Fix up my car or get a beater?

[Ryan L.]

Hey all...

So I'm finally going to get a job for this summer and work occasionally during the week during school. I'm going to bus tables at a local restaurant that pays $10 and hour plus tips. A typical 5 hour night would get me about $90 according to a couple friends that work there. So I was thinking about either getting an old Mustang GT (1993) or fixing up the F-150 and doing more modifications to it. The F-150 is almost 7 years old and has some normal wear and tear such as the plastic molding on the bed rails are scratched, etc. I also want to lift it and do some more engine modifications. But then again for that much money I could get a half way working older Mustang (1993) and work on that. The reason I want that year is because parts are readily available for them and they have a big 5.0L V-8 in them which can put out some good numbers with a few modifications. The Mustang, once built back up, wouldn't be a daily driver most likely, just something to tool around in and have some fun with.

What would you do?

Ryan

[dietoremain]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Do it. I love the old 5.0's! sick cars dude.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Here's my take on things:

I think you should just stick with the F-150 and maybe fix it up. While it may be more expensive, it's just not worth it (right now) to have two vehicles. It's like doubling the maintenance costs. Plus, there's always insurance.

Also, how much will these repairs effect the value? While it may look better, you might spend a lot and get very little in return on value. Your truck is already one of the cleanest F-150's around!

...just a thought.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

I'm with Chris on this. You know this F-150 as it's been in the family for a while, right? Any '93 vintage Mustang you buy will be, obviously, a 15 year old car that may have a spotty history - can you be totally certain that something major won't break and cost you much, much more money than you planned on?

Unless and until you've got the extra disposable income to dump into the second car, I'd stick with the one you've got and take care of it. Unless, maybe, you're willing to sell the truck and perhaps get a somewhat newer Mustang.

[VonLego]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

I wouldn't purchase a new car (with unexpected costs possible) until you have a year round job. Obviously I dont' know what your bills look like, but if you have to pay gas/insurence/maintenance etc... I'd stick with the trusty truck.

Oh... and if you do buy a mustang... Enjoy... I know I do!!!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

I tend to agree with the thought of fixing up the F150. You know what it needs and what it has in it. The stang could be a dominoe effect. Fix this, that goes and it becomes a viscious cicle. Do the mods to the truck and enjoy.

[yalerd]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Unless, maybe, you're willing to sell the truck and perhaps get a somewhat newer Mustang.

I was thinking the same thing. I know that maybe you in your mind it all sound and looks cool but the real question is "is it necessary?". Your F-150 looks wonderful, from the pictures you've posted looks very well kept and maintain

Fix your truck and enjoy it

[BlueZero]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Fix your truck and enjoy it

I agree with Francis and the others. Buying a second 'fun' car always ends up costing twice what you think. Plus it takes room to store it and room to work on it for a week at a time.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Thanks all for the help/advice. I got thinking about it some more last night and like all of you said it would most likely turn into a big mess/problem. And like Francis said, it does sound like it would be fun and cool to have it but it really isn't necessary. I'll wait until I'm out of college and have a steady job to do a project like that.

[TXShine]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Everyone has really good advise here..... and I'm definitely with sticking with the truck.

[yalerd]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

I'll wait until I'm out of college and have a steady job to do a project like that.

I think that's the best thing you could do. We all have "projects" in our mind, some start, some stay in the idea but we all have to come to back to earth and really think about what involves having or doing the things we have in mind. And we have to think that some of those projects can affect the ones that surround us.

Good luck to you with your job bro and I know that someday you'll have a project like that and we all see it here on MOL!

[Ryan L.]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

Yea...I really do want to thank you all again. In my non-reality life it sounds like a great thing, but when it does come down to reality it doesn't make sense at this stage in life.

First couple things that I'm going to do with the F-150 is get most of the exterior plastic trim replaced. Most of them have some sort of problem; fading, scratches and they are relatively cheap to replace. After that is all new shocks and springs. About 1/2 of the 73K miles that are on it were towing a trailer so they are kind of worn out and its time for new ones.

I'll be sure to keep you updated!!

Thanks again,
Ryan

[03mach1]

Re: Fix up my car or get a beater?

If you get a mustang make sure to check history on the vehicle because even though, I car faxed mine and everything came up clear. the car had five owners within 10 years and I did not know the motor was swapped when i bought it. I bought it from a dealer. The car fax did not come up with info about the motor swap. So these mustangs really get beat up but those years in the early nineties are good though because they are cheap and cheap in parts. I have to rebuild my tranny, through out bearing is going. My mustang was a ex pace car for infineon raceway. it has shadows in the paint where stickers have been that say sears point raceway. But the your truck may be equal with a mustang because the mustang is older.