Best Muscle Car for Beginner

Coldsnap wrote: Should I buy this? http://raleigh.craigslist.org/pts/3549538329.html '73 nova manual.

Maybe you should concentrate on getting the car first.

True. I'm thinking that nova sight unseen. I'd he accepts my 4k offer. I mean its by fat the cheapest and cleanedt 350 2 door I have seen so far. I like it better than that 6k skylark (before I saw the interior).

Sorry on phone, typos galore

bravenrace wrote: That picture should be banned from the world.

It ain't THAT bad.

Oh, wait...

I'm totes buying that. Hope you guys can help me fix her up

a little aluminum siding and flashing scarfed off an abandoned house oughta finish that up quite well

.. and a plywood rear wing ftw

Coldsnap wrote: So for $67 I can catch a train to ATL and pick up that car, if the dude accepts my $4,000 offer. I just hope the car isn't junk. Pictures look good.. Like I said it's hard to sess out a car as a beginner.

i never Never NEVER make an offer before i've been all up close and personal with the car.

AngryCorvair wrote:

Coldsnap wrote: So for $67 I can catch a train to ATL and pick up that car, if the dude accepts my $4,000 offer. I just hope the car isn't junk. Pictures look good.. Like I said it's hard to sess out a car as a beginner.

i never Never NEVER make an offer before i've been all up close and personal with the car.

Truer words never spoken.

I got some more info on this nova

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3529053926.html

paint is not original

350 came out of a 75 impalla, 85k miles on it but he is guessing that is a turn over number so 180k

picture of the engine with wires loose is a before picture while the cleaned up picture is after he did some work on it.

He owns a mechanic shop

are transplant engines OK? From what I see on ebay a '73 nova with original egine / tranny with a strong body is anywhere from 7,000-14,000. I know ebay is a bit on the high end, but that puts Novas with original stuff way out of my price range.

don't believe ebay

transplants are ok, likely an upgrade

Gotcha, I found someone here to check out that Nova for me in ATL on friday. Will post more pictures of it and info

What's the difference between a 70-73 cutlass than a 70-73 nova? There's a few cutlasses in my area.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3626172797.html http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3578700824.html

and that green one that Javelin posted, which has expired but not sold

In reply to Coldsnap:

The Cutlass and Nova are on a different platforms. They are larger than the Nova and have a full frame. That platform includes the Cutlass, F-85, Chevelle, Skylark, Monte Carlo, LeMans, GTO, and derivatives of those. The Nova is a smaller car than all of the above. There are other differences, but I'll let others chime in on those. Some reading on a place like Wickipedia would help you with all the differences.

Gotcha. Thank you. I enjoy both platforms it seems.

It's been said in this thread before but I gotta decide if I want to pay the Nova premium of about $2,000, or buy something with a similar platform or a Cutlass platform for cheaper or with an original engine.

I'm still v. interested in the ATL Nova though. That is if it checks out.

just buy something get off the fence. if you find something for 5k or less in a v8 RWD american car in the years you want...you will not be hurt if the car turns out to be a turd you will be able to unload it and most likely get your money back on it. you can post and read a ton of responses but you will never really learn anything until you get your hands dirty

cutter67 wrote: just buy something get off the fence. if you find something for 5k or less in a v8 RWD american car in the years you want...you will not be hurt if the car turns out to be a turd you will be able to unload it and most likely get your money back on it. you can post and read a ton of responses but you will never really learn anything until you get your hands dirty

Yes this, this is 20 pages of picking out something with a V8 under $5k. You could have bought and sold 10 cars by now!

I'll probably be buying that Nova in ATL if it checks out.

Coldsnap wrote: I'll probably be buying that Nova in ATL if it checks out.

Fingers crossed the GRM local finds the car to be okay. (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3529053926.html)

I feel like that could be your car. You like Novas. It has a bench seat. The 2 doors are cooler than the 4 doors. It has a 350 V8 (endless supply of upgrades on the cheap, and great engine to learn to wrench). It's in your budget. It supposedly runs and drives.

The biggest concern with a car with a more recent paint job is... what is the paint hiding? If it's full of rot and bondo, it's a bad buy. If it's half solid underneath, it's a good buy. Paint is also one of the most expensive things to do right, so if it's a "good enough" paintjob over a reasonably solid car then the fact it has shiny paint already is a huge bonus. With a strong 350, it's basically everything you could expect for sub $5K, and as noted, if for some reason you don't like it, you could likely unload it locally at minimal (if any) loss.

It looks like in the more recent pic, the heater core plumbing has been fixed...

As for your transplant concern, I'd see that as a benefit, not a hindrance. Any GM V8 will be at home, and a newer/stronger/built/etc. motor is just further upgrade.

Me too. Good point about the paint. We shall see. Hopefully it's not just a nice paintjob. But looking at that engine compartment it looks a lot cleaner than other cars I have looked at.

I'll bring a magnet and check it all out. I'll try to send you a video of it running as well. I'll send you an email around lunch Friday

Coldsnap wrote: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3626172797.html

Whats up with the rusty and caved in exterior drivers side c-pillar on that car?

This is a pretty cool Dart, if anyone is looking for one

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3631270870.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3620991182.html

'71 Plymouth Mopar