I NEED talked out of a poor decision... Maybe...

So if anyone here has seen my name pop up in some threads, or threads posted by me, you'd know I like taking absolute piles of garbage and making them into less of a pile of garbage. That being said...

I've got the opportunity to pick up a gen 1 lightning. It's OK, nothing to write home about. Paint is worse than bad. Some may say "patina." Been sitting for an undisclosed amount of time. Allegedly sub 100k, but lived life in the rust belt. Non running, Allegedly needs a fuel pump. (Don't all "cheap" projects?)

My dilemma(s).
1. My project 03 cobra dropped a valve seat and hurt the short block. It still needs paint, suspension work, AND is a terminator. There's ALWAYS something.

2. My 97 cobra. It's tired. Using oil. Engine is currently sitting waiting to get rebuilt. I need to get a different trans. For it, a stock t45 won't live behind the anticipated power plant. (Staying NA 4v mod.) NEP and Apocalypse Performance will be well paid by the time I'm done.

3. It's a lightning. I've always wanted a gen 1 or 2, or both. It's cheap enough I could part it our for what I'm looking to pay. Break-even, no money made. At the end of the day, it would sit in my wife and I's collection. It doesn't need done immediately. I have a place to store it and wait to work on it later.

I'm young. Just turned 27. No kids, nor any plans for any. Have an acreage with my wife. I've got a life of opportunities ahead of me. I've sat back and weighed the pro's and con's. That scale is so balanced to me, it's not funny. I see reasons to say no. I see reasons to say, "you're an idiot if you don't."

Old timers, guys that have passed on things they regret, and guys that have done similar things, weigh in.

I'd say you have your hands full already. Get the Terminator and your Cobra right first. You are young there is plenty of time to find a better Lightning than the one you describe.

Agree with above 100%.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

Agreed sounds like a damn money pit…

Sorry that not that helpful. I’d finish the other projects first then grab a Lightning or whatever else comes your way at that time.

Everything I own is a money pit. That being said, I appreciate the insite guys. It'll probably be let to sit where it is.

Pass. Get your current cars done.

PC03GT said:

I'd say you have your hands full already. Get the Terminator and your Cobra right first. You are young there is plenty of time to find a better Lightning than the one you describe.

Click to expand...

This!

Beyond that the truck living in the rust belt would be a hard pass for me.

You say you could part it out for the money you would have into it. What's the point in that? And you won't get that time back either. That's time you could be spending fixing your other cars.

If you have the time, space, and motivation then buy it cheap, part it out, make some coin.

Relaxed Chaos said:

If you have the time, space, and motivation then buy it cheap, part it out, make some coin.

Click to expand...

Wouldn't part out unless things went way south.

2003RedfireVert said:

Pass. Get your current cars done.

Click to expand...

Likely going to.

Blkkbgt said:

This!

Beyond that the truck living in the rust belt would be a hard pass for me.

You say you could part it out for the money you would have into it. What's the point in that? And you won't get that time back either. That's time you could be spending fixing your other cars.

Click to expand...

Rust belt stuff doesn't scare me off. Growing up around legit rusty garbage has made me appreciate nice new stuff, but also helps when buying stuff. People run or low ball when they see vehicles being sold north of st Louis.

Part out reference was notating it was/is fairly cheap.

It's not coming home unless the seller shoots me a STUPID cheap price later down the road. Doubt they will, as they're the original owners.

I’ll say this my friend. Owning multiple projects is fun until it’s not. I’ve got more cars than I have storage for. I’d say each one of my cars needs something, if not multiple things. Tedious as that may be, it’s just more time, and money spent.

I’ve got 7 vehicles, not including motorcycles. Each one requires maintenance, insurance, registration, etc. The more cars you have the more you’ll have to do, and the quicker you’ll get burnt out. Even more so when something goes south such as the cobras motor being hurt again. Your focus will be on that, and the next project just goes further and further out.

All in all I say skip this one for now, focus on your current build, once that’s finished up you can enjoy your cobra age when the lightning pisses you off.

I'll play the old guy in the thread. Having been born the year of the Mustangs debut, I've had countless Mustangs. From Mach 1's , Boss 302, to Boss 429. Fastback and coupes and all sorts of coupes and trucks. It was always about bringing something back from nothing and making money for the next purchase. Time was never really factored in though. It was a passion and learning experience, I just really enjoyed working on cars and trucks both. Now, In this stage of my life it's about teaching and passing down the the confidence, and satisfaction of accomplishment that comes from completing a project. Not many have the desire, ability, or aptitude to take on restoration projects. I say do it only if it will bring you closer to the next project or dream.

not for a gen 1

PC03GT said:

I'd say you have your hands full already. Get the Terminator and your Cobra right first. You are young there is plenty of time to find a better Lightning than the one you describe.

Click to expand...

^This.

If you have extra income, save it. Retire even earlier.
Enjoy your land and the car hobby.

Agree with most of above, pass.

With the way our politicians are flying this plane into a skyscraper, no way I’d get into another project unless I had about $500k in the bank and at least a mil in retirement.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

There's always gen 1 opportunities, they don't have the draw gen 2 have. You're not missing out on anything if you pass.

LS WUT said:

I’ll say this my friend. Owning multiple projects is fun until it’s not. I’ve got more cars than I have storage for. I’d say each one of my cars needs something, if not multiple things. Tedious as that may be, it’s just more time, and money spent.

I’ve got 7 vehicles, not including motorcycles. Each one requires maintenance, insurance, registration, etc. The more cars you have the more you’ll have to do, and the quicker you’ll get burnt out. Even more so when something goes south such as the cobras motor being hurt again. Your focus will be on that, and the next project just goes further and further out.

All in all I say skip this one for now, focus on your current build, once that’s finished up you can enjoy your cobra age when the lightning pisses you off.

Click to expand...

This.

Many on here know that we have 6 mustangs. It's never ending. I hate it when something isn't working right on any of them. And every one that we own has something that needs fixing.

It gets a bit overwhelming at times. And it's expensive...

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk

Solid advice in here. Appreciate it. I was leaning to no, I just needed the nudge.

Meanwhile i want a clean 02 or 03 L lol

That being said...OP...finish your shit before you become a meme lol

@FleeMan has a bad ass Lightning he’s fixing up. He knows how much I want one, however I can’t pull the trigger until I finish up all my other projects first.