Paint job or new engine?

[CoiledSkunk]

I would like to get some opinions on this decision. My car is starting to show it's age these days and I could get it looking pretty pristine with a paint job. However, she also has 120k miles on her too. I am trying to decide if I should take the plunge and get her painted or if I should instead get a motor for her. Thanks

Gabe

 

['66 coupe]

Does she look worse, or run worse?

Lots of people here with more miles than that.

Personally, I'd do the paint now.

In the meantime, pickup a low-mileage GT40P longblock; get the intake too if possible. Freshen it up with new rings and bearing. Then you'll have that ready to drop in a weekend, once the stock motor goes.

I got a 75K-mile GT40P complete for $375.

 

[sage2k]

I vote go before show !

 

[95Mustang302]

who cares what the car looks like if its slow, ENGINE BEFORE SHOW!!!

 

[BlackVert]

my opinion: make your car into a car you want to drive. if something bugs you long enough, you will grow to dislike it to where you don't feel like getting in the car. mine had gotten to the point where i dreaded getting into the car because of all the problems. it was either fix all the annoying things or get a new car.

so .... which one will bugs you more? fix that first

 

[ShortThrow50]

my vote is on the engine.

 

[94-302-vert]

What do you want...?


Anyone who sees my car will think it is a heap based on the paint/body... but I have all new chassis underneath it all... and starting to work on the motor... To me looks are secondary...

 

[wytstang]

If it runs fine and you are happy or can live with what it has for now paint it. If you want/need more pep in your step motor.

 

[CoiledSkunk]

Good input guys. I think I should mention that the car is about as fast as I care to make it. I've added a sig with the mods. I am sure the motor is good for another 30-50k miles if I'm good to it. Drivetrain, suspension and brakes are all new. I am a good burnout away from a 12 second run (currently 13.0 @ 107.9)and that's as fast I need to go. So, for me, looks have been secondary for the 7 years I've owned the car. Going by what Blackvert said, I think the paint is finally starting to bug me more than the performance. To answer '66 coupe, I would have to say it looks worse than it goes.

Between my buddy and my dad, they gave me another option and that was to fix only the areas in danger of rust and just leave the car as a "track/project car."

 

[JJ95GTID]

Well, after looking at your sig I'd say you've already done enough of the 'more go' stuff. I'd shoot for 'more show' stuff now......maybe

My car is a 10' beauty
Looks really nice until you're within 10' of it.
Then the door dings and faded paint really start to show up.

 

[94-302-vert]

I would be happy with a 10' beauty... my car is quickly going form a 20/20 to a 60/60 car...

 

[Pokageek]

PAINT FTW. You have a nice car and relatively fast. Our engines last a LOOONG time. Paint paint paint.

 

[Kevin R.]

Paint it.

My engine is beat and not even fast but I would fix the body work and paint mine in a minute just so I can be proud to drive it.

You get sick of things fast if you don't enjoy them.

 

[Engel]

id paint man, gotto keep it pimp

 

[Venom351R]

I think you just answered your own question.

 

[BlackVert]

... I think the paint is finally starting to bug me more than the performance.

sounds like a decision to me