Thinking of jumping in but...

[GregWeld]

Ah === Yeah it LOOKS way better than that. I would call him back and ask why he wouldn't trust it to drive a lousy 4 hours. Do that BEFORE you go - so you are not all charged up after seeing it. He wants to sell it.... make him work for it - get details.

Whenever you buy a car -- you start at a number of a car that needs nothing -- and then start subtracting from the price everything that it needs to arrive at what the car you're looking at is worth.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by BBBluey

I asked the guy if the car is dependable enough for me to drive it home (giving him the clue I want it) and he said the car runs but I should probably tow it back. That worries me, a 4hr drive isn't much. He wouldn't say anything else, just that the car is still a project and I would have to see it. Maybe it just needs a carb tune, guess I'll find out.

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

Or call him again and let him know you're seriously considering it and be upfront with him, tell him your concerned about his towing statement. Let him know you understand it's a 40+ year old car with potentially numerous issues and would appreciate his honesty, then ask him what potential issues would concern on a 4 hour drive. Trans, motor, rear end, wheel bearings, cooling system, electrical? Could be minor or major.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

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.

Or call him again and let him know you're seriously considering it and be upfront with him, tell him your concerned about his towing statement. Let him know you understand it's a 40+ year old car with potentially numerous issues and would appreciate his honesty, then ask him what potential issues would concern on a 4 hour drive. Trans, motor, rear end, wheel bearings, cooling system, electrical? Could be minor or major.

run it....you'll have a trail car. bring 2 rolls of duct tape, 3 gallons of water, 4 quarts of oil, a case of ATF (Pontiac), bag-o-rags,4 cans of fix-a flat, small floor jack, a pint of old harper, a number 2 pencil, a shovel, 5 lbs bag of sodium hydroxide, a safety flare and your AAA card.

[Che70velle]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

run it....you'll have a trail car. bring 2 rolls of duct tape, 3 gallons of water, 4 quarts of oil, a case of ATF (Pontiac), bag-o-rags,4 cans of fix-a flat, small floor jack, a pint of old harper, a number 2 pencil, a shovel, 5 lbs bag of sodium hydroxide, a safety flare and your AAA card.

Lol Vince! That's funny right there!

[BBBluey]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Ah === Yeah it LOOKS way better than that. I would call him back and ask why he wouldn't trust it to drive a lousy 4 hours. Do that BEFORE you go - so you are not all charged up after seeing it. He wants to sell it.... make him work for it - get details.

Whenever you buy a car -- you start at a number of a car that needs nothing -- and then start subtracting from the price everything that it needs to arrive at what the car you're looking at is worth.

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.

Or call him again and let him know you're seriously considering it and be upfront with him, tell him your concerned about his towing statement. Let him know you understand it's a 40+ year old car with potentially numerous issues and would appreciate his honesty, then ask him what potential issues would concern on a 4 hour drive. Trans, motor, rear end, wheel bearings, cooling system, electrical? Could be minor or major.

I will definitely give him a call and inquire some more. What is you guys opinion on the Hagerty price/estimates? Are they legit and something to go by or BS? Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtool...port?vc=846104

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

run it....you'll have a trail car. bring 2 rolls of duct tape, 3 gallons of water, 4 quarts of oil, a case of ATF (Pontiac), bag-o-rags,4 cans of fix-a flat, small floor jack, a pint of old harper, a number 2 pencil, a shovel, 5 lbs bag of sodium hydroxide, a safety flare and your AAA card.

What about just a hot babe with short shorts? I think that could get me out of a jam.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

never watched "These hills have eyes" have you?

LOL



Its all about demand. Firebirds never really pushed the prices.

[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