Buy now or wait???

[Hyper01]

I've always been a huge fan of cobras and I'm now in the position to start my project. I've read that a lot of people on here avg about 25k for a basic build. I have the money to buy the basic kit, get it here and start but not finish with the rest of the donor pieces. I do not have the donor car yet but there are some decent options on CL that I've seen. I would like to take advantage of the spring sale with appearance package being some of the things on my wish list. Just trying to get some feedback from the experienced members here. Should I go ahead and buy the kit and work toward the donor or buy the donor and get it ready for the kit at a later time? I don't wont to work backward, but I'm thinking that I may not do the donor car being that we have a ford junkyard about 30 min from home. I'm assuming that the spring sale is the only sale they have but that info would also be helpful so I don't have to rush anything. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[edwardb]

There are many variables. Everyone's situation and build is different, but couple of responses FWIW. A 25K build is possible -- and you're right several have said how they did it -- but I think most are more than that. I don't have any statistics, but if you do the math for most builds, including paint (the biggest surprise for my first build) 25K is a tough number to hit. Put together a build plan, be honest about what you want and don't want, what the car will be used for, etc. and you should get a good idea. Then the challenge is sticking to it. Depending on how many donor parts you plan to use, you may not need a complete car. But one of the stories I've heard a lot for donor builds is that guys have been able to part out the donor and really help out their budget. Regarding FFR's sale, I haven't kept track, but seems that they have more than one a year. So this isn't the only time to get a crack at it, but I understand completely the desire to take advantage. Another option you might want to consider is watch for guys selling partial builds. My Mk3 I bought about 40% done, now finished. My Mk4 about 5%, and now underway. In both cases, got some good savings. Both are new builds, and I'm afraid more than your target cost. :eek:

[bill3422]

I purchased a complete kit, It was delivered 2/21/13 and I am about 90% complete. Which ever kit you purchase I would not wait on "a sale" for a purchase. There seems to be some sort of a sale on all the time and seem to equal up to the same amount of savings one way or another.

I agree with edwardb, after parts you find you need, options you decide are "have to's", tires, wheels, paint and body work it may be tough to keep under you estimated amount

[bil1024]

Buy it, thats what I would do, you will have no regrets

[Johnc1]

The oppositions are endless, decide what you want and the price you can work at, then go for it. I just picked up a MK2 for a good price built good and with the parts I would build it with.

[seagull81]

Another option if you aren't too set on building the car yourself is buy a completed car and finance what you don't have now. You can finance a completed car. There are quite a few really nice cars for sale on different websites. Build for two years or drive for two years. Hook up with your local Cobra club and talk about your plans and how you want to use the car. Cruising or track. Many different options you need to consider before you buy, either way. At my age buying a finished car was better for me, but I have been rebuilding it since. I don't think these cars are ever finished.

[CraigS]

I wouldn't even consider a donor. They are WAY to old now. I think you would do much better finding parts as you need them individually. Tap into any Mustang clubs you can find either locally or on the web. There are also some salvage yards that will do pallets. You can specify what you want and they send it. No need to deal w/ a carcass. A friend doing a budget build found, through another local club member, a guy w/ a 69 Mustang that someone had previously installed a 302 and T-5.The 69 owner wanted to go more original for his car so found a 351 and a 4 speed. He let the 302 and T-5 go to my friend for $500 cause he had no use for them. He also found a rear axle somewhere about 90 minutes drive away for <$500. I don't remember what exactly comes w/ the base kit but to keep the costs down plan on a carbed 302/T-5 and get the wire harness FFR has for that application.

[MPTech]

I bought a Base Kit, then identified and bought the parts I wanted to incorporate into my build.
Watch the For Sale area in the forums (you are aware of the other one?) and you can get some great deals!
I bought a brand new FFR radiator, gas tank, and all of the fittings from a member that decided to go in a different direct with his complete kit.
I also bought a brand new Painless wiring harness off the forum.
I bought a rebuilt & upgraded '93 302, runs great and many new parts (water pump, alt, gaskets, bearings, etc)

I did buy a donor front-end (spindles, calipers, rotors, steering-rack, Master Cylinder and Booster).
I kept the spindles and Master Cylinder (BIG mistake) and turned in the others as cores for new units.
The Master Cylinder bit me last week and changing it with the body on was a PITA.
Don't use old parts on you new car! (been there, done that, won't do it again)

Buying the parts you need off of the forum (or vendors) is also a way to spread your costs throughout your build.

[Gumball]

One of the great parts of these cars is that, for the most part, you just can't finance a kit or the parts. That means, for nearly everyone, we basically buy our cars "on time" by first getting the kit and then buying all the other little (and sometimes not so little) parts as we go. In the end, we have a completed car that is paid-in-full and ready for our enjoyment.

That said, you do need to honestly answer the question to yourself as to whether you are ready to make the financial committment before you buy the kit. As someone pointed out above, there are always partially completed kits out there as people's plans and financial situation (as well as committment) change over time.

If it's truly something you want to do and you're ready to jump in with both feet, then by all means do it. There's nothing wrong with buying the kit now and the donor (or new or refurbished/refurbishable parts) later. There have been times in my build where I was a bit fed-up with spending money, so I'd just redirect my energies to working on stuff that came with the kit... I just called it doing "free work" as there's always plenty to do with the parts you already paid for!

Finally, as others mentioned, FFR has sales quite a bit and I've even heard of people negotiating with them when a sale is not running... so, don't let the spring sale be a cause for any imagined urgency. What I did when I was ready to buy was to tell my wife that next time FFR has a sale, I'm going to order the kit. Sure enough, the very next day I got a flyer in the mail for a new sale!!!

Best of luck and please keep us posted on your decision!

[skullandbones]

Hyper01,

Don't let anybody kid you. The Mustang drivetrains are tuff. Using a used trans and rear are OK. I had a 60k miles 92GT donor. I eventually bought a crate engine but only the short block and cam assembly (new or remanufactured). However, when I took the donor engine down, it was great looking. It will see more action, I'm sure. But low mileage donors are getting harder to find. Stay away from used parts that can cause you headaches later (difficult to change out after build already mentioned). If you have the time, "cherry picking" used stuff at the salvage yard can save a lot especially if business is customer friendly. I've had very good experience with them. You won't get stuck with a bad part (exchange). At some point, you will get hooked and start buying from the forum vendors as some of the reproduction specialty parts are just hard to beat or unavailable otherwise. I don't think you will regret that though. Best advice: don't wait. You need to get started on your project that will never really be finished (that's the fun part). I haven't registered yet and already have a list of mods I want to do during the summer and fall. Good luck, WEK.

[Hyper01]

Thanks for the input guys... I think I'm going to go ahead and order my kit. Be on the lookout for by build forum.

[Hyper01]

Thanks for the input guys... I think I'm going to go ahead and order my kit before the sale ends. Be on the lookout for my build forum.

[bil1024]

Congrats!

[WIS89]

Hyper-

Great choice!! Make sure you send some pictures when you get her delivered! Congratulations!! I am envious...

Regards,

Steve