Thinking of jumping in but...

[WSSix]

If that car is solid, get it. Even if the engine ends up trashed, it's still a good buy in my opinion. As for not making the drive, things it could be are low rear gear not good for highway speeds, crappy radiator, poor cooling from incorrect fan setup, poor tune/carb issues, high stall converter, and any number of ultimately minor problems that qualify it for project status but not a poor choice just because it can't make a four hour drive. The most important thing will be the body. If it's solid and not hiding anything major, I think it's worth going after.

[BBBluey]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Ah === Yeah it LOOKS way better than that.

Originally Posted by Sieg

I'd say it's probably worth the drive. Then you could ask questions face to face and read body language.

Originally Posted by WSSix

If that car is solid, get it.

I finally got the guy on the phone and he said the car has electrical issues, particularly the headlights don't work and he didn't want me getting caught in the dark driving back, hence he mentioned towing it back.

He also mentioned it has a rebuilt title & a few minor rust spots.

I started surfing google images and found the exact same car on a website "Classic Auto Rental". I'm certain it's the exact same car. He just recently installed the new shifter and tires so those don't match but all the other bits do.

http://www.classicautorental.com/Spo...rd-formula-400

The car has most likely been beat down hard, now I'm thinking the price should be WAY less. I haven't asked him yet about the rental coincidence yet as I'm really interested in what you all think on this. Is the car still worth it? At what price point would it seem more reasonable?

Thanks.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

probably a bad ground or dirty plug.

as long as it dosnt have a salvage title I say try to low ball him. Nice thing about old cars...it can be fixed and will retain its value.

[LS7 Z/28]

The best advice I could give you would be to have patience. I know you're fired up about buying a car right now, but all of the cars you are looking at are going to have issues.

These guys have all given you great advice and the smartest thing you could do would be to buy a decent completed car from someone: I'm glad you have decided against a project.

I think you should seriously just wait... I know that's not an easy thing to do but a couple years will go by like a shot, and in that time you could up your budget considerably and buy yourself something that you'll be happy with. If I were you I would make it your goal to buy one. Put up a poster of a '71 up on your wall, listen to "Patience" by Guns 'N' Roses once a day and just keep putting money away. You said $50,000 was out of the question. I think you should make it your goal to save and look for a car around $35,000 that someone else put 50 into. I think that's realistic if you just want a decent "stock" build that you'll be happy with and be able to enjoy. But... don't think for a minute that even though you buy a nice one that it will be flawless, because even the $500,000 cars can have issues. It's not a brand new car with a warranty.

Look at the "cars for sale" on here and protouring also. There are stock ones for sale on here and the guys will be way better to deal with than idiots off of craigslist. There are constantly cars up for sale.

Good luck and don't give up

[GregWeld]

I notice the car rental "joint" serves the MOVIE industry exclusively. No doubt that's why the car is on a salvage title. They probably have a chop shop type operation that just churns out cars to be used in chase scenes or to be "jumped" or whatever else the movie demands. It's not about QUALITY.... it's just a "i need a black XXX car for a week".


I agree with Casey - keep looking. There's just so much more to all of this than "price". Cheap up front can end up being much more expensive within the first month.

The more you SHOP -- the more you'll learn - the more you'll know what is good vs a problem.... and when the right one pops up - you won't even have to ask us. You'll know it!!

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by Valve Lash

The best advice I could give you would be to have patience. I know you're fired up about buying a car right now, but all of the cars you are looking at are going to have issues.

These guys have all given you great advice and the smartest thing you could do would be to buy a decent completed car from someone: I'm glad you have decided against a project.

I think you should seriously just wait... I know that's not an easy thing to do but a couple years will go by like a shot, and in that time you could up your budget considerably and buy yourself something that you'll be happy with. If I were you I would make it your goal to buy one. Put up a poster of a '71 up on your wall, listen to "Patience" by Guns 'N' Roses once a day and just keep putting money away. You said $50,000 was out of the question. I think you should make it your goal to save and look for a car around $35,000 that someone else put 50 into. I think that's realistic if you just want a decent "stock" build that you'll be happy with and be able to enjoy. But... don't think for a minute that even though you buy a nice one that it will be flawless, because even the $500,000 cars can have issues. It's not a brand new car with a warranty.

Look at the "cars for sale" on here and protouring also. There are stock ones for sale on here and the guys will be way better to deal with than idiots off of craigslist. There are constantly cars up for sale.

Good luck and don't give up

A patient man is always richer than an impatient man. Because he can afford to wait.

This is something I've worked on and it's true. I will say that you can hustle while you wait.

Greg nailed it for once. The more you look and educate yourself, the more apparent the right choice will be. You haven't even looked at a car in person yet, have you?

[Vince@Meanstreets]

best thing about waiting.....you can save more cash!

[tom091074]

Great advice here! I bought a 72 nova in 2007 and was getting stuff done and saving money for parts, then life happened... I met a girl got married and then kids kids and more kids, then the wife got cancer and the car is still sitting there, and due to doctors bills and stuff for the kids my car money has long been gone through. I guess my point is I'm proof that life has a way of throwing you a curve ball, and if it can happen it will. Save your money and buy a done car, or even a newer car, the new z28 will keep up I'm sure. good luck and I wish I would have started this thread before I started my car.