Buying a used race car vs building own

doglover44 · 12-07-2009, 10:46 PM

Which do you prefer is better ? and when looking at a used race car what are the things to look for ?

njk53 · 12-08-2009, 09:47 AM

I'd suggest buying one that is already built. There are a lot of good competetive race cars out there at a decent price. You will spend way more money building a new one than you thought you would.

If you buy a used one be prepared to spend some money to make it the way you want it.

You will spend 2-3 years building a new car vs. getting on the track the same year if you buy an existing car.

Try to buy a car that is currently running in NHRA/IHRA. Go to the track and ask his competetors about the car. You will be surprised how much they know about someone elses car.

Ask for doccumentation regarding all of the things the seller said he has done to the car. Ask for time slips to review the cars performance.

Check the structural integrity of the entire vehicle including the roll cage. It is most important from a safety and performance factor.

Ask when the engine, trans, and rear gear has been last freshened if at all, and who did the work.

Ask the age of all other related items like the fuel system, axles, shocks, springs, u-joints, etc. Some of this stuff may have to be replaced.

Take a couple of knowledgeable buddies with you to look the car over. The more eyes the better.

Don't fall in love with the first car you find. Look at a lot of prospects and ask a lot of questions. Take notes on the details, your memory isn't as good as you think it is.

There are a lot more things to look for beyond what is listed above, maybe someone else can give their opinion.

Good Luck

Dave Ribeiro · 12-08-2009, 09:55 AM

There is no-way you can build one as cheap as you can buy one...
Also most cars you buy have been down the track and have most basic problems sorted out..... Don't make the same mistake most people make, buy one running and all built and go racing... There are enough things to worry about .... Good Luck with your project...

buzzinhalfdozen · 12-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Hands down buying a used car is the most cost effective, buying a "good" car requires a little work and investigation. Unless you have the required time and skills to do most of the build yourself. The initial cost of a good used car may seem high at first but you need to realize the price of parts and labor involved. As suggested you should not get "hung up" on one particular car, look and ask around, just because a car is not a "brand name" doesn't mean it's no good, however I'm sure there are some home built cars that are questionable. Take your time if you can and you will find a nice car worth the price.Joe

Harry 6674 · 12-08-2009, 10:54 AM

If you buy an existing race car we are not increasing our car counts,just changing drivers. It may(not always) cost more to build your own but it will be yours. If you have the skills it will save a bunch of cash.

west coast · 12-08-2009, 11:15 AM

Buying a car is not always cheaper. I am into my car way under 10,000 bucks and ran .63 under the index at Vegas this year and still have some improvements I can make with more money the motor has a144000 miles on it. It took less than a year to build. But I enjoy building racecars. If you want the fastest car on the block sure it is cheaper to buy a used one and go racing right away which is a big plus. It all depends on what you like to do build and race or buy and race or spend alot of money on a top of the line car and be really fast but most of all have fun with it.

Wade Mahaffey · 12-08-2009, 11:30 AM

The more you do yourself, the more pride and sense of accomplishment you feel! Just like they did back in the early days. Build what you can, and you'll never be racing over your head. Educate and challenge yourself to new heights. You keep trying and do your best, and that my friend is a Winner ! Wade

Steves68Nova · 12-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

If you buy a used one be prepared to spend some money to make it the way you want it.

That is somewhat true. I looked for a few months and after buying have spent less than $1000 on changes to make it what we wanted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

You will spend 2-3 years building a new car vs. getting on the track the same year if you buy an existing car.

That was the exact reason I bought a used one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

Try to buy a car that is currently running in NHRA/IHRA.

With current chassis certification. I suggest lower than 8.50 if you are going with a door car. With the crate engines out there it is very easy to run better than 8.50. Same with a dragster, it is very easy to go very fast these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

Take a couple of knowledgeable buddies with you to look the car over. The more eyes the better.

That is always true.

Steve

Rich Biebel · 12-08-2009, 02:12 PM

I like buying a well built used roller.....BUT you have to be carefull as your likely to be replacing a number of items once you take a close look or race it......

I have had to replace or rebuild a lot of the stuff on cars I bought....It's still cheaper than building if you find the right deal.

I bought most of my cars as rollers and I don't regret it at all.....I took them all apart anyway and built my own engines before I assembled and raced them.......

I did build a new dragster in 1998 and that was a lot of work. I did all the finish work on a basic frame and body.......and a friend painted it. A dragster is very easy compared to any door car no matter what class or categorie...

buzzinhalfdozen · 12-08-2009, 03:31 PM

I'll assume since this thread was started in the S-S/S area you're looking at a Stocker or S/S car? For the most part a 8.50 stickered car is sufficient for S/S, though there are a few S/S cars running quicker than 8.50, the problem is for the faster sticker you need to add quite a few tubes which adds to the Base weight of the car. Depending on the application this may not be a concern,however it's something to consider. Joe There is no doubt that you can gain a lot of pride and self satisfaction by building a race car yourself. However if you're not pretty confident in your abilities I'd leave it to someone else. No one can do everything a wise person knows their limits. Good luck

12-07-2009, 10:46 PM	#1
doglover44 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Carlisle OH Posts: 1,282 Likes: 3 Liked 408 Times in 186 Posts	Buying a used race car vs building own Which do you prefer is better ? and when looking at a used race car what are the things to look for ? __________________ Jake Biermann

12-08-2009, 09:47 AM	#2
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own I'd suggest buying one that is already built. There are a lot of good competetive race cars out there at a decent price. You will spend way more money building a new one than you thought you would. If you buy a used one be prepared to spend some money to make it the way you want it. You will spend 2-3 years building a new car vs. getting on the track the same year if you buy an existing car. Try to buy a car that is currently running in NHRA/IHRA. Go to the track and ask his competetors about the car. You will be surprised how much they know about someone elses car. Ask for doccumentation regarding all of the things the seller said he has done to the car. Ask for time slips to review the cars performance. Check the structural integrity of the entire vehicle including the roll cage. It is most important from a safety and performance factor. Ask when the engine, trans, and rear gear has been last freshened if at all, and who did the work. Ask the age of all other related items like the fuel system, axles, shocks, springs, u-joints, etc. Some of this stuff may have to be replaced. Take a couple of knowledgeable buddies with you to look the car over. The more eyes the better. Don't fall in love with the first car you find. Look at a lot of prospects and ask a lot of questions. Take notes on the details, your memory isn't as good as you think it is. There are a lot more things to look for beyond what is listed above, maybe someone else can give their opinion. Good Luck __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

12-08-2009, 09:55 AM	#3
Dave Ribeiro VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Williamsburg, Va.---USA Posts: 1,827 Likes: 1,612 Liked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own There is no-way you can build one as cheap as you can buy one... Also most cars you buy have been down the track and have most basic problems sorted out..... Don't make the same mistake most people make, buy one running and all built and go racing... There are enough things to worry about .... Good Luck with your project... __________________ Dave Ribeiro 1033 STK

12-08-2009, 10:07 AM	#4
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 985 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own Hands down buying a used car is the most cost effective, buying a "good" car requires a little work and investigation. Unless you have the required time and skills to do most of the build yourself. The initial cost of a good used car may seem high at first but you need to realize the price of parts and labor involved. As suggested you should not get "hung up" on one particular car, look and ask around, just because a car is not a "brand name" doesn't mean it's no good, however I'm sure there are some home built cars that are questionable. Take your time if you can and you will find a nice car worth the price.Joe __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117

12-08-2009, 10:54 AM	#5
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own If you buy an existing race car we are not increasing our car counts,just changing drivers. It may(not always) cost more to build your own but it will be yours. If you have the skills it will save a bunch of cash.

12-08-2009, 11:15 AM	#6
west coast Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rainy Washington Posts: 579 Likes: 4 Liked 131 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own Buying a car is not always cheaper. I am into my car way under 10,000 bucks and ran .63 under the index at Vegas this year and still have some improvements I can make with more money the motor has a144000 miles on it. It took less than a year to build. But I enjoy building racecars. If you want the fastest car on the block sure it is cheaper to buy a used one and go racing right away which is a big plus. It all depends on what you like to do build and race or buy and race or spend alot of money on a top of the line car and be really fast but most of all have fun with it.

12-08-2009, 11:30 AM	#7
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own The more you do yourself, the more pride and sense of accomplishment you feel! Just like they did back in the early days. Build what you can, and you'll never be racing over your head. Educate and challenge yourself to new heights. You keep trying and do your best, and that my friend is a Winner ! Wade

12-08-2009, 02:12 PM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own I like buying a well built used roller.....BUT you have to be carefull as your likely to be replacing a number of items once you take a close look or race it...... I have had to replace or rebuild a lot of the stuff on cars I bought....It's still cheaper than building if you find the right deal. I bought most of my cars as rollers and I don't regret it at all.....I took them all apart anyway and built my own engines before I assembled and raced them....... I did build a new dragster in 1998 and that was a lot of work. I did all the finish work on a basic frame and body.......and a friend painted it. A dragster is very easy compared to any door car no matter what class or categorie... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479

12-08-2009, 03:31 PM	#10
buzzinhalfdozen Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bellevue Ohio Posts: 985 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Buying a used race car vs building own I'll assume since this thread was started in the S-S/S area you're looking at a Stocker or S/S car? For the most part a 8.50 stickered car is sufficient for S/S, though there are a few S/S cars running quicker than 8.50, the problem is for the faster sticker you need to add quite a few tubes which adds to the Base weight of the car. Depending on the application this may not be a concern,however it's something to consider. Joe There is no doubt that you can gain a lot of pride and self satisfaction by building a race car yourself. However if you're not pretty confident in your abilities I'd leave it to someone else. No one can do everything a wise person knows their limits. Good luck __________________ Joe Buchanan SS/BX 3117 Last edited by buzzinhalfdozen; 12-08-2009 at 03:34 PM.