SO... i've decided i realllly need to get on here more now that i have some free time! :thumbsup:

Have had to just sit and look at the car and drive it occasionally with mid terms/projects/finals. FINALLY got a chance to take it home to my parent's house for spring break and take advantage of an actual garage :hurray: so i just did a few small things during my week off

*sorry in advance for soooo many pics :yes:*

Don't want to cut into my dash so i built myself a new glovebox with a CF insert to hold my deck (this was my first time attempting either CF or fiberglass.... i think it came out decent?)
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4043/20qa4.jpg

whoooops... forgot to take the heater box into account... this is as far back as it goes in :mad:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8260/32pp0.jpg


problem solved :cool:
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1848/51kp2.jpg

took out the dash and cleaned up the wiring a little. was planning on completely rewiring it, but i didn't have enough time, so this will have to work for now
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1717/wiringcleanup2ft3.jpg
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6893/wiringcleanup1qv7.jpg

sand blasted both the stock rails and the pair i got off ebay. had to extend this pair about 3 inches to fit the seats

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3685/seatrailsxg9.jpg


Here are the seats in the car. they look pretty decent in person, except they realllly need to be recovered. i plan on picking up new door panels, headliner, etc ASAP so for now, just to see how it looks, we picked up some real good vinyl paint and sprayed the stock gold ones

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5002/seatsanddoorpanelsue3.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6012/headlinerbb4.jpg

Love the "Ford Sucks" on the tire pressure decal:D

It looks good, what's it sound like? I didn't want to cut my dash either and installed a Custom Autosound unit. I personally think CA sucks and wouldn't do it again, I'da bought a roller cam with the money:thumbsup:

haha ya... u can thank the previous owner for that one

sounds pretty good. i forgot all my stereo stuff up at my house so i had to use my dad's head unit to mock everything up. i used rubber gaskets/washers to make sure it wouldn't rattle. hooked it up REAL quick with some speakers laying around my parent's house and it seemed like the rubber actually stopped all the rattling

Looks like a pretty nice car. Posts are neat. The seats look pretty good, match the paint! New floor pans? Gonna get some carpet soon?

Nice to see father and son at work on a project like this:thumbsup: I cant wait until my son is at the right age to help me out. He is only 3 right now so Im sure it will be a few years but he knows what a chevelle is:thumbsup:

thanks... here's a pic of it
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1477/img6762lm8.jpg

i HOPE to get carpet soon... buuut probably won't happen :P i'm your standard poor college kid. but hopefully i'll scrounge up enough cash to get some sound deadener and carpet soon cuz it's LOUD in there

Nice to see father and son at work on a project like this:thumbsup: I cant wait until my son is at the right age to help me out. He is only 3 right now so Im sure it will be a few years but he knows what a chevelle is:thumbsup:

lol ya, he might be a little young still ;) but at least you got him starting out early! i just wish i was closer to home so i could work on it with him more often. 3 hr drive in a car with no music or sound deadener isn't something i want to make every weekend :p

What school you go to?

Where is school and home??

I go to WWU up in Bellingham, and Home for me is down in Port Orchard

Do you have your car with you at school or leave it at home? Is it your daily driver? Was it from the factory gold interior but with a red bench?

I work in construction and Im working on the academic building up there next to the football feild.:yes:

not my daily.. it spends most it's time in my garage up here in bellingham. i put some weekend miles on it occasionally but that's about it.

when it rains, this is my daily 'driver' :P
http://www.wcog.org/images/wtabus.jpg

and when it's anything but rain/snow:
http://a671.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/120/l_22e614b607c4ddc7a90b465b04a6a74e.jpg

I work in construction and Im working on the academic building up there next to the football feild.:yes:

niiiice.... u gonna let me use YOUR garage for now on so i dont hafta make the trip home? haha

do you know a Tony? li'l mexican guy, rides a sport bike... he's been working it to, or at least i think he's still on it? haven't talked to him for a while

I havent meet Tony. If you need a place to work on your car get ahold of Hoss. He has a huge shop in Arlington with a lift. You should try to make it to one of our outings at Bremerton or a BBQ sometime and meet all of the guys. There are alot of guys that would help ya out Im sure.:thumbsup:

Looks like I am going to have a 2 car garage here in a month or so. I would have no problem with you working on your car at my place as long as you provide the beer. I wouldnt want to store it long but you can work on it! I will slowly be building a tool inventory, alot more stuff I would like to have. I guess it doenst really help you though, too far south!

Looks like I am going to have a 2 car garage here in a month or so. I would have no problem with you working on your car at my place as long as you provide the beer. I wouldnt want to store it long but you can work on it! I will slowly be building a tool inventory, alot more stuff I would like to have. I guess it doenst really help you though, too far south!

Where are you moving too Brett??

Looks like I am going to have a 2 car garage here in a month or so. I would have no problem with you working on your car at my place as long as you provide the beer. I wouldnt want to store it long but you can work on it! I will slowly be building a tool inventory, alot more stuff I would like to have. I guess it doenst really help you though, too far south!

Finally find a sugar mama, did ya:D

MaMa.......NOOOOOOOOO.:noway:


:D

yea, i'll definitely hafta make it out sometime and meet u guys. probably have more time once school's out for the summer. its easier for me to find time around a job than trying to figure out what my study schedule is going to be like

Looking at renting a 3bedroom house in either Bellevue or Kirkland. I am working at Kenworth which is right at the intersection of SR520 and I405. Convenience will be nice and most of the 3 bdrm houses have 2 car garages so I will take advantage of that for sure. I am specifically looking at getting this place in bridle trails in a pretty nice neighborhood right next to Park Place Motors on Northrup. Dave, (middle finger)!

Definitely come out to Bremerton Raceway this summer when everyone else from the group is out there. Maybe if you, Brett, and I all make it to the track at the same time we might be able to outnumber the old fellas in the group.:D

Definitely come out to Bremerton Raceway this summer when everyone else from the group is out there. Maybe if you, Brett, and I all make it to the track at the same time we might be able to outnumber the old fellas in the group.:D

Would be fun to jump them and jack their wallets and cars! :yes: Then convert TCNW to a ricer forum! :noway: J/k

So, is that to say that ou got a job at KW?

So, is that to say that ou got a job at KW?

:yes: :hurray: Associate Design Engineer in the exhaust aftertreatment group. I think its going to be some design and development for a team that needs to meet some emissions standards by 2010. I wanted to originally work in the drivetrain department but you have to start somewhere and I also think this will be a smaller team and perhaps give me some more design freedom.

On lunch breaks Erik and I will have to race for pinks, er maybe just lunches.

Would be fun to jump them and jack their wallets and cars! :yes: Then convert TCNW to a ricer forum! :noway: J/k

Thanks for the heads-up ;).

Just remember us good ol' boys have a few tricks of our own we learned along the trail. :D

Although not young at 41...I'm not eyeing up the old ladies with the blue hair just yet. :noway:

My sister in-law, is a Financial Investigator, for Paccar.

Although not young at 41...I'm not eyeing up the old ladies with the blue hair just yet. :noway:

:rolleyes: Please... Just because your "eyeing up" younger girls doesnt mean your pullin' them home.. :noway: ;) How young we talkin? Should I contact Chris Hanson w/ to catch a predator? Maybe they should do a Canadian special.. :D These sickos could be in our neighborhoods and now even TCNW! :eek:

My sister in-law, is a Financial Investigator, for Paccar.

Maybe she could investigate me a higher salary? :confused: So where would someone in that field work? Renton?

:rolleyes: Please... Just because your "eyeing up" younger girls doesnt mean your pullin' them home.. :noway: ;)



Maybe she could investigate me a higher salary? :confused: So where would someone in that field work? Renton?

She was Downtown Bellevue, but just moved to Renton.

Spendy area in Bellevue, why not move to maple valley or Renton. That and the commute is going to suck on the north end, specialy trying to get on 520 off Northup Way and the interchange to 405, not to mention the joy of the traffic at the Renton "S" curves everyday.

:rolleyes: Please... Just because your "eyeing up" younger girls doesnt mean your pullin' them home.. :noway: ;) How young we talkin? Should I contact Chris Hanson w/ to catch a predator? Maybe they should do a Canadian special.. :D These sickos could be in our neighborhoods and now even TCNW! :eek:

hahahaha... yea, i think we better be givin NBC a call ASAP before it's too late! l:)

Im sure he doesnt realize how much it really cost to live these days:yes:
House payment or rent
garbage
sewer
water
pud
pse
cable
phone (cell)
car payment
insurance
gas
groceries
BEER
chicks or dudes (I dont judge):D
car parts
ect ect....

Then convert TCNW to a ricer forum! :yes:

See, I was right, he DOES prefer his Honda.

The only things you'll be jumping is over stuff when us old farts come after you to shave your head:D

Spendy area in Bellevue, why not move to maple valley or Renton. That and the commute is going to suck on the north end, specialy trying to get on 520 off Northup Way and the interchange to 405, not to mention the joy of the traffic at the Renton "S" curves everyday.

I will be working in Kirkland, right at the 520 405 interchange. The home in Bellevue will be about a 5-10 minute commute and that is including some traffic. I will actually probably ride a bike, I think its maybe 2 miles away. I dunno I will mapquest it now. Living in Maple valley or Renton would make that commute way over an hour, I dont think so! :noway:

Im sure he doesnt realize how much it really cost to live these days:yes:
H

Kevin, yes i know it is pricey, thanks for looking out for me. I live in a single apartment at the moment and have a decent idea of the costs of living. I should be able to survive with engineering salary. I may even have a little extra cash after a few months in order to buy some car parts and more tools. If I run out of money, I will just come live with you!

Think about the gas, and the amount of time You'd spend commuting, I'd spend some extra loot to live close.:yes:

My Bud live's in Renton, and commute's to North of Bellevue, He hate's it. Spend's several hours a day sitting in that crap.:noway:

Be smart Brett, use this down turn in the market to score a house as soon as You can. Good interest rate's also.:thumbsup:

Sorry Brett, I was thinking the KW was at the 405/167 interchange. Won't be too bad from Northup.

Ok mapquest said 2.2 miles and 5 minute commute. The commute will save me time($), wear and tear on my car, gas, and my sanity. Also my friends live all over the area of seattle and eastside, Bellevue or Kirkland will be right in the center.

Dave, I wish I could buy a house but I have no money for down payment. Also, I want acreage, no way I am going to be able to get that anywhere near where I work. The land/house/shop will just have to wait... :(

Just for fun I filled this out, even though I kinda already did it. I dont know how much garbage and sewage/water is in the area so you guys wanna help me out? I divided several things by 2 that include my roommate.

House payment or rent $1000 my share
garbage $30/2 = $15 ?
sewer $30/2 = $15 ?
water ?
pud What is Pud?
pse $100-$200 / 2 = $50-$100
cable/internet $100/2 = $50
phone (cell) $60
car payment own it already
insurance for both cars about $200 a month
gas $100 a month
groceries $400 a month (I also like to eat out)
BEER $1,000,000 :D
chicks or dudes (I dont judge):D free! EDIT: actually free couldnt be further from the truth... I know that I cant put a value on it now though.
car parts $infinity
ect ect....

So total that is... $ < 2k. I should be able to live on under $2k no prob.

I'm not saying right now, and You don't necessarily need a big down payment. There are desperate people out there right now, and more coming.

Somebody else's stupidity, can be Your score.

Score something when You can, to sell later when Your looking at the property/shop. Equity My Boy, not flushing Your money in rent.

I'm not rushing You, just saying now that Ya got a paying Gig, keep on the lookout. Later in life, You'll happier, the sooner You start buying a house.

Dave, I definitely feel you on the flushing money away on rent. I want a house as soon as possible believe me. I don't exactly have all the knowhow and expertise when it comes to looking for a house or property but am willing to learn. My father is an architect and understands property values etc. I have lived in 2 houses he has designed and I would like to start from scratch myself some day. When you say stupidity do you mean they get evicted or just sell it for cheap to cut their losses because of the dying market? Ideally I would like about 5 acres with a shop a tad bigger than Darryls. I dont need a huge house but wouldnt mind if it were nice. Only 3000 sqft would be plenty I think.

Investor's with house's that aren't worth the loan that They have on the house. They're gonna have to dump the house, or lose it to the Bank.

How much money do you think I should have saved up when I am ready to start looking for property? Want to keep an eye out on some things for me?

Dave is giving some sage advice.
Right now houses are 'cheap' and a interest rates are low.
Countrywide will just about oralize you on a home loan as so many have gone bad.
I'd not save for a dream house but get one soon with 1) location and 2) potential
Live there a few years, maybe TWO roomates, do some fixing....have a tile-laying party. Sell when the market gets better. Marry a rich girl (or one with potential) THEN with your equity get the place you want. Ensure she likes muscle cars

:yes: :hurray: Associate Design Engineer in the exhaust aftertreatment group. I think its going to be some design and development for a team that needs to meet some emissions standards by 2010. I wanted to originally work in the drivetrain department but you have to start somewhere and I also think this will be a smaller team and perhaps give me some more design freedom.

On lunch breaks Erik and I will have to race for pinks, er maybe just lunches.

Shiat...I guess I better get to work on that big block!

Shiat...I guess I better get to work on that big block!

Take your time, just work "The Kid" real hard, lock him in the basement, only let him out at night, feed him bread and water, only pay him enough for bus fare, etc. Then when he breaks, buy his Elky;)

Wow by the time I got to pg 4 I forgot I was looking at a thread where somebody was working on their car!

Looks good dude, and I love the photo of your car at the beach - that was some great photography!

$2000 for rent? Gads! My house payment is $1600. But I don't think there are many engineer jobs out here unless you want to work for the railroad. ;)

But I don't think there are many engineer jobs out here unless you want to work for the railroad. ;)


That's funny. :D

Jeremy, rent is actually $1700. Sorry to steal the thread.. :o

I'm gonna have to throw in another note along the lines of Dave's and George's...

$1000 a month is half of my mortgage...

Saving for a dream house is a loosing proposition because the market costs will rise faster than you can earn and save- The only exception to that rule is if you buy land at todays price, then save to build the house later.

Buy a decent starter house... Rent out some rooms to your buddies and let them pay your mortgage.. .Then in 5 or 6 years sell it and take the equity and drop it on a bigger nicer place... Repeat until you get what you want.

:thumbsup:

Take your time, just work "The Kid" real hard, lock him in the basement, only let him out at night, feed him bread and water, only pay him enough for bus fare, etc. Then when he breaks, buy his Elky;)

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Don too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were married... But then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll, I'll, I'll set the building on fire...

Ben, I agree with what you, Dave, and George have said. It would be a never ending battle to try to save for the dream house. I agree I should just try to get into a home and make payments towards ownership as soon as possible. Maybe in a year or 2 I will be able to do that. I like the idea of renting it out to a friend or 2 in order to cut the costs. :thumbsup: I would have no problems with a fixer upper. This would teach me alot of home improvement skills and easily increase value. Paying rent right now is just flushing it down the toilet, I just cant get a house right out of college though. :sad:

If your mortgage is 2k, how much did you put down if you dont mind me asking? This is the amount I need to save before I can move out. Will I need $50k? $100k? More? Isnt the rule something like 20% of the total value or loan?

If your mortgage is 2k, how much did you put down if you dont mind me asking? This is the amount I need to save before I can move out. Will I need $50k? $100k? More? Isnt the rule something like 20% of the total value or loan?


All depends on the type of loan you are looking at.
When i bought mine, I did a 100% conventional loan, meaning it was 100% financed by the bank. I think i paid $1000 in ernest money (which i got back) and $450 for an inspection and that was it. I rolled the closing costs into the loan.

Down side with that, was with 100% financing, you will need mortgage insurance which for me was $200 a month... The way around that is you put down 20% or you finance the 20% in a second loan, or the value of the house has to go up enough that you have at least 20% equity.

I paid the mortage insurance for for 1 year, the value of the house increased enough that i refinanced the next year into another 100% conventional loan but since the equity was high enough, no mortgage insurance payment.

There are many types of loans to make it so you don't need the downpayment... 80/20 loans are the most common.

Work for a a year or so to get some income history, verify your credit score, and go get a house.

If you are intersted in the whole housing thing, it would be well worth your time to take one of the free "new home buyer" seminars that banks & mortgage brokers offer. its very informative, free, and who knows you might figure out how to buy a house sooner.

Good info Ben!

Or you come in with 10% have them carry a 10% on a second (slightly higher rate) and the 80% of the loan at the going rate. I think this way you might not have to pay PMI (mortgage insurance).
I don't know what, if anything, you can get in or near BV for $350k or even $400k.

I assisted #1 in her home loan but she had a bunch saved.

Some insight to what Ben said
My first place, age 23.....3 br 1/BA, 1957 house bought late in 1981 in SoCal.
I paid through the nose...$78k compared to 1972 bucks when my dad bought his place quite a bit larger and newer...same price. I joined the Army a few years later, had it leased for 10 years....which paid the mortgage, paid repairs and upgrades...but not too much more. Lots of things you can write off if you have rental property....
I sold the place in 1997, cleared a bunch as I got $155k for the house.

Bought the second house So Tacoma/Parkland are near PLU. Paid $80k in 1991 dollars sold it in 1998 for $155k. A few months later I was on orders back to Fort Lewis, go figure.

A single guy with a house and two buds or several strippers as roommates helping to pay the rent is sweet!

Find some land....that's what I'm planning on doing this time(remodel last time)....build a garage with a loft to live in for a few years, then build the house.

OR

Try to find a foreclosure, HUD, or someone desperate to get out of their home. There's always a good deal somewhere, you just have to find it and don't settle. Always go into a property making money, don't go in trying to catch up.

Actually, I'd be interested in having an investment partner....somebody I can trust that is....anybody else?

Awesome info guys. I think Ben is right, I should go to a bank presentation. You guys are sure good to have around! :thumbsup: :beers: on me!

PS: I do like the idea of buying the land and building my own place when the money is there. Instead of a loft I thought about a double wide or something but I suppose a loft would be a good guest house later down the road!

I've thought about the doublewide thing as well but....If I'm going to spend money, I might as well spend it on something that will stay, thus the garage I'll want to build. Getting rid of a doublewide down the road may just lose money and will probably not stay, not to mention take more energy to heat than a smaller loft, and NO ROOM FOR THE CAR! Doublewides can be cheap though, except it takes from what I hear about $10k to move one.....by the time you buy a $25k doublewide and $10K to move, you could've had that garage.....Just my thoughts:D Good luck Brett in whatever you decide to do.:thumbsup:

THats why you buy a used 5th wheel... No problem for a bachelor!

Lol, no 5th wheel! Mike, I meant garage and a double wide. Of course I suppose by the time you build the garage, it is not much extra money to add the extra level/loft which could make an awesome guest place later. I am thinking a garage the size of Darryls with maybe 1 more bay. Perhaps a 5 stall but only 4 doors, the other stall for shop equipment and my aircraft stuff. thx again guys.

Cobalt Mike,

Great idea on the garage with loft. If ya build the shop big enough, then you can have a full-fledged bunkhouse up there! Might as well throw in the mini kitchen, full bath, living area/2nd bedroom. Leave one end with a bay free above, so that it can hold an RV or car on a lift

Another detriment to the mobile home idea, is that banks aren't as liberal with funding for them, due to their mobile nature, usually at a higher rate, and it's a double whammy as a first time buyer.

All the other points are valid also. I have one on a 1/2 acre with a killer ocean view that I rent to a buddy, his rent covers the mortgage so it's ok. Once it's paid for, we are just going to mow the thing down and build our retirement home there.

Many very wealthy people started out with buying crappers in the nicest neighborhood you can afford. Even the nicest neighborhoods have nuisance properties... ie crack houses etc...sometimes the land owner just wants to off them, and a low ball offer can sometimes get you in.

Give the tenants due notice, move in, clean-up, sell...do again. Plus the neighbors will love you for it....maybe even bake you some cookies or introduce you to their daughters. :D

I got my start in rental property ownership thanks in large...don't laugh now...to Carlton Sheets. I bought his course used on ebay, went through it, used much of his info and bought my first two rental properties with none of my own money down. It's a little tricky, but it worked, and is working, for me. :yes:

Just my experience, yours may be different, but I wish you luck.

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Don too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were married... But then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll, I'll, I'll set the building on fire...

Believe it or not, I understood that:D

I am thinking Erik needs to wear more peices of flare at the workplace:thumbsup:

Believe it or not, I understood that:D

:yes: I love when they destroy the copier with the music! :D

George.....
I already have the whole lift/garage height thing thought out, so yes when I get 'er done you can come over with the Elky and put on some more go-fast parts. I'll probably even help just for fun:thumbsup:. Still need to find the land though....
John....
Great idea about the neighbors inviting you over and maybe introducing you to their daughter(s), hadn't thought of that angle. Still single and my birthday(28) is this Sunday, so I better get to working on it:D.

Mike,
It pisses me off...my bro in AZ bought a home with the shop from hell. He has a lift and parks his frikkin 66 Mustang on it....and it doesn't even run.

My garage is OK. It is actually deep enough for a care sideways across the front...if all the extraneous household crap wasn't in there...

Another place opened just after I bought this place a few years back....
Right around the corner from senior gearhead Dennis (known by Ben and Mike P) single story w/2-car garage. Shop out back access via a power co easement. Was 2 more bays with an office/in-law apartment! Not a BIG shop like HOSS or DOC but certainly nice to have a separate shop.