Looking for a project car, Where to look?
 

I'm looking for a project car, already have my FR-s, but I've always wanted to have a 'toy,' that I could put rebuild into my own custom vehicle. I've looked around on vwvortex, but I'm not aware of any other sites with a decent classifieds section where I can look for 1985-95 year cars for ~1 grand.

Like I said, I've already got my FR-s, but its my daily :happyanim: I love the car but I'm reluctant to much more than a exhaust/tune because I'm driving it every day and would rather it be reliable than fast/on expensive wheels.

Figured I could ask y'all if you knew anywhere I could find a project car. The craigslist in my area sucks (NJ/PA/NY) right now for preowned cars, and I'm reluctant to purchase much off of craigslist as I've been burned. There's only one or two junk yards by me so I don't have a large amount of options there.

what brand are you looking for exactly. ocasionally you may be able to find cheap stuff on bringatrailer.com

i got a 72 corona for 3000.

but it all depends. ebay.

1stgencelica.com

japanesenostalgiccar,com

classic-celica.com

bringatrailer.com

I'm not looking for a specific car really. Just something that needs work that wont break the bank. Trying to stay away from BMW/Audi/Porsche cause it'll run too much money..

That's what's awesome about http://bringatrailer.com/
So many cool cars. Stuff you don't even think of until you see it.

I'm diggin bringatrailer.com , Spending a large amount of time on there scrolling through old posts getting giddy from the plethora of options out there...

Turbo Miata /thread.

This! Pretty user friendly project with tons of community support. Plus it will put a serious smile on your face. :happy0180:

when I'm feeling in the mood for a project I alternate between the honda-tech forums and vwvortex. Every summer I either get up saying "I need a mk2 VR swap" or "I need a k20 eg"

A track prepped MK1 GTi would be a cool and fairly simple project too. Depending upon your engine choice. :thumbsup:

FD3S
MK4 SUPRA
:P

These would be nice but rather difficult to find for 1k lol. How about a Merkur XR4ti or perhaps an E30 BMW? Both will go slightly over your budget but are very neat cars.

I'm in the same boat as you buddy, been looking for a project car in NY/NJ area for about a month now. I've heard a lot of good find are to be found in Suffolk County on long island, don't know if its true. Good luck and well...keep trying craigslist.

E36s are fairly cheap nowadays... I got mine for $800 and I bought it in long island.

Very true. I have seen numerous under 2k and even 1k. A 318ti would be neat as well. :happy0180:

Just picked this up today for 1k

Going to drop an RB25 into it. Dont mind the tarp, the windows are rolled down and it was raining...

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...psb40398e9.jpg

My Buddy is selling his unfinished project AE86! It's got a bit of a ways to go, but would make a hell of a drift or show car when it's done...

I've done a bit of work on it myself...


http://www.jdmchicago.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26435

@Craig, you mean you don't even use your own list?

Come on man! That's where I buy a majority of my cars...


(Craigslist.org in case you're still oblivious...)

Haha very funny. I agree though it is a great source once you wade through all of the junk/scammers. I can think of 4 cars I have purchased from CL, sold around the same amount.

Deals are out there, just takes patience to find them. :burnrubber:

zenki s14?

Anyway nice project. :w00t:

No LSX?

I'm about to buy a 65' Chevy Corvair coupe. Has no engine and interior, body needs a little work and a paint job. Though i would like to replicate the original color.
Any ideas for the engine?
Its a split project with my friend and he thinks i'm crazy for wanting to do a resto mod. The car is barley original now. Porsche engine, upgrade suspension, sway bars, lower it a bit. I can keep dreaming. :drool:

After going to Irwindale last weekend I think my friends may have persuaded me to go for the LS3 :thumbup: . Just have to try to find one that I can afford...

Go big or go home right?

Absolutely!

OP: Have you made any progress in obtaining a project vehicle? Another suggestion could be the AW11 MR2. :party0030:

LS swaps are cool, but you want to make big power and not break the bank? Turbo Vortec 5300. Or 4800. The GM truck motors let you have your cake and eat it too. They're low compression, cheap as hell, and make good power. You can make a safe 500whp and if you somehow manage to blow it up, a used long block will cost you beans.

Turbo aluminum 5.3. Cheap, fast, and reliable.

Agreed! Check out this sick build by a member of a local forum.
http://www.tristatetuners.com/forum/...d.php?t=124834

Check out the 818 on Factory Five's web page or a Birkin s3. Both cool cars I'd love to build..

E30's are fun and cheap.

1k fun car? most likely you will pick up a headache - beat up or not exsiting. you should increase your budget up to 2k-3k. in the past i had integra, del sol, civic, 240sx, 86 corolla GTS they are all decently fun.

FC RX-7 TII? You'll forget all about driving the FR-S.. :)

this

http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/word...LB-640x426.jpg

Agreed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVF7...Y&feature=plcp

Awesome video about E30s and rally racing.