I got a lead on a 35 Ford 5 window Coupe from a friend today. The older gentleman that owns it is asking $4500. I am sure that is negotiable. I spoke with him for a while about the car and he claims that the car is in pretty good shape. He said it has never been restored but the body is not all wavy and the rot is limited to the bottom of the panels. I know cars are never as nice as they are described but I have been going back and forth on whether or not I want to drive 2 hours one way to see this car. It is sitting outside so it wont be a gem. He is an older gentleman and does not have a digital camera or a computer so he can not send me pics. I have seen these go for upwards of 7k in shambles. I love the body style but I have my T coupe. Does this sound like something I should be jumping on. Is the 35 5 window as desirable as I think it is? Arent they worth more than his asking price in any good shape at all? Thanks, Jared
The only way to answer your questions is to go look at the car. A two hour drive is not that bad, you probably sat on the couch two hours today already. If the car is solid and complete its worth $4500. Bring cash.
f you dont go look will you be beating yourself up about it.? If you do buy it and regret it could you get a profit on it.?...
If it turns out to be good, reasonably priced project material, you have a score. If it turns out to be something else, you have logged a day of adventure with possibly a bit of frustration added, and have a wild-goose-chase story to tell for a while.
"I have been going back and forth on whether or not I want to drive 2 hours one way to see this car." Wow! Are you kidding? That's well worth the drive.
2 hours ain't bad. Even if it'd a POS you can be home by noon and still have a productive day. Just expect it to be a POS and you won't be disappointed.
I just finished a 3 hour drive one way for a car I ended up not getting, and still had a great time. Talked to the seller, learned some things and came away with no regrets.
maybe some one on here could take a look for you.. where is it at? you should probably pm me so no one else knows
You need to look at from a different perspective. Take your wife/GF or a buddy with you. Make a day trip out of. Plan on doing a really good lunch or dinner during your trip. That way your actually doing a cuople things, not just one, and if the car thing doesn't pan out then you have the good road trip and meal so it's not a total loss.
in my experience thusfar, a two hour drive for parts is nearly next door. Load up some good music, leave early, and use the drive time to plan the next step in your build.
I just got back from a 20 hour drive to NOT buy the POS front end I was assured was good. Get off your butt and go see.
You haven't left yet?! Then let me repeat my offer: I'm a lot further away than you, but if you send me his phone number, I'LL look at it for you!
I just drove to the Mojave Desert from san diego with everything bad to possibly happen on the road, adventure and sweet deal on a n engine!
I'm in Chicago, is it by me? I have a digital camera, and I have no space in my shop, and my wife will stick both my work boots firmly up my ass if I come home with it, so I'm a safe observer. At this point it would be easier for me to have a 2nd wife than another car.
My real dilemma is that i am stuck in a freakin cubicle right now. I dont get off for a few hours. I might go after work.........
Go take a look, what the hell, theres crap for movies out this weekend and an evening road trip is always nice.
Okay, what could be a good car at a reasonable price, and you're not sure, tells me there's no sense in you going. If you really wanted it that bad it would already be in your garage or driveway and there'd be no need for this post. So pass it on to someone who really does want it that bad.
20 years ago we would read an add in the newspaper and take it from there, no pics, just phone calls.
Hell mate,me and friends would lot the '64 Chevy up and travel 6 hours up the road for a burger and beers in NZ. Heck it would be a done deal by now and the cash wouldn't been able to get out of my hand quick enough. I adore those fat fender cars with all those gorgeous curves,go for it man.
..."sat on the couch two hours today already" - that made me laugh. Isn't that the truth about people procrastinating instead of doing. You know, I've had people tell me the same thing about debating on going to look at a car. I tell them, well if you're thinking about not going and looking, then give me the address because I'm interested. Funny thing is that they never disclose the address or phone number. That would be enough to piss any gearhead off. One thing is true: you snooze, you lose. GO and LOOK.
You keep wondering and someone else is going to get it and then whos crazy.I live in Fla and have drivin to Ala.and Lousiana to check out cars,some bad but some worth the drive,you snooze you lose.