I Kinda Hate Car Shopping

"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5) 09/06/2015 at 17:14 • Filed to: None

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Right now, I’ve got about $1500-2000 to spend on a project car. Basically something to stuff in my garage and slowly whittle away at, with no intentions of driving it this year, or maybe even next year. I’ve been mostly shopping Mustangs.

This is the one I’ve recently become interested in, a 1968 that really doesn’t look all that bad but is almost totally apart. It has a 351C which will probably need to be rebuilt and an automatic that will definitely need to be sold and replaced with a stick. He’s asking $1500obo, which isn’t a bad price given what I see. He has all the parts that came off of it, and it needs rear frame rails...aside from that the frame and floors are supposed to be decent.

The problem I’m having is just getting people to answer me. I emailed the seller two days ago and asked about the car, he said it was available and he has the title. I emailed him back, made an offer, and said I could be there tomorrow morning with a trailer and cash. Crickets. Granted, it’s a holiday weekend, but he doesn’t have a phone number with the ad...so it isn’t as if I can call him. And if you’re not interested in my offer, shoot me one back. I’ve got cash, I want to buy.

My other problem is that it always seems to happen that when I don’t have money, theres tons of stuff out there. Now I’ve got cash and there’s nothing for sale. It’s pretty annoying.

Which means I’ll keep looking. Part of me wants to take a few days off from shopping, but then the rest of me shouts BUT WHAT IF YOU MISS THE PERFECT CAR?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! There’s not much of a happy medium in there for me.

Oh the plus side, I bought this yesterday:

I’m in love with the thing. The picture is gorgeous. Just for shits and giggles, I decided to watch something I’ve seen lots of times before to see if I could notice a difference, so I threw on the series finale of Breaking Bad, which I’ve probably watched 5 times. And holy shit what a difference from my ancient 50” Sony. Like I can’t even describe how much better it is. Plus it has wi-fi, so we can do Netflix through it, which is great.

Oh, and yesterday this happened:

My P71 officially became a K-9 unit. #Chewielopnik

I think that’s about it. Hopefully I find a decent Mustang soon...I like to enjoy my car shopping, so being exasperated by it is killing me.

NotRichBMWOwner > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 17:34

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Oh man. My dad had one just like that except in a little better shape that he was planning to restore when I was a kid. He ended up having to sell it. My heart breaks a little whenever I see an unfinished project car.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 17:38

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I would have run from that Mustang as soon as I heard 351C. Butchering has happened.

Wait it out. A deal will come along.

Opposite Locksmith > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 17:46

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You hate it cuz save a lil bit more money mayne

Laurence > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 17:49

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Whereabouts are you at? I'm pretty bored right now, and I'm happy to help with a bit of Craigslist project hunting

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Laurence 09/06/2015 at 17:58

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Rhode Island. I'm looking basically all over New England, maybe as far as NY if I find the right car.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Birddog 09/06/2015 at 18:04

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I'm not sure if the 351 is installed or just with it, but good point. I do like the 351C, but I'd prefer a 289.

Birddog > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 18:11

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Any Windsor mill is good. Those fit without a Fire Axe or Sawzall. Maybe he has a 351w and doesn’t know it.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Birddog 09/06/2015 at 18:12

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Nah, I saw a picture of the motor, definitely a Cleveland. I'll have to see what that swap entails and decide how far to stay from that car, haha.

Laurence > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 18:15

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Thanks! I'll have a look and see what I can find

Nothing > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 18:27

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I was Mustang shopping, but my project had to be running/drivable. That’s how I ended up with my Cougar last week. $3000. I’ve since washed it, set the timing, adjusted the carb, and swapped the air cleaner assembly out. Amazing what 10 minutes of tuning can do. Rolled around under the car for a bit yesterday, the only significant rust is the floor pan.

Good luck in your search! My wife wanted to find a ‘67 Mustang, as she had one back in high school (I had one in college). At least this is a ‘67!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Nothing 09/06/2015 at 18:31

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You only paid $3000 for that Cougar?! Great deal. I've looked a bit at Cougars too, there's just nothing near me. Running isn't a priority to me, I'd actually quite like to have to go through the engine...but I'd like whatever I'm buying to come with one.

Nothing > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/06/2015 at 19:16

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The running part made it easier to get the wife to agree to the purchase. Eventually, the drivetrain will be gone through. Right now it’s numbers matching, but I may do a T5 swap in the future and other updates (power disc in the front, etc). It’s a strong runner, actually, although in desperate need of a clutch.

Laurence > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 09/07/2015 at 04:14

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Sorry for the slow reply, but I was stuggling to find anything; all there seemed to be was rotten basket cases, or mostly solid shells, which, if you’re willing to wait, can be found for virtually nothing. Outside of mustangs, I looked at a few falcons, but it was the same story; cheap enough, but nothing worth restoring. Outside of that, I found some other similar cars from the same era; a handful of darts and novas, and the shell of a ‘69 Camaro. The only other idea I have a project would be an aircooled VW; parts are cheap and plentiful, and I’ve heard they make nice easy projects due to their mechanical simplicity; cars also start at about $500, probably less if you looked somewhere such as the samba

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Laurence 09/07/2015 at 08:24

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Yeah, that's basically the story. New England is tough, everything is basically a pile of rust and when it's not, people think they're worth their weight in gold. Ah well, something will turn up.