Flip job!
I couldn't help but reply to this. I am not mechanically inclined, nor am I that full of knowledge. If I can help a fellow enthusiast, I try. With that said - I came up with this.
I do not flip cars, do major restorations, and I am not made of money. But I am NOT in the hobby for the cars alone. I am in the hobby for ME and for the other PEOPLE who enjoy cars as I do. Everyone in the hobby has something they like and dislike about it. Some are in the hobby to wrench on cars. Some just drive em like they stole em. Yet others collect em and have a bunch of cars stored away. Some people sell/flip, while others deal in parts. My point is that the hobby is fun BECAUSE of the differences of all in it. Where is the fun in searching for that rare car or part if you could find it in 5 minutes and pay bargain basement prices. I feel terrible if I overpay, but awesome if I find a great deal. The car hobby is my HOBBY - my therapy from my every day life. For many, the car hobby IS NOT a hobby, it is their business/life.
Some people dislike flippers. Some dislike the fact that a car has been restored to better than new. Some just hate that a car has been restored at all because they have 1 less car to buy and work on at a price that is affordable to THEM. Most car guys/gals are great people - some are big tools. This is the same in all areas of life. It's the people that make the hobby not the price of the car. If you are only in it for the CARS, you should get a shirt that says "Save the Cars" and buy that Geo Metro down the street for pennies on the dollar cause it needs saving. There are many cars that can be saved for a reasonable price - unfortunately they are not all desirable.
I don't hold it against someone for getting a great deal or making money. I am jealous that I didn't get a deal or the opportunity to make money.
Years ago,I was at Carlisle searching for a car. I came across a car that I wanted but another buyer was already negotiating a purchase price. He bought the car right in front of me - I knew how much he paid. Later that same day, I found the car again. The new owner moved his new acquisition to his vendor spot and marked the car up $3000. I talked to him and told him that I would give him $1500 more than his purchase price - Nice little profit for his 1 hour of work. He declined. Was I mad - You bet - at him - sure - at myself - heck yea, cause I was just 5 minutes late and this greedy guy ... etc. Thats part of the hunt. Looking back, I should have paid the higher price - today that car would have been a steal. The low of lows leads to the high of highs when you find your prize - part, car etc.
I have always loved Mopars but It doesn't stop me from looking at other cars and talking to their owners. That is why I am in the hobby - For MY enjoyment. It just gives me something else to talk about with my car friends. Our differences make the world go round !!