I was on here today, and looked at what some folks were doing to their cars. There was a time when I liked a good challenge, but I think those days are gone. This became quite clear when I bought the last E-type, thinking I would restore it, only to realize that much of what needed to be done was far over my head and the prospect of throwing good money after bad no longer has much appeal. Having owned five examples, the allure is still there, but I need to raise my sights and find a decent driver to fill the space. To complicate matters, I have gone so far as to look at Chevrolet Corvettes. Sadly, after some research, I realized that I do not suffer from adolescent arrestment, and a modern hot rod is not to my taste. Prices for a decent example of E-type are shocking, and I have to mentally adjust to that reality. That part is complicated by the memories of purchasing a new one for five thousand dollars. Any and all advice greatly appreciated. Tea and sympathy are also acceptable.
Ron,
It might be an age thing. Priorities change, finances change and our bodies change. I donāt love the E any less but between wanting the car to go to a loving home and the worry that a catastrophic failure could put me and my financial future at a disadvantage I made a rescission . I had spent a large sum in the previous years to get it back on the road and experienced the dot com market crash and again in '07, I didnāt want more risks. I sold the car to a guy who had been bugging me for 10 years to buy it, I knew he loved it and that was valuable to me.
pauls
Not precisely the story of why I sold mine, but close enough: there just comes a time.
My most recent experience with a car in need of much love convinced me that it was not a good idea to undertake even an amateur restoration. I was fortunate to find a buyer who was years younger than myself, a widower, and in a neighboring city not too far from me. He made a generous offer after examining the car, and we agreed to make him the new owner. I lost very little in the exchange. Sometimes we make decisions that we know are not good ones and thank goodness for the gift of maturity that allows us to admit a mistake. I still have other cars that are satisfying, and I do drive occasionally to keep them healthy. They are modern, fast, reliable and I think safe.
If you ve been at this for some time, maybe taking a break may help. You dont want to have regrets. I have a 2018 corvette and while it has some attraction, it doesnt need anything. I dont get the same kind of feeling driving it as I do with the E. I recently read Phillip Porterās 9600 HP and it put in perspective the history that I have in the garage. The E is a car I was smitten with at a young age. Heās been with me for 34 years and yes, there will come a time when he has to go to his next caretaker, but I hope, not for awhile. Perhaps, look at an F, good used ones are not pricey, and you may have a CarFax to help with its history.
Thanks for that Paul. My other cars are still on the 'i wanna keep āemā list, and I realize the time will come when I can no longer safely drive any of them. I am fortunate to have a son or two that holds a strong interest in cars, so they will have good homes, or they may dispose of them as they see fit. Paul Spurlock was good enough to offer an opinion, and we may have both taken a slight beating in the markets with the hope that recovery is just around the bend. Ironic that when reaching a stage in life where you can easily satisfy some of your unnecessary āneedsā that you find yourself second guessing yourself. Maybe a new companion or some volunteer work will allow me to shift gears.
Yes, prices for a gallon of gasoline are also shocking, and I am still trying to adjust since my memories are of $0.36 gas. 
Tom
Thanks. I have an XK8 convert right now that was purchased in hopes that it would replace the E, and it did not fill the bill. It is a wonderful, modern, luxurious car, and a pleasure to drive. Also, a Miata MX5 and a Honda S2000 for some thrills. The F-type is a good suggestion, and that idea has crossed my mind. Perhaps a look-see is in order. The Corvette thing is not me. I seriously gave that a look and decided against it. Different strokes for different folks.
I ran the numbers through the inflation calculator, and my 1962 E came out to about $43,000 in todayās numbers. It came to me for $5,000 out the door. Such is life in the barnyard.
Ron
I too am making the transition from restoration to maintaining. I sold my 150 that I had been putting all my time into restoring so now I feel relief that I can now go into the maintance mode with my E Type. It is really a mental change and for the better. I actually look forward to going down the garage to putter with the E.
Hope all works out for you.
Based on your last purchase you should know by now that you cannot have what you want for the budget you expect.
Nowadays $5K will barely get you a new interior $10K if you have installed (probably more now).
Knowing that you cannot work on them and you want a driver youāll need to change your goals accordingly.
If I recall correctly at one point you mentioned that you didnāt care whether it ran or not and you would be happy to have an E that just sat in the garage to admire : you actually had that and just sold it.
Market seems to be softening a bit : is time on your side to wait for a deal ?
My advise is raise your budget or lower your expectations.
I guess I was lucky. āBack thenā I remember $0.23 for regular, every day prices, except when the gas stations would get into a āgas warā competition for the lowest price (which seemed to happen every few months) and the prices would work down to $0.16 hsllon for regular.
Paul, of the 7 different Jaguars Iāve had, Iād gladly trade my current XJS (when Iām through getting engine cleaned up and back to ālooks really niceā) for my 54 MK VII or similar.
Stepping into a car and sitting upright, then turning and stepping out, appeals to me now. A lot more than sliding down into, then rolling up and out, of the XJS.
When I was young, I swore Iād never be an old geezer in an E-Type or XJS (after that switcheroo), but here I am ā¦ an old geezer in an XJS.
Heck, I wouldnāt even mind a lumped MK VII, VII, or IX (Chevy or Ford, for less maintenance ā¦ oh, and front and rear a/c too, maybe from a Grand Caravan or Town and Country Touring as those ought to cool those interiors).
youngster.
I used to walk past two gas stations on my way to grammar school. The lowest: 17.9 cents gal.
By the time I was driving it was 25 cents.
three years ago it was 2 $.
Today itās $4.10 for high test.
Weāre all showing our age here 
I remember 17.9 cents too and putting a quarterās worth of gas in to get home. Now days a quarter might get you a whiff of gas but thatās about all.
pauls
Please folks, not the āI remember when game.ā 
Almost finished my mini restoration, I find it harder and harder to go into the garage and get my hands dirty due mostly to competing interests. If I can drag myself away from my computer and Stable Diffusion (donāt askā¦reallyā¦donāt), I wind up working on one of my bicycles then going for a long ride somewhere. I still love the car but fiddling and fussing with her hold less interest for me every year. Still, after owning her for 47 years, letting go is unthinkable.
That was a good one David, thanks
pauls
Ron, you are right along with others here I too will need to consider my options in the futureā¦ā¦ having said that I reckon I have one more car to restore after the present one!..ā¦my flat floor 61 ā¦ā¦ it will be the pinnacle for me as it will be the 4th complete rebuild and I hope to be my very best ā¦ā¦ on my āworld tourā Iām meeting up with very early car specialists to get my originality spot on ā¦ā¦
After 53 years, I thought so, too.
Till I didnāt.
Never owned one more than 8 to 10 years, a few less than a couple of years ā¦ until the XJS (15 years and counting).
Always hesitated to let the one I had go, but knew I had to at each time, so it wasnāt that hard.
Guess I started owning old Jags too early to not want to let them go ā¦ 1st car was 54 MK VII, was still in highschool.