what year should I get?

[Philly325i]

I have $3000 to get a car and I was wondering if anyone can help me. I don't know what year/make should I get that would be in my price range. Im looking to fix it up and hopefully race it 1/4m mostly street legal. In advance I would like to thank anyone for any advise they can give me.

[SkylineUSA]

Well, you can pick up a Fox for that price. Or find an old 60's coupe that needs to be rebuilt. I like the older ones. I like Pintos as well I am not joking, they are like the red heads step child of the Ford family, but this brat kid will kick all your other kids butts, when you leave the house

[351wStang]

I've seen a few badass pintos. Theres one around here that just thinks he is bad though , I'll be hunting for him in a couple weeks .

Back on topic, you have $3k to buy & build a car? That wony get you very far, how fast are you trying to go? I'd say try to find a decent 5.0 LX hatch 5spd car, may get one for $2500 or so in decent shape. Then add gears, exhaust, and save up some more money.

[KENNETH HUBBARD46]

Look for a nice clean fox body Mustang

[SkylineUSA]

Don't buy the first thing you see. Its a game, trust me. If its the best Stang you have seen, and in your price range, don't let the seller know that

[Philly325i]

$3000 to get a car. I can really spend as much as i need fixing it up it'll just take awhile ( I make like $300 a month just for parts i only have $1000 save right now)

[351wStang]

Your best bet would be to really shop around. Dont stop for the first car you see. Keep looking until you find the car you want that is in your price range. You can get a clean fox for $3k. The motor may have 120k miles on it but the body/interior should be pretty good, maybe the interior could use a good clean. Also make sure everything is in working order. Anything you find not working or not working well use to haggle the price down. If the tires arent good, the brakes are old, ect ect get the best car you can for $3k, you wont regret it. I wish I had bought a car in a little better condition then mine was. I had to rewire the whole thing ect. I'd say you will find a 5.0 LX hatchback car the cheapest. The GT's and coupes are the most popular.

[giddyup50]

For $3,000 an 87-93 Fox body Mustang just like Sky and 351 said will be your best bet. Don't waste time getting a 4cyl 87-93 or a V6 94 or newer car thinking you can do "just a simple engine swap". You have to swap out ALOT more than just the engine. You'll spend more money and time than it's worth. Make sure you get a 5.0. For $3,000 you can still find a decent 5.0. Just look in you local paper or local trading papers like Deals on Wheels or The Tradin Post, papers like that will help you get a good idea of what the cars are going for and in what kind of shape you should expect. When you get all the info on a car (year, miles, LX or GT, coupe or conv. and condition) go to NADA.com, to see what the car should go for. NADA is what the banks go buy. Some people will try to show you Kelley Blue Book value instead because it shows a higher price (good for the seller, not for the buyer). Kelley is not bad, it will still give you a good idea of what the car is worth. Don't forget, these cars are getting hard to find. So, if it's in good shape and clean/low miles, it may go for more than book.