Best Muscle Car for Beginner

Thanks. I am in Raleigh. I can go up to 5 hours away.

Coldsnap wrote: So I have made a google reader with an RSS for Nova in the big towns around from me. Might play the patient game if I don't like the Duster. I can always take an Amtrak train for $30 and drive whatever i buy home. Trying to think of other filters to add for cars with like bodies.

The other three you want are the Oldsmobile Omega, the Pontiac Ventura, and the Buick Apollo. (NovaOmegaVenturaApollo ) They are all identical bodies, interiors, and suspensions with minor trim differences like grills, lights, and emblems. The non-Nova's could be had with their parent V8's (Buick 350, Pontiac 350, and the Olds 350 IIRC) but a lot of them will have the Chevy V8 swapped in already (and IIRC, the factory went "corporate" with them all sharing the same Chevy 350 before the stop of production, too).

You guys sure this isn't worth $4,000 dollars? They said they would take 4k. Sure its a 4 door but its what you guys would call cherry, even has the original wheels. With this I can have my v8 and in an awesome condition.

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3481165474.html

In reply to Coldsnap:

Absolutely, 100%, categorically, not-gonna-tell-you-again, POSITIVE. It's a 307, which is the worst SBC V8, it's a 4-door, and it's overpriced.

Okay okay gotcha. Seems like all the 2 doors near me are real beat up, 1974+ model dogs, or around $6000

I would watch the market for a while. Don't buy right away and something will come up. I would avoid the 307 though. I wouldn't personally be opposed to a 4 door if you like it but I would pay less for 4 door though.

Not to start this debate, but if the "right Nova" came along and the only issue is a 307, I'd buy. Because Vortec heads will fix a lot of the issues with that thing and it's still got better borexstroke dimensions for performance. Not sure what compression would be like but 305's can made okay numbers with Vortec heads, 307's should do better yet.

bravenrace wrote: I'm no expert, but for instance to see everything made in the 1960's under $5000 you'd just put in 196* and a max price of $5000 and you get everything that fits that description. Sorry, I haven't read this whole thread, but where are you located and how far are you willing to go for a car?

Thats exactly what I did......BTW braven, want a $4k bagged custom falcon wagon?

Edit:I'm pretty sure that '64 caddy went through Mecum last year as a drug seizure car. ......lol

Javelin wrote: This Black 72 Monte Carlo has a lot going for it, too.

hells yes! i love those cars without vinyl top. that is a great price if it's not a total rustbucket, and without a vinyl top there's a whole lot less rust potential around the back window and into the trunk.

i had a '72, dad gave it to me in '84 for HS graduation. had 123k when i got it, original engine spun a bearing at 213k and i built a 383 for it. at 257k i junked the rusted hulk and all the good chassis and powertrain parts went into my '66 cutlass convertible.

Coldsnap wrote: You guys sure this isn't worth $4,000 dollars? They said they would take 4k. Sure its a 4 door but its what you guys would call cherry, even has the original wheels. With this I can have my v8 and in an awesome condition. http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/3481165474.html

I guess am the only one who actually thinks the 70 Nova 4-door is an ok (but not great) buy at $4k. For most of the cars mentioned in this thread the very early 70's models will always be way ahead of the later 70's cars in value. In other words, I think that being a 1970 is enough to overcome being a 307 equipped four-door.

Of course this assumes that the car is TRULY CHERRY, which includes being absoluletely rust-free. In fact, I would go so far as to say the answer to this thread is "the one with the least rust."

Man you guys are going to be pissed at me but I'm heavily considering the 4 door 1970 Nova for around $3,400 cash.. For three reasons my friend said:

1) Two owners, neither of whom appear to have berkeleyed with it. Original rims and paint indicate that this car has been maintained.
2) It's a lower-feature model. The original owner did not buy this to impress anybody. I'll bet you real money that the rings and valvetrain in this are in way better shape than on the other one.
3) That 307 can be built or straight up replaced when you want to.

Warning, personal opinion below!

I do not consider anything with four doors a muscle car.

They can be built, I've seen a few I would consider badass.

If it's a four door it's not a muscle car.

I see what you mean but for my budget it seems like I'm not going to be able to get a real muscle car anyways. Most these cars with V8s seems like they need to be at least built up to become a muscle car... some even only have a v6 or slant 6.

Coldsnap wrote: Man you guys are going to be pissed at me but I'm heavily considering the 4 door 1970 Nova for around $3,400 cash.. For three reasons my friend said: 1) Two owners, neither of whom appear to have berkeleyed with it. Original rims and paint indicate that this car has been maintained. 2) It's a lower-feature model. The original owner did not buy this to impress anybody. I'll bet you real money that the rings and valvetrain in this are in way better shape than on the other one. 3) That 307 can be built or straight up replaced when you want to.

Dude, you don't have to impress anybody here. It's your money and if you like the car then go for it. It does look like nobody has ever really messed with the car and that is a really nice thing to have. I've dealt with enough stupid modifications and crappy repaints to appreciate an original car.

I'm sure the 307 won't set any dragstrip records but that doesn't mean it can't be fun or at worst replaced. Cut your automotive teeth on that 307, then step up to a 383 stroker later.

I'm not big on the 4 door body style, but growing up I saw plenty of guys sport 'em who were short on cash but wanted a Nova. Throw some torq thrust wheels on it and it'll look a lot better.

Whatever you do, listen to yourself and do what makes YOU happy. Don't waste your money on a car you don't at least like.

Coldsnap wrote: Man you guys are going to be pissed at me but I'm heavily considering the 4 door 1970 Nova for around $3,400 cash.. For three reasons my friend said: 1) Two owners, neither of whom appear to have berkeleyed with it. Original rims and paint indicate that this car has been maintained. 2) It's a lower-feature model. The original owner did not buy this to impress anybody. I'll bet you real money that the rings and valvetrain in this are in way better shape than on the other one. 3) That 307 can be built or straight up replaced when you want to.

If it is the car you want. Buy it. I mean even if you lose some money on it in the long run if you enjoy it then it will be worth it.

Gotcha. I like the idea of cutting my teeth on something I like, also 4 door means extra room for more girls. I counter offered his with $3,200 and worte a pretty good email as to why I'm offering him that.. If he bites I will be driving it home monday!

I want to give a shout out to everyone in the thread who has helped me / shared their opinions / information. I learned a ton in 2 days.

For some reason I've seen two 307's eat cam lobes. One in a 70' Chevelle and one in a 70' Nova. I seem to remember someone telling me it was a common problem with them in that year. Not trying to scare you of of it just something I've seen.

For what it's worth I would pay a little extra for an original unmolested car. If it checks out good on the rust front I'd be comfortable with $3400 for that car. But if he bites at $3200 even better.

Before spending your cash on the Nova, make sure the underside of that car is every bit as solid as the top. If it has the vinyl floor covering instead of carpets (this was common in lower level trim packages), the floors could be rusted out. I'd hate to see you get it and need to put floors in it.

Otherwise it's a more-door Nova. It can be fun. Any suspension/brake/drivetrain upgrades that work on a 2-door work on it. Honestly it would make a great sleeper. Leave the 307 badges on the fenders. Keep a 307 decal on the air cleaner and stuff a 383 under it. Use some big quiet mufflers and go have fun.

Even at that price the 3k '66 was a better deal.

Conversely, if you wanted to troll the muscle car guys in your area, I think this would do it.....
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/3468979291.html

'49 Chebby coupe with a 455 in it.....appears solid.

Coldsnap wrote: Gotcha. I like the idea of cutting my teeth on something I like, also 4 door means extra room for more girls. I counter offered his with $3,200 and worte a pretty good email as to why I'm offering him that.. If he bites I will be driving it home monday! I want to give a shout out to everyone in the thread who has helped me / shared their opinions / information. I learned a ton in 2 days.

Markets vary with geographical area, but in my area $3200 for that car is a good deal if it's as nice as it seems. I would also prefer a 307 of that vintage over any small block made in the mid to late 70's, so don't worry about that. Plus, if you want to upgrade later you can bolt in any other small block. In any case, you are way ahead starting with the 307 instead of a 6 cylinder car, which would likely need other upgrades that the 307 car doesn't.
And while the 4 door may not be as good as a 2 door, it's not priced like one either. Nice four doors are just starting to go up in value as the coupes and wagons get priced out of reach for some, so in my opinion the timing is right, as long as that's what you want.

Also I would take a magnet to check any areas that look off for bondo. And check the floors really well. Rust repair in my opinion isn't the worst thing in the world but if you are just starting you don't want to have to mess with it.

Thanks for the info. I'm still thinking it out and still shoping around.

Are Falcon Futura any good? http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3548844322.html

In reply to Coldsnap:

Looks good to me!

Coldsnap wrote: Thanks for the info. I'm still thinking it out and still shoping around. Are Falcon Futura any good? http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3548844322.html

Depending on what they mean by "paint and body work", that could be a pretty good deal. IF it is in decent shape cosmetically (hard to tell from that picture), it would make a neat ride. Just be aware, paint and body work are a bit of a black art compared to mechanical work. It's generally easier to teach yourself the mechanics than to do body work, and if you want somebody else to fix the body and paint it, you're going to spend a lot of money.

Datsun1500 wrote: That 4 door has value because it is a one family owned car. When you buy it, that value is lost. When you go to sell it, it's just a 4 door with the wrong motor.

I actually thought about this when I woke up. Realized immediately if I bought it it would just be a four door owned by some dude now..

Do you guys think I should be worried about driving the 4 door 3 1/2 hours home? It will mostly be on an interstate.. I don't want to end up dead in a ditch because the original tire blew out at 60 mph.