Itching for a new car project
 

It has been years now that I have really dug into a car. The 993 is oil change / brake pad material (knock on wood) since I had it. The family trucks all are holding up just fine with an alternator or waterpump being the most exciting stuff to repair for years now. I spend way too much time in PP OT.

I would like to get something that needs a head gasket, trans rebuild, engine overhaul - you get the drift. I would drive it for a while as a daily driver and then sell. I have done this with good success in the past, probably even earning an average of $5 an hour. ;)

How do I find something that's reasonably new (95+) and priced to where it makes sense? I started browsing local craigslist and people want 90% of KBB value for vehicles with blown powertrains. I could get a high mileage truck for $2000 with a rod knock which would be worth $3200 when it's fixed. That makes no sense.

I used to have good connections through a mechanic friend, but have since moved. My company is pretty small, so I can't pick up stuff through coworkers any more either. Getting a dealer's license to go to auctions is out of question in L.A. - too much money / hassle.

Any pointers - L.A. specific? What do you recommend I try?

George (no grease under nails)

I see you are in S.F. area. I was just up to Oakland over the weekend and while walking along the Embarcadaro between Homewood Suites and Jack London square was a 1990's Ford 3/4 truck,4x4 single cab, long bed, 460 ci V8,straight body, all stock, with a shell parked on a corner with a price of $575 and a note written on the windshield that it needed a clutch. I was dying to buy it,but no way to get it down south 500 miles:( It really had potential in my opinion;)

I know you've thought about this, but I'll ask anyway. Why not an older car that's easy to fix with cheap parts? Like an old beetle with a blown engine. I know of a potentially good candidate in Half Moon Bay.

Ooops - need to update my location. I am now in L.A.

I would like to drive the thing daily. For daily driving I would like air bag and ABS. Only classic / older car I would entertain would be a convertible.

No VW bugs for me - I do not care for them.

George