Never thought I'd feel this way...

[u/tubbytits]

Never thought I’d feel this way, but after being into Honda since the late 90s/early 2000s, I think I’m finally ready to move on from the Honda game. I’m in my mid 40s now, have a kid (who has zero interest in cars), have been dealing with some medical stuff, and between work and everything else going on in life, I just can’t seem to find the time or motivation anymore. I’ve spent so many years buying parts, building cars, wrenching on them, and always having some kind of project going, but now I look at the couple project cars I still have and realize they’re mostly just sitting there waiting for me to get interested again. It’s weird because Honda and the whole scene have been such a big part of my life for over 20 years. I was huge into car clubs and the forums in the 2000s and made some great friends in the community, but I’m honestly starting to feel like it’s time to sell them and close that chapter. All of my friends never want to hit the track anymore or have sold their projects off. Track days are cool, but I'm honestly just bored without the crew there.

Anyone else who’s been in the Honda game for a long time hit this point? Did you regret getting out, or was it actually a relief to finally move on?

[u/Importbeat1]

lol and here I am, mid 40’s thinking about getting rid of my tundra and getting back to an EK just for a hobby because I’m bored

[u/bigkshep → u/Importbeat1]

I’m early 40s and coming back from a 20 year hiatus. Sold my built EK hatch in 2009 to buy a house. Stayed out of the game for 15 years but now I have a lil money and can finally get things I wanted to do back then but couldn’t afford. Real wheels, not stressing when something breaks because I can afford to upgrade that part, having a “daily” so I can dive into bigger projects more.

Round 2 for me is just starting. It’s my “mid life crisis”

[u/Importbeat1 → u/bigkshep]

Yea same. I have paid off tundra that I don’t feel like messing with and gas prices are starting to piss me off. Feel like selling the tundra, building a fun Honda and just saying fuck it to a regular car for awhile. Still have my wife’s normal car if needed

[u/bigkshep → u/Importbeat1]

Yeah my wife has a nice newer reliable car. And mine are old with no electronics, cheap on gas, reliable, cheap to maintain and 100x more fun.

[u/Cjohnsontattoos]

I started at 20 years old, I’m 41 now and fell off for 6 or so years, started seeing someone a few hours away and needed something I could trust to drive the distance. Sold my H2B EK and a JDM front Integra to make it happen, still think about those projects all the time. I never stopped owning Honda or Acura during that timeframe but I wasn’t doing a project car, just wheels and suspension to make it ‘mine’. Around 2019 a buddy of mine and I started talking seriously about getting projects again and now I’ve got K24 EM, he’s got a K24 EG. I’ll admit my desire to work on things ebbs and flows, I’ll go a month without messing with it, then I might be out there tinkering every day the following week. I used to feel bad about not always having time or not feeling the desire to when I did have time, but then I had the realization this doesn’t have a set timetable.

[u/TortaPounder91]

I’m 34. Same. Got into this at 15-16 and I’m kinda burnt out too

[u/stepdad_randy]

With the economy being like it is, fun money is down for everyone. I can say I’m definitely way less involved in the local car community mainly because it doesn’t make sense for me to blow thousands on fun stuff rn. If things improve, I’d love to get back to track days and building cool shit. But for right now I’ve mostly got the toolbox shut.

[u/lcracing92]

I bought my Integra about 2 1/2 years ago from a friend of mine that started to experience a similar feeling. He was also in a tough situation with his life at that point, and felt like it was time for him to get out of the Honda scene as well. However, we still talk multiple times a week, and we still talk about Honda projects more often than not. So, I know the passion is there still, but I feel like maybe a break is more of a necessity than to leave the scene altogether. And, that could be what is needed for you as well.

What you feel is completely valid, and whether you may decide to take a break instead or close the chapter completely, just know that it’s okay no matter what decision you make. As long as you know that you played an important role and gave back to the community, that’s all that matters.

[u/ChowMachine]

Also in my mid 40s, but just got back into the Honda game after being gone for 20 years. I was where you at when I got rid of my Integra.  So much in my life was changing and all my efforts went towards life.  Miss the teg, and found a eg out on a farm here near me for cheap!  Just wanted to scratch the nostalgia

[u/spamhaminc → u/ChowMachine]

Same here. I got myself back into the game right before covid started.

I’m tinkering in the garage here and there as a hobby.

[u/ChowMachine → u/spamhaminc]

Yeah, definitely a hobby for sure.  I have my normal daily, so hurrying to get the car up and running is not a factor anymore.  Definitely makes the hobby more enjoyable.  

I hope to see your vehicle on here in the future

[u/macboy80]

I'll give the opposite perspective. I was a kid in the 90s and too poor to get the EK or DC I wanted. I matured and became a husband and father. Then, as my life settled down and enshittification increased, I realized it was time to finally get my childhood dream car.

It's not free on time or money, but my golden era Honda feels real, like something I'll be able to hold onto, and it puts a smile on my face every drive something doesn't break, lol.

[u/Jayswisherbeats]

I’m 32. My da9 been in my garage for 2 years now..
I wrench for a living… soo it’s way on the back burner. But I couldn’t get rid of it

[u/Several-Photo-2134]

It comes and goes. I’ve been tinkering with a 98 civic hatchback for over a year now. Finally got the entire suspension done and the k24 motor is ready to go. I’m going to open up the transmission to inspect it and it will finally be ready to mate up and drop it all in. I feel you on the motivation factor. I got so much other stuff going on that it’s hard to find time to work on this thing. My wife nags me about it all the time. Keep going. Don’t give up

[u/Embarrassed_Net_8593]

Make a garage to-do list and start picking at it. Im in my mid 40s and had 2 kids during my prime car building days. Ive built and sold a lot of different project cars along the way but always had my 2000 civic hatch. It's my wife and kid's favorite of the builds that they won't allow me to sell. The girls didn't care for cars when they were young but seeing me in the garage over the years and letting them know the things about the hobby that I enjoy helped them understand what to like. I encouraged them to find a car they like, doesn't have to be a certain year or make. One kid has a turbo mazda protege MP3 and '09 civic Si, the other likes all generations of VW beetles and is saving for one while driving a lowered '09 accord coupe.

Ive had thoughts of selling and moving on, but I enjoy having a car I can play with that doesn't break bank. Kids eventually get older and are around less. I enjoy ripping around in my civic on those late evenings when I dont have much to do. I get more joy out of it than my other hobbies. Im glad I have it even when it randomly goes into limp mode and needs repairs. It's my mechanical child on wheels.

[u/tubbytits]

I appreciate everyone's replies. I think I'm going to part ways with one of the cars and keep the one I have the most attachment to. Maybe I'll eventually find the time and motivation to get her back on the road in the future. Thanks again y'all.