I might be a bit too practical for your scenario but ......... my dad died a few years ago. I got tubs and tubs of his "things" and a garage full of stuff he had collected over his 85 years. I had no emotional connection to any of it, couldn't tell you the back story behind any of it, who the people were in photographs, wouldn't use or buy any of the rest of it. It was a moment of clarity so I sold anything that was of value and sold off a bunch of things that I had collected during my life as well. I use the money to supplement accomplishing bucket list experiences. I figure, I might as well be the one to benefit from them now rather than someone else after I'm gone. After all, antique stores are filled with other peoples memories that have been sold.

I'd keep it. You seemed to really enjoy it at one point in your life. Right now you no longer have the passion for it, but will you again 10-15 years down the road? Life happens to all of us, things change, we get busy with one thing or another, and things we used to love doing sometimes get pushed to the backburner. But I've found that often, a few years down the road, life circumstances change, priorities shift, and old passions are re-kindled.

You say it's not costing you much right now, and you obviously care about it enough to keep it up. I don't see the downside to hanging on to it. Someday when you're retired and cruising around with your wife in your '65 Mustang, I imagine you'll be glad you did.

And as others have stated, this thread needs pics!!!

My first car was a 66 Mustang coupe with 289 2V four speed. Regret getting rid of it. It would be awesome sitting next to my 69 Mach. Then they would both go to my boys or grandkids. I have enough grandchildren that some of them are bound to be car people.

If it were a 1966 I would definitely say, keep it. A 65' not so much. Good luck in whatever you decide.

At least in my opinion this is going to turn out like a last call hookup. You're going to hate yourself in the morning.

The 59 Impala in my garage was purchased in 1985 by an older brother. He promptly sold it to my dad and we began restoring it. College, marriage, kids, jobs etc delayed ultimately getting it on the road in by 2000. We've spent $20K to get it on the road over a period of 15 years. In the past 20 years, I've spent $5-8K in insurance and small upgrades. In the grand scheme of things, not too much money.

I drive mine fairly regularly so I have no desire to sell it. I don't have a strong passion to restore it or other stuff, but I do enjoy driving it. My kids enjoy it and my wife tolerates it.

Like you said, most people regret selling their favorite cars. And you'd feel the same in a few years, particularly when you see another classic Mustang on the road. As long as it's not a financial burden, I'd keep it. Find a local Mustang/Ford club or local cruises.

Where in NM are you? Find some cool road to take a long drive. Gas is cheap!

".........it’s just a car to me."


If that is an honest assessment then the advice is sell it and move on. Only you know if that's the case and you may not really know until it's gone.

My opinion will be a little biased on my answer.

I was brought home from the hospital in a brand new 1966 Mustang. My father still has it and it is in mint condition.
He spent many years and a lot of money maintaining it and restoring it.
He has no need or plans to ever sell it as far as I know. If he ever did want to sell it I would ask him if I could buy it to keep it in the family.

It was not his first car,his first car was an MG-B and has said many times he wished he had never sold it. I once found him one but he declined because he was restoring the Mustang at the time.

My first car I bought in the 80s was a 1967 Mercury Cougar. To this day I wish I still had that car.

So my answer is to keep it if you do not need the money and have a place to store it.
If you keep it take it out from time to time and enjoy it. Look at going to some local car meets if there are any around you.

Like your first girlfriend, you will never forget your first car. Keep it.
Mine:
1966 Chevy Impala SS 327/300 with Powerglide. Rally wheels too.
I still miss it.

I've sold lots of stuff including guns and motorcycles and while I really loved and appreciated having them I didn't shed a tear when I sold them nor had any regrets. If you have no attachment to the car and rarely drive it might just be best to sell it to someone that will enjoy it and use it more than you do.

I think I would keep it. I have sold two cars in the past that I regret. A 1970 Boss 302 Mustang and a 1978 Porsche 930. When the time came it was time for them to go. I do wish I still had the Mustang. I recognized it was time for the Porsche to go when I looked at the Log Book I kept and saw that I had driven it 55 miles in seven years. I was moving and building a new home; the Porsche is now my bonus room. Do I miss the Porsche? Not so much.

If you're not in need of the money, I would keep it.
It's not something you could replace. Yes, you could probably get another just like it, but that wouldn't be your first car.

I had a 68 Firebird 400 back in my misspent youth. It was responsible for more than a couple of girlfriends over the years. I loved that car but grew out of it. I sold it reluctantly because it didn’t fit my lifestyle anymore......and I was in trouble with the local traffic judge big time. It was right to sell her but every so often it stings. I think it always will.

You'll regret selling it. Bad.

Find the money for a restoration is my recommendation. The joy on your face when you see your "new" car will be priceless.

Maybe hint to the family that you want the old car restored. See what happens.

Personally I’d keep it

Full disclosure here

I have a 67 coupe, pony interior, factory air (not dealer underdash) 289 2bbl.... 29,850 original documented miles. That alone lets one know how much it’s driven. I’ll never sell it. I know the entire history of the car Im part of the second family ownership. Too much sentimental aspects and irreplaceable to my brother and I

If you have the garage space to keep it and your other cars inside then I would probably keep it which is what I have done.

If one of my cars had to sit outside because of it I would sell it.

quote:

Originally posted by bruthajess:
I very rarely drive it, but it is a lot of fun to drive and I get comments EVERY time I drive it.

So here’s the thing, I don’t have the same passion or time as I did when I was younger to work on the car. I don’t have some huge emotional attachment to it, it’s just a car to me.

No huge emotional attachment to it? Ditch it. Someone else out there will get a lot of joy out of it.

I've never been of the packrat mentality. Some people get satisfaction of having acquired tons of stuff. I don't. Maybe it's that Japanese minimalist mentality in me. My first car was a 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7. Do I wish I still had it? Yes, but only in a fantasy world where I have tons of money, time, and storage space, and the laws of physics and mechanics don't exist. In this real world? Heck no. (And that was a badass car that I DID get lucky in too!)

Where the hell are the pics of this '65!

Need to see the Interior, Exterior & Engine Compartment to better advise....It's probably worth close to $20K as it sits!

'68 302 Engine - Mustang Engine, Station Wagon motor, stock, modified? Need more details!

You say you don't need the money and the wife's not bitchin' that she can't park in the garage. It's a lot of fun to drive and you get comments EVERY time you drive it!

It's a '65 Mustang!

Right now, I'm in the DO.NOT.SELL.IT camp!

If storage space and money are not an issue keep it. That would be my choice.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
If it were a 1966 I would definitely say, keep it. A 65' not so much. Good luck in whatever you decide.

?? Very minor difference between years.