I thought this day would never come, tell me your thoughts on trade.

[Thrasher]

Like a bunch of us here tell ourselves and others I thought I'd be passing the car off in my will, but I've got an opportunity for a straight across trade that in my opinion is something I can't pass on. Since high school I've been in love with the Chevy Nova and just drool and get goose bumps when I see a really nice one. Yesterday I ran across this CL ad, http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...959683829.html and was quite impressed with the parts list and even though the first sentence says no trades I figured what the hell, couldn't hurt to ask. Yeah I'm that guy, but you'd be surprised how many things can go your way just by asking. Totally thinking he would either blow me off or respond with "Can't you read dumb ass?", he bit. Turns out he knows about the G8 and started asking technical questions specific to our cars so I know she'd be in good hands and after much protest I was able to sell the family on the idea. Both my girls love the G8 and my oldest brags about it all the time to her friend's fathers. Since she was 4 years old helping me install the headers I've always told her she would have the last say in the decision to sell if it came to that and I held true to that.
So with her blessing I'm moving forward with making this happen, but with me being very biased toward owning my dream car and it being able to outperform the G8 from the get-go I'd like opinions on the deal. I don't mind the deal being better for the Owner of the Nova at all and that's scary so please let me if I'm completely out of my mind or just a little.

Edit: According to the Owner the SC, motor, trans and rear gears have less than 10k on them and it's a crate 350. He's got all the paperwork.

[WhatNext]

Had an Oldsmobile version of the Nova. So the Nova you got in your sights is a straight line car only, as they handled pretty poorly. Probably you'll be the only one riding with you if going somewhere more than 30 minutes away, it will that uncomfortable and noisy. Just my perspective.

[52WASP]

Thrasher,
My $.02... Plan on spending another $10k to finish her. I say that based on body and paint cresting $5k, easy. All the little missing bits add up.

Me? I'd keep an eye out for an original car, maybe a 6-cylinder. Maybe even a four door. You're in Cali. There's a car sitting in someones little 1-stall garage. Find it. Buy it (for 10% of what this incomplete car is selling for). Make it yours.

[Thrasher]

Did you click the linky? Upgraded front control arms to correct geometry, QA1 coilovers, big brakes, good tires and a lot of Dynamat are already done. Should run like a bat out of hell too.

[MoonPie]

Dont think I'd be on board for this trade either...

[WhatNext]

If you have another vehicle for the family hauler, I see your point. Otherwise you'll have a pissed off family.

[G8 GT V8]

I think it really depends on what your vision is for your dream Nova. For example, is this the direction you would have taken a stock Nova had you gotten your hands on one a few years back or would you have kept it a stock-ish with a modified engine? Is your dream Nova in Super Sport trim? Is your dream Nova an auto or manual trans? Is your dream Nova a thumping big block, stockish small block, or a strocker small block? Just some food for thought. Only you know what you want. How are the floor boards, trunk pan, rocker panels, and quarter panels on this car? If you start having to replace all those pieces of sheet metal, you start shelling out some big bucks...

[Thrasher]

I think it really depends on what your vision is for your dream Nova. For example, is this the direction you would have taken a stock Nova had you gotten your hands on one a few years back or would you have kept it a stock-ish with a modified engine? Is your dream Nova in Super Sport trim? Is your dream Nova an auto or manual trans? Is your dream Nova a thumping big block, stockish small block, or a strocker small block? Just some food for thought. Only you know what you want. How are the floor boards, trunk pan, rocker panels, and quarter panels on this car? If you start having to replace all those pieces of sheet metal, you start shelling out some big bucks...

This is the exact direction I want to go or would build myself. The way I see it this is my dream car nearly complete. This car started out as a 6cyl, 2 speed powerglide 2nd owner Cali car it's whole life. Then a boosted motor, monster trans, strong rear end, suspension and big breaks were dropped in. The same thing I would've done and now the personalized things are left to do to make it mine. I know you don't normally get the money back when you install aftermarket and he didn't expect to, but I do see the value in what he's done and am very willing to take them into account when comparing values. He's getting a hell of a deal being that he has it listed at $16,500, but I think I'm getting a hell of a deal as well not having to install 20k worth of parts to get it to where it is now. I haven't seen the car in person yet, but he says no rust and I can handle the bodywork myself then have a friend spray it white for me.

[Thrasher]

If you have another vehicle for the family hauler, I see your point. Otherwise you'll have a pissed off family.

Oh yeah. I have my work truck, wife now has her luxury car as of 9 months ago the G became a toy for me.

[G8 GT V8]

Sounds like this is the car for you assuming your inspection of it supports how he has described it to you.