Help for a beginner

I'm a junior in High School and my dad is lending me some money to get a classic car and fix it up. I already have a car to drive so I'm not worried about finishing it quickly as this is more of a project to teach me to be independent and make budget-conscious decisions. I haven't talked the specifics but he was thinking about 20k (which is more than I was expecting) as my budget and I wanted some advice on a good classic car to work on and if I decide to sell it at the end I want to be able to pay my dad back.

Buy what you like, not what you think will turn a profit. Don't buy a rusty car! Paint and bodywork costs many times more than mechanical repairs and is much harder for the novice to master. Stick with the major brands (MG, Triumph, BMW, Big 3 US makes) for both parts availability and resale ease.

Easiest cars to restore that also have immense popularity: Ford Mustang, MGB, BMW 2002.

Your dad is AWESOME!!!!

You seem to have your head on straight which is a very refreshing thing to see in today's youth. Ah, ma hip...

You should check this out and see what tickles your fancy. Maybe get your dad's input as well, see what he'd like to take on father/son trips to car shows, swap meets, etc...

I hope some day to do for my kids what your dad is doing for you.

Classic pickup trucks are coming up in value fast, and they are pretty basic to work on/understand. OPG has everything you could ever want for most of the popular models.

I'd also suggest picking something you want to restore/build. If you get something just for possible resale down the road you will lose interest and probably never finish the project. If there is a car you and your dad can both agree to build and he will help do projects, go that route.

$20k is like 40 cars, right?

pinchvalve wrote: Classic pickup trucks are coming up in value fast, and they are pretty basic to work on/understand. OPG has everything you could ever want for most of the popular models.

First, I'm shocked Pinchey didn't suggest a Kia Rondo.
Second, I fully agree with this. Find a classic pickup without too much rust. That would be badass.

I agree with everything that has been posted.

Avoid rust, trucks are a good idea, your Dad is awesome.

One other thought...

It sounds like Dad is trying to encourage you to do something really worthwhile by not limiting your budget very much. I think that is great, but I also recognize everyone is limited by their experiences on a first try.

I would suggest you counter Dad's offer and suggest $8000. This is a solid budget for a first effort, but it will limit your ability to make bad decisions. You will force yourself to learn some good skills and make wise choices- you won't be able to hire someone to do everything, or buy all the blingy parts you can find.

Plus, Dad will respect your approach.

Then, after completing project #1 and enjoying it for a while, sell it. Maybe you will make a little (especially if you make good decisions).

THEN ask Dad for the $12K remaining, for project #2. Add it to the proceeds from project #1.

You will learn a lot, you will get a better product in project #2 (because you will have some experience), and you will earn some giant brownie points with Dad.

$20K is a big budget for a first project.

I agree with SVreX. Also, can I come over and play?

Does anyone else think these posters with contrived, specific questions are bloggers and/or automotive journalists fishing for ideas to flesh out a story?

More likely just trolling and hoping to stir up E36 M3. I don't see what bloggers or journalists will get out of anyone here. His post is on topic, so I'll play nice and see what comes of him.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Yeah, I think sometimes they are just another form of spammer trying to get in our good graces before they start dumping movies, kitchens, and Viagra on us.

It's on topic. I'll play.

Junior in high school nowadays has the attention span of a gnat so probably forgot about his post here or he didn't get the answer/reply he was looking for. Maybe dad squashed the idea or he figured out that it will be work and he won't be able to get rich like the auctions can make you believe.

In reply to wlkelley3:

I'm still waiting to see the Jalopnik article "How To Restore A Classic As Your First Car For Only $20k!!"

Maybe I should start creating new accounts for new show topics.

ddavidv wrote: Buy what you like, not what you think will turn a profit.

This is really, really important. At some point in the work, you are going to get stuck- be it motivation, studies, lack of parts, cold weather, whatever. You want to find a car that you not just like, but are passionate about.

Don't get a BMW because they are popular performance cars with certain groups, get it because it's an awesome car, and a version of that you really like. Don't get a Mustang for it's drag racing performance, get it because you think it's a cool car.

With that kind of budget, the kinds of project cars you can get is immense. I just saw some Alfa GTV's that are really good projects, that can be finished in your budget.

Open or closed car?
5, 4, 3, 2 doors?
3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 cyls?
Asian, US, European?

ddavidv suggets some easier cars to restore. And while it's very valid, bear in mind that all cars have some kind of forum out there to support you. Find some books and thumb through them to get an idea of what you want.

The internet at my house was not working for the whole week (and this site is blocked at my school, sadly) so I just read all of the things you guys had to say today. And I definitely agree with megadork when you said I shouldn't use the whole budget. I understood the whole time that I wasn't going to become rich from restoring a single car, Superdork. I know posting in this thread is sort of irrelevant but I felt that it was pertinent to show that not every person of the younger generations can be rightfully represented as having the "attention span of a gnat".

Welcome back, Bryce!

Those "dork names" on this site based on our post counts. The more you post, the bigger the dork you are.

Our screen names are printed right in front of the dork name titles.

I'll be looking forward to hearing more about your project!

In reply to bryce9134:

Not an irrelevant topic at all. I think the response has shown there is interest as well as a lot of knowledge to be shared and gained.

bryce9134 wrote: I'm a junior in High School and my dad is lending me some money to get a classic car and fix it up. I already have a car to drive so I'm not worried about finishing it quickly as this is more of a project to teach me to be independent and make budget-conscious decisions. I haven't talked the specifics but he was thinking about 20k (which is more than I was expecting) as my budget and I wanted some advice on a good classic car to work on and if I decide to sell it at the end I want to be able to pay my dad back.

About 5 years ago I went through this same thing. My dad owns a classic car shop so that's what I grew up around. He gave me a rusty old 1980 ford fiesta to restore and I had a blast and learned a lot doing it. With that said, as a 15 year old my abilities were very limited and I didn't always makes the best car related decisions. Luckily that was a sub 1000 dollar car so it didn't really hurt me. Had I done that with 20k dollars I'd still be kicking myself. I've since moved on to new projects and can apply everything I've learned from my first projects

With that said I vote Fiat 124! Cheap, parts and knowledge everywhere, and a decent market for them when you decide to move up

In reply to fiesta54:

You obviously don't live in the South.

I don't think there is an Italian car part within 500 miles of where I live!

Important question, what kind of cars are you interested in?

American Musclecar (pick a decade as well)

Sportscar?

Japenese car?

What country of cars do you like?

What do you want out of it? Learning to what? (be as specific as you can)

If you were to use the car, what would it be used for?

The answers there can help us to help you.

SVreX wrote: In reply to fiesta54: You obviously don't live in the South. I don't think there is an Italian car part within 500 miles of where I live!

I'm in VA so about halfway. It sucks because I like to feel unique in my red 124 until I pass two other red 124s in a day! Maybe Richmond is vintage friendly