thay are easy to live with and the price is right. They sound healthy but aren't so loud you are afraid to start the car in the neighborhood after hours. LINKY Electronic ignition. There is more to this than just getting rid of the nuisance of point-adjusting. It makes a vast improvement on how the car runs. You can go with a fancy aftermarket distributor, or a pertronix-type point eliminator kit, or even a good used Chevy HEI unit from a wrecking yard...they all do the same thing. The wrecking yard HEI probably needs an advance kit or recurve to reach its' potential though. Probably next is suspension: make sure all your front-end bushings are in good shape and get a set of new shock absorbers. Front & rear sway bars make a huge improvement. You probably already have a front bar, but a rear bar helps a lot in the handling department...the problem is that you need boxed lower control arms to put in a rear sway bar. Your car will handle more like a Firebird instead of like a Cadillac. You can go another step and get new springs, but that can be done later, too. Pretty much these steps will make the most of what you have. You may find it's not bad at all. Make it safe, make it sound, and go from there. All this stuff will help improve your mileage and make the car more fun to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy's Auto Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Originally Posted By: Andy's Auto Ian, you are not married, are you. If you were you would know that the cumulative amount on any given car is $50. No more, no less. What you have up there is considered not only evidence, it is considered divorce papers, Actually have been married for 19 years this year Andy That list is not all inclusive either It does not have the ignition upgrade I did a few months ago. It was more of a wish list a couple years ago, and Vince I am surprised I got as much of it done. Ian, you have a year on me. It all started as a joke, the $50 thing until a few months ago she wanted to know why I have so many cars and her kitchen needs to be redone. I asked her how much her car payment was. No answer. I asked how much the mortage was. No answer....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaman Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I have some receipts in a couple folders, a few stuffed in manuals in the garage, and lost some. I have no real desire to total them up. I would probably get depressed. Of course I did just find a couple Saturday while unpacking the garage from back around 87... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71monteme Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Man I think I'm going to have to do that. Great idea Ian AND DUDE! Love that green!!!!!! Originally Posted By: 71monteme i don't even keep receipt anymore unless it has a warranty, it is too depressing. thanh Arsin- thanks didn't mean to get everybody depress about the receipts just meant that i know how much was spent on the monte and the camaro, i could have retired from the amount spent. thanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWick_70MC Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 To make yourself feel better, start keeping the receipts of everything the wife spends on quick trips to the story, or the clearance rack or whatever. Pretty soon you realize, the car is pretty cheap. or just go with the 50 bux.. Either way.. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOHNA01374 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I use to be extremely tight with money until I started keeping track of what I actually spend. After looking at dinner receipts, groceries, cell phone bills, utilities, house payments etc etc. The amount of money I spend on my cars is actually very small. I use to feel bad about spending it but I get too much enjoyment out of driving my cars. It's depressing to think that all that money could be in the bank but it's hard to drive and enjoy a bank book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I put all my reciepts in a box with no desire to add them up. If and when she asks me how much i spent on a car i will tell her, Honey i dont drink, i dont smoke, i dont gamble, and i dont visit the b**by bars (even though i like too). When she needs me, she knows where i am. So dont break my chops. And i am sure that would put the question of how much did you spend on a car to rest for awhile.haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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