What should I do?

Ok heres the deal ive saved up a little cash so that i can buy me a project car. I have found 2 that I really lik ebut I dont know the first thing about looking for a good project car .Ok the first car is a 78 vette, the guy said it had a r code engine whatever that is. It has no body damage the engine sounds good, it needs a new paint joba and some serious interior work. and the other car is a 70 gto which is in the same condition. the lady said it had a 400 in it. ok what allshould i look for when looking for problems and which would yall choose

Biggest thing to worry about is RUST... get under that GTO and look hard at the frame... they like to rust above and behind the rear wheels, and behind the front wheels.
Engines really don't matter, as either can be built or replaced to whatever you like.

I'd personally take the GTO, if they were in the same condition.... Repo parts are easy to get for boath... although.. probably cheaper for the GTO. Plus, you can fit more of your friends in the GTO... it can be made to handle just as good as the vette.

Both are cool cars.... I'd go with the best looker. I'm just partial to Muscle cars. But I'd drive a Vette with no problems:biggrin:

Ok heres the news, after looking both cars over again i havent really found any rust, and i drove them both and there are some major differences. It feels like the gto has alot more power and goes faster, but the vette will accelerate faster. Im still not sure one of my friends told me that the gto would be a better investment and that he knows where we can get some parts really cheap. I think im gonna go with the gto ill post some pics of it as soon as i get it.

Well, of course the GTO will be faster. A 400ci Pontiac motor will haul ass, whereas a smogged-out chevy small block from the late 70s is going to be pretty anemic. Thats not to say you cant improve on the vette's motor, but I'd go with the Pontiac. the Vette wont rust, though, so If you cant do bodywork and you think you might need to on the GTO, you might want to go with the vette

Tough choice.
Pay special attention to the frame of the Vette. This is where they go; frame rust is common in older, cheaper Vettes, especially around the rear suspension.

Also the Vette body is fiberglass. Look for accident damage and poor repairs on the INSIDE of the Vette body panels. Signs of recent, bad repairs can mean cracking fiberglass and additional repairs later.

Working with fiberglass is in many ways easier than steel panels, but messier, and more hazardous.

All things being equal, the Vette will be more expensive to fix because it is a more complicated and rare design, especially in brake and suspension work.
However, this really depends on what is wrong with each car. It might be an idea to make a list of the work required and try to price them out based on internet parts prices.
The GTO layout is more simple, roomy and easier to fix.
The GTO would be an easier car to live with, it actually has room for luggage and passengers.
The Vette would be a better driving experience, especially for high performance handling and braking.

Personally, if this was to be my only car, the GTO is better.

However, if I already had a decent, reasonably roomy car for daily driving trips, I would take the Vette hands down.

Before you think I am biased to the Vette, please note that I own a '69 GTO.

If it were my choice and both cars being in roughly the same condition. No brainer, the GTO! Actually, the only way I would take the vette would be if it was in far better condition. The GTO would be easier to find parts for, parts would be cheaper, and it would be easier to work on. My father was a mechanic for a GM dealership and most of the mechanics referred to Corvettes as "PIGS" to work on. And besides, the GTO is the car that started the musclecar craze. LONG LIVE THE MUSCLECAR!!! :)

My '70 GTO "Judge" would stomp a small block Corvette in any kind of race. That includes "road racing". When equipped with the factory "handling package", a '70 is one of the better handling muscle cars ever.
When combined with a powerful Pontiac engine, very tough to beat regardless of what you're running against.
And the look? A '70 is considered one of the "meanest" looking cars ever.
Collector value is very high right now, too. The late '70s Corvettes aren't nearly as popular. Now, late '60s/early '70s 'vettes are awesome cars! Especially big block cars. Not as good in the corners, but brutal in a straight line!

Jim

I agree with MrPbody. The 70 GTO is one of the best looking cars of that era. I was hoping to find a 68-70 GTO when I was looking for an old car. GTO's are pretty scarce around here. I looked at a 69 that was total junk and a 71 455HO that needed far too much work for the asking price. Anyhow, I can't complain, I found a great Nova and I got the sleeper thing covered. The late 70's vettes weren't that great performance wise. I know a guy that had one, and all he'd ever see would be my tail lights. And the 50 foot black marks in front of his house ("not from the vette"). Anyhow his vette is gone now (sold), but I still got my Nova!!! I guess the vette wasn't all it was cracked up to be. What I'm trying to get at is don't get misled by the "Vette" name. Yes they are nice and are a good performing car, but there are lots of cars that will perform as well or better than a vette. I guess you just need to weigh your options. I am a little biased though, because I always wanted a GTO. Ram air hood, big spoiler on the back, and the judge decals, Maybe in Orbit Orange. Lottsa flash and lottsa muscle to back it up. It don't get much better than that! Oh well, good luck in deciding. Hope I didn't sway your decision... "MUCH". Let us know how you make out. :)

No such thing as a"R" code 'Vette.

And parts will be three times more expensive just because they bolt to a 'Vette instead of a Camaro.

Not to mention 'Vettes are a complete PITA to work on.