Classic cars vs. newer cars. Advice please.

[Jon the Ex-SquidParticipant 298]

So you buy a newer car off the lot and it immediately begins to depreciate. I’m thinking about investing in 1950’s Dodge Power Wagon. I currently have a nice Jeep Grand Cherokee and an older Ford F150 4×4. Rather than replace the Ford when it gets serviceable, my thought was to buy the Dodge and restore it. Now, I don’t know a freakin thing about fixing up cars, or engines, or anything mechanically advanced beyond my electric razor, so another part of doing this is as an educational process and solo journey for me. Plus I’m hoping it’ll be a vehicle I can keep for 20+ years.

Can anyone offer some advice on just how much effort it really is to fix up an older vehicle (restore it) and keep it running? Is it worth it? Have you done it and gotten some sort of deep satisfaction? Is there some aspect you’d recommend a novice just pay someone to handle for you (like installing a transmission, for example) rather than attempt yourself?

[John Woods 13Participant 2855]

The satisfaction is worth it. I can’t say about cars as I only did 2 motorcycles, but it was worth all the time, money and frustration when all was done. I also started from zero knowledge and used the service manuals, youtube videos, mechanics’ advice and pdfs of old diy books for the older bike. The only part I needed help with was the electrical and tuning the carbs. I learned how to take everything apart and put it back together again. Man it was some of the best time I had in my life!
The Wagon is on my favorites list also. Great pick. If you do decide to do it, please keep us informed of the progress.

The answer is NO. “I could but I won’t”. Memini murum!

[John Woods 13Participant 2855]

PS
IMO, the older the car, the better. Too many sensors and electronics in newer cars, so again, great choice.

The answer is NO. “I could but I won’t”. Memini murum!

[QcummerParticipant 652]

There’s only one way to find out.

In my experience, people with no experience without all the proper tools should expect a frustrating time. If you don’t have the tools, you won’t be able to do s~~~. If you like having an older car for your enjoyment, you’ll have to pay someone to do it. If you get a good vehicle with no rust, a cheap paint job can do wonders. Also, replacing parts on older cars are way f~~~ing easy for your average mechanic.

In short, if you don’t know what you’re doing…you’re gonna have a bad time. If you have the money, it’s not super expensive to maintain an older vehicle.

[OldscoundrellParticipant 412]

This is my forte’. At least this part.

Jon the Ex-Squid wrote:

Can anyone offer some advice on just how much effort it really is to fix up an older vehicle (restore it) and keep it running? Is it worth it? Have you done it and gotten some sort of deep satisfaction?

If you are mechanical inclined to the point of understanding force and reaction, you can probably get by just fine.

1. Money pit. Lessons learned along the way usually cost money. I rebuilt a short block 302 with around $2500 in machine work and parts. Didn’t install the new $90 rod bolts (was told it would be fine, but overtorqed during assembly and retorqed to correct spec)…3 days later, threw a rod, detroyed the crank, block, cam.

2. It always takes longer than thought. It takes a massive amount of time when doing the mechanical, body, and extras you put in along the way. Its good that its not your daily, because it would compound the time with what you break along the way.

4. When you get to hear, drive, and fine tune something that you built with your hands. It is euphoria and pride combining into an egotistical, mad scientist, c~~~y ftw, feeling. But rightly so. It is addictive.

I learned through manuals and just talking to people I knew with more experience. Not the fastest or best way, but I know enough to get ine going now.

Crate motors are underrated, don’t go original if you can keep from it. Looks like an awsome project, keep us posted if you decide to go for it.

[33wolfmanParticipant 216]

The nice thing about older vehicles is if you have basic tools you can fix almost anything on them. Any vehicle the military purchased in the time frame from WWI up to the Korean war they went in with the mindset that average Joe soldier will probably need to repair it at some point, so a power wagon would be a good vehicle to start out on, basic suspension, power train and body. The hardest thing with old vehicles is finding parts, but you picked one the ones that a lot of people would like to have, parts companies look at what vehicles are desirable so they tend to still make or carry the parts for those vehicles. Like Colbshank said, the feeling of accomplishment you receive from restoring and old object to like new is addicting and cannot be rivaled. I restore old lawn and garden tractors and the sense of pride and accomplishment I feel when complete one is only out weighed by my desire to restore the next one. .

[EscapedMentalPatientParticipant 1489]

Really looks like an awesome project choice. Would love to see your restored version.

[MyselfParticipant 353]

I built a race car without knowing much about mechanics to begin with. I basically took a good condition sports car and tore it to pieces – stripped it, redid the suspension, clutch and transmission, upgraded the engine electronics (ECU), added safety equipment, rolled out the fenders, and the list goes on and on.

I loved it. It’s amazing how few tools you actually need. If you’re willing to take your time, it’s a fantastic hobby.

This car was relatively new, a 2000, so it had OBDII and quite a few sensors. Don’t let that deter you because the electronics really isn’t that complicated – you just need the manual and a volt/ohm meter. Be willing to experiment and the concepts will come to you. It can be fun to research in the evenings when you just want to browse articles online. The electronics makes a world of difference regarding reliability and performance.

One thing to be aware of – RUST SUCKS. If you can find an old vehicle without much (or any) corrosion, go for it. If it is rusted up, my inclination would be to stay away. It can be a HUGE pain in the ass to deal with stuck nuts and bolts, especially if you don’t have a fully equipped shop, and might just inject more frustration than it’s worth.

[OldscoundrellParticipant 412]

Myself wrote:

One thing to be aware of – RUST SUCKS.

Thats why procrastinating car guys have the rat culture. Just trade in the shiny paint job for some hair grease and you are set.

[RoyDalParticipant]

Jon the Ex-Squid wrote:

So you buy a newer car off the lot and it immediately begins to depreciate.

This is absolutely correct. A one-year-used car is about 40% the price of a new one. For myself, I will never buy a new car again. A used cream-puff is a much better deal.

If you are a good shade tree mechanic, then get that car you lust for. (That’s the call I’d make.) If your expertise runs to having a tow truck delivering it to your mechanic, then think again. Or, better yet, get it anyway and learn how to fix it yourself. After all, one visit to a mechanic will pay for the tools and manual you need to DIY.

Society asks MGTOWs: Why are you not making more tax-slaves?

[Jon the Ex-SquidParticipant 298]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen. I think I’m going to go for it. After doing a little research, I found several Power Wagons that were partially restored still selling for $20k + so I believe its a good investment even if it doesn’t get finished. Not really doing it for the resale value though so I’m very encouraged by the replies several of you gave regarding learning online and by the manuals.

I’ve got it tentatively budgeted for December-January. 🙂

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