Help Me Choose a Wagon

There are three wagons that I am looking at, and I am hoping that maybe you fellas can tell me what you'd be wanting to do in my position.

One car is complete, low miles, red with red vinyl interior, wood grain, looks fairly clean and solid. $2700 plus shipping to my house, which would probably be around $500.

The other car has no motor or trans, but is an uncommon and sort of interesting color, though not a color I usually like. It is a top-of-the-line model. No title, but I might be able to get around that by using my brother who lives in NH. This one appeals to me for the uncommon color, the cloth interior (even though it's tan), and I like the front-end on it better than the red one above. It's also cheaper, at $1700 plus the shipping.

Last car is only $895 plus the shipping. No wood grain, kind of a bland cream color, a few dents. No engine. I'm told it's solid, but don't know exactly what that means. Looks maybe a bit more worn than the other two. Interior is a bland cream vinyl. This one has a front end that I like more than the complete $2700 car, too.

Basically, part of my brain is telling me that the complete car is the way to go, even if I do not prefer the front end and it's less oddball than car #2. It's more money up-front, but since it's complete, should take less to get on the road and enjoy. Another part of me tells me to pick up one of the cheaper cars because the up-front cost is less, and one of them is sure to turn heads once assembled and on the road. But, buying a car without a drive train means lots more work and time invested, and money as well.

What do you guys reckon? All three wagons are from the same line, but are different years or trim levels.

 

Need a whole bunch more detail and lots of pics to make educated guess comments.

 

Did you see what happened to that member on here who posted a wagon he was chasing, and someone else used the info to grab it out from under him? I am afraid I have shared too much already.

Even without seeing the cars, it's at least possible to say whether you would prefer to spend more for a complete car than to buy a cheaper one that needs more work, right?

Worst case scenario, I will just make up my own mind and then share the details. But the last thing I want is to get sniped.

I'm sorry if this thread was ill-conceived or premature.

 

Yeah, its a shame there are wagon snatchers out there. I can see Barney Fife now....."Wagon snatcher!"...."Snoop! Snoop!".

 

With the little info given, I'd lean toward option A.

 

I'd go for the complete car UNLESS you have the skills and know that the drive train is readily available for one of the cheaper cars with the preferred front end/appearance.

If you know where you can get a good, used engine/trans for cheap and you can do the work, get the one you like better.

Not much help, am I?

 

ya...i get your point...but not knowing years /makes/models.????

im at a loss

 

when and who ?...got scooped on a wagon??

i musta missed that one

 

This guy: http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17299

All day today, I was nearly ready to pull the trigger on option B: the preferred but incomplete car with no title. But now, I am swinging back to option A, the complete machine for more dough. I don't really want a project, I want to be cruising by the first warm weather.

I will make this thread up to folks by posting plenty of details when I finally do get one of these home. Sorry for the tease.

 

yikes....yup...missed that one
not cool....and now i really get it Bull

 

there are Europeans on this board that i would GLADLY help find a car
Rob (harry clamshell)
the low lows
Erik Boatail
senri

these guys are part of our family, they took the time to get to know everyone here (even through the language barrier) and share the common bond of respect.
but snagging a wagon out from under another board member w/o consent is bad form.

 

I had missed that thread, as well. This is terrible, that's not what the SWF is about. We're supposed to be friends and friends gotta wait their turn.

 

If you are really jonesing to get a runner and be out cruising, your question's answered for you. Keep in mind though, that any older wagon going for $2,700 is going to need some things.

If it were me, I might consider option B, but I'd first do a little homework to find out how much I can get a drivetrain installed for. I'm guessing that it might end up being a bit more than option A, but it's a loaded wagon.

If this is something you will want to enjoy for a long time, get the wagon you want.


Marshall

 

This is how I see it


A. Is the best option for no fussing around. It is more costly and depending on the year and model, it might/might not be a good deal.

B. Is the car you prefer, but has no title and the possibility you "MIGHT" be able to get one, that is VERY risky! What happens after you were to install a motor and tranny and never be able to get a title for it? Or can only get a salvage title, not many will be interested in a car with a salvage title and it will have little value. Myself, this car would not even be an option.

C. Atleast here, you will have a title and can install what you want for power under the hood. Paint work is the one thing I never worried about, its only paint and its easy and cheap, for me anyway.

In the end, its your money and your choice. I would steer way clear of car B and chose between A & C if it was me.

 

Tough call. You should almost always try to buy most complete wagon you can find as the projects will usually cost you more in the long run. But you never really say what you like about that one. If you don't like it, don't buy it just because it's closer to being road ready. Be patient and find one you like the looks of AND is ready to drive. They are out there. (I'm sure there has to be a group of folks out there somewhere that love wagons and would help you look if you just told them what you were looking for....maybe on the internet or something?)