First Muscle Car Purchase - General Advice

Okay, so I did the smart thing and invested my enlistment bonus, and now I've decided to do the stupid thing and sell my perfectly reliable '00 Accord and use my deployment savings to buy a muscle car when I get back.

I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I have some general knowledge about autos in general and Fords in particular, my father is a dealer, I sold them for another dealer when I got out of college and two of my best friends are Mustang guys, but not nearly enough. I've been buying all the magazines I can at the PX, Popular Hot Rodding (where actually I got the recomendation for this forum), Hot Rod, Car Craft and Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords. Any good books on the subject? Like a Muscle Cars for Dummies? I've got nothing but time.

However, I will have some help. My buddy used to work as a mechanic back before he joined. It was an import tuner shop *dodges beer bottles now being thrown at him* but still, he has more knowledge than I. And has always wanted to work on a muscle car so thats cool. Plus there is a garage on post w/lifts that you can rent for a few bucks. And word is most of the mechanics that hang out around there don't mind helping at all for a sixer.

Damn this is long. Guess I should cut to the chase before everyone stops reading. Okay, my dreamcar is a 1970 Ford Ranchero with the 429. Am I being completely retarded, as my father thinks (he says just buy a newer Mustang)? Are these cars possible to find? Impossible to work on? Prohibitively expensive?

Any and all help greatly appreciated!

Just read ALOT of those car sales mags like "auto trader" or whatever. The ones that come free in gas stations and conv stores are good. That is how I found my Galaxie. As far as reading/learning goes, just do general searches on the internet for various articles, you will be suprised how much you find. One thing though: Really look into how much after market support you have before you chose the car, it might sway your decision. Rather than getting the car and being suprised afterwards. [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: v8shadow on 4/22/07 5:44pm ]</font>

Thanks for the advice. Do you think wikipedia a decent source for beginning knowledge?

Any specific sites I should check out?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Anc on 4/22/07 8:01pm ]</font>

I say go after your dream car. I don't think I read that you were looking to flip muscle cars for profit. Go for the Ranchero - I might be slightly biased tho.

Rick

As a matter of facy, I just remembered a bad azz 70 Ranchero that someone started a thread on. Here's the e-bay link.

Rick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...73867162QQrdZ1

Hot damn. Now that's a fine looking car...

I misunderstood your advice need. I am working midnights and get confused here and there. I changed my response above.
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Buy the best one you can afford, its cheaper than building it yourself.

Buy from the owner if possible. A broker may have more selection, but there is a mark-up...usually pretty substantial.

If you are in the military, and this is your re-enlistment bonus - put the money in the bank for now - even better; lock it into a T-bill or other investment certificate with high rates, you won't need it until you get back anyway. When you get back, you'll have plenty of time to find the right car. Who knows, your priorities may change.

The Muscle car market is volitile, prices may be more reasonable later - for purchasing a car. You will have more time to decide and find the car that you want to buy. take advice from someone that has been there, its much easier to buy what you want with money than to sell what you have to get money. No matter who you leave your car with while you are overseas, they will never take care of it like you would. Besides, its one less thing to get pissed about when you come home.

_________________
..."The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to somebody else. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self...”--Whitney Young

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Beoweolf on 4/22/07 11:14pm ]</font>

Reup? You're crazy!

Na, I just mean the money I save by not having to pay taxes, getting to keep my BAS, and having jack **** to blow it on. I should have a pretty penny saved up ~12K when I get back stateside.

And yeah, I don't plan on buying anything until I get back to Lewis. The only person I'd trust to keep a car in good shape is my father, and Mobile is quite a drive from Tacoma! Lol.

Thanks for the advice about buying up. A question though. In good condition how reliable is a 70/71 Torino/Ranchero? Am I shooting myself in the foot by selling my Honda? I'd rather not have two cars, but when I get back I plan on getting the **** out of the barracks and hitting Seattle HARD. Picking up girls on the bus pass isn't exactly the best start.... [img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

When shopping don't get stuck on one deal - nice cars and good deals are everywhere,some just take longer to find.
[addsig]