Nice car, but so much wrong

Seems strange to me, after so many years of being in this hobby that, groups of people form clubs for the benefit of the hobby and to build relationships, then after a time, begin to start grinding away at each other, picking apart car restorarations, particularly non-professional budget-minded efforts. Case-in-point is a Nova currently on Ebay. Members, please, for the sake of this great hobby of ours, please consider that not every car that comes before your viewing pleasure is a 100,000 dollar plus car, such as those going across Barrett-Jackson's block. Some of us, myself, for sure, are reaching down deep, to pull at the least, a sub 50,000 dollar car, most likely a lot lower, out onto the show field. I love cars,I like relationships, but I do Not enjoy making someone feel like they haven't done their best on their project. Maybe there are a lot of pros on this board, I am not doubting this, I just get the impression the site is not at its best when people get caught up in kocking others. I knew Tom Clary before he had a Yenko. I was around when he began planning a club. I would like to think his intent for the site is and will continue to be as he originally intended. Too much negativity, even when phrased as, helpful criticism, just feels wrong to me. I welcome a reply from Tom Clary. Thanks.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I've learned a lot from the helpful criticism, both on my car and on others! I think the issue is when the owner who just dug deep to restore a sub-$50k car attempts to sell it on par with the 1000 point car. Also, it's hard to tell if the seller restored the car by pouring every effort and dime into it, or just tossed a pretty paint job on a bunch of ginsu stuff to make a quick buck. If a seller wants the big bucks for the car, then the car will go under the scope. Rarely does an accurately priced car get critiqued the same way, especially when it's also accurately described.

[Jeff H]

I agree with Marlin. The criticism is the only way you will know that you've got some details wrong. And when people try to sell a car for big money, it needs to be as close to 100% correct to deserve the big money. But a lot of times it's potential buyers that are asking for more knowledgable people to look at a car for them and let them know which items are incorrect. If you're referring to a car that you have that you know isn't 100% correct and you have no intention of selling, then yes, it can get annoying when people critique it when you aren't asking for help. But again, cars for sale should be represented correctly or else they are open to criticism from potential buyers.

[LVCamaro]

Resto Light, or Resto Right...either way, enjoy your car! How you like your car is what matters, until "sale day". On sale day, suit up with your best flack jacket cuz eBay invites scrutiny akin to nitpicking and bordering bashing. In thin skin situations, hire a broker to market your car...otherwise be ready to sack-it-up and take the rainbow of comments that will surely follow your "for sale" announcement.

Who's Tom Clary?

SS

[firstgenaddict]

I agree, If you want the top dollar for your car and have restored it using suspension parts from Autozone vs NOS parts then you have opened yourself up for all of the nitpicking from everyone out there. If you are willing to acknowledge that there is a diparity between the two and price accordingly then there will be much less nitpicking when you are up front with the presentation and marketing of the car in the beginning.

[Canucklehead]

I guess it all depends on who your target buyers are. If you want top dollor than be prepared to be put through the wringer. If your trying to sell a car thats not quite right and your not expecting top dollor than your going to target "it is what it is".

[427TJ]

I think what "maslove70" is saying is that there is too much knee-jerk non-constructive criticism on the board. How many times have we seen someone get attacked, only to have the attacker be forced into making an apology? That happens at least a couple times a month around here. To be fair, it isn't the fault of the Y-net, it's people's natural competitive/jealous side that they allow to come out in writing. In my mind, there's a clear difference between "constructive" criticism and the more common slightly-negative kind of impulse-driven criticism that I think "maslove70" is talking about.

David Frieburger said it best in his Hot Rod column about a year ago: "The Internet is ruining hot-rodding." Too many guys let their emotions get ahead of their brains and they attack some guy's sub-50K restoration attempt. Then the guy replies on the forum, explains himself, and then the attacker(s) have to back-track and eat their words. Another thing that bugs me is that the wealthy collectors on this forum get 100% "positive feedback" from the attackers! I mean, it's embarassing how some of the attackers will lavish praise on the high-dollar guys yet bash the guy who's busting his tail trying to get his sub-50K Camaro or Nova done right. Granted, the wealthy collector can afford to get his restoration done right but even if he doesn't you'll never see one of the attackers say anything negative about him or his cars. Yes, it's that obvious.

Having said that, this is still one of the very best car forums on the Internet, back-biting and all. I have gotten some very good help and learned quite a lot in my year hanging around Y-net. I was skeptical about giving money to join the club but then I realized that I had saved money by getting some very good FREE advice right here. That, and the fact that there are many dedicated and highly-knowledgable members on the forum made it easy for me to click on the Pay Pal link*.

As for eBay, yes, there's a lot of BS being said in eBay auctions, we can all agree on that. I don't think that's ever going to end and that's why there's the "Auctions, Scams, and Ripoffs" forum. Maybe if we try to keep the chair-throwing and non-constructive criticism on that part of the forum the rest of the board will maintain a higher degree of professional conduct.

Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

x 100!


* I've noticed recently that many members have lost their membership stars under their login names. C'mon you guys, hit that Pay Pal link!

[Belair62]

...I don't think anyone holds back their criticism of anyone in particular...I have no idea what peoples net worth is around here but if their car has issues I'm sure people wouldn't hesitate to call them out. These E Bay ads seems to give folks something to gripe about no matter who owns the car and no matter how nice it is. When I saw my 70 Z on E Bay there were a few negative comments...and that was before I bought it off e-bay...there are really a lot of people who know their stuff here so you have to expect them to find stuff wrong with just about any car restored to any level. I don't have a car that would hold up to the "absolutely correct in every detail" microscope either. I have to give credit to the guys who eat,sleep and breathe these cars...it's hard to sugar coat things that are wrong without coming out and saying...it's wrong. Most people are glad to learn this stuff but the majority of folks probably don't strive to get a car down to an infinite level of detail either...some do...some don't...I admire both flawless correct restorations and extremely nice and damn close ones too...bottom line to me is with the value of these types of cars escalating...the more info the better...(sometimes stuff you don't want to know)that info allows people to decide what value they personally would place on a particular car...that being said....folks should stick to facts...and never let it get personal.

[Kim_Howie]

yeah right

[Belair62]

I forgot...your car really DOES suck Kim....