If you’re capable of installing a purchased ATK crate engine into whatever it is and able to perform the w/e needed adjustments like motormounts,crossmember alignment,fuel delivery,wiring harness,cooling system,transmission, or any steering or suspension work then you’d very likely be able to restore something to drive ability for nowhere near that type of money. It’s just takes a lot of spare time and taking things slowly and learning to be patient. But if you’re looking to pay someone than no.
oh lol hell no my friend, I have almost zero knowledge when it comes to body work, and I know enough about engines to make me dangerous, but I wouldn’t even begin to start a restoration without someone who knew what they were doing leading the way. I’d be paying a pro to do the work for sure.
To be truthfully honest, a lot of this stuff isn’t nearly as hard as it appears to.someone with zero experience. It’s not like need to be a 2100 chess player to assemble a long block or use bondo especially with the help of the internet and forums. It’s also quite enjoyable and rewarding even when you get things wrong which you will. Paying someone just seems criminal but I’m kind of old school there.
1 Like
I’m sure I’d be totally into it but like I don’t even have the garage space to pull it off, or the tools. I’d have to invest maybe a grand in tools just to get started I’d imagine
It depends on the level of restoration you’re going for. That guy in the Hagerty article said they’re charging $135/hr for concours with 4,000 to 5,000 hours of work. Obviously that’s totally ridiculous but a $15k frame-off resto is probably not going to be great quality. I’d think long and hard about what level of quality you’re willing to pay for, but more importantly familiarize yourself with the difference between good and bad work. I’ve read plenty of horror stories about people paying top dollar to shops that really have no fucking idea what they’re doing, which is going to be a lot more common than elite shops undercharging you (probably never happens).
Anecdotal data point: I recently got body work from an independent shop and slightly-above-the-cheapest Maaco metallic paint job on a 1986 GMC Suburban. It was $1200 for the body work and about $1700 for the paint job. Wasn’t really looking for some sweet cherry red paint job, just a basic one to get it back to it’s original color. Not in it to resell at some massive markup, even though I’m very confident it would sell for more than has been spent on it.
It turned out pretty good, all things considered. There are some issues with the body work if you were to look close in certain spots. It was a fleet vehicle for a local school that we bought in an auction and it was pretty rough. I would imagine if I spent a lot more money it would look better, but ultimately I just didn’t want it to look like a piece of shit rolling down the road.
5 Likes
The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has a turbo 3.3L inline 6 option with 340 hp (!) that pulls 23/28/25 fuel economy splits.
1 Like
The market is still totally fucked in July 2023. I’ve combed hundreds of listings over the past several months and only even looked at a handful of vehicles in person that met my initial criteria. All of them were trash and I wouldn’t have bought them at any price. Many Toyota stealerships have bare lots and still quote prices above MSRP. The markups on some of these models put them a few thousand away from an equivalent Lexus.
2014 Toyota Highlander Limited
140,000 miles
No service records after 2017
$22,500 average price paid
I think you should avoid Toyota and Honda and see what new cars you might like from Hyundai, Kia, Ford, etc.
I was able to get an Elantra $300 under MSRP in January when I gave up on waiting for a Prius to be priced reasonably. I had to wait 6 weeks for it to be delivered to the dealer, but otherwise it went fine.
If you’re looking more up market, the Volvo near me had plenty of supply of pretty much everything and seemed willing to deal.
I’m reluctant to buy anything that isn’t Lexus / Toyota. Part of that is the unmatched reliability, but it’s also due to dealership proximity. The only dealership that’s actually close to me that I “trust” is Toyota. I have an independent mechanic too, but sometimes you need the dealership’s services.
Things are bad now because people aren’t making the stupid mistake of trading way too early to get the latest model with the biggest iPad glued to the dash. I could always find absolute gems before covid, but it’s slim pickings today. Considered a Mazda CX-5 for a while but the cracked cylinder head issue spooked me. Luckily I have a Honda I can drive until winter, so hopefully something pops up.
I brought my Bolt EUV in for service yesterday (tire rotation and wiper fluid!), and I was talking to one of the salesmen. They had just sold a Corvette Z06 for $75k(!) over MSRP. Sticker was $122k, somebody paid $200k for it.
He said he’s sending out a lot of people with $1500/mo car payments. Doesn’t seem sustainable to me, but I don’t see prices dropping. I’m casually looking for a 3/4 ton truck and can’t find anything at the amount i"m willing to pay.
2 Likes
I love it. I looked at a 1985 a few days before acquiring this peach
Anyway I love the square chevys
8 Likes
LOL wat
1 Like
That’s a “fair” price on 7/13/2023 not joking.
Toyota supply is still super short. They seemed to be least prepared for the covid supply chain disruptions. You’re not going to get a good deal until your dealer’s lot fills up again.
One month update on your Bolt EUV thoughts? My moms car (2006 Ford Escape Hybrid) died last week and needs like $4k in repairs. I’m looking at options for her to buy something new, she wants an EV, and this seems to be one of the more reasonably priced options. She’s concerned it will be too small for her, but if I can get her past that I think it might be a good fit.
Yes big problem. It’s weird though because Lexus seems to have tons of stock, yet plenty of people are paying Lexus prices for new Toyotas that slowly trickle onto lots. A RAV4 Limited with dealer markup would get you into an RX or fairly loaded NX and maybe some of the hybrids.
I’ve had a bolt euv since december if you want my thoughts…