Re: When deciding what to buy....

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2011/5/22 10:58:13

There is another part to the equation. When you fix up a car that is too far gone you end up with a beat up car, fixed up. The end result is much better if you start with a car that was in decent condition. In other words you can't polish a turd.

It does make sense sometimes to buy a car in less than perfect condition provided it is not too far gone. One reason, you may be able to afford a #3 or 4 car where you could never afford a #1 or 2. Or you may get a lucky deal on a car that is in less than perfect shape.

The upside to a fixer is, if you have a paint job done, for example, you now have a car with new paint and if you take care of it, will look good forever. Likewise upholstery, motor job etc. Sometimes you pay top dollar for a good car and end up doing the work down the road anyway.

If you are keeping the car forever it is academic anyway. Who cares what it might sell for if you are never going to sell it? And time has a way of bailing out extravagant restorations.