This is a car on which you can work and not be afraid that you could mess up something. Like all of the cars under $5000 on our list, the Lucerne has a reputation for durability and value. 1996 Nissan 240SX is the first car under $5k. Now lets take a look at what is a project car in general. You can change the entire front/rear bumper, fenders, and doors. But not any Regal, we are primarily interested in the second generation of the Regal produced from 1978 to 1987. But there are also reasons why not to do it. Now lets take a look at the reasons why to get a project car. Lastly, the seller can be an asset for information about that year, make, and model, including the project car's history. Its most popular vehicle, the Mustang, is one of the best cars to create an insane build. So, if you are in need of a challenge and you want to improve your skillset, then you definitely need a project car. "text": "You can make a car look sporty by replacing the standard shocks with custom coilovers. 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. Affordable Classic Cars For Sale Collector cars fall into every budget, and some of the best projects or overlooked gems are affordable. We're including the seller links to all our found treasures, but we realize they may not continue to "link" for very long, so we've stashed extra photos of each one of our projects here in our gallery for reference purposes. Normally, that's a bad thing, but it can also be liberating. This is because older cars have a lot of parts that are not available on the shelf. That being said, here are 8 of the best cars you are likely to find for under $5,000, according to industry experts: 1. Which one would you choose? Buick has many solid offerings under $5000, but the best may just be the Buick Lucerne. And these made these cars a lot more reliable than previous generation models. Notable SC400 CONFIGURATIONS LIKE 260 LB-ft torque capacity, 105.9-inch wheelbase, and 4-speed automatic transmission. In fact, there was no difference between the two. In the golden era of this model, they were making these cars like pancakes, with more than 250,000 units annually for the first three model years. Along with the Camaro, we can also recommend you the Pontiac Firebird from this era since they are genuinely the same car under the hood. (Dig the original hand-painted door art!) . Now lets answer some frequently asked questions. 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 Honda Civic Del Sol has to be one of the most underrated Civics ever made. Four Wheel Drive. The ubiquitous full-size Chevy is available in many trims and configurations that should fit any taste in a backroad explorer. Mitsubishi 3000GT is the best choice for people who love project cars. And if you want something really fun, the turbo model is the way to go. 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. Maintenance costs are a huge factor to consider when buying an R129. As we noted previously, we will focus on cheap cars that you can get as a complete car. It is one of the most iconic and unforgettable fun-to-drive and mid-range project cars in terms of driving satisfaction, reliability, and affordability. (Note: The seller erroneously calls it a bubbletop, but the last bubbletops in the Buick range were built out in 1961. Just remember this: A journey of a thousand miles happens one step at a time, and if you're a true believer, you will eventually vanquish your fix-it list one line at a time. And shares his thoughts on automobiles, repair and maintenance, top selling cars on Auto Seeks. Given the success of the Impreza, most Subarus were simply put on the back burner. Score the car that started the muscle car craze! Lets learn more about that next. Still, for this budget, your best bet would be to get a Camaro RS. According to the seller, this 1974 Pontiac Catalina is not only in running condition, but nearly everything works on this 455ci 4bbl. 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. Also, you can add a cold air intake to improve the performance of the engine a little bit. This is one of the biggest fallacies of the Japanese carmaker. When advertised on the level, cheap project cars can take the mystery out of matters, since the seller is already representing it as something that needs work. But a bit of bravery can get you something chunky second-hand Stephen Dobie Top Gear Magazine. The GTOs engines were either naturally aspirated or were also functional with active aerodynamics, four-wheel steering, adaptive suspension, and permanent all-wheel drive. 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. Though rough at first glance. The madness engines are used by the project CARS. You can make a car look sporty by replacing the standard shocks with custom coilovers. The Mitsubishi 3000GT is one of the best choices for people who like project cars. The same car moms used to drive to their kids' soccer practice in? },{ The GTOs engines were either naturally aspirated or twin-turbocharged and were also functional with active aerodynamics, four-wheel steering, permanent all-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension. Just drop a used Cummins turbodiesel under the hood, patch the corners and rockers, run a pair of exhaust stacks behind the cab, and add a wood bed with a moonshine still in the back. 1962 Chevrolet Corvair 4 Door Sedan Very Rare Restoration Project. Tastefully modified Japanese sports cars can start to excellent effect. They might not be packing a lot of power. Score the car that started the muscle car craze! Just by looking at those numbers, it is easy to understand why the MR2 is a legend in Japan. When it comes to JDM builds, the first brand that usually comes to mind is Honda. 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!) I'm here to help you with your car. "@type": "Answer", unit. Many tuners have a cheap entry point and learn to light mustangs. And we need to cover them as well since a lot of people are too excited and go for it, not thinking about the consequences. First, we are going to learn what is a project car and the reasons why to get a project car. You can even find them for a few hundred dollars. could be yours. With no title, no engine, no trans, no rear, no suspension, and half the bodywork missing, your fab chops better be up to speed and your checkbook fully stocked, but a comprehensive mild-steel rollcage has already been installed and much of the tinwork completed. Toyota marketed it worldwide from 1984 to 2007 for three generations. This Mustang had the longest stint out of any Mustang model up to date. Some of these models include famous classic cars like the second-generation Dodge Charger from the 60s and the Dodge Challenger from that era. 10 Awesome Project Cars You Can Buy For Less Than $5,000, These Affordable Used Sports Cars Should Be In Every Collector's Garage, even if we can afford to maintain some of these performance cars, These Are The Best Ways To Upgrade Your BMW E30, cars that prove that BMW makes the ultimate driving machines, Auction Dilemma: Saab 9-5 2.3T Aero SportCombi Vs. Volvo V70R. Beyond cars and vehicle review he also enjoys playing baseball along with teengers. You shouldn't feel like you must find a numbers-matching engine for a car that's already missing everything else; you can do whatever you want with the parts you already have. Which is an entry-level car. Copyright 2023 Driving Slowly | All Right Reserved, Top 7 Best Project Cars Under $5k For 2023, on Top 7 Best Project Cars Under $5k For 2023. Some of the models have a 2.0L turbocharged engine that is very tunable and able to produce a ton of power. The MX-5 has a substantial chassis and a forgiving motor that can handle a significantly higher load than others. Max Veron is an avid fan of anything equipped with a powerful engine. Well, the Fiero is basically an 80s icon, when you think about the 80s you immediately think about the Pontiac Fiero, Toyota MR2, or Chevy Camaro. And its design is really timeless. Lowrider fans might also like this one for an old-school lowrider, but achieving top results will take more effort than a rat rod theme. So, lets cover the models. Although those numbers are laughable, it is important to keep in mind that an engine swap is always an option. It may not be as exciting as an Impreza STi, but it has all the elements needed to become a monster. So, what is a project car? When casting about for cheap project cars in the under-$5,000 price territory, it will pay to have some patience. The SC400 is a classic Lexus that everybody forgets about. You may not find an acceptable project car right away, or the one you want may require more work than your skills or budget allow. 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 When it comes to sports cars, Lexus may not be the brand to go to. $90/mo. Also See: 12 Best American Made Sedans #1. Driven by the late Colin McRae, the Subaru Impreza really showed that Japanese carmakers were capable of manufacturing cars that could zoom down any path with ease. This is the ultimate budget project cars guide. So, until the beginner driver learns how to drive and how to park well, it is not recommendable to drive something fast and unpredictable. Some project cars are missing significant parts. 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. 8 Top-Rated Best Project Cars To Start A Home Build. 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. And if youre looking for inspiration on what mods you can do to Camaros, weve looked at how a twin turbo kit fares for the Camaro V6. The Rising Stars: W hile not normally considered as drift cars by beginners, the Toyota Cressida and BMW 3-series are quickly . could be yours. Offered in Chevy (Impala, Caprice), Buick (Electra), Oldsmobile (Ninety-Eight), and Pontiac (Catalina) models, fullsize GMs were the master of the open road with their long wheelbase, cushy ride, and torquey powerplants. We cover each new car release to you familiar with them. } The car comes with a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five powerplant that cranks out 300 hp at 5,250 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 rpm. 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. 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. Weiser, Idahobased example of the Chrysler Town & Country wagon has all its glass and brightwork, including an impeccable grille. It comes with a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 that manufactures just 302 lb-ft of torque at 4000 RPM and 260 hp at 5,250 rpm. For example, I always wanted to get a third-gen Camaro, I even had a big poster from it in my room. And also the car that was produced in very high numbers by Buick. 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 "mainEntity": [{ What is interesting about these two models is that they often include some fun little engines. But this is why they are rather cheap and affordable to purchase on the second-hand market. It is easily affordable and simple. Cars under $5,000. Its engine fits behind the front axles, making it a rear-wheel-drive, front mid-engine vehicle. The luxury division of Toyota produced mainly high-end sedans back in the 1990s. 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. And you can reinvest your money from the budget in sorting out. The seller indicates he has a 1964 New Yorker and a 1963 Imperial (available separately) that contain enough drivetrain parts to make it complete. Motor Verso runs display advertisements and advertorials on our content. The second-generation MR2 is by far the sexiest and the most modular MR2 of all. And the Probe was a decent replacement for the people who couldnt get a Mustang. Now lets move on to the next on our list of best project cars under 5k. First, we learned what a project car really is and the reasons why you should get a project car, and the reasons why not to get a project car. 1990 Mazda Miata MX-5 MSRP: Starting From : $4,799 6. You can get a Porsche for under $5,000 - the 944. 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Max Veron is an avid fan of anything equipped with a powerful engine is a look! Sc400 is a project car and the Probe was a decent replacement the! 'M here to help you with your car started the muscle car craze legend in Japan ubiquitous full-size Chevy available! Sedans back in the under- $ 5,000 - the 944 people who love project to.