Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options

Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

1…719720722724725…852

Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    explorerx4 said:

    Kinda like this
    https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/1951-mercury/6611779024.html

    Nothing quite sounds like a "flattie".
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    That Mercury seems like a fair deal if it is as sound as it looks. Those cars are considered to be stylish, an affordable entry into the hobby.

    I remember in the movie "Peggy Sue Got Married" (a time travel-themed movie which I have always liked for the period sets, and Kathleen Turner), there's a 54 Mercury Sun Valley featured in a few scenes, and in one you can hear the very distinctive sound of the 239.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @omarman,
    I didn't realize there was a Mercury version of the Super Coupe.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    fintail said:

    That Mercury seems like a fair deal if it is as sound as it looks. Those cars are considered to be stylish, an affordable entry into the hobby.

    I remember in the movie "Peggy Sue Got Married" (a time travel-themed movie which I have always liked for the period sets, and Kathleen Turner), there's a 54 Mercury Sun Valley featured in a few scenes, and in one you can hear the very distinctive sound of the 239.

    Except 1953 was the last year for the flathead. That 54 Merc had overhead valves. I forget what the CID was.
  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    explorerx4 said:

    @omarman,
    I didn't realize there was a Mercury version of the Super Coupe.

    Yep and funny thing was that due to the Ford corporate pricing structure an XR7 could be purchased for less than a Super Coupe with the same options!

    That craigslist XR7 needs a closer look but I can't see paying $7,500 for it. Seller's show car needs a good cleaning inside/out. No 5 speed and no leather option. The dealership where I took my test drive had both the 5-speed and auto with overdrive. I preferred the automatic but I think the market favors the 5 speed.

    And despite the seller's ad copy, it does not have a "super turbo charged v-6" engine. The XR7 and the SC shared the 3.8L supercharged and intercooled V6.

    Worse, it has aftermarket wheels and is missing some trim. Where's the side trim moldings? There should be XR7 emblems with a small "supercharged" label below the emblem on both front fenders. Missing due to re-spray or accident? Here's a pic of another XR7 I found online:




    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Yeah, I was just commenting on Ford noise. I assume a flathead was no bigger than the smallest Y block.
    isellhondas said:


    Except 1953 was the last year for the flathead. That 54 Merc had overhead valves. I forget what the CID was.

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Ford came out with the overhead V-8 in 1954 too and for that year only it had the same CID as the 53 flatheds had. The flathead had a sweet sound all of it's own and when properly tuned could idle so slowly you could watch the fan spin around. They had a tendency to burn valves and burn oil too. Vapor lock was a problem with some of them. The Y Blocks had trouble getting oil to the upper parts of the engine. Probably with more frequent oil changes and today's MUCH better oils this wouldn't have been a problem.

    Often overlooked are the Ford 6's that came out in 1952. These were tough, rugged engines that wre on a par with the V-8's!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    A
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Everybody got stuffed when Chevy came out with the first small block in 1955. Ford didn't really have a comeback until the legendary 289/302
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,825
    Shifty, didn't you make a snarky remark regarding Audis from the early '00s...?
    I mean, really? Who would not want to own this beauty for under $3:

    https://lansing.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2000-audi-a6-avant-quattro/6613984380.html

    Thanks to a recent acquisition, we're full up, and I was only very briefly tempted in any case. But that car is seriously nice for what it is. At least it's not the 2.7 biturbo... I believe this version of the stodgy 2.8 is fairly stout by the standards of the brand.

    Sure you can see where the pin is trying to wriggle out of the grenade, but look at the buttery leather!
    It's like buying yourself a hobby.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    I'd rather have the biturbo. And I'd much rather it literally be under $3. 

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    Nice car for $3k. But then a brake job, o2 sensor, plus timing belt and water pump later...and it's another $3k. But if it really was for sale at just $3...
    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well I suppose if it passed a PPI inspection, you might take a roll of the dice. But the Audi mechanic, like the house in Las Vegas, always wins eventually. The problem is that not too many Indie shops know how to work on Audis properly, and the ones that do are not afraid to charge you for their talent.

    As I may have mentioned to you--friends of mine own a top notch Porsche/Audi shop in Marin county, and their mantra is "Porsche provides our fun, Audi pays our bills".
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    Mr_Shiftright said:

    Well I suppose if it passed a PPI inspection, you might take a roll of the dice. But the Audi mechanic, like the house in Las Vegas, always wins eventually. The problem is that not too many Indie shops know how to work on Audis properly, and the ones that do are not afraid to charge you for their talent.

    As I may have mentioned to you--friends of mine own a top notch Porsche/Audi shop in Marin county, and their mantra is "Porsche provides our fun, Audi pays our bills".

    Then I can't overestimate the value of having a local specialized expert Audi shop that doesn't overcharge, overtime their labor, or do unnecessary repairs. They are also fast at doing jobs that might take others longer (due to lack of experience on Audi's), and they charge less accordingly.

    Rather than gouge for their talents, they have a different business model, and I like it. I hope they keep growing and adding and training more techs like the ones they already have.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well they charge however long it takes. If they have to spend an extra hour getting a stuck bolt off, then that's what it will cost you. If it takes them all day to get a transmission out of an Audi A8 because that's how Audi put it in, then that's what it will cost you.

    And a good specialized shop isn't going to cut corners. If it takes $4,000 to properly repair a $3,000 used Audi, then it's up to you what you want to do.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    Mr_Shiftright said:

    Well they charge however long it takes. If they have to spend an extra hour getting a stuck bolt off, then that's what it will cost you. If it takes them all day to get a transmission out of an Audi A8 because that's how Audi put it in, then that's what it will cost you.

    And a good specialized shop isn't going to cut corners. If it takes $4,000 to properly repair a $3,000 used Audi, then it's up to you what you want to do.

    Unless you get a previous "quote" for something like a Big Brake Kit install. Then it isn't on the customer if Brembo sends them parts that don't fit (assuming you let them buy the Brembos with their markup and didn't supply the parts yourself).

    Also what of the "book rates" for labor. Don't they have published "hours" for every type of common job? I'm thinking they can be beat at times. Should the tech "pocket" all the profit from finishing fast?

    If someone knows what they are doing and have run into a common problem on your model of Audi, they are likely to spend less time fixing it than someone that works on an Audi once a year and doesn't know what DSG oil is.

    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The shops I know intimately don't do flat rate except for routine work like oil changes or pre purchase inspections, where the amount of labor is known by heart. So they charge you whatever time it takes to do the job. Naturally, after doing 1,000 clutches on an Audi, they have this pretty much figured out, so their quotes would be fairly accurate. But you know, things come up all the time---especially with electronics.


  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    isellhondas said:
    How about this 1963 Chevrolet Impala I saw at Spring Carlisle? Not much left of the trunk.
    Actually, that's a 1962! A can of rubbing compound and a couple of headlights and you're set!
    If those had the same x frame as the 61 I had, I'd worry about it too.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    This is some quick thinking.
    https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-toyota-camry-le/6618223717.html
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    Country was built by entrapuneurs.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well a hit and run driver in Hartford....what a surprise....
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @Mr_Shiftright,
    Yeah, no kidding.
    They just started making LimeBikes available.
    No way I would ride one of those in Htfd.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    imidazol97 said:


    isellhondas said:

    lemko said:



    How about this 1963 Chevrolet Impala I saw at Spring Carlisle? Not much left of the trunk.

    Actually, that's a 1962! A can of rubbing compound and a couple of headlights and you're set!

    If those had the same x frame as the 61 I had, I'd worry about it too.

    They do!
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    I took a shot of these little Rabbit cabrios when I was visiting my home town last weekend. Not that there is much value in them, but it seemed a shame to me that one of them was sitting there fully exposed to the weather (presumably, for some time as well).


    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It's the fate of cars with little value. A new top for that VW is expensive if you have a shop do it. Even if you just buy the top and have it shipped to you, it's around $450. Headliner is another $250, hydraulic ram $150. You could run up a $1500 bill no problem if you have to pay for labor. All that for a $2000 car (at best).
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited June 2018
    Temps well into the mid 80s here, plenty of sun - just hot enough for the glassy old car to become an oven - time to go for a drive. This time, a rear view:



    Got a number of comments from passersby about the year, mileage, etc. Ran as nicely as one could hope, but a few times I noticed some exhaust smell, either I was downwind of myself, or there's a leak.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    fintail said:

    Temps well into the mid 80s here, plenty of sun - just hot enough for the glassy old car to become an oven - time to go for a drive. This time, a rear view:



    Got a number of comments from passersby about the year, mileage, etc. Ran as nicely as one could hope, but a few times I noticed some exhaust smell, either I was downwind of myself, or there's a leak.

    Are you smog exempt in Washington State (due to the car's age?). I know CA allows old cars to be "grandfathered" in, so to speak.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    My car predates the most primitive smog pumps by several years, no worries there. WA has a a 25 year rule for emissions testing.
    '
    andres3 said:


    Are you smog exempt in Washington State (due to the car's age?). I know CA allows old cars to be "grandfathered" in, so to speak.

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    California is 1975 and older, to be exempt, or a diesel older than 1998 or with a GVW over 14,000 lbs. Also motorcycles are exempt.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    xwesx said:

    I took a shot of these little Rabbit cabrios when I was visiting my home town last weekend. Not that there is much value in them, but it seemed a shame to me that one of them was sitting there fully exposed to the weather (presumably, for some time as well).


    A couple of "lunchboxes"! Handles and all!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    fintail said:

    Temps well into the mid 80s here, plenty of sun - just hot enough for the glassy old car to become an oven - time to go for a drive. This time, a rear view:



    Got a number of comments from passersby about the year, mileage, etc. Ran as nicely as one could hope, but a few times I noticed some exhaust smell, either I was downwind of myself, or there's a leak.

    Might have been something you ate?

    Did you go to Fenders on Front Street yesterday? We were there! Too hot!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I'd hope that wouldn't smell like fintail exhaust B)

    I just cruised around town. It was pretty hot in the old car by afternoon, windows down kind of day, definitely.

    Regarding the cabrio, I am more familiar with them being called a certain type of "basket".
    isellhondas said:


    Might have been something you ate?

    Did you go to Fenders on Front Street yesterday? We were there! Too hot!

  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    I've never seen a $100K project Falcon for sale before.

    '63 Falcon Ranchero. According to seller it's an older "build" project from 1990 "Overhaulin'." Not enough pics but still can see some paint/body ding issues.

    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    omarman said:

    I've never seen a $100K project Falcon for sale before.

    '63 Falcon Ranchero. According to seller it's an older "build" project from 1990 "Overhaulin'." Not enough pics but still can see some paint/body ding issues.

    Wow! Seems like quite the optimistic price. Even if he knocked the '1' off the front of that, I suspect he would still be optimistic by a fair margin.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    he is insane.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    I HAVE to think he accidentally added a zero

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    omarman said:

    I've never seen a $100K project Falcon for sale before.

    '63 Falcon Ranchero. According to seller it's an older "build" project from 1990 "Overhaulin'." Not enough pics but still can see some paint/body ding issues.

    Well Hagerty Price Guide, which is quite generous, rates a #1 Pebble Beach, pristine, q-tips in the tire-treads, mirror finish, better-than-new, jewel-like, 100 point Show Car at $25,000.

    Sooooo, I would hope he meant $13,500 asking and about $10K--$11K take price.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    Mr_Shiftright said:

    omarman said:

    I've never seen a $100K project Falcon for sale before.

    '63 Falcon Ranchero. According to seller it's an older "build" project from 1990 "Overhaulin'." Not enough pics but still can see some paint/body ding issues.

    Well Hagerty Price Guide, which is quite generous, rates a #1 Pebble Beach, pristine, q-tips in the tire-treads, mirror finish, better-than-new, jewel-like, 100 point Show Car at $25,000.

    Sooooo, I would hope he meant $13,500 asking and about $10K--$11K take price.
    AHAH! I slashed the wrong end of the figure. Makes a lot more sense at your number. However, as much as he was touting the history, maybe he really does think that provenance counts for that much...? LOL
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,547
    fold....


    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    Pretty impressive growth considering it is inside the cabin. Seems like it makes for a decent greenhouse at least.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,107
    But that horn rim's gotta be worth $$$!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    By the looks of the dash, I will guess it is a later run W110 car. Still some trim to be saved, no doubt.
  • berriberri Member Posts: 10,165
    Does it have three on the tree B)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    There also may be a four coming up through the floor :)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Does Snap-On sell weed whackers?

    I can just hear the owner now: "No! It's not for sale! I'm gonna restore it when I get a chance!"
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    xwesx said:

    Mr_Shiftright said:

    omarman said:

    I've never seen a $100K project Falcon for sale before.

    '63 Falcon Ranchero. According to seller it's an older "build" project from 1990 "Overhaulin'." Not enough pics but still can see some paint/body ding issues.

    Well Hagerty Price Guide, which is quite generous, rates a #1 Pebble Beach, pristine, q-tips in the tire-treads, mirror finish, better-than-new, jewel-like, 100 point Show Car at $25,000.

    Sooooo, I would hope he meant $13,500 asking and about $10K--$11K take price.
    AHAH! I slashed the wrong end of the figure. Makes a lot more sense at your number. However, as much as he was touting the history, maybe he really does think that provenance counts for that much...? LOL
    "Overhaulin'" strikes me as pretty bad provenance--slamming a car together in a week.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    I think they switched to 2 week builds. But they seem to come out nice.

    that Ranchero was not even an overhaulin car (from the show). Just something built by a metal guy that later on was part of the show.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    You just can't properly "restore" a car in two weeks. I mean, it'll run and look okay, but it's too rushed--all kinds of problems, noises, mistakes will come up.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    apparently Chip Foose can. Though it would be interesting to see one at the end and give it a good inspection.

    my assumption is that they make it all pretty for the reveal, then after the cameras are off, it goes back in to take care of all those final details and adjustments.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Maybe so. Given how painstaking an actual "restoration" is, involving over...perhaps...2000 or more man hours, I just don't see how you are going to end up with a really reliable, rattle-free, trouble-free result.

    I guess the old adage of "God is in the details" applies here. I really doubt Chip Foose is going to spend the time to remove two vent windows, re-chrome the frames, have new glass cut and custom-make the rubber seals, as well as restoring the wing-locks, then precisely aligning the vent window frames so they work perfectly with the power windows.

    No, he's going to just clean 'em up and not touch them. On a TV camera from 10 feet, they will look great.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles