is it worth buying?

dod racing · 04-04-2002, 10:18 PM

I came across a neglected 89 gt the other day. The owner wants 500$ for it. The front suspension is gone the interior is crap and there is something wrong with the transmission. probably needs new tires too. All I want it for is to drag race and the local strip. Does this sound like a good idea or not? I have never worked on cars before so everything will be done by mechanics to get it up to speed. After that then I will start adding things and learning how it all works. What do ya'll think??

dod racing · 04-04-2002, 10:56 PM

would this be a good starter car?? i dont plan on driving it anywhere but in a straight line

chris91LX · 04-04-2002, 11:56 PM

Why don't you buy it and work on it yourself? You can learn about the car as you go, it's not like you'll need it to get you to work the next day, and it'll save you thousands in labor.

Bad89stang · 04-05-2002, 01:56 AM

I would have to agree. I have learned everything that I know by experimented and making myself figure out problems. I think it is more fun and rewarding. Granted, I know very little compared to others, but every project becomes a learning experience. You will spend a fortune on mechanic labor. The only thing that I would recommend is that you take your tranny somewhere or to get someone to help you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Mr 5 0 · 04-05-2002, 10:40 AM

The car sounds like a basket case but for $500., if the body isn't twisted and it doesn't have much (if any) body rot it might be a good deal. Lot of work, though. Think it through.

As stated by others, if you have to pay mechanic(s) to make it drivable and build it up, you're going to be paying over $50. per hour in labor costs, plus buying some really expensive parts. I see a $30,000. drag car in your future. Nice if you can afford it but a lot of cash to lay out for a hobby-car that only runs a quarter-mile at a time.

You may want to re-think this plan.

Nitrous Al · 04-05-2002, 03:28 PM

YA, Dude!

Mustang_289 · 04-05-2002, 04:49 PM

I agree with the other posts, you're going to spend a ton of money having a mechanic build it up for you. There are many great resources available including THE MUSTANG MESSAGE BOARD.

My son and I are building up an 88; he had no experience with stangs and I've got some from when I was a teenager. One really cool thing about owning a Mustang - you've got a million friends with stangs out there willing to share their experience with you.

If you still plan on taking it to a mechanic - why don't you just take the money and buy a straight-line-mustang already built? You can at least get on the track quicker..

dod racing · 04-06-2002, 12:13 AM

thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll buy the mustang and maybe see if i can find a wrecked one similar to get parts from. Maybe this could be a father son project. I have no time limit on this project its just for fun. I currently race 4-wheelers and I've developed this addiction to speed.

silver_pilate · 04-06-2002, 10:49 AM

As long as the body is straight, you can't beat a deal like that. Do you know if the car runs? If so, you've got the foundation to build a fast car, and for $500, that's a great deal.

I'm keeping my eyes open for something similar for my next project. I don't care if the engine is locked up and the tranny is blown, as long as the body is straight and free of structural rust and they want $500 or less, I'm gonna pick it up. My plan is to strip it down...all the way down...and build up a 393 with a large single turbo to have fun with on the weekends. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I might consider dropping it my GT since the car is in great shape and the interior is perfect. If I go that way, I'll leave the car as streetable as possible with full interior and A/C and run through some quiet mufflers to get a pseudo sleeper effect...if that is possible with a 600+ horsepower motor

. Of course, I'll have to have a cage....

I'd say go for it. You're on no time limit...you have no special rush. And you've started on the right foot by coming to this board. You can find tons of information here, and the rest you can pick up at your local bookstore. Take your time, have fun with it, and learn as you go. What have you got to lose?

--nathan

chatcher · 04-06-2002, 11:02 AM

i agree buy it take your time and build it yourself yes it will take awhile and you will often get frustrated but what you learn along the way will be worth it plus most of the ? you will have along the way someone here will usually be able to help you with

04-04-2002, 10:18 PM	#1
dod racing Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: dallas Posts: 16	is it worth buying? I came across a neglected 89 gt the other day. The owner wants 500$ for it. The front suspension is gone the interior is crap and there is something wrong with the transmission. probably needs new tires too. All I want it for is to drag race and the local strip. Does this sound like a good idea or not? I have never worked on cars before so everything will be done by mechanics to get it up to speed. After that then I will start adding things and learning how it all works. What do ya'll think??

04-05-2002, 01:56 AM	#4
Bad89stang Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 456	I agree... I would have to agree. I have learned everything that I know by experimented and making myself figure out problems. I think it is more fun and rewarding. Granted, I know very little compared to others, but every project becomes a learning experience. You will spend a fortune on mechanic labor. The only thing that I would recommend is that you take your tranny somewhere or to get someone to help you. Good luck and keep us posted. __________________ You're gonna need your seatbelt

04-05-2002, 10:40 AM	#5
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Drag car jones The car sounds like a basket case but for $500., if the body isn't twisted and it doesn't have much (if any) body rot it might be a good deal. Lot of work, though. Think it through. As stated by others, if you have to pay mechanic(s) to make it drivable and build it up, you're going to be paying over $50. per hour in labor costs, plus buying some really expensive parts. I see a $30,000. drag car in your future. Nice if you can afford it but a lot of cash to lay out for a hobby-car that only runs a quarter-mile at a time. You may want to re-think this plan.

04-06-2002, 10:49 AM	#9
silver_pilate DURKA DURKA!! Join Date: Sep 1997 Location: Lubbock, TX...(TX panhandle) Posts: 1,418	As long as the body is straight, you can't beat a deal like that. Do you know if the car runs? If so, you've got the foundation to build a fast car, and for $500, that's a great deal. I'm keeping my eyes open for something similar for my next project. I don't care if the engine is locked up and the tranny is blown, as long as the body is straight and free of structural rust and they want $500 or less, I'm gonna pick it up. My plan is to strip it down...all the way down...and build up a 393 with a large single turbo to have fun with on the weekends. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I might consider dropping it my GT since the car is in great shape and the interior is perfect. If I go that way, I'll leave the car as streetable as possible with full interior and A/C and run through some quiet mufflers to get a pseudo sleeper effect...if that is possible with a 600+ horsepower motor . Of course, I'll have to have a cage.... I'd say go for it. You're on no time limit...you have no special rush. And you've started on the right foot by coming to this board. You can find tons of information here, and the rest you can pick up at your local bookstore. Take your time, have fun with it, and learn as you go. What have you got to lose? --nathan __________________ '91 GT, Coast 347, 9.5:1 compression, full intake, Wolverine 1087 cam, exhaust, Keith Craft ported Windsor Jr. Irons (235 cfm intake, 195 cfm exhaust), AOD, PI 3500 converter, Lentech valve body, 3.73's (4.10's in the works), and Yokohama ES100's out back. Daily Car: '04 Infiniti G35 Sedan 6MT

04-06-2002, 11:02 AM	#10
chatcher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: butler pa Posts: 303	i agree buy it take your time and build it yourself yes it will take awhile and you will often get frustrated but what you learn along the way will be worth it plus most of the ? you will have along the way someone here will usually be able to help you with __________________ 92lx wannabe saleen

04-04-2002, 10:56 PM	#2
dod racing Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: dallas Posts: 16	would this be a good starter car?? i dont plan on driving it anywhere but in a straight line

04-04-2002, 11:56 PM	#3
chris91LX Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Suburban Chicago, Hanover Park Posts: 695	Why don't you buy it and work on it yourself? You can learn about the car as you go, it's not like you'll need it to get you to work the next day, and it'll save you thousands in labor.

04-05-2002, 03:28 PM	#6
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	YA, Dude!

04-05-2002, 04:49 PM	#7
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	I agree with the other posts, you're going to spend a ton of money having a mechanic build it up for you. There are many great resources available including THE MUSTANG MESSAGE BOARD. My son and I are building up an 88; he had no experience with stangs and I've got some from when I was a teenager. One really cool thing about owning a Mustang - you've got a million friends with stangs out there willing to share their experience with you. If you still plan on taking it to a mechanic - why don't you just take the money and buy a straight-line-mustang already built? You can at least get on the track quicker..

04-06-2002, 12:13 AM	#8
dod racing Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: dallas Posts: 16	thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll buy the mustang and maybe see if i can find a wrecked one similar to get parts from. Maybe this could be a father son project. I have no time limit on this project its just for fun. I currently race 4-wheelers and I've developed this addiction to speed.

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