Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Which do you prefer is better ? and when looking at a used race car what are the things to look for ?

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I'd suggest buying one that is already built. There are a lot of good competetive race cars out there at a decent price. You will spend way more money building a new one than you thought you would.

If you buy a used one be prepared to spend some money to make it the way you want it.

You will spend 2-3 years building a new car vs. getting on the track the same year if you buy an existing car.

Try to buy a car that is currently running in NHRA/IHRA. Go to the track and ask his competetors about the car. You will be surprised how much they know about someone elses car.

Ask for doccumentation regarding all of the things the seller said he has done to the car. Ask for time slips to review the cars performance.

Check the structural integrity of the entire vehicle including the roll cage. It is most important from a safety and performance factor.

Ask when the engine, trans, and rear gear has been last freshened if at all, and who did the work.

Ask the age of all other related items like the fuel system, axles, shocks, springs, u-joints, etc. Some of this stuff may have to be replaced.

Take a couple of knowledgeable buddies with you to look the car over. The more eyes the better.

Don't fall in love with the first car you find. Look at a lot of prospects and ask a lot of questions. Take notes on the details, your memory isn't as good as you think it is.

There are a lot more things to look for beyond what is listed above, maybe someone else can give their opinion.

Good Luck

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

There is no-way you can build one as cheap as you can buy one...
Also most cars you buy have been down the track and have most basic problems sorted out..... Don't make the same mistake most people make, buy one running and all built and go racing... There are enough things to worry about .... Good Luck with your project...

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Hands down buying a used car is the most cost effective, buying a "good" car requires a little work and investigation. Unless you have the required time and skills to do most of the build yourself. The initial cost of a good used car may seem high at first but you need to realize the price of parts and labor involved. As suggested you should not get "hung up" on one particular car, look and ask around, just because a car is not a "brand name" doesn't mean it's no good, however I'm sure there are some home built cars that are questionable. Take your time if you can and you will find a nice car worth the price.Joe

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

If you buy an existing race car we are not increasing our car counts,just changing drivers. It may(not always) cost more to build your own but it will be yours. If you have the skills it will save a bunch of cash.

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Buying a car is not always cheaper. I am into my car way under 10,000 bucks and ran .63 under the index at Vegas this year and still have some improvements I can make with more money the motor has a144000 miles on it. It took less than a year to build. But I enjoy building racecars. If you want the fastest car on the block sure it is cheaper to buy a used one and go racing right away which is a big plus. It all depends on what you like to do build and race or buy and race or spend alot of money on a top of the line car and be really fast but most of all have fun with it.

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

The more you do yourself, the more pride and sense of accomplishment you feel! Just like they did back in the early days. Build what you can, and you'll never be racing over your head. Educate and challenge yourself to new heights. You keep trying and do your best, and that my friend is a Winner ! Wade

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

That is somewhat true. I looked for a few months and after buying have spent less than $1000 on changes to make it what we wanted.

That was the exact reason I bought a used one.

With current chassis certification. I suggest lower than 8.50 if you are going with a door car. With the crate engines out there it is very easy to run better than 8.50. Same with a dragster, it is very easy to go very fast these days.

That is always true.

Steve

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I like buying a well built used roller.....BUT you have to be carefull as your likely to be replacing a number of items once you take a close look or race it......

I have had to replace or rebuild a lot of the stuff on cars I bought....It's still cheaper than building if you find the right deal.

I bought most of my cars as rollers and I don't regret it at all.....I took them all apart anyway and built my own engines before I assembled and raced them.......

I did build a new dragster in 1998 and that was a lot of work. I did all the finish work on a basic frame and body.......and a friend painted it. A dragster is very easy compared to any door car no matter what class or categorie...

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I'll assume since this thread was started in the S-S/S area you're looking at a Stocker or S/S car? For the most part a 8.50 stickered car is sufficient for S/S, though there are a few S/S cars running quicker than 8.50, the problem is for the faster sticker you need to add quite a few tubes which adds to the Base weight of the car. Depending on the application this may not be a concern,however it's something to consider. Joe There is no doubt that you can gain a lot of pride and self satisfaction by building a race car yourself. However if you're not pretty confident in your abilities I'd leave it to someone else. No one can do everything a wise person knows their limits. Good luck

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I understand that buying a used car will be less expensive but I want a Chevy Corvette C3 coupe but I never see those race cars for sale I would rather take 2-3 years building a race car. Has anyone here built there own race car ? how did it turn out ?

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I've built all my own cars and several for other people. How they turned out is debatable I guess. I've never spent more than an afternoon at the track making adjustments on any of them so I guess they serve their purpose. I've seen alot of VERY nice cars over the years many home built, so it can be done, it does require some talent. Only you know your abilities you may want to stop by a local chassis shop if you have one and ask some questions, look a little at whats involved in doing a car. Joe

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

No matter what your time / labor / cost estimates are, even if using the best pencil, spreadsheets and opinions you can find....x3 all of them!
But I would still rather build my own car.

And if you buy used, buy it after seeing it run!

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Does anyone know anyone who deals with Corvette C3s ? and what should I know about millage on a race car ?

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

It might cost more, but there is nothing like having a quick and fast race car and the satisfaction of knowing you built it yourself. Otherwise you'd better get used to people refering to your car as "whats his names old race car".

G Peterson
D/S 4448

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I agree with Joe,Jeff and George and now my 2 cents, I wonder how many times people buy a car,then by the time they get it the way they want it,did they save anything?
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Email me direct.

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Wow, how very true in my case !

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

I'll throw in my $0.02.
When I bought my Duster 2 years ago I paid more for it than any other project
car I had ever had, even my stock eliminator Duster back in the 80's, I think I
got blinded by the yellow paint, shiny wheels and the BB under the hood.

Of course it had no safety equipment, it had been a street/strip car, so now I
have about $10K in it and all the safety stuff and it is just about ready to race.

Would I have been better off buying a truely "turn-key" proven race car....yes,
would it have been as much fun/aggrivation....no. Did I have enough cash to buy
a turn key proven race car at the time.....no, story of my life.

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Phillip, Sounds like my life story make it or buy a part at a time with too much time in between parts most of the time.
Mike Taylor3601

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Exactly!

In building my car I ended up $20,000.00 over expected budget.

If you buy one running be sure to get the engine spec's, cam, springs, timing, ring type, etc. nothing is worse than not knowing the clearances and trying to set the valves without knowing the gap for that cam shaft.

Good luck, see you at the track.

JimR

Re: Buying a used race car vs building own
 

Doglover,,,,,,,,go to www.racingjunk.com type in Corvette. There are several pages of them,,,,,many C-3s, in various states of completion, from bare chassis to turn key race cars. Maybe what you're looking for is in there,,,,I bought my Nova off that site, turn key, a few years back. Sure, I had to change some things I did'nt care for on it, but a good investment I've always thought. I got friends that have bought from that site also and no problems. Just make sure you ask ALL the questions to be as completely informed as possible before making your decision. Good luck in your search,,,,,Danny Durham