There is always a time in a gearhead's life when it becomes mandatory to own a project car. They did not get the attention they should have received. People just want to get rid of old cars and they post them on these websites. In this article, you will see the best project cars that come under $5k that you can buy easily. They're not the most powerful SUVs or especially fuel-efficient, but they'll promise you years of dependable performance if properly taken care of. This is a car on which you can work and not be afraid that you could mess up something. The MR2 Toyota Design Project delivers good fuel economy and is fun to drive. Infiniti J30. 1950 Packard Clipper, 4 door, straight 8 with overdrive. The seller indicates he has a 1964 New Yorker and a 1963 Imperial (available separately) that contain enough drivetrain parts to make it complete. 1950 Chevy 1-ton chassis cab dually combo (Thief River Falls, Minnesota) has seen decades of labor moving logs in North Dakota and has amassed a proud collection of dings and bruises, including what looks like a dent in the rear of the cab where a log broke loose. 10 of the best cars for 5k: a Top Gear guide Five grand doesn't buy anything new these days. This real-deal GTO from Hays, Kansas, however, is being offered on eBay Motors with a Buy It Now price of $4,500. est. Fortunately for you, many others have started down the path on their project car, only to throw in the towel. "mainEntity": [{ Top Speed offers daily industry news and reviews on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It is one of the best choices for a cheap project vehicle. These vehicles can be found for a really good price and you can basically do whatever you want to them. So, if you are in need of a challenge and you want to improve your skillset, then you definitely need a project car. The Nissan features simplicity, pricing, chassis science, swap options, cargo capacity, aftermarket tuning parts, and buildability. Buying someone else's cheap project car has several advantages. It provides 250 horsepower from a 4.0L V8 engine, which makes it the most capable project car. If we give it a "very good" rating (the highest rating of all the cars seen here) and a typical transaction price of around $7,600, this deal would be an excellent value for the enthusiast looking to hit the road right away with zero work and instant daily-driver status. Though not as powerful as top-line 3 Series models released in 1985, the 323i is still fitted with a 2.3-liter inline-six engine that produces 148 hp at 6,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The exterior has an aggressive look that will have people turning heads wherever you go, and its performance matches up with other cars in its price range. It is possible to find a 323i in good condition for about $4,500. Maintenance costs are a huge factor to consider when buying an R129. The 2005 Jetta GLI comes with a potent turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp at 5,500 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. Coupe. This stillborn dragster project is only a shell, but it's still a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, and that makes it worth the extreme hassle of completing it to a functional drag racer or street machine. Still, for this budget, your best bet would be to get a Camaro RS. The Honda Civic Del Sol has to be one of the most underrated Civics ever made. This is a good thing since you will be able to fulfill your childhood memories. David Smith is Chicago based automotive content writer. Or the Pontiac Firebird entry-level model. Additionally, it's a mashup of parts from a 1930 and a 1931, also not a deal breaker, as parts easily interchange between these model years. They were the ultimate dad-mobile, and many of us grew up in the back seat then learned to drive with one of them. The 1995 Lexus SC400 does come with a respectable 4.0-liter V8 that produces 250 hp at 5,300 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. And you could easily end up in a money pit if you are not prepared. Next on our list of best project cars under 5k is the 3rd gen Chevy Camaro produced from 1982 until 1992. Top 6 Beginner Tuner Cars Under $5,000 | by Anton Shishkov | Medium 500 Apologies, but something went wrong on our end. Ford has been leading the domestic automotive industry for over a century. What are the perks of having a vehicle of this kind in your collection? Also See: 12 Best American Made Sedans #1. Toyota Camry, 2002-2006. Hello human, I am a GPT3 powered AI chat bot. Current valuations on restorable non-running 1948-to-1953 one-ton Chevy stake-bed trucks are in the $1,300-to-$3,900 range, putting this eBay Buy It Now offer in goldilocks territory. Auto Seeks is a place where you get all information regarding car brands, new cars, upcoming cars, and all things that are related to the auto industry. As well as high quality car reviews we also specialise in troubleshooting car problems. Track Price Check Availability. "@type": "Answer", And with a good black paint job at your home and some Grand National wheels, you can make a proper-looking Grand National replica. Here are the top Classic vehicle listings for sale under $5,000. . GM only renamed the RWD models of the A-body into G-body. 27 Most Fun Used Cars You Can Buy for Under $5000 1 Travis Pastrana Made the Daytona 500 2 2024 Ferrari Purosangue Starts at $398,350 3 LaFerrari Successor Spied Testing With Giant Wing 4 Tesla. Nissan 240SX BMW E36 Nissan Skyline R33 Mazda RX-8 Honda Civic Mazda Miata (Eunos, MX5) Lexus SC (Toyota Soarer) Lexus IS (Toyota Altezza) Nissan 350Z (Z33) Toyota GT86 (BRZ, FRS) Honda S2000 Also, you can add a cold air intake to improve the performance of the engine a little bit. Only Pontiacs and Chevys were available as bubbletops in 1962, and they were relatively rare compared to the more common square roof design.) Toyota offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine for the USA market. They might not be packing a lot of power. It can all be part of the authentic fun, but the non-running inline-six and ancillary rust will have to be dealt with first. Welcome to Motor Verso. It is fair to say that the vast majority of tuners nowadays build classic car projects that only the very rich can afford. Especially on Craigslist, there are a ton of offerings when it comes to cheap cars. The Lexus SC400 offers 250 horsepower from a 4.0L V8 engine, making it the most capable project car. The huge Japanese conglomerate has been a major player in the banking and electric industries long before its first sports car rolled off assembly lines. Take a close look at this one; its fastback roof mirrors the silhouette of the far more pricey ($4,300) Ford Galaxie 500 and comes with the same 390ci big-block. },{ Other than a rust hole in the trunk, the sheetmetal looks straight and rust-free, though we'd probably ask a few questions about why it appears to have guidecoat already sprayed over an otherwise nicely patina'd exterior. The Pontiac Fiero was a mid-engined two-seater. This is one of the biggest fallacies of the Japanese carmaker. But if you restore it properly, you could get maybe $80,000 from it or even more if its a special model. These include driving satisfaction, low maintenance costs and dependability. These cars aren't cheap, and in restorable "fair" condition like this typically go around $5,800. "text": "Your best bet for this would be to go online and look on websites like Craigslist, eBay Motors, and Facebook Marketplace. The 2001 Mustang GT may not be among the greatest Mustang models ever made, but it sure is a great car to modify. After that, the low cost and wide availability of parts make it one of the most widely built project cars. Ford Mustang has been leading the domestic automotive industry for more than a century. All Wheel Drive. There's lots of descriptive detail in the ad, so if you're familiar with restoring old Chevy trucks, this one is worth a look. View photos, features and more. Well, mainly because the Camaro of this era is a true modern classic. Would it be a bad idea to check how to buy best project cars under 5k 2021 and other top quality automobile products and their parts? Normally, we'd tell folks on a budget who like the Pontiac GTO to look for a same-year Tempest or LeMans A-body because they're typically cheaper. The honda civic came to the US in 1973. Refresh the page, check Medium 's site status, or find something. Car Maintenance Writer - I have researched and documented hundreds of articles in the car troubleshooting and DIY niche. Our guide on how many miles do Ford Mustangs last is quite telling of this. Tuners such as Hennessey Performance Engineering and Brabus tend to modify cars worth as much as a nice-sized apartment in some mid-western state. Old trucks are all the rage in the rat rod world, and most of the rat rod builders we've met would go bonkers over this gem in the rough. } BMW produced over 2.2 million between 1982 and 1992. Required fields are marked *. Namely, the first generation of the Cobalt produced from 2004 to 2010. 1931 Ford Model A on eBay makes the point that there is no title for this project car (located in New Jersey), which isn't terribly unusual for a car of this age, but it can matter in some states. It provides the availability of aftermarket and replacement parts for your project car. And this is something you want to avoid. But thats why we are here, to help you out. 54,474 Miles | Somerville, MA. It is easily affordable and simple. Then we shared our list of best project cars under 5k. 1992 Toyota MR2 5. Thats why Pontiac had to cut corners somewhere and make this car cheaper. Getting a project car is your dream car journeys most stressful and exciting part. "acceptedAnswer": { We cover all aspects of the automotive world, from news to reviews and everything in between. Normally, we'd tell folks on a budget who like the Pontiac GTO to look for a same-year Tempest or LeMans A-body because they're typically cheaper. Yes, it is worth having a project car as it is very fun to drive. So, they outsourced the Probe from them. In the following chapters, we are going to share our list with you and share what are the best cars that you can get as a project. The 240SX is a sports coupe with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel-drive setup, making it a prime example of the best project cars under $5k for those looking for more performance at a lower cost. Before long, many project cars will be unrealistic and unobtainable to all but a few folks with stacks of spare cash. What this DeLuxe lacks in functioning equipment could arguably be made up by the value of its hard-won patina. Given the amount of restored or modified classics found online today, it is quite normal that the mere sight of an old car may trigger the need to purchase a powerplant that would fit in the engine bay. That being said, here are 8 of the best cars you are likely to find for under $5,000, according to industry experts: 1. Top 7 Inexpensive Best Project Cars Under $5k 1. But what you can do is get a standard Regal and make a Grand National clone car. The 3000GT is a cool-looking classic best project car under $5k. There's lots of descriptive detail in the ad, so if you're familiar with restoring old Chevy trucks, this one is worth a look. While most carmakers came up with their own versions of the soccer mom car, Volvo took it to another level. the_saxo_project 3,615 followers View profile 3. Getting your hands on a cool project car doesn't have to cost a fortune, but it might require more work than you thought. Toyota offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four powerplant for the U.S. market. You may have to haggle in order to get an SC400 in decent condition for less than $5,000, but the car is worth the hassle. It's easy to see why. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is and always will be one of the best choices for a cheap project vehicle. Directly inspired by Le Mans Group C racers, this street-legal track weapon is powered by an LS Chevy V8 that generates anywhere from 350hp up to 1,020hp, depending on the tune, though in its highest spec, the carbon fiber-clad hypercar kit is capable of 2.3-second 0-60mph times (or 0-100mph in 8.8-seconds) and speeds exceeding 240mph placing (Dig the original hand-painted door art!) The price for a 1949 Chevy DeLuxe four-door sedan in roller or restorable shape is in the $2,200-to-$2,300 range, and with a bit of haggling, this baby (or one like itwe found three in similar shape at this price!) B . They were the ultimate dad-mobile, and many of us grew up in the back seat then learned to drive with one of them. This model is also a very popular and fun machine to drive. The 3S-GTE produces 200 hp at 6,000 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 RPM. The best project cars for beginners to buy in 2021, including the most affordable, the best Japanese imports, and the best American and European classics. How to Register Your Vehicle in North Carolina, 2022 Toyota Highlander Family SUV Full Review, Prices And Specifications, Top Luxury Cars With Paddle Shifters For Fast And Comfortable Driving, Top 9 Older Trucks With Good Gas Mileage In 2022, 8 Best Car For Kayaks To Make Your Outdoor Activity Awesome, 8 Best Cars To Sleep in During Long Road Trip, New 2023 Honda Pilot Car Review, Price And Specifications, 15 Best Cars With 360 Camera For Complete View In 2023. It is one of the well-known vehicles, for the best car which creates an impressive build. We used Hagerty's Valuation Tool to ensure prices reflect the current state of the market. Station wagons were all the rage back in the early 2000s. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the best fun-to-drive and affordable cars in the US market today. Since these models are by far the most affordable out there and perfect for this budget of $5,000. Lastly, the seller can be an asset for information about that year, make, and model, including the project car's history. The most powerful engine is the 4.9L V8 that is producing about 200hp. You can get the cheapest best project cars under 5k right now. Also, the E30 was the blueprint for later 3-Series models. Now lets move on to the next model on our list of best project cars under 5k. Going to the nearest auto shop, one can easily find all kinds of spare parts such as air intakes, turbos, wheels, stiffer or softer suspensions, fenders, spoilers, wide-body kits, seats, and Momo/Mugen steering wheels, and many more. 1996 Nissan 240SX is the first car under $5k. This model is based on the good old F-body platform that was introduced in the late 60s with the first gen Camaro. With a dead engine and plenty of work remaining on this long-wheelbase model, the asking price is a tad steep; typical transaction prices on running '68 C10 LWB models in fair condition would be around $4,800, but we're guessing there's some room to negotiate. The Japanese sports coupe comes with naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 cylinders that develop 222 hp at 6,000 rpm, gain 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, 26.4 mpg fuel consumption, and 203 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM. There are cheap coupes that include underpowered engines. But we are only interested in the first two models. Our goal is to support you in becoming more acquainted with your vehicle while enhancing your driving experience. . Cars coming out of Germany are usually considered to be the beacon of reliability, luxury, and sportiness. However, even if we can afford to maintain some of these performance cars, we may have to get a second mortgage to build something out of this world. Required fields are marked *. 2001 Ford Mustang GT Price: $2,288 Horsepower: 260 hp @ 5,250 rpm Torque: 302 lb.-ft @ 4,000 rpm Ford Mustang has been leading the domestic automotive industry for more than a century. This was reportedly due to the limiting factor which was the 3-speed automatic transmission. Here is the catch: the Grand National has become a true classic. So, lets cover the models. Bargain shoppers have a lot of solid options that provide a painless entry point to DIY modification. 1996 Nissan 240SX 2. We have a team of writers working daily on common car problems. We share tips and tricks to enhance your driving experience as well as to make your car shopping easy. And the Probe was a decent replacement for the people who couldnt get a Mustang. Cheap. A project car is a used car that is in really rough shape but it has some sentimental value to the owner. And if you are one of them, this car will be perfect for you. Yes, you need to have project car insurance. Ford has, for the most part, been focusing on producing cars for the average Joe. "@type": "Question", Now lets conclude this article on the best project car under 5k. Check out our selection of cars for sale under $10,000. You can grab one of these hatchbacks for under 1000, and you'll be able to find many, many cheap external mods on the market to get you started. With vintage parts, new replacement bodies, and sheetmetal commonly available, this starter chassis may be the affordable entry point into the street rod or rat rod project you've been waiting for. It is one of the most successful and popular cars in automobile history. Now that we covered the reasons why to get the best project cars under 5k, lets move on and learn more about the reasons why not to get a project car. Sales slowly start to decline. As well as some other models like the Ford Mustang fastback and the first-generation Camaro. 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