On 10 Oct 2005 08:21:43 -0700, "JohnV@nn" <jmvannoy@gmail.com> wrote:
>How does a person come to grips with paying $2000 to paint a car that
>is worth less than $2000? I know the paint job will increase the value
>a couple hundred dollars, but no more than that I bet.
Homeowners face the same kinds of choices when the decide to remodel
or fix up a home. Certain remodel projects really do have a big return
on investment, while others may have none.
>
>I'm sure it happens all the time (people paying more for paint than the
>value of the car). The same thing would happen if I decided to buy a
>Kenne Bell supercharger ($3000 part for a $2000 car). The numbers just
>aren't going to add up.
They almost never will add up. I paid $5,000 for my paint. I could
have gotten it for about 1/5th of that figure by going to MAACO or one
of those types. Or, I could have paid twice what I did by going to a
custom shop.
What you have to do is prioritize. How important is that paint to you
compared to other things in your life.
When I do something, I don't look at what the return on my investment
will be with a car. I do it simply because that's what I want, or what
I can afford at the time.
>
>But with an 11-week-old boy to think about, I also have to let the
>practical side of my brain have a say. Does it make sense to pay 100%
>of the value of the car to have it painted? Or maybe the $250 job at
>Maaco that would (hopefully) be better than what I have now?
No, it doesn't. Unless you had a very special car and intended to
auction it off.
As for MAACO, et al, you can go that way but, you're rarely ever going
to get out the door with the job done right for that price. They tack
on a lot of little things, like do you want the windows and chrome
masked off? Or, hey, we can't warrantee the paint if it goes on over
old bondo... Last year I had a 66 Mustang Fastback with a MAACO type
paint job. The paint was already chipping and flaking. It was a
quickie done just to sell the car. The guy I sold it to knew cars, and
acknowledged that it was going to have to be repainted. He still paid
full price because the car was great under the paint.
I've known people who did it all themselves, and cheaper than a MAACO
"final" estimate. Got some books on How To, rented some equipment.
Invited the Buds over for a sanding party, etc. And it turned out just
as good as MAACO (well, actually Earl "I'll paint any car for $39.95"
Sheibe).
Another option.... Got a local college with an automotive division, or
even a local high school with an auto shop? Our local college loves
to get cars supplied as training aids. They'll rebuild an engine or
tranny, paint, etc for the cost of materials/parts. Check around with
independent shops for prices.
>
>John
>93 GT
It appears you are trying to talk yourself out of spending a bundle.
Don't try. You already, apparently, know what your best move is, and
what your responsibilities are. Sometimes in life you have to set
aside the luxuries and get real. Best of Luck and Life to ya.
Spike
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior; Vintage 40
16" rims w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A gForce Radial
225/50ZR16 KDWS skins; surround sound audio-video.
http://207.36.208.198/albums/86810/d..._11_05_002.jpg
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