Best Classic muscle car to start with?

redfan45x · 05-15-2011, 10:36 PM

Hey, idk if this forum includes classic camaro's or if its just the new ones which im not interested in.
But Im 17, and wanting my first car to be a muscle car, nothing car show material just a good running muscle car that will work until I got alot of money or whatever. Someone said Camaros are the best muscle cars to start with, but idk you all are smarter than I at this, so what is your opinion for a 17 year old who doesn't want to drive some crap honda ricer like every other kid?

Gigachip · 05-15-2011, 10:44 PM

a crappy mitsubishi ricer

Ok on a serious note, I think a 70s-80s camaro might be best if you're limited on funds as those wont likely be too expensive.
If you find a good deal a 60s, get one of those, but those will be more expensive and harder to locate.

redfan45x · 05-15-2011, 10:47 PM

My friends dad has a 80's camaro that he has beefed up pretty nicely, Im not a fan on the look of them after the 70's though, but I do like the 70s ones.
My favorite muscle car would have to be the '69 and 70 Olds cutlass supreme, its just got the best shape if you ask me. And ofcourse Im dying to have a 55' or 57' Bel air. who isn't?

TOMS1SS · 05-15-2011, 10:56 PM

Probably a later 2nd Gen Camaro. Not a lot of people find these cars desirable given the era and from the mere fact the Firebird/TA is more popular. You should be able to pick up on in decent shape pretty cheap and either restore it or mod it out how you want.

98_Camaro · 05-15-2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfan45x

My friends dad has a 80's camaro that he has beefed up pretty nicely, Im not a fan on the look of them after the 70's though, but I do like the 70s ones.
My favorite muscle car would have to be the '69 and 70 Olds cutlass supreme, its just got the best shape if you ask me. And ofcourse Im dying to have a 55' or 57' Bel air. who isn't?

If you like the Cutlass, you might like the 70 to 72 Buick Skylark. Its relatively inexpensive (even a nice one will only run 6 or 8 thousand) and it ran on the same platform as the Chevelle and Cutlass, meaning the general shape is similar.
If price is a concern, youre going to have to rule out any of the popular cars. A rusted rolling cage first gen Camaro is worth upwards of 7.5 thousand.
As far as getting classic car as a first car goes, they are not particularly reliable, and if theres a problem with them, it can be a real pain to diagnose, but if youre up for the challenge, I say go for it!

redfan45x · 05-15-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98_Camaro

If you like the Cutlass, you might like the 70 to 72 Buick Skylark. Its relatively inexpensive (even a nice one will only run 6 or 8 thousand) and it ran on the same platform as the Chevelle and Cutlass, meaning the general shape is similar.
If price is a concern, youre going to have to rule out any of the popular cars. A rusted rolling cage first gen Camaro is worth upwards of 7.5 thousand.
As far as getting classic car as a first car goes, they are not particularly reliable, and if theres a problem with them, it can be a real pain to diagnose, but if youre up for the challenge, I say go for it!

Well I am certainly up to the challenge, it is worth it
and I was actually just looking at a skylark in my area http://duluth.craigslist.org/cto/2372521769.html
exact price you said it would be, pretty nice car though, I know I will have to put on a full time job though to get something I want, luckily im not in school anymore so I got the time, alot

LostInMoscow · 05-16-2011, 12:41 AM

My first muscle car was a '65 GTO with a 389 / tripower and a Muncie 4 speed. That experience taught me 2 things:

1. Don't buy a muscle car unless you can afford one that isn't falling apart because if you buy a cheap one, you can't afford it. It will be sitting in the garage waiting for repairs until you lose your patience, then you'll probably end up selling it at a loss and wondering what the hell just happened.

2. Buy something that has alot of aftermarket and OEM parts available. Chevelles and Camaros for example. It makes life much easier!

Good luck!

BigDan · 05-16-2011, 01:07 AM

Early 2nd gen Camaro's are nice and affordable. First gens are the best if you can find one in your budget. Chevelle's are always cool. Heck you honestly cant go wrong with any 64-72 GM 2 door. I really wanted a 68 Cadilliac Coupe deVille 472cid for a while also.

CDBiker220 · 05-16-2011, 11:35 AM

Get a old Chevelle, very cheap to fix up. I bought one in college about 4 years ago that was pretty rough for $1200, made a red with black stripes SS clone, put a 4 speed and 350 in it. Was soo fun. Blew the 4 speed up once when I had it up at school, took it out and rebuilt it in my dorm room. Had like $5000 into it and sold it for almost $10k....thus how I afforded my new camaro

LOWDOWN · 05-16-2011, 05:27 PM

Get what YOU like/want/can afford...and start with the best example you can find and afford. In this current market, there are many "deals" to be had...cars you can buy for less than the sum of their parts/refurbishing costs.

With all the issues that can arise when rebuilding/maintaining an older vehicle, "invest" in one that, regardless of what happens, you can still look at it and SMILE!

Enjoy! After all, that is what this automotive fascination should be...

redfan45x · 05-16-2011, 05:28 PM

What about a 57' Bel air? Would that be hard to start off with if I could find one in good shape?

speedster · 05-16-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfan45x

What about a 57' Bel air? Would that be hard to start off with if I could find one in good shape?

Each time you go back another decade, the amount of work usually goes up rapidly unless you have unlimited funds. 55-57 chevys are great but A LOT of work for a first project. The 68-72 Cutlass/Skyark/Chevelle(Malibu) are fairly common and a great musclecar platform. There are many mid to later 70's and 80's cars that can be considered 'muscle' too.

No matter what you choose, double the budget and quadruple the time. I have done many project vehicles and that is just the way it is. The first project car we had was a 1968 Dodge Coronet with a 318. My buddy and I worked on it together. I was 16. Great fun and learned a ton!

Most of all - have fun and good luck !!

coolman · 05-16-2011, 06:00 PM

If it was me I would be looking for a 2000 and up trans am with the WS6 package. I've seen these in good condition for around 10 to 13 thousand. I wouldn't waste your money on some 70's or 80's camaro when you can pick up a car that will way out handle and be far faster for less money.

arod55 · 05-16-2011, 08:04 PM

If you find a 57 Bel Air, its going to be very expensive. 55-57 Chevy are very desirable and good investments. From one who has one.

05-15-2011, 10:36 PM	#1
redfan45x Drives: Don't have any :(... Yet :) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Superior WI Posts: 6	Best Classic muscle car to start with? Hey, idk if this forum includes classic camaro's or if its just the new ones which im not interested in. But Im 17, and wanting my first car to be a muscle car, nothing car show material just a good running muscle car that will work until I got alot of money or whatever. Someone said Camaros are the best muscle cars to start with, but idk you all are smarter than I at this, so what is your opinion for a 17 year old who doesn't want to drive some crap honda ricer like every other kid?

05-15-2011, 10:44 PM	#2
Gigachip Runs on Starbucks Drives: 2012 SVT Raptor Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 10,343 View My Garage	a crappy mitsubishi ricer Ok on a serious note, I think a 70s-80s camaro might be best if you're limited on funds as those wont likely be too expensive. If you find a good deal a 60s, get one of those, but those will be more expensive and harder to locate. __________________

05-15-2011, 10:56 PM	#4
TOMS1SS Drives: NA Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NA Posts: 12,126 View My Garage	Probably a later 2nd Gen Camaro. Not a lot of people find these cars desirable given the era and from the mere fact the Firebird/TA is more popular. You should be able to pick up on in decent shape pretty cheap and either restore it or mod it out how you want. __________________ El funcionario señor de los desiertos de Mojave y Sonora.

05-16-2011, 12:41 AM	#7
LostInMoscow Exiled Speed Junkie Drives: None Join Date: May 2010 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 803	My first muscle car was a '65 GTO with a 389 / tripower and a Muncie 4 speed. That experience taught me 2 things: 1. Don't buy a muscle car unless you can afford one that isn't falling apart because if you buy a cheap one, you can't afford it. It will be sitting in the garage waiting for repairs until you lose your patience, then you'll probably end up selling it at a loss and wondering what the hell just happened. 2. Buy something that has alot of aftermarket and OEM parts available. Chevelles and Camaros for example. It makes life much easier! Good luck! __________________

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05-15-2011, 10:47 PM	#3
redfan45x Drives: Don't have any :(... Yet :) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Superior WI Posts: 6	My friends dad has a 80's camaro that he has beefed up pretty nicely, Im not a fan on the look of them after the 70's though, but I do like the 70s ones. My favorite muscle car would have to be the '69 and 70 Olds cutlass supreme, its just got the best shape if you ask me. And ofcourse Im dying to have a 55' or 57' Bel air. who isn't?

05-16-2011, 01:07 AM	#8
BigDan Drives: bug Join Date: May 2009 Location: nv Posts: 1,319	Early 2nd gen Camaro's are nice and affordable. First gens are the best if you can find one in your budget. Chevelle's are always cool. Heck you honestly cant go wrong with any 64-72 GM 2 door. I really wanted a 68 Cadilliac Coupe deVille 472cid for a while also.

05-16-2011, 11:35 AM	#9
CDBiker220 Drives: 98 camaro z28 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: pittsburgh, pa Posts: 189	Get a old Chevelle, very cheap to fix up. I bought one in college about 4 years ago that was pretty rough for $1200, made a red with black stripes SS clone, put a 4 speed and 350 in it. Was soo fun. Blew the 4 speed up once when I had it up at school, took it out and rebuilt it in my dorm room. Had like $5000 into it and sold it for almost $10k....thus how I afforded my new camaro

05-16-2011, 05:27 PM	#10
LOWDOWN Downright Upright Drives: Daily Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cruisin'... Posts: 4,145	Get what YOU like/want/can afford...and start with the best example you can find and afford. In this current market, there are many "deals" to be had...cars you can buy for less than the sum of their parts/refurbishing costs. With all the issues that can arise when rebuilding/maintaining an older vehicle, "invest" in one that, regardless of what happens, you can still look at it and SMILE! Enjoy! After all, that is what this automotive fascination should be...

05-16-2011, 05:28 PM	#11
redfan45x Drives: Don't have any :(... Yet :) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Superior WI Posts: 6	What about a 57' Bel air? Would that be hard to start off with if I could find one in good shape?

05-16-2011, 06:00 PM	#13
coolman Guest Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: PA Posts: 4,812	If it was me I would be looking for a 2000 and up trans am with the WS6 package. I've seen these in good condition for around 10 to 13 thousand. I wouldn't waste your money on some 70's or 80's camaro when you can pick up a car that will way out handle and be far faster for less money.

05-16-2011, 08:04 PM	#14
arod55 AROD55 Drives: 1955 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bonita, Ca. 91902 Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	If you find a 57 Bel Air, its going to be very expensive. 55-57 Chevy are very desirable and good investments. From one who has one.