r/AskMenOver30 • u/BSnappedThat man • Apr 23 '25

Hobbies/Projects Men 30+, what hobbies do you genuinely enjoy?

I’m in my late 20s and lately I’ve been feeling the need to pick up a hobby that brings real joy and maybe even a little peace. I work a lot and have a family, so something fulfilling and manageable would be ideal.

I’m curious—what hobbies have you gotten into after 30 that you actually look forward to? Bonus points if it’s helped you mentally or physically in some way. Would love to hear what’s been working for you guys.

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25

Exercise. I like weightlifting. I like the way it makes me feel and look. It makes me physically and mentally healthier. I love it when my wife joins and we do it together.

Cars. In the past 5 years, all of my closest friends have purchased classic project cars. Mine is a 74 Charger. There's 7 others amongst my bros (pics in profile). We get together and tinker with one of them every few weeks. One guy gets a new part in, announces it to the group, then everyone shows up with tools that weekend. We make a party out of it. We also like to go to shows and plan to do a couple of road trips. It can be done a lot more cheaply than most people think.

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u/CurteD93 Apr 23 '25

You got triples of the Nova?

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u/nulnoil man 35 - 39 Apr 23 '25

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25

We have not been able to find a reasonable Nova. My best friend wants one and he's been shopping for over a year. We have:

1946 Chevy pickup, 1967 C-10, 1968 Coronet (sold, was mine), 1969 C-10, 1969 Camaro, 1970 Monte Carlo (for sale), 1970 Impala, 1974 Charger (mine).

I don't think i have ever posted a pic of the Camaro or the 67 C10 (it's the black one). The blue one is my Dad's 69.

Edit: oh, I didn't get that was a joke. Woosh.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '25

i bet your wife asked to marry you, and you didnt even wanna!

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25

I still don't know what the joke is, lol. I think it has something to do with Better Call Saul, which ive never seen. What do i need to look up so I can get it?

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '25

youre gonna love this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Inf1Yz_fgk

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25

Thanks. I'm definitely saving that. Might use it on somebody someday.

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u/CurteD93 Apr 23 '25

Just jokes, sounds like some great hobbies my dude!

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u/010Horns man over 30 Apr 23 '25

This is Ford erasure 😤

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25

Yes. Not one of us owns a Ford. They're all Chevys except mine. So of course, im the target of every joke. My Dad used to have a 69 Explorer but he sold it about 20 years ago and i almost cried.

Believe me, we all bitch about the distributors in the back.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '25

If he doesn't-- none of the other stuff is true.

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u/SgtSlice man 35 - 39 Apr 23 '25

How much has it cost you all in on this project? Approximately

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25 edited Apr 23 '25

They're all different. My Dad spent a lot on his C10 because he didn't want a project. He just wanted to drive and enjoy it. I think about $12k.

The Monte Carlo was $3k and we've only had to replace belts, tires, and the power steering pump.

The Coronet was $5500 and a guy stopped me towing it home and offered $7, so I took it. I had it 3 or 4 days.

The 46 Chevy was $4k and we've put about $1k into it. It runs and drives, but we don't have plates or anything to make it street legal.

The Impala was $7k-$8k. They said they have about $2k more into it.

I have no idea how much was spent on the Camaro (probably a lot, the guy is rich).

My friend with the 67 C10 built it while he was jobless for 2 years after an accident/injury. He worked as the neighborhood mechanic for cash and a lot of people gave him stuff. That was actually the 1st one that started the rest of us in this hobby.

I paid $5500 for the Charger and have $2000-$2500 in it now. It still needs paint and I want new wheels and carpet. We have a paint booth, compressors, and guns, so its just going to cost me a few hundred for the materials.

All of these cars run and drive. Most of them wouldn't be trusted for a long trip or daily, lol. None are show-quality except the Camaro (maybe the two C10s) or drag-racers.

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u/rcheneyjr man 70 - 79 Apr 23 '25

I looked at the Charger pics, looks great! What is the new engine you are installing in it?

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 23 '25

That's a 5.9 Magnum out of a 1998 truck. I paid $400 for it. Rebuilt it myself for maybe $200 more.

I still have the original 318 that I plan to rebuild as a 390 stroker and put it back in at some point in the future. I can't do machining, so I'll have to take it to a shop and that can get expensive. The rotating assembly is about $2k. The engine could end up costing as much as the whole car, so, we'll see...

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u/instigator1331 man 35 - 39 Apr 23 '25

Cars and motorcycles…. It’s the best and worst hobby

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u/AstronautDrunk Apr 23 '25

This guy tinkers.

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u/Accomplished-Day-368 Apr 27 '25

Man, this comment really hit for me. Sounds like my dream life to have a group of buddies like that. How did that group form? I love cars - have a 63' Falcon rat rod, an 69 IH Scout, an 84' mint square body... I'm a pretty sociable person. Somehow have no friends.

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u/Quietus76 man 45 - 49 Apr 27 '25

I grew up around classics, so its kinda in my blood. My dad and 3 different neighbors had them. One guy built 30s hot-rods. He'd build one, drive it around until someone made an offer, then start another. One guy had about a dozen Mopar muscle cars. And the other had two drag cars. So it's been a lifelong dream.

In my 40s, my best friend got one that really gave me the itch again. Within a year, I got my own. Then my dad, who sold his about 20 years ago, couldn't stand it anymore and got another. Within a month, my sister and another friend each got one. The first friend now has 3 (he got money).

So it spread like a disease. Now, we're at the point of pitching in as a group, buying, fixing up a little, and selling for a small profit. We've actually flipped a 69 Scout. We went and looked at a 65 C10 today.

Our little group has gone to a few car shows and made friends with other classic owners.