I need some input
Posted by One_Ad7191@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 20 comments
I recently got a big chunk of money from an accident I was in and am thinking about spending 10k on a 1972 mustang. I am 19 and want to be a pilot and would have enough money left over after medical bills are payed off and plenty of money for flight school is put aside to purchase the car. My question is should I do it? This is a dream car but my dad thinks it’s too much to spend on a project.
Info on the car: they are selling it because he’s a young kid and can’t pay for it while still in school. Listed at 11.5 k and I talked him to 10000 and said I’ll let him know. I’ve received pictures and videos confirming it starts and idles good and is good as far as the rust claim goes. This is the listing:
1972 Ford mustang 351 cleveland 4v fmx transmission rust free it runs and drives good the following has been fixed or replaced Tires
Nss
Ignition switch
Headlights
Cable for starter
Battery
Solenoid
Carburetor kit
Brakes
Brake switch
Manifold gaskets
Flasher relay
Carb rebuild
Battery tie down
Starter motor cable
Choke
Dome light
Headlights
All new fuses
Spark plugs
Bled brakes
Fixed corroded wires
Transmission lockdown pin
Window crank
Grill lights
Washer knob
2 new wheel cylinders
Fixed stalling choke is still needed to be used if cold but that’s normal
Brake lights are working now
Gas tank
Belts
Throttle cable
No_Tomato_2106@reddit
Honestly we can't really tell without seeing the car. I'm assuming it's a coupe and not a fast back? Any body damage/paint damage? You'll have to drive it to see if there are any noticable issues.
10k is the price range for a decent shape coupe - a driver but you're not winning any car shows and you should keep some spare fluids/tools in the trunk. Could be a daily after a bit more work, just be cool with having back up transportation.
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
Here’s a pic. I plan to do a test drive and thoroughly inspect before I pull the trigger. I haven’t seen it in person yet because it’s 2 hours away and I have been busy.
HotWalk152@reddit
I wouldn't...they should have at least used the actual nasa scooped mustang hood instead of slapping that on its hood...cheap route they took...probably same with everything else honestly......but my opinion is like most others. Focus on schooling not on a project car.....good luck with your future and career it sounds like youll make a great pilot
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the comment! I’ve decided to lay the idea to rest and focus on school.
Ok_Professional9319@reddit
The only thing worse than a mustang is a yellow mustang.
Radiant-Security-347@reddit
you need to make sure it's a Cleveland motor and not a Windsor. big difference in value.
navlgazer9@reddit
If you want something fastback , Look at a 68-71 Tornio .
They haven’t skyrocketed in price like mustangs have .
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the input. I’ll look into them
navlgazer9@reddit
They made coupe and fastback versions of the Torino and with the Mercury version of the Tornio called the Cyclone .
And also convertibles , wagons and rancheros
We have a falcon station wagon .
The big thing here is don’t let a car distract you from your career and schooling goals .
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
That’s what seems to be everyone’s same opinion so I’m gonna have to weigh my options a little bit better by importance. Thank you
bigfatfun@reddit
You should be spending your time and money on school. No matter what you want to be. If you want to be a pilot, though, that’s a whole different thing.
You don’t just go to school then go be a pilot. You pay the school for a license, then their job is done and you’re on your own. You have to pay to accrue hours of flight time and ratings on different aircraft and you don’t make any money until you’ve been working very low paying, hard to get jobs for a lot of years. Plus, you’re competing for jobs against all those air force pilots who have received free training and thousands of hours of flight time and are coming back to civilian life. Those guys walk into the major airline jobs that your flight school says they can qualify you for. You have to share a shitty crash pad apartment with 7 other people on standby for a local commuter airline waiting and hoping for the phone to ring telling you to be at the airport in an hour to cover a flight to who-knows-where trying to get enough flight time for a real airline to even talk to you. If you want to be a pilot, you have to decide to be a pilot and everything you do has to be in pursuit of that goal. Then maybe you’ll make it. Probably not though.
But at least you’ll have a broken mustang rusting away at your parents house.
navlgazer9@reddit
I’m not a pilot but This is pretty realistic .
Same as if you wanna be a pharmacist or anything else that takes years of grinding to get there .
I’d work on your goals and not get distracted by a car .
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
That seems to be the collective opinion thank you.
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice. I understand piloting is far far more than just paying for the license. I fully plan to put my all into it once I start. I appreciate the honesty
Lee2026@reddit
This really boils down to 1 question…
Do you have reliable transportation?
You don’t want a project car as a daily driver. I mean you could, but it takes careful planning. If a project or failure leaves the car of commission, can you manage without a car?
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
I do have a reliable daily. This would be an extra vehicle to work on and enjoy
titsmuhgeee@reddit
Do you have another car that's reliable transportation?
Are you absolutely sure your accident won't hinder you from getting your FAA medical?
Personally, at your age, I wouldn't. You have much bigger fish to fry.
With that said, it's not like you're burning the cash. If you ever need the money for something else, you can reasonably get rid of a '72 in short order.
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
Yes I do have a reliable daily. I already have my 1st class medical but was waiting to start school til summer or fall.
titsmuhgeee@reddit
Nice!
With that said, expect a mess if this was owned by a young kid. I see a bunch of electrical items on the list, and that's going to be an adventure if that was installed by a kid with zero experience.
One_Ad7191@reddit (OP)
It was technically the kids car but his dad has been doing it all with him otherwise I’d be more worried myself. From other pictures it all looked well put together and neat but that’s definitely something I would check when I see it in person. Why does the corroded wires red flag you ?