Build or buy?

[FreakShow]

My car was totaled about a mth ago. I was hit in the rear by a well insured idiot, So I made out ok.

I have about 30k to put into a new project. I saw in the for sale section there was a 2 nice looking original camaros a 67 and 68 for sale between 8-10k.

I know this is an opinion question, But you guys would know the pro-touring world better than I.

Would you buy something like them 2 cars ( I haven't decided what kind of car I want just using them for referance) or would you buy a car thats already had the pro-touring treatment already started and close to be drivible? Cause I know cars are never finished.

[19,69camaro]

I would say buy one finished if it is close to what you want but if it isnt I would stay away since you will most likely rip the other stuff out and start from scratch. But there is no reason not to start with a clean shell and save yourself a ton of money in both parts and bodywork.

[67CamNKC]

I decided to build from a basket case. I've always wanted to do a complete build on my own. Having said that, not sure I'd do another build that I couldn't drive while I was working on it.

[jocko124]

Buy it, unless you have unlimited time, patience & funds!!!

[FreakShow]

My friend just came up with a 3rd option. I can take the 30k and put it into my 83 Z28. The car doesn't need any paint or interior work. Its an 83 L69 5spd hardtop. It already has the 1LE brakes added and the 16 inch 85-87 iroc wheels. So I'm guessing LS/6 spd and a ton of susp parts is all I will need. Yes I will be changing the wheels these have been on the car since I got it at 15 in 94.

[Neil B]

Buy a finished 1st or 2nd Gen. Building the 3rd Gen might be fun, but you can spend the entire $30K on that 3rd Gen and it will be worth exactly what it is worth as it sits today.

[1969CamaroRS]

I would say if you really get a sense of accomplishment and joy from working on cars then hands down build. Other than that buying is probably a better option. Usually and especially in this economy its cheaper to buy than to build, especially if you have to pay a shop to build you something.

You could always buy a solid car and then make some minor mods to suit your tastes too.

[novaderrik]

build it- it's the only way to know for sure what you've got.
that third gen Camaro with $30k thrown at it would be pretty damn insane..

[Northeast Rod Run]

I would say if you really get a sense of accomplishment and joy from working on cars then hands down build. Other than that buying is probably a better option. Usually and especially in this economy its cheaper to buy than to build, especially if you have to pay a shop to build you something.

You could always buy a solid car and then make some minor mods to suit your tastes too.

Probably the best advice, as far as cost and return goes, you can get right there

[justasquid]

In todays economy, I'd say buy one already completed. The old saying, you never get out what you put in is true in a good economy, but its painfully true today. Cars that have had 50-60K invested into them are barely bringing 30k. If your in the market to buy, now is the best time in a long time to be a buyer.

I don't think I'd waste my time putting 30k into a 3rd gen. If I were you. I'd look around for a clean 1st gen in the 20K range. Then, take 5-8k and put into the 3rd gen if your heart is set on doing a project. It won't take much to make the 3rd gen a decent performer. plus, they just don't hold their value right now. 20 years from now, they might. But right now, 3rd gens are really cheap, no matter what mods are done to them.

Or, if you really want to build a car and can only do one, get a 1st gen. But from a money standpoint, it makes more sense to buy instead of building right now.

[colt zantop]

dont waste your time and money on the 3rd gen..you wont get it back. dont get me wrong...you could build a killer 3rd gen with that budget... but I would find a nice first or early second gen with paint done etc. and then upgrade wheels suspension and some motor mods... paint and bodywork will KILL your budget.

[hifi875]

buy. you can buy on the cheap now, but it still cost alot to build.

[James OLC]

One thing to consider if you are going to buy a clean, running car as a foundation is to have a good idea what you want in the end and avoid paying up front for something that has no value to you. If you are planning on an LS swap in the near future don't bother paying a premium for a numbers matching or survivor car up front... You're paying for something that has no value to you but is worth something to the seller and someone else. Look at older projects, drag cars, and non-original stuff.

Building the car is part of the fun and while there are lots of deals to be had on finished projects, consider what you want to get out of the experience and ask yourself if you will be bothered by stuff that is not done the way you would have done it.

[MrQuick]

Buy something but on a budget. Just because you have 30k doesn't mean you have to blow it all on one car.

I would buy something nice running and painted for less that 10k and invest the rest. There is nothing like making money from free money.

I agree its a buyers market. But be smart about it.

Vince

[wmhjr]

Lots of good advice here. To me, the question always comes back to "what are you trying to do?"

If money is no object or if you're fulfilling a dream building that one car exactly how you want it, then the experience of building one is priceless - so long as you realize you're very unlikely to get your money out of it.

If money is important and you want to get the most you can for what you have, then by all means, buy one mostly done. Also consider that there are some fabrication skills that you may not have (or want to learn maybe) and it might be helpful to have that work already done.

Either way, have fun!

[rfalker1]

I'd say buy also, but make it yours, if money is no object then do what you want, get a descent starting point car, and before you buy map out a plan in the direction you want to go.
It will save you alot!!!!! I admit I didn't go the correct route but I had no idea what I was planning on doing with the car. Then after you finish keep the car, why put all the time and effort and not keep it or at least keep in the family

[68Formula]

I wouldn't discount option 3. Sure you would never get you're money back, but doesn't sound like you ever plan on selling that car anyway. Plus, not needing paint or interior I can't imagine you needing to go through $30k to finish it up. I'm sure you know every inch of that car, so there won't be any surprises either.

[crustysack]

You can EASILY tear thru 30k on a pro touring build- especially if you are paying someone to do your work. I would take ALOT of time to find what you really want and then search and find someone who has a project car near done and has to get out of it. Most important body work and paint DONE. Also try and buy a car from So Cal, AZ, NM, TX- if it costs you $1500 to ship a car that is solid you are WAY ahead of the game. As stated above it is a buyers market, there are lots of people that need money more than a killer ride and there are tons of deals to be had. just take your time and find exactly what you want.

[MonzaRacer]

How is a guy has a running and driving car, add in a few bucks for wheels and tires, throw in some decent springs and shocks, if the engine is sound maybe a small blower or turbo kit down the road. Figure if you got $30k , throw $5k at it and have fun. If you can get one of the First gens of $10k or less, then slowly add in some PT parts and have two great cars.
Taking a little time on the 1st gen, figure you can put $5k in the suspension of the 1st Gen and maybe same in wheels and tires and still have cash to spare. time in choosing parts wisely and taking some time and having two fun cars would be double the fun. Also not having $30k wrapped up in one car makes it more fun to drive.
Wise choices in parts and honest wheeling and dealing can develop a fun daily driver AND a great PT project.
Just a few thoughts. My projects are going to be on the cheap. I know lots of people can build fast PT cars with big budgets,,,but build one on a small budget.
Think hard and make a solid plan and spend wisely and have fun.

[protouring70]

its hard to say, but if the car has a good paint job then the rest is easy. Well it makes the biggest head ache part be done. suspension and wheels are easy to install, you can still mini tub it, and motor swap isn't bad either. but as cheap as the cars are now its a toss up.

[brans72]

If you wanted a camaro I would only drop $ in 1st or 2nd gen car. Also Say buy one that someone maybe lost interst in or has paint with no engine yet where you can do LS conversion.

[Oakesters]

buy , cheaper

[Oakesters]

you build if you enjoy

[FreakShow]

I really enjoy working on my cars. I'm not set on a another camaro. I was just looking around in the for sale section. I'm not planning on dumping the whole 30k into my 83. I figure 10k with susp,wheels, and when my 305 goes I'll up grade it then. I'm not worring about selling it. I have had my 83 since I was 15 and had the 75 since I was 18( 31 now). I was thinking about buyin a solid car that is about 75-80% complete. As long as the body is good I can do the paint work. I'm not looking for an over build car either. I've been working on my other 2 camaros for 16 and 13 years.
I really would like to have a 1st gen, But I'll see what I can find. I'm in no hurry. I got a nice driver to play with while I look.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

must be sure you are IN LOVE with the car first.. then you will know whether to build or buy.

if your in love.. then build..

kinda dig it... buy.

[dadto2jays]

I would buy a semi finished vehicle and make changes as you desire let someone else take the beating because if you are building a serious pro touring vehicle 30k is just a drop in the bucket...

[FreakShow]

I would buy a semi finished vehicle and make changes as you desire let someone else take the beating because if you are building a serious pro touring vehicle 30k is just a drop in the bucket...

Thats what I was thinking. But 90% of the cars I find in my budget and well out of my budget have had more body work than Cher. As far as a serious pro-touring car... I'll never have the budget for that. But come to think of it I don't know that I would want one. I enjoy driving my cars to much. I would be perfectly happy with a single stage paint job and 25,000 in susp,brakes,tranny,and a nice set of 18" Rushforthe or forgeline would be nice. I got a few peices left over from my Camaro. Nice new 450 hp 383 and a new Moser 12 bolt with 4.10 gears. All I will need is a TKO 600 and I have my running gear. So lets say 4000 for the TKO and swap kit just in case whatever I buy is auto. I buy a good solid car for 10,000 max. That still leaves 16,000 for the rest of the stuff. Plus I don't have to have everything today. I can save up for more. I just have 30,000 right this minute from the insurance company and what I already saved up to put into the Camaro. I have an offer on my truck so if it sells, I'll have another 8500 to put into a new project. But I did promise my 83 a new set of wheels out of the money from the truck. She's been wearing the same set of Irocs since 95. LOL. So lets call it a 35,000 dollar budget. After reading the under 30k thread and looking at some of the vendors I think I can have a very nice car. I just want a legit pro-touring car.

I'm sorry If I am long winded, But I am new to this branch of the automotive hobby. I am trying not to make rookie mistakes. 99% of what I know I have gotten from magazines. Steve, Nick, Jack,Tony and all the guys at Camaro Performers, You guy have one super great magazine and I personally blame you for my new found obsession!!

Thanks everyone for your input. You are a great bunch of people!

[MrQuick]

pm sent

[FreakShow]

Well unless the perfect built car falls out of the sky by monday, I am going to build or semi-build. I have been looking at cars that I can swing and I just don't like anything I have found. So I will build! Also my project fund grew a little bit and there is going to be one very happy 16 year old come Christmas morning.I sold my truck today!

Thanks you everyone for input!

[dadto2jays]

keep us posted of what you end up doing...good luck!!!