Hey everyone!

I have to say I am loving this forum, lots of fun threads to surf. I might be shooting my dreams in the foot by asking this but... How much should I expect to pay for a 'decent' Cutlass (any year from 1968 - 1972)?

I'm hoping to get one that runs and drives with a relatively straight body (i'm willing to do mechanical work, but I really have no desire to do body work). I don't care if the paintjob is good or not, in fact I would probably prefer it sucked so I could paint the thing primer black (ala mad max!) before i save up for a good paint job. I'm also hoping to get it sometime this summer or early fall since that is when I'll have saved up some money.

I'm hoping you guys will say somewhere in the ballpark of $2,000-4,000 because that is what I will be able to save up by then. I really don't want to face another cold winter on just my motorcycle (BRRRRR!!!).

So what do you guys think?

Thanks!

Ben

 

I would buy some more long johns. I don't think 2-4 K is gonna get ya what you want.

Sorry

But hey, I've been wrong before.

 

You have a pretty soft market on your side, keep your eyes peeled in the classifieds and online I think you might just get lucky.

 

You might be surprised what that money will buy as long as you stay away from 442/Hurst, and you can sometimes still find good deals on those. Lot of it depends on the area of the country and whether seller has been watching too much Barrett-Jackson. If he even mentions what "one just like this" brought at one of those damn auction circuses, thank him for his time and leave quickly. He's convinced his raggety POS is worth B-J money and nothing will change his mind.

Get the best car you can to start with though. Saves time, money and temper in the long run.

Also- my experience is you will probably get a better and more honest car from an individual in a private sale than you will thru a broker or dealer.

You're close enough to desert areas that you should be able to find a car needing minimal if any rust work, and bright trim usually holds up well in the dry climates too. The trade-off is that the soft parts like interior and weatherstrip will be toast.

 

Thanks guys I suspected as much. I have gotten pretty good deals on motorcycles in the past due to patience, so I am hoping I can repeat the same sort of thing this year with a car.

Ben

 

For something thats somewhat "rust free" with a straight body "ok" paint, and runs reliably, expect 6-8K for a 72 coupe.
A 4 dr will be a bit less, say 4-5K, but go for what you really want.
A 'vert' will average from 10-13K that fits the above description.

Keep an eye on craigs list, even looking outside of your area.

Of course, the nicer it is, the more it will cost, but then there will be less you have to do to it.
Keep in mind you may need to travel a ways to get it, as these cars are not common. However, if it really is reliable, you should be able to drive it home like I did with mine, and that was half way across the country!

Amen.

And these are some of the easier things to repair or replace. Usually, they will need to be done anyway if they have not been done (or done right) already.

 

Yep,

"Ya gotta kiss alot of frogs to meet a Prince"

 

Thanks for all the general prices guys. I will definitely keep searching Craigslist and other places outside of my area. Maybe I'll get lucky in Nevada or Texas, then I could roadtrip it!

Ben

 

Hmm... This one is pretty close to what you are looking for, AND in your price range!
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1533133719.html
I wonder where that "one rust spot" is? If in the front fender, it would not be bad...


Much easier finding just the right car than a wife... The car you can change..........

 

Ever think about a wagon?
They look foreboding in flat black.

It's a stinkin' shame but you can get a decent Vista Cruiser for less than 4K and it's the same thing as a coupe if you don't look back when you're driving.
They're way undervalued IMO.

There was a nice '70 in San Jose on Craigslist for forever that's sold now and I see them around there for sale all the time, must have been popular in that area.
I know it's older than you want but I saw a '65 that's already partially painted out there.
Vista Cruiser? I can't see any roof glass?

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/1513762718.html

 

....Much easier finding just the right car than a wife... The car you can change..........


That one works for both spouses!!!!!!

 

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1533474668.html

Talk him down to $2700. Good luck

 

Like I said,

I've been wrong before

 

That looks like a deal and it might be a post coupe on top of it.

 

Here´s a four door in Burney, Ca for $1800

http://redding.craigslist.org/ctd/1514421790.html

and a 2 door in Fresno, Ca
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1538752785.html
another one in Rancho Cordova
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1538000246.html

/ Mike

 

stripes do not a muscle car make.

appears to have a nice set of PEP BOYS wheel covers

 

Well there's this,
http://classiccars.com/Classifieds/L...9646DAD1&cs=11
or
http://classiccars.com/Classifieds/L...E0F1E970&cs=11
but I would save a few dollars more for this,
http://classiccars.com/Classifieds/L...53E4AC52&cs=11
or this,
http://classiccars.com/Classifieds/L...B93F1B2E&cs=11

BUT THIS IS THE ONE WITH ALL THE POTENTIAL!!!!!!
http://classiccars.com/Classifieds/L...FFA5BC77&cs=11

I believe and most here will agree that its a buyers market and cheaper to buy than build. Depending on how mechanically inclined you are and if you have the time, money, and a place to do the work!! Believe me you may buy one for $2-4000 and with another $2000 you can get it road worthy and cover most of the safety issues.
I would save my money and or borrow from ??? and get between 7500 and 10k in this price range you can capitalize on someone elses unfinished project.

 

i picked up an original paint rust free car off here last July for 6000. jumped on a plain and drove it several hundred miles home with no problems. if you can come up with just a little more than your amount you can get great cutlasses. you will find some in your price range also but for 2K more it will put you in a much better category.

 

Being from California, I'd suggest a trip to the Pomona Swap Meet http://www.pomonaswapmeet.com/ which happens every other month or so. There is a section of cars for sale and lots of clean California cars.
Some are already done, most are works in progress, but there's no shortage of project cars.

 

you start to see nice cars at about $3500 ...

Find a car for $5000 and make a hammer bid of $3500 ...

Tell the seller that you are going to take his "Baby" and give it the resto it deserves ...

 

Southern Oregon has "Tax Time" sales for another couple months ...

 

Also look at Arizona craigslist just a quick search I found this one

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1534870439.html
Then I remember a couple of months ago in Tucson there was a 71 for 4500 and was in alot better shape then the one above

 

I think you should look for a B or a C body. They have alot more class and generally come stock with a 455. Plus they can be bought alot cheaper. Here is one I saw recently:

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1507107090.html

Maybe it is still for sale.