Looking for help

[raustinss]

Let's start with where are you located...different cars different area's different prices. After that what's the end goal a daily driver...auto cross..show car...or impress girls car. Finally and most important this Site is amazing and 99 percent of the people on here are great. No one knows everything and everyone starts somewhere. So don't apologize for not knowing something. Apologize for thinking you do and being wrong. It will make you a better person. Coming on this Site and posting that your young and new is great shows that you seem to have a head on your shoulders which is rare with some teens now. As for car choices I myself was looking for a 69 Camaro and ended up with a killer deal on a 70 396 ss Chevelle with documentation....92,000 original miles all for 6500$.right time right place. The guy needed money now this was in the late 90's mind you but still. The fact your keeping a open mind and also have chosen the three most popular cars SHOULD make this a relatively easy job of getting you on wheels.

[CamS19]

Let's start with where are you located...different cars different area's different prices. After that what's the end goal a daily driver...auto cross..show car...or impress girls car. Finally and most important this Site is amazing and 99 percent of the people on here are great. No one knows everything and everyone starts somewhere. So don't apologize for not knowing something. Apologize for thinking you do and being wrong. It will make you a better person. Coming on this Site and posting that your young and new is great shows that you seem to have a head on your shoulders which is rare with some teens now. As for car choices I myself was looking for a 69 Camaro and ended up with a killer deal on a 70 396 ss Chevelle with documentation....92,000 original miles all for 6500$.right time right place. The guy needed money now this was in the late 90's mind you but still. The fact your keeping a open mind and also have chosen the three most popular cars SHOULD make this a relatively easy job of getting you on wheels.

I live in Northern California. My goal is to have something that I can drive to school daily, but also have fun with on the weekend with. I appreciate your response.

[HoosierDaddy]

Cool-- what part of Norcal? Just curious, I'm in San Jose. I remember being in your shoes... just about every week through high school, I had found another car for sale (often on the other side of the country) on the internet that Dad and I could work on together. None of those panned out, but 10 years later, I have an LS powered 68 El Camino and I could (almost) not be happier with it. Certainly things I would do differently, but I'm very happy with this website (and LS1tech) and the help I've gotten from both. People have been very helpful.

For a starter project in Norcal, I think your best bet is to hunt through classifieds and craigslist. Everyone trying to sell a car at the big car shows seems to come up with a reasonable price, then double it before writing it on the 'for sale' sign. Might have more luck at smaller events or swap meets. Also, my vote would be to keep your eyes open widest for chevy's simply due to car and parts availability. I have friends rocking mopars and fords, but even with my LS swap and full aftermarket suspension and brake packages, I have the easiest time finding parts. However, I'd say that their cars are seen as cooler than mine because they can check that all-coveted 'rarity' box that not many chevys can.

Last thing... do your homework! The more you research something, the less likely you are to throw away your money on something you don't really want, and the less likely you are to do the same things twice. Ultimately, we all do this... so at least heed the warning; you'll redo / rebuild the same thing twice, you'll throw money away on stupid stuff, and you'll change your mind on a route after you've started. We've all done it and it sucks, but i think it hurts left if you know its coming.

Good luck, kick ass and keep us posted!