heres a idea if you have the room add a "closed bay" one that is separate from the rest of the shop and just do the hardcore thing on the D.L. so your yuppie customers dont have to see it

 

haha yeah i figured, i was just messing with ya. after i pay off my credit card (the paycheck i just deposited) ill probably use the next paycheck to get a spindle lift so i might be heading up your way for help with the install cause santa rosa is alot closer than SLO and itd be alot eaiser with a lift. o and i like the last persons idea of making a seperate bay for 4x4s, no new property, no new location, still do mercedes while your building your 4x4 rep etc. ill pm you about coming up for some help when i get the spindles

 

Thats actually a really good idea. Can't believe it never even crossed my mind, guess thats why I posted up in here ! Ya, I think I might give that a try, like Max said, I can build up a rep in the 4x4 industry.

Also have to give a thanks to KansasJoe on this site, he has helped me a lot and given me some VERY useful tips and phone numbers.

 

Sounds like a good idea. You have the passion to serve as your motivation. I would try and keep the existing shop as a fall back in case you encounter tough times due to oil prices. But with everything successful, you have to take a risk.

Speaking for myself, my jet skis dont get in the water like they use to because of the price of gas. I heard on the radio this morning that experts are forcasting over $7 per gallon by 2010. People I know are already looking at investing in pellet stoves to offset the winter oil heating bills. So in CT, recreational activities have definitely suffered

 

Around here pellets have really jumped in price - last year in some places they doubled due in part to demand and, in part, due to the knowledge that gas isn't going to get cheaper. As such, more people are going to be looking at alternative fuel sources which drives the prices up. I swear we can't get a break :o

 

Time to start burning $#!t..........

 

More of some of the same as above posts.
The economic hard hit would be the automotive industry with trucks and 4x4. The younger people that will be driving the 4x4 may not have the cash to mod or partake in the off road hobby as before. Gass prices will see the decline of the wide spread numbers of full size 4x4's and the extra cash with the younger people to mod these.

I have been in other parts of the world where their economy was not stellar and gass was high. plenty of new cars (econo or highend) but nothing modded and no high lift vehicles. The only 4x4's I noteds were the stock small ones because the farms, all produce was local from with in several hundred miles.

I like the idea of the extra side bay to expand your existing business. Good luck.

 

I like this idea best. Fact is the economy is really Fcked right now and making a slow transition would be less risky. You have something that works now and this will give you the oppertunity to slowly shift your direction rather than having to get a customer base ASAP to keep the lights on and doors open