Which Challenge for a Bargain Hunter - Cosmetics or Mechanics

[paolodiquigley]

Personally would go for the first car provided you can do the bulk of the work yourself, brakes and discs are cheap enough. Paint jobs can work out very expensive depending on how deep the scratches are etc

[Bootlegger]

I would choose car #1 as well. Bodywork and paint are harder to get right and more apparent. Good luck!

[Jamesp]

I'd go for car 1 as my body work skills stink but I'm a fair mechanic.

[CHRISP357]

I'm not convinced that these are "bargain hunter" machines. I'd say save yourself a bunch of heartache and spend a little more money.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Jamesp

I'd go for car 1 as my body work skills stink but I'm a fair mechanic.

That's me too, but original good paint can never be duplicated. Mechanicals can be restored & actually improved.

[Porsche9]

Car 1. I can't do body and paint myself and original paint can't be duplicated.

[mikesz]

I think it is a question of personal aptitude. I did the same thing when looking for a car. I cannot afford mechanic hourly rates and knew I would have to do as much of the work as possible. I am better at mechanical than body work. I bought a 99 with 80k, Arctic Silver with Boxster Red interior. Body was I good shape better than most I had seen but mechanicals needed help. What do YOU feel more comfortable doing? Also understand you will need a place to work on the car and tools, lots of tools!
Good Luck! and keep us posted!

[kgb64]

Originally Posted by mikesz

I think it is a question of personal aptitude. I did the same thing when looking for a car. I cannot afford mechanic hourly rates and knew I would have to do as much of the work as possible. I am better at mechanical than body work. I bought a 99 with 80k, Arctic Silver with Boxster Red interior. Body was I good shape better than most I had seen but mechanicals needed help. What do YOU feel more comfortable doing? Also understand you will need a place to work on the car and tools, lots of tools!
Good Luck! and keep us posted!

Well I do all of my own wrenching on the 928, including dropping the transmission and torque tube (three different times), timing belt, etc. I don't have a lift but do have a decent arsenal of tools and some aptitude. My only hesitation is the suspicion that the car that has a number of obvious if fairly typical mechanical issues might have a lot more lurking under the surface. For the cosmetically challenged car I can either live with the cosmetics or since it's arctic silver could even find replacement panels rather than deal with paint.