On Thu, 28 May 1998 PDelage@aol.com wrote:
> I mentioned the 6 that is for sale for $15,500 with 39k. So today I found one,
> (on the net somewhere) a '74 with 98k. They were asking $8,750.
> Now I'm wondering ....... is it smart to get one that is in more "original"
> condition than one that has been restored. Is there much difference between
> the 74 and 76?
Not much. I would budget $5000 for the car and the rest for incidentals.
There will be many. If you are buying it for looks, get a plastic model
and drive an appliance car.
Original or restored? It doesn't matter. The one with the solid frame,
solid body, etc. will be the better car. Don't buy the prettiest one, buy
the *best* one. If it drives well, makes no strange noises, doesn't
wobble, frame straight, no rust... then it's a good car.
> Please forgive my ignorance but I'm somewhat confused. And I don't think that
> my wife will let me buy two of 'em so I'd like to get the "right" one.
> Also can you insure them for everyday driving? Or is it better to get the
> antique classification and keep the milage down and the value up?
I will be insuring my car for dailing driving. I think that a properly
maintained, well used car is a better thing than a stuffy machine that
only gets excercised when the weather is nice and the moons are aligned,
etc.
> Sorry for all the questions but I just don't know anything.
Be careful, you keep this up and yer liable to start knowin' stuff ;-)
> I know that if have a '57 Stratocaster (guitar) in original condition, even if
> it looks like an army walked over it it's worth $5000+ but if you refinish it,
> it's only worth a small fraction.
That's because Strats don't rust. Nor do they have brakes that rot away,
or wiring that could be questionable, etc. I like having a GM alternator
and high-back seats in the TR4, but it's my car and not yours ;-)
-Malcolm
'62 TR4 (rust)
'81 Chevette (appliance)
'95 Strat (made it myself, almost)
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