Thread: Need help picking a project car : /

I'm about to make a career change that'll do a little more than double my income. So I figure now is as good a time as any to do what I've always wanted. I'm looking for something to do, a 2nd car that'll be a great place to spend some time and get my hands dirty again.

My only problem is I'm not sure where to start. Originally I was thinking about resurrecting something, bringing back an old Stang or Camaro..then I thought more about getting a mid 90's Civic and doing that whole thing...I've considered getting a GTP(since I love my DD so much). Recently I'm looking more and more at getting a 98+ Trans Am to turn into a demon.

Honestly, I think doing anything too old school would be more than I could handle. A civic would be awesome, but it just seems like a lot of money for what you get. I can't find any holes with a GTP, but it just seems like more of the same, and sometimes it'd be fun to have something different.

Do you guys have any advice for helping someone select a project car? I want to get something I am going to be happy with for awhile so I'm trying to think this out as much as I can.

1970's Trans Am 6.6
1987 Trans Am (Think "Night Rider")
Or a rare "Ban 3 'Smokey and the Bandit' Trans Am" with a monster 8.8 V8 making over 650hp on a 5-speed manual.

87-98 mustang.


Or an S-10 truck.

The best advice I can give you is pick something you will enjoy driving for a long time. If you do the work right, you will never get as much for it when you sell it as you put into it.

Also, get something that has a ready parts supply.

That being said, I still have a '73 Alfa Spyder sitting in pieces in my garage. My sticking point has been floorboards. I bought new ones, but haven't managed to weld them in. Now the garage is so full I can't get to the car.

Anyway, all of the suggestions sound fine. GM parts are plentiful, and the cars are relatively easy to work on. Remember, the more exotic, the more $$$$$$!

-Ralphie

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

A Civic being awesome and a project car? Hummm, not my taste.

Figure you'll be in the 6 figure range i'd look into some of these real cars that can actully be made fast and already look good....

C4 Vette w/ LS1 swap
C5 Vette modded up a bit, very fun!
3rd Gen Camaro with an LS1 Swap + suspen upgrades (Fun even without a mullet)
4th Gen Camaro (endless possibilites)
05-06 GTO Endless potential with more room than a Camaro
Fox Body Notch back Stang is fun too.
86/87 Buick Grand National

Theres a list of REAL cars for you to choose from......

Please don't try to press your close-minded views on me....you can't have fun in a 3rd gen without a mullet...................

I really want more than just a project vehicle. I could get any of those vehicles, but I have conditions..I have to have a backseat.

I am having trouble deciding between going all out or just tooling around a little bit. It'll be my first play vehicle in 8 or so years, so I'm not sure how much time I will actually have to invest in it. I don't want to get a rust bucket..nor do I want to be stuck spending days searching for parts. There's a lot of options but I can't narrow it down...

Originally Posted by gdbyrd

Please don't try to press your close-minded views on me....you can't have fun in a 3rd gen without a mullet...................

I really want more than just a project vehicle. I could get any of those vehicles, but I have conditions..I have to have a backseat.

I am having trouble deciding between going all out or just tooling around a little bit. It'll be my first play vehicle in 8 or so years, so I'm not sure how much time I will actually have to invest in it. I don't want to get a rust bucket..nor do I want to be stuck spending days searching for parts. There's a lot of options but I can't narrow it down...

I dont have a mullet! And what he is trying to TELL YOU is LSX FTMFW! LOL. LSX motors are SO easy to be made quick! All it takes is a few bolt ons! Don't ask someone for there opinion and then bash them thats rude.

Originally Posted by gdbyrd

Sheesh, I won't joke anymore. Some people are too sensitive I guess.

LS anything is probably the best way to go. It's so hard to find one in my area that hasn't been thrashed though. How many miles are too many? I found a 98 for 6K but it has like 150K on it...Pretty much everything I'm finding is in the 6 digits on mileage.

Still, a little turbo'd 4 cylinder would be fun. Scream of a turbo and the umph of a BOV is pretty hot. I don't think anyone can argue that :P

And yes, I have had the unfortunate opportunity to see a woman with a mullet...shudder..Best part was her name was Ruth, and she rode a harley.

Edit:
Iron: I'm at work so all the pictures are blocked :*( I'll check it out when I get home. I really don't want anything real new or sparkly. I'm looking for something to work on for me, and VERY occasionally the wife + kids.

No..you never put a smiley or anything out there...Sorry! Its hard to tell if someone is laughing when you cant see them talk! MY FAULT!!!!!

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

See what happens when the boobs ain't respected? LOL

Thats right!