Need opinions on a summer project.

[BIGJake111]

I have a crazy idea, I am curious what others think about it. While i have the money for new boxster and will be buying one, I kind of want a beater to drive to school to better protect the Porsche. Here is where things get interesting, I was looking through a few used lots last weekend when i came across an 86 volvo 740 ( Cars for Sale: 1986 Volvo 740 GLE in Greenville, SC 29607: Sedan Details - 372058203 - AutoTrader.com )

See I think I may be what is known as a hipster, I would enjoy this car almost as much as i do the Porsche, because of the irony of it and such. However, to make it a bit more interesting and a bit more of an experiment, I am thinking about crowd funding this endeavor. There is a site called indiegogo where you can make campaigns with a goal, if the funds reach the goal they are sent, if not than no ones money goes through. The theory is that if 10k people see the add, and a third of them donate a dollar, that is all it takes, you have alot of people donate just a small amount to make something big happen. You also place incentives and my incentive would be that if you pledge a certain amount, you get your name on the dash of the Volvo. I am not asking anyone here to pledge. I have yet to make the campaign and am rather asking what people about this, positive and negative responses welcome.

http://www.gofundme.com/help-me-own-a-beater finished project!

[particlewave]

I guess if you can get people to donate, why not? You may have trouble getting people to donate to you for something like this, though.

I need to look into this crowdfunding thing. I have several ventures that I would like to undertake

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by particlewave

I guess if you can get people to donate, why not? You may have trouble getting people to donate to you for something like this, though.

I need to look into this crowdfunding thing. I have several ventures that I would like to undertake

Entirely betting on failing, but I have the means to get the number high at least on those that see it. But yes, crowd funding would work great for some products that you could make. Heck shout out to the boxster clear engine covers as well.

[TeamOxford]

Ok, let me get this straight.

High school student wishes to raise $3,000 to purchase 28 year old Volvo to drive to school instead of his Porsche.

Oh yeah........where's the PayPal button?

Seriously, GET A JOB!

Just sayin'............

TO

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

Ok, let me get this straight.

High school student wishes to raise $3,000 to purchase 28 year old Volvo to drive to school instead of his Porsche.

Oh yeah........where's the PayPal button?

Seriously, GET A JOB!

Just sayin'............

TO

I would, if the car was necessary. Rather with it being a side project and having a planned career in marketing, i see this as an experiment and a chance to try and market this project. I would likely still run the campaign if i did have a job because i like idea of having all the names on the dash and such, makes the car and experience much more unique. I entirely see why few would donate from this though and am not expecting this to work out, but it surely wont if i do not try.

[BIGJake111]

Made a rough draft, it isnt live yet.

http://www.indiegogo.com/project/preview/2a0552f0

[RedTele58]

Here's the reality...

200 people will see it.

3 people will donate a dollar.

Go get a summer job and put the extra cash into some goodies for your (soon to be) new Boxster S.

Rick

[The Radium King]

if you like the old volvos, check out a saab 900; funky, more car and costs less.

[Jamesp]

This is AWESOME!!! It is so far outside of the box (little "b") I live in I can't wait to see it go live, and see how it works! I hope you get your beater!!! I'll be amazed, but I hope it works. More power to you!

[BIGJake111]

2000 Porsche Boxster auto

CELs are never that bad on these cars right? 02 sensor or something right? Could buy the car for 7.3k or so, fix the issue, sell it for around 9 here on the forum?

[tommy583]

Just buy the yellow one, fix it and keep it. That color will be sure not to bring any unwanted attention in the parking lot. Plus it may bring Johnny Danger out of hibernation.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by tommy583

Just buy the yellow one, fix it and keep it. That color will be sure not to bring any unwanted attention in the parking lot. Plus it may bring Johnny Danger out of hibernation.

I actually really don't like the color, a bit much for me.

[Perfectlap]

I would not do this.

Crowd funding is either to advance something that will benefit others (eventually) or to help someone who is some dire circumstance.
Although the millenialls and whatever they call the generation after them would probably think that getting a kid with a Porsche some more money to buy a beater car would be something that should be higher up the pecking order of donations than helping stray dogs and cats, helping astoundingly poor kids who need a Raspberry Pi in India to learn code, getting clean drinking water to village in Ghana, etc.


That being said I would urge you to put some time into starting your own website where you can provide some information about the Volvo to other prospective teen drivers and ahem... ask for donations. Randall Neighbor did this with his Boxster, he provided a great deal of useful information and after all that I believe received two donations and a gift card to Shake N' Steak.

P.S.
I have been continuously employed since age 14.
High school jobs:
paper route. did the math, well below the minimum wage but still it was earned cash.
dish washer. Not the job I was hired for but other job (shopping kart guy at supermarket) went to another kid. Kept washing dishes.
burger flipper. Never eat the chili at fast food places.
record store clerk. Yes they actually sold vinyl records.
Tele marketing. This job paid 3x's the minimum wage (moving up in the world fast).

Even then, I'd would have a VERY HARD TIME asking strangers for money towards something I could fund with the labor of my own two hands and feets.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I would not do this.

Crowd funding is either to advance something that will benefit others (eventually) or to help someone who is some dire circumstance.

That being said I would urge you to put some time into starting your own website where you can provide some information about the Volvo to other prospective teen drivers and ahem... ask for donations. Randall Neighbor did this with his Boxster, he provided a great deal of useful information and after all that I believe received two donations and a gift card to Shake N' Steak.

I do feel bad about the idea of putting this in the community section and am thinking about putting it in the art section instead, at the end of the day it isn't just a beater for me, the whole thing is an experience and then the car has a story. Hopes would be to contact petrolicious and see if they would like to write and article if it works out.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

I do feel bad about the idea of putting this in the community section and am thinking about putting it in the art section instead, at the end of the day it isn't just a beater for me, the whole thing is an experience and then the car has a story. Hopes would be to contact petrolicious and see if they would like to write and article if it works out.

It's neither art nor community from a crowd funding perspective.
Let's not conflate the very worthwhile project of documenting your experience of buying an old car for that car's enthusiast segment.... with asking for the funds. Those are two things that should not be "commingled".

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

It's neither art nor community from a crowd funding perspective.
Let's not conflate the very worthwhile project of documenting your experience of buying an old car for that car's enthusiast segment.... with asking for the funds. Those are two things that should not be "commingled".

The crowd funding is the story of the car, otherwise it is simply a junky Volvo and I wouldn't find it worth documenting at all.

[kk2002s]

I thought this was a Boxster enthusiast forum?
I think this reality TV thread surpasses 'What oil should I use'
Maybe include a free bottle of your toilet water with each donation

Hears a novel idea - TAKE the BUS to School

Oh Dear - I got sucked in - Who do I make the check to

[cfos]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

... whatever they call the generation after them ...

I like "Tee-Ball Generation."

Tee-Ball Generation | How Leaders Manage

[cfos]

Out of curiosity, Jake, what do you define as the difference between "marketing" and "begging"? While we are at it, how about the difference between "hipster" and "slacker"?

[TeamOxford]

Perfectlap and cfos both make excellent points.

You're only 16; don't think the world operates the way you now think. You've got a LOOOOOOOONG way to go.

Just sayin'..........

TO