Hello, I'm not entirely sure if this is the topic I should be posting this on, but here goes. I'm looking into buying an '85 Camaro, and mechanically it's perfect. It just needs a new paint job and the headliner needs to be fix up. It still has the original paint from 1985 so it's showing it's age to say the least(paint chipping in quite a few spots and fading a lot on top) I just wanted to know if anyone knows a good estimate for how much it would cost to have it painted for a good paint job and where in the southern part of New Jersey. I'm aware it won't be really cheap as I refuse to take it to maaco because I've heard enough horror stories from there. I don't want to do anything special. I just want to keep the same color it originally was.

It wouldn't let me post the pictures so here's the link to it.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/cto/2470322774.html

 

Hey Tyler, I own a small bodyshop and based on the pics a good paint job should run you $1500-$2000 bucks. And that's with lights, door handles and trim removal. Body work, paint, primer, clear and fillers. A good wet sanding and buffing. Make sure you ask them what they plan on taking off.

 

Wow ghetto cruiser....wheels and flame floor matts are super classy.

If you pay more than 1500 for this thing you lost.

 

That thing does look rough. I would check the floor pans for sure for rot before I did anything.

 

i thought my GTA was in great shape until i ripped out the carpet to find soft floor pans (major surface rust and a couple rust throughs)

 

I'll make sure to check the floor when I go look at it again. And to the guy saying it's "real classy" I know it's not a real nice car but that's why it's only $1000 and it does come with the original wheels. It's got a rebuilt engine and transmission that are about a year old. It doesn't look good now, but I see potential in her and it won't be my everyday car anyway. Just gonna drive my other around and to work while I get more money to fix it up. And the floor mats are going in the trash the second I buy it, if I buy it.

 

The ad says 3000$. For 1000 not tooo bad.

 

My bad... I thought it was $3000 like the add says. For $1000 it is not bad, especially if it is rebuilt.

 

Oh it's fine. I know it's not Pretty and it's going to get a lot of attention for the wrong reasons, but it'll be kind of like a project car for me. And yeah it says $3000 in the ad but the owner of it who is in his late 60's and didn't know how to post the car on craigslist so his neighbor posted it going by what some other website said for one in great condition. The owner know's this car is far from perfect and he doesn't want it anymore so he only wants $1000. I probably should've said that in the first post. I would not pay 3 grand for a car like this just to dump another couple thousand into a paint job.

 

That would be a good pick up for $1000 if it runs good. You would be surprised at some of the cars I have been able to bring back to life with a $2000 budjet But then again I own a bodyshop so.......

 

It runs well. It's mechanically sound he is the original owner and it was never in any accidents and he has all the receipts from all the parts he's bought and from taking it to places to get the parts installed and papers from every inspection since '85. I've taken it for a test drive and it's got one of the nicest 6 cyllinders I've driven. I just see it as a second car that I can drive when the weather's nice and work on it whenever I have extra money to put into it because I don't plan on selling it if I get it like I want it.

 

For 1000 you can't go wrong

 

They don't make these cars anymore and to find good ones to build is getting harder and harder. A nice paint job with a little tint on the windows and some nice 17" or 18" wheels will make for a real nice cruiser. And you can always drop a V8 in it if you want too with no car note.