Dream hunt or Car?

[BCinKS]

I posted this on a differentsite and got alot of mixed replys just wondering what the pros here would do? Ok here is the big question. Like many of you here on LRH i am a 37 year old, blue collar married father of 3 girls . I have a 1969 Chevelle big block convertable that i am restoring (80% done).Would you sell it and spend all the $ on one big hunt or 2-4 smaller hunts? I am not getting any younger and have lost intrest in hotrods ,so its time to finish this car and get it sold. I have dreamed of a Dall sheep hunt since i was very young as well as a brown bear. I have also thought about taking my wife on a elk hunt.What would you guys go on? Whitetails are out of the question,i already have a B&C and multiple P&Y bucks . My old man thinks i am nuts for wanting to sell it but cars are just not my thing anymore.

 

[HUAINAMACHERO]

I am no pro or anything like it. But you ask what we would do: no doubt the DALL SHEEP hunt. It is going to be harder for you to do it later in life. At this age you are more than likely fit to do it. You can do the elk and bear later in life. I would go for it no doubts. Just my thoughts!!!

 

[midwesthunter]

I would look at the bigger picture. 3 kids what are they into? You say your blue color but do you consder your self well off? I know no one does but do you strugle at times finacialy. Me I would plan for future put some away. Think about kids and college. I thnk it would be cool to go on a sheep hunt but for what I have seen them cost I don't think there worth it. Me I would prob take a trip with famliy. But there are realy to many options. These dissision will be tuff. Just remember once kids are out u will have more money for cars if get back into that again and future hunts.

 

[Chas1]

I have also thought about taking my wife on a elk hunt.

Think about all your wife has done, sacrificed and stood by you while you restored your PU and answer this one question completely objectively. Does she deserve to go?...makes the decision real clear.

Take the wife for all the obvious reasons but, equally importantly the two of you will have an outstanding memory of a lifetime. Oh and just think you sold your restoration just so you could go on a hunt date with her. There's hunting partners and then there's life partners.

 

[trebark]

I agree, sell the car. Then sit down with your better half and make a decision as to what to do with the funds.

 

[Oliveralan]

All very sensible answers.

I know spending it all on an absolute dream hunt would be awsome, but you have to talk it over with your wife. Maybe the money could do better invested or used in a way that will in the long run benefit the whole family? While it is always nice to in essence "eat the whole cake at once" you will pay for it later. Sounds like your expecting a sizeable chunk of change for the car, so i would definetely talk it over with the wifey. Investing it in something that will earn you more in the long run would be my best advice.
But what the heck do I know. Just my opinions

 

[helidriver72]

Screw the future any of us could be dead tomorrow, SHEEP HUNT.

 

[MN Hunter]

Since the car doesnt interest you I would sell it. I dont think I would do the sheep hunt -it would be fun but to much$$$. Do your wife and kids like to hunt or fish? Building memories with the family is great. The kids will remember the hunts, fishing trips... that they went on with you. They will talk about that the rest of theirs lives. They wount talk about the sheep hunt you went on. Maybe a boat, couple of smaller hunts - elk, bear maybe a hog hunt, prarie dogs are always fun, and put some into savings.

Make sure you are truely not interested in cars anymore. You may not be able to ever get it back. I have done that once or twice over the years - still kick myself about it.

What ever you decide have fun with it.

 

[blipelt]

The only advise I can give you is do what matters. If your family matters more than the car and hunting(which it should) then you answered your own question.

I have a friend/coworker who has been all over(africa several times, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and a few more). He always talks about the hunts with his kids and family more than the others. I tend to agree watching my 70year old mother shoot a whitetail doe was more rewarding to me than any of the trophies I have.


Brent

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I understand all the sensible stuff that is being offered up here. And most likely the best advice. But I see where you are coming from. If you keep that car then I see no great family memories coming from it. Perhaps some riding together in it. If the car was built as an investment, then I would take the money and invest it. If the car was built for your fun, then take the money for your fun. If your fun is to take the family on vacation then do that.

My vote is to take the sheep hunt of a lifetime. If you have to later you can sell the head for more than the car was worth.

Steve

 

[FEENIX]

37 is young ... you still have lots of dreams and hunting left (not to mention many more decisions you have make ) ... but you must do your part.

I too have a bucket list.

Good luck!

Ed

 

[Dr. Vette]

...but cars are just not my thing anymore.

Is it the restoring that isn't your thing anymore, or having an older fun car at all? Two totally different aspects of ownership.

I work on older cars on my own time, and it's slow. It's one of my hobbies and some days it is more interesting than others. However, being able to drive them is the reward. I bought our family a 1970 Cutlass convertible that we drive around in as our "fun car" because I remember riding in my grandmother's 65 Pontiac convertible when I was a kid. It's a lot of fun and in many ways my favorite car to drive of the ones I own. Our family can make memories with it any day of the summer. Imagine your family doing the same with your Chevelle some day.

Right now my kids are 9, 11 and 15. They hunt with me on occasion, but it will be a while before they go on bigger hunts - I didn't go with my Dad for elk until I was turning 40. A "hunt of a lifetime" for me would involve either Dad, my kids or both since most of the fun is sharing it with family. If you're at the stage where your wife fits that bill, and no matter what the car doesn't fit in the picture, then go ahead, sell it and do what you enjoy. However, if you don't think that the hunt is going to be in the picture for a while you might as well enjoy the car. Unfortunately in 2010's economy it's probably worth 30% less than 3-4 years ago, so you may as well have some fun with it.

FYI, I absolutely love 69 Chevelles. Great taste in cars. Someday I'll have one myself.

 

[BCinKS]

Thanks for all the responses. I know i should invest it or save it for the kids college fund ,but this past year has me thinking how short like can be. I've already had a 57chevy and a Pro street 64Nova so i know alittle about the car sickness! I guess one word could describe my feelings Bucketlist!! I will probably take the wife on a elk hunt,but brown bear and sheep still aren't out of the question let! Oh i don't plan on finishing the car till late 2011.

 

[HUAINAMACHERO]

SHEEP HUNT!!!
Once in a lifetime oportunity, once it is passed............. you will only dream of one.
Life is to short, go for it!!!
I am only 33 and I still regret not doing a couple of things that would not have changed my life, but now I cant do them. I was invited to be a fly fishing guide in Chile for 2 months, everything payed including the plane tickets, plus a salary!!! I didnt took it because I was doing my thesis to get out of university. Those 2 months would not have made a difference in the long run, but fly fish Chile for 2 months everything payed and with a salary is not going to happen again!!!
Do the SHEEP HUNT, you will have great memories and you can plan an elk hunt with the family later on, that is easier to achieve than a SHEEP HUNT.
For me no question: SHEEP HUNT!!!

Just my thoughts.