LuZZifer wrote:Will my motors go into the cost figure for this?
Every part on the car that's not purely theme-related or non-budgeted safety equipment goes to your $500 budget.
I have spare motors that I have left over from previous vehicle purchases that have no value because I bought everything for $1,200 and sold everything but the motors for at least that much. I've had the motors since 2005.
If you bring that stuff to the race as SPARE PARTS and use it during the race, that's fine. But, if you buy a car with no engine, you need to assign a fair-market-value to the engine that you put into it. The only way around that would be to have full documentation of having bought a parts car for $xxx and sold $xxx parts from that car to bring the value of the engine down to zero. Just saying "I've had this stuff around for years and thus it has no value" will NOT fly with the judges.
I have an idea for my car and want to do it, but don't want to be disqualified or screwed because it would cost more than $500 to get everything that I already have at a cost of nothing.
If your idea is cool and unique and put together in a Lemony fashion, you'll probably be okay. Even if the judges deem that you exceeded your budget and give you penalty laps, you still get to race. What? Did you think you were going to win?
I have no paperwork on the parts.
Get a price sheet from your local salvage yard. Or wait for similar items to come up on CL and print the ads. Price accordingly.
Also, will they really buy my car off me for $500 if they really like it?
Highly unlikely. If they really like it, they're just going to say "damn, that's cool, I really like it, good job!" Now, if it's really NICE, and you spent way too much money on cheaty parts, and especially if the car proves to be truly fast because of all of that cheatiness... they "could" claim your car. (but, what would they do with your hooptie, anyway???) If you build your car within the spirit of the rules, that's just not going to happen.
I haven't decided on a car yet, but thinking of a great light, but wide Caddy de ville type of car to go with my St8 Pimpin' theme. I wanted a Yugo, but can't find. Was thinking of a wagon for my plans. I am doing a rear engine drive train into some kind of car.
Oh, hell, if you're building something ridiculously stupid like that, as long as you build it with "junkyard" parts and not a bunch of high-dollar performance parts, you'll be more than fine regardless of what you put into it. But, do have enough respect for the judges to put together a budget that is at least somewhat believable.
Hard to find the cheap cars where I am located too.
I'm in CT, if that matters.
I've a feeling that it won't be very long before some people from your area post up here and tell you you're not looking hard enough. Probably even with some links to ads for appropriate cars that your neighbor down the street is selling.
Lemons South 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Spring 2009 - Fail, Lemons Detroit(ish) 2008 - Fail, Lemons South Fall 2009 - Fail, Lamest Day 2009 - Fail, Miami 2010 (Chump) - 2nd!, Sebring 2010 (Chump) - Fail, Cuba 2010 - Crew Chief, Roebling 2011 (Chump) - 8th!, Sebring 2011(Chump) - 19th!