IMO, they're 25+ year old cars so you can either find one really well kept and maintained and pay up front, or aim for a driver and upgrade everything old along the way. After looking at a few garage queens, I decided they're all old anyways and in a time of $40-50k RT10's, I paid low 30's for my clean title but higher mile 99 RT10 in spring 2024 and don't do much labor, but have spent about another $30k in repairs, mods, etc.
-That consists of taxes/shipping to get the car tagged to me for $37k.
-Then $8k on necessary repairs such as water pump, fluids, window regulators, hoses, ac refill, new key, new O2 sensors, new tachometer, valve cover gaskets, intake gaskets, catless pipes, fuel filter, radiator fan, fixing a leaky transmission shifter, camber plates, and diagnosing minor issues.
-Then spent ~$5k on initial PPI with compression check/new plugs, ISPCO pulleys, engine and trans mount bushings, battery, serpentine belt, rebuilt the headlights due to condensation, pinned crank, catch can.
-Then the mods: Spent about $2800 on audio, involving all new wiring, new amp, head unit with CarPlay and backup camera, speakers, dash cam, etc. Spent around $5400 on a Corsa catback, Belanger HFC's, all new heat shielding to minimize interior heat, smooth tubes/KN filters. Then the suspension $4200 which included coilovers, all new bushings, steering rack bushings. Then I spent a bunch on tires, initially to replace the 18" tires on the forge line wheels I had, then I ordered custom VT Forged wheels on 295/355, and then dropped them this year to 285/345's, so around $4700 all in on that between purchases/sales. Then exterior work. Car came with ACR stripes I wasn't a fan of so it required professional removal along with paint correction/ceramic, plus little things like fog lights, light upgrades, tint, ppf on headlights etc, about $3k. Suffice to say, it's insured for $70k but it drives, sounds, and feels like new and doesn't get warm inside even on a long spirited drive. Obviously I could have spent half on only the basics and done cheap exhaust work or kept the oem wheels etc, but where's the fun in that.
