$10k Budget - Better to buy a restored 65-70 Mustang or buy $4000 and restore?

[FoxRooster]

HERE'S THE CATCH: I'M NOT A MECHANIC AND FIRST TIME BUYER!!

Should I buy one that someone else has already restored for $10k or buy one for $4k and pay a mechanic $6k to do the restore.

My hearts been set on buying a Mustang for 6 months. Hard to find the right one me. Criteria that now remains

65-70, black, grey, silver, or blue... Must be reliable

Thoughts??:idea:

[Trevon]

I have somewhat restored a 65 Mustang before (basically to stock so no pro touring mods) but I would recommend just looking for something solid at a good price. There is so much aftermarket stuff for mustangs you can usually come out with a great car for a good price. If you have the time you would probably be able to get quite a bit more for it without having to pay labor. Thats just what I would do; and personally, as nice as it is to get a finished car, the sense of accomplishment that comes from building it is just as good as driving it.

[1red68]

this is just my 2 cents, but i would buy the best all around Mustang i could find for 8-9000. & save a bit for repairs or up grades.

& i would spend some time here... www.vintage-mustang.com i like the old mustangs and know abit about them, but these guys have Mustangs down to an art.

[srh3trinity]

I went with the buy a pretty solid and complete Firebird for 1800 and then invested about 2500 in quarters and install. The quarters were in decent shape, but would have needed replacement in the next few years. That puts me at an investment of around 4300 in a car that is rust free but needs paint. I am finding out that paint and body work ranges 4500-7500K. So I will be sitting around 10K or more before I have it in paint. I would do it the same way if I were going to do it again and I made allowances in my budget, but I wanted a certain year Firebird and I want a certain paint color. Mustangs are a little more plentiful. If you want a common color or year, then i would buy the best you can find and then build it up. I would look it over really well and make sure there aren't any hidden surprises.

[Vicinity]

Avoid having to do or pay for any body work. That will be the single most expensive thing on pretty much any build. It'll easily blow through your 6k.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Rooster this is what, your third or fourth thread on this question? My advice - first go here:

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?79012-What-would-you-do-with-15k-to-spend

Second, Although above poster is not considering an early mustang, some of the issues and advice around a 40 year old car become apparent. Rust, restore costs, where to put your selection priorities all apply to you. I think you'll find this hobby is resource intensive (time & $$$) and what you want vs what you get are all important considerations. I am not advocating you not jump in w the rest of us - this is no exclusive Ferarri club - just that you research and learn so you know what you are getting into. I hope you'll reply in good spirits!

[FoxRooster]

Thanks All... Know I've put up a few threads, but all dealing with different variations.

Trying to learn as much as possible. Definitely been spending a good bit of time on the Vintage Mustang forum. But also realizing that I'm not a 100% purist on original restoration and wanted to hear more from a site like this that may have more of a resto/mod ideas as well.

Changed my search to trying to get the best driver I can between 8 and 10K.

Excited to learn more about these cars, and be able to work on them myself, but seems to be the best approach to start a little better off.

[shep]

While maybe you don't want to do a chalk mark resto the knowledge those people posses is invaluable. They will know the names of and where to find all the hard to find parts as well as how best to maintain an original engine and trans and also what to look out for when buying a car. Pretty much anything in your price range is probably going to be a carbed small block non original which is better for you since you want to modify it anyway. Buy the best car you can within your budget and what ever you do don't take it apart until you have the time and money to put it back together the way you want it. I would avoid any upgrades that cannot be done in your driveway over a weekend at least to start with. Brake upgrades, tires and wheels are pretty easy and not overly costly. Just do your research before buying anything, ask questions about the vendors and how the parts work / fit both here and on the mustang forum before you buy.