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classic muscle car, need answers from experienced owners.?

so im 19, i live in a car family so i am pretty fond of them. i have yet to buy my own car, iv been driving the spare car since i got a license. i know very little about car mechanics, but i want to learn. what i dont know, im sure my uncles/brothers do. for the past year i have been shopping around for quick imports, but they are pretty expensive... so iv thought about maybe buying a running classic and building it up as i can. this way i can learn more and more as i go. iv been looking at cars around 3-6k. here are my questions: is this a good or bad idea, money wise? do you recommend a particular car to look for? when these people advertise these cars as in good condition, does that mean it can be driven daily without problems?(not beating on it). is it normal to install power stearing on these cars? how much would that cost? is building up old domestics cheaper then current imports? i mean performance wise, im not trying to build a show car. i want a quick beater. these are the cars i found so far. http://www.oldcars.com/car2063.html http://www.oldcars.com/car1462.html

Public Comments

  1. 3k-6k can buy u a used mustang gt or a camaro z28 with the LS1 corvette engine. these cares are reliable and fast. personally i like V8s, and these cars are great buys. check this website out if you need any car specs: http://www.edmunds.com/apps/usedmatrix/UsedMatrix
  2. Your not going to get a true classic muscle car for 3 to 6 grand. Not even twice that much. There not cheaper to build but you get results from what you spend. Your not going to spend $1000 on an American car and only gain 5 to 10 horsepower like you will on a ricer car. Unless you looking at cars from before the early seventies which are out of your budget anyways they most likely will have power steering.
  3. you honestly cant go wrong with an gemini coupe, early model. That was my first car easy as to work on! and SO MANY MODS TO DO!!! I had mine as a naturaly aspirated and it blew most comonwhores away! Then went carby turbo, and i have NO mecanic no how at all!! Just had help from friends
  4. cheap ,stop lite sleeper look for a 93 94 altima 2.5 ,4 banger 4 door, I once did own a 70 camero 84 mustang 5.0 soup up the altima beat both ,has a very good first gear ,beats most cars to 65 1th gear,blow by most cars on their 1th to 2th (standing still) where the altima start feeling it powers.fun to see a 4 beat a 8,and good on gas too,look into it.less than 2,000,has a metal double roll er belt and 4valve ,easy to built up for torque .
  5. look for a dead or widow person who is selling her husbands thing and make sure fiirst thing you check is the GAS padal see how much wear is on it as that will TELL you if the mileage is correct, lots of wear lots of miles fdig? get a mustang or dodge charger.... ect good luck!
  6. Six grand will buy a rough Mustang or a VERY rough Camaro. The beauty of these two vintage cars is the giant aftermarket parts network for them. You can buy every single piece (even a complete replacement unibody assy) for these cars, especially the Mustang, and they are very easy to work on. Even if it took you two years of rebuilding, tinkering and restoring the knowlege you would gain by the experience is tremedous -- plus you'll have a really cool car when you're done. Always buy the best car you can afford if you go this route. If you buy a solid vehicle with a blown engine and worn interior trim it will be a snap to restore or customize. If you buy a rust bucket you will spend the next five years putting it back right -- and the money you spent could have bought a clean example from the get-go. I suggest you contact thepaddock.com and obsoleteparts.com and get their free catalogs and just spend some time browsing through them. You will be amazed the availabilty and quality of the parts for muscle/collector domestic cars. My dad is currently rstoring a '65 Mustang convertible and he ordered some sheetmetal (aftermarket pieces) from 'The Paddock'. The fit and quality is at least as good as factory for 1/4 the cost. Who cares if it won't win a concours at Pebble beach? he just wants to drive it!
  7. 1) Older American cars vs newer Japanese cars will generally be cheaper to fix/modify - at least powertrain-wise - if they are common models - like Mustangs, Camaros, Firebirds etc or cars that share some of their same mechanicals - like the ubiquitous 305/350 v-8s. 2) You can still improve upon and learn from a running, functional, decent condition car. You want to enjoy this thing right away yes? I would recommend a car that is in good condition - ie, yes, one that you can actually start to drive and that is not a death trap on the day you buy it. The two links you sent look like they need A LOT of work before they can be reliable transportation for you. You probably want something with good condition mechanicals: ie, the powertrain/transmission, the suspension, frame etc are all in pretty good, rust-free shape - and not worry so much about the cosmetic stuff like shoddy interior, paint, trim etc: ie, the things you can live with or easily repair. 3) re installing power steering on older cars - assuming they don't already have it? If you have a limited budget I don't see the reason why I'd put my money there. You're young, you are able to put a little elbow grease in low-speed steering yes? 4) The RoadRunner is a cool car - and there are a handful of old Chryco cars I'd love to own - and some Mopar folks would probably disagree with me - but if you are looking for the most common / cheapest parts out there: I'd consider buying a GM product that's running a 350 cubic inch motor. There are a Ton of after-market parts - easy to find. And there are a Ton of GM models running that engine (including that Nova you sent a link to.) Or Ford's 5.0 liter. Watch out though for late 70's early eighties when new laws restricted the emissions and made for lousy performance (and lousy gas mileage). 5) While older cars are more fun/unique - a 90's Mustang/Camaro/Firebird may be the safest bet: a) You get something more recent that you can actually drive everyday. b) It's still ol' pushrod, common-displacement V8 powered - and so there are a lot of after-market parts. These all have high mileage but here's an example: 2000 Mustang GT, '97 Mustang GT Convertible & '96 Mustang GT Convertible: http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=242411173&dealer_id=56498974&car_year=2000&model=MUST&num_records=25&body_code=0&search_type=used&search_type=used&distance=0&search_lang=en&first_record=76&make=FORD&default_sort=priceDESC&style_flag=1&LNX=KBBATCLASSFYCSRP&sort_type=priceASC&address=11214&pager.offset=75&cardist=994 http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=243578795&dealer_id=62507817&car_year=1997&model=MUST&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=8+Cylinder&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=982 http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=239840510&dealer_id=56897984&car_year=1996&model=MUST&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=8+Cylinder&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=FORD&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=1636 1995 Camaro Tricked Out http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=240536194&dealer_id=62203293&car_year=1995&model=CAM&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=8+Cylinder&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=CHEV&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=1101 Or to deny my previous advice - re: Japanese cars: this generation of Z cars is cool (the 280z generation is great too): '90 300Z http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=237664484&dealer_id=510395&car_year=1990&model=300ZXTURBO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=NISSAN&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=1131 and http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=242558616&dealer_id=618761&car_year=1994&model=300ZXTURBO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=NISSAN&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=997 The twin turbo versions are the smoking fast ones - but the normally aspirated ain't bad either - and I'd probably prefer them (like above) more than the turbo - just because I bet old turbo engines are not the most reliable machines. '93 Twin Turbo 300z http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=242334854&dealer_id=62385959&car_year=1993&model=300ZXTURBO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=NISSAN&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=2391 And Nissan made a lot of those 3.0 liter v6 engines - everything from their Maximas to their pickup trucks got a version of it. Also, they are tiny but 1st gen RX-7 are cool. uses the funky rotary engine: '85 RX7 http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=241007521&dealer_id=62253157&car_year=1985&model=RX7&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=MAZDA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000&cardist=1896 ----- If you want something beyond the typical Mustang/Camaro etc pony cars and don't want to do major overhauls to powertrain (just minor things like exhaust tweaks etc) and want a car that is probably more comfortable driving around everyday than a pony car: I'd suggest finding the lowest mileage normally aspirated 300z you can afford. Unlike other rice burners it's a v6. Otherwise a 90's Mustang/Camaro/Firebird is a safe bet. Maybe too safe? Do your own search: http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_kbb/index.jsp?bkms=1210660075473&model=300ZXTURBO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=NISSAN&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=3000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=11214&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=6000 If you want older, you will have to search a little harder to find something that is still in good enough, daily driving shape, within your budget and strikes your fancy. For older cars try searching Hemmings: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/query?current_index=0&sort=year%20desc&adtype=carsforsale&make=&model=&price_max=6000&price_min=3000&year_min=&year_max=&type=&year=&no_dealer=all&show_all=&dealer_id=&keywords=&zip=&range_miles=&range_lat=&range_lon=&id_in=&issue_date=&prev_pdf_index=&next_pdf_index=&with_images= '67 Olds Delta 88 - very cool http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/oldsmobile/delta_88/620995.html Sleeper: '74 Dodge Dart Swinger http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/dodge/dart_swinger/563227.html & from the site you sent: '72 Olds Delta 88 w/ giant 455 motor http://www.oldcars.com/car1924.html '83 280z http://www.oldcars.com/car2022.html ---- Keep in mind some of your budget should be set aside for what most likely will be high insurance (a teenager with a sports car is $), high gas prices for a gas-sucking, heavy-right foot driven car - plus other costs that will come with owning an older car.
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