rookie question
 

i just bought a 93 lx with 110,000 miles on it and i have about 500 dollars to spend on it. it does need a paint job but it is primed and is not rusty . I do wnat to build this car up, as far as i can tell it is all stock, so my question is what should i do first get it painted or fix up the engine a little. Thanks

rookie
 

I say build that motor up! Then worry about it looking pretty. That's my motto.

paint car 1st
 

dont insult your new pony by driving it around it around in primer! if the motor is running good & running clean, paint the car. i had my 88 hatch painted 3-4 years ago by a local macco for 850.00{i did some ding filling & some sanding] & to this day still gets compliments--it came out that good for cheap money.

First and foremost, make sure it's mechanically sound. Nothing worse than a long walk home in the middle of the night because you spent all your money on a pretty paint job, and it needed some parts replaced.

Get exhaust and gears
 

Get exhaust and gears. These two items are the best bang for the buck.
Flowmaster catback; $227 at Summit Racing
373 gears; Ford Performance Parts $189 at Summit Racing