What should I expect out of a 6 grand car? Are there 3rd Generation Caminos out there that are rust free and actually have options that work?

I'm looking into a '71 SS. I like that 3rd generation! But I want a driver, not a show car. Not a donor. Not a rust bucket. What's a reasonable cost to spend on an SS in this category?

Matt

Its been covered a bunch but.... Check for things like rust and broken parts.

If it is a 70 El Camino then no matter if it is an SS or not its a good generation anyway. I'd make sure I won't have to "unknowingly" spend a bunch of cash on it to get it to run after I bought it if its selling for $6000.00. That is not a bad price if it runs. If its not running I wouldn't pay anymore than 2,000.00 and I would have to have a real compelling need to spend that much on a Ride that is not running.

As far as Lemon.... Cars that are that age are always going to require some amount of work. Lemon is a term for a new car with problems. Old cars are going to have problems, get use to that. If it is a lemon after you've had it a while then get some help fixing it. All problems can be fixed, the only detractor is cost of the fix.

Good luck with your purchase. I hope that is all you ever expected and then some.

So I go to look at this car. It's a clone. Not even a good clone. Paint and badges and that's it. It did have the 350/350 setup, but the guy decided to put a cam, intake and edelbrock carb on the thing, as well as headers and other pretty doodads. And raised the price.

It wasn't a bad car, but for 6 grand I thought I could get a real SS driver. The doors were rusted out at the bottom. Rust at the bottom of the rear window. Paint from 5 years ago bubbling, but not at the bottom. Fixable.

But it would never be an SS. And to gut the cabin, fix the paint, new doors, one wheel well, dump the brand new headers and reinstall the airconditioner....? Well, I thought that would put me way into a budget that would over value the car.

Am I out of line here? Is this the kind of stuff I should expect for 6 grand? I'm going to keep looking. I just wonder if this is a good deal and my expectations are too high.

You are not out of line. Walk away, and count your blessings. For $6000 you should get what you want. They are out there. Just keep looking.

I bought a "68 awhile back, and it took a lot just to get it where I can drive it. I've told my sad story enough, but look at my pictures in third generation album. They will give you some clues as what is NOT acceptable. After I limped mine home from Vegas I came across a much better car 2 miles from my house.

Decide how much time and money you want to spend . I'm into mine too much to let go, so I drive it with the bare minimums until I can solve the leakage problems and start on the interior. I also think that a frame-up restoration is necessary on mine just to get some years out of it, but there are too many things to balance right now.