Just over a month ago I took the Riv to a ROA event. Picked it up at the body shop and went straight there. After the show I came home. parked it the garage n covered her up. haven't touched it since. The body work was fine. Paint nearly perfect. the reassembly and alignment of the bumper ect not so great. I know it's a minor thing and it will be easy to straighten out. Along with that is all the cleaning that needs to be done. 2 years worth of oil encrusted dust in places that are almost impossible to access without pulling the engine and trans. Then there's mechanical issues. I'm hearing and feeling a noise/ vibration in the car. thinking its the rear end. And also the sloppy floor shifter and some stuff on the int that needs attn. All this crap and most of it minor but can't make myself get up and start on it. Just not feeling the love. I know once I dive in it won't be so bad. Taking that first head first plunge is the problem. As of now I dont wanna even stick my toe in the water.
I know the feeling, the engine has been out of my GS for a few months now, and I probably wont have it back and assembled for a few more months, and I don't care, whatever
I lose impetus on occasion. Especially when I have been toiling all day in the sun on a roof. Gutta sack up and accomplish something or I feel like a POS. Helps to make a list and take bites. Yall know , when it's time to eat a **** samwich, it's best to take big bites. Force yourself to get something done, y'all feel better when that ball starts rolling again. We are all getting older, ( noone gets younger) stay focused or keep yer arse planted in that rocking chair and be a lame ole fart. Jim Ps: Sometimes you just " gutta shut up n nut up" . Woody
I get that way with my cars, especially my Caddy since it sits so long between drives. Its tough but the thing I try to do is accomplish something small everyday when I'm in that funk. One seatbelt today, one tomorrow, polish one vacuum line today, etc. Maybe go loosen the bumper tonight and get it kind of lined up. Finish it tomorrow. Keep doing that and one day you start rolling and get a lot done and you're back into it and its all you think about at night and at work. The you're excited to go in the garage and crank it out.
Its not just the Riv. Regals done. been to the track several times and it ran good. But come Sat morning ,race day, Im like I really dont want to go to all the hassle of loading up the car, driving 1.5 hours to the track, unloading the car.... fuel , reg. tech.... then getting home after midnight. Could have went yesterday but instead opted to do a service call and then ride the lawn mower for 7 hours.That was NO FUN! I know this is just a temporary funk and it will pass.
My Buchev has been in pieces for about three weeks due to some long-put off wiring work under the dash. The instrument panel and just about everything in the dash had to come out. I got it back together enough to start it yesterday. I made great progress today, and with a bit of luck will finish the job tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it's first legal drive in over a month either tomorrow or Tuesday. Hang in there!
Everyone gets in those ruts!! And as you said, it's not just the car it's other things too. I think it's totally normal. I've been there too. As Lucas replied, tried a few small things at a time. Or even put things on hold for a while. I've found that after being away from the car, or other activities, you tend to appreciate them more when you get back at them again. I try to go to different car shows that I've never been to before. That way I see different vehicles and places, and meet new people. Changing things up a bit never hurts !! You'll get there! Good luck! Craig
I haven't felt it for a while, I keep buying stuff for the car in hopes that someday soon I'll open the garage door to find Motivation staring me in the face.
Been there. I have too many projects and when one gives me grief, I don't feel like messing with any. What sucks is when the 'delays' are because of waiting for a job, or parts, someone else is supposed to provide.
Yup, been there too. Sometimes i just go do something else, easy, then you can feel like u got the energy to get going again!
I think it's normal. Got a 67 GS parts car that I have been gonna strip for several years. I finally drgged it up where I can work on it. Engine and trans came out today. Need to pull the front drums, and then the rear and it will be ready to get out of here. Took a while to get motivated, but it;s almost done in 3 days.
Hey Briz, it sounds like you may be experiencing a bit of minor depression. You live in Florida so you probably get enough sunlight light which is good for vitamin D, but perhaps you are lacking the B vitamins, especially B3 which helps with energy and not getting depressed. Vitamin b3(niacin) is also good to reduce cholesterol levels. We aren't getting any younger, so us older folks over 50 need to try to find what we are missing nutritionally to compensate so our olderness to keep up with the younger folks. Just had my cholesterol checked a few weeks ago and it was high 328 total, 223 LDL and 64 HDL, not sure how that = 328, when added together are 287? But that is what my numbers are!!I found on the internet that an apple a day for a month will reduce my numbers by 40%(we'll see) and oatmeal with other cholesterol reducing foods is as good as being on the prescription drugs. I'm am studying to be re-tested in August so I can stay off of those statin drugs that eat away at muscle strength and y0ur kidneys and liver to stay prescription free. Anyway that is where I found that niacin(vitamin B3) will reduce cholesterol as well as help with depression. Don't get discouraged Briz, search the interweb for help with how you're feeling, you may just need to eat more of certain foods that have what you need to correct your mood? That s if you are someone that can make themselves eat what you should eat instead of have to eat what in your mind is the only thing that is what you will let yourself eat. That old adage, "you are what you eat" holds more true the older we get. GL Derek
Don't worry...life can get hectic & wear anybody out. It's better not to tool on the machine if you don't feel like doing so...it's no problem as long as you don't depend on it & have the time & space to do the job in your own way & own time. I spent 2+ days just polishing & waxing my 67 for the ROA meet in Reno. Is everything done? No. Is the car perfect? No. Is there plenty left to finish? Sure....but I can fit that stuff in later. I consider myself very fortunate to have it running well & able to take it to work & around town when I please...and I'm looking forward to the next jaunt. Our Buicks are great, but there's more to life than cars. Take time for yourself, then put some into the car when you feel up to it...one thing at a time. Sometimes those mechanical issues are more simple than you'd expect.
Could be some mild form of depression but it also might be that your just a little burned out. There's only so many hours in the day, Sometimes you just need to step back and take a break from the extra stuff and recharge the batteries. You're a car guy, you know the items that need attention so you'll do it and you will be"feeling it" again before you know it. You'll be fine, Take your break you've earned it.
I went through this during the resto on the green car. After spending insane amounts of time working on the car, there were times I got burnt out. After the car was "done" but still needed little things here and there, it was like pulling teeth to go work on it. Stepping out the door to head out to the barn was always the hardest part. Once I got out there, I'd get engrossed and just blast through the work. What I started doing was to choose one small item and tell myself "just do this little quicky and thats it". The majority of the time, once Id force myself to dive in, I'd get on a roll and knock a few things off the list. But I feel ya, sometimes you just need a break. Nothing says you have to do it right now, so take that break, charge your batteries, and you'll get to it once you feel the urge.
don't Love something that doesn't love ya back. if you're over the car show scene then sell it or use it a daily driver. don't force yourself to do anything for the sake of the car.
I concur with just about every reply here! This hit me 3 years ago like BLAMMO! I simply couldnt bring myself to work on anything for a while. My wife reminded me of what I used to say so many many years ago: "When I find myself walking out to the garage, and I have to force myself to get stuff done, this hobby no longer is a hobby, it has become a burden." Many of you have seen my posting 70-72 Parts Closeout, right? I am older than a lot of you guys (63) and it no longer excites me to work on cars. SO I am selling off every Buick part I have packed into two storage units... My 46 year reign has slowly diminished to a place where now its time to let go. No, Im not saddened, I had a great 46 year run at this hobby with much success, and now I am at a realistic & honest point in my life and ready to move on. Hey, NO WORRIES, I'll still be around to help out when I can... Wheelz, Tampa Bay
...started tearing Kubota apart yesterday chasing a hydraulic leak in transaxle...and I thought late model cars were cramped. Certainly no enthusiasm for exploding it all over barn, but I'll do it, it's my lawn mower and hired hand for projects around the property. Nav/sound system died in daily driver and GN needs ft/rr fillers...I think my lack of enthusiasm is old age...sigh...
I stopped at Lowes today for the sole reason of trying to find a suitable material to replace the wood grain parts of the center console. Saw some stuff that would probably work but it was not sold by the piece only in the 60$ box. I'll try a flooring store. Its a small step!
