We just moved last month and I found out the garage in our apartments were left pretty much unfinished…
So my bro and I took the opportunity to make the garage a bit nicer.
Here’s a real quick recap:
Stage 0 - Prior to any work
Cost = zero
Stage 1 - Spackle and Primer
Cost = $6 for spackle & spreader kit
Stage 2 - Primer (1 coat)
Cost = $36 for 4 gallons of primer, $30 for miscellaneous supplies (wide boy roller etc)
Stage 3 - Paint
Cost = $80 for 6 gallons of interior paint from Lowe’s (2 coats)
Stage 4 - Shelves
more shelves
Cost = $200, mostly for the BAIS (Big A$$ Industrial Shelf) in the middle of the back wall
Stage 5 - Extra Stuff
I put up a Miata poster to go along with my Tamiya model of the car to personalize it a bit. Set up custom bolts in the wall to hold up the hardtop too.
Cost = $15 for Ebay Miata poster, I already had the other red shelving so just threw it on and put my 1/18 die cast models on it…
I was either gonna do red or a sky blue, but being a hairdresser and all the sky blue might send the wrong signals… J/k.
It’s not as bright in real life, the camera overcompensated for the poor lighting when I took these. But I can understand it’s not for everyone, hehe…
No just another Miata owner reference. ;D
I used to cut hair for people back in college, but it was just fades, undercuts, etc for a couple bucks here and there…
Many reasons… The main one is that it was just too much car for me for what I was using it for. I almost felt sorry for the car just going to the grocery with it, even though I would rip turns once in awhile, etc.
Sure, I bought the car with big plans for tracking, HPDE, etc etc. But deep down I know I’m just too budget conscious to really do it up properly. I don’t believe in half a$$ solutions and just knew that even for suspension/tires/wheels for it that’d mean another $3-$4k out the door- then I’d just want more power. You know, the never ending cycle.
Now, having some karting experience from Japan, I was already considering going into sprint karting, which would allow me to race wheel to wheel for a very reasonable budget. Once I made the decision to buy my own kart setup, I figured that would help me fulfill the need to drive like a madman. And it does.
I bought the unmolested '05 RS with a year and 19k on the clock. The previous owner took the depreciation hit for me buying it new. In the end, I actually was able to find someone who would take it off my hands for just $500 less than what I purchased for. Not to mention, I had all of the OEM Evo VII parts that I sold off the car separately at a good profit. I would have only been able to do this if I sold the car early (before value really went down), so that’s what I did.
I knew I wanted a light car with direct handling. Since I like to think of myself as frugal, it was just too hard for me to resist a light two seat roadster with huge aftermarket support and used parts everywhere. I mean, buying pads, rotors at all four corners plus ATE fluid with the prop valve you helped me with- the whole thing prob cost less than $300, and 1/3rd of that was pads!
I considered the MR-S Spyder too but feel it’s overpriced still for what it is and there’s less aftermarket. Plus they both exude equivalent gayness. :mwahaha So, I guess that’s your long answer, and the answer to why I drive the Miata too…
Project Low Budget Garage :headbang rich kids :idiots want to build a car in my shop its 10 x 15 with screwed up floor no insolation, windows, power. ill trade
Your garage is probably 100 times more functional than mine. I’m not allowed to use compressed air or do major work… Apt complex doesn’t allow it. So basically, it’s mainly for show, hahaha. But if I need to do major work, the RPI garage is always there.
As far as budget, it’s all relative man… Sure the couple hundred could have went elsewhere, but I didn’t feel like putting $400 into my Miata to try to break into the 17s… ;D
