The fuel cell will help determine...
The fuel cell will help determine what type of life the chassis has had. If the cell has a lot of bends and wrinkles, then the rear of the car has seen a lot of heavy impacts.
Also, ask how well the car ran last time out. This is a loaded question. Here you are getting a judge on their character and how honest they are going to be with you throughout the selling process. Remember, you already know the answer. You were at the track. You saw that they finished mid-pack. If the seller says the car finished Second but should have won the thing, then you've got a less than honest seller. However, if they say they struggled with the handling, ran decent, and finished around mid-pack, then you have a little more reason to place trust in the car owner.
How old is the chassis? The engine? These are other important questions. If the price is extremely low and then you find out that the chassis is 10 years old, then you know why. Unless you are 100 percent convinced the car is right for you the first time you look at it-and usually it's not-then take the time to see what else is out there. I would even go so far as going back to the track one more time and speaking with the other racers. Ask them what they would pay for the car, as is. This could very well be a determining factor. If the prices line up and the car is still in good shape after another weekend of racing, then by all means go for it.
The fact is buying a used racecar can be dangerous. But it can be done. Just remember to not jump the gun and find yourself with a horrible machine not even capable of winning. Take your time, weigh all of your options, and determine which is the best choice, buying a car used or investing in a new one. This might seem like a lot of work, but purchasing the wrong car could potentially end your season rather quickly. Follow these tips and invest your money in the right car and you could find yourself holding the checkered flag before you know it.
Purchasing a new car might...
Purchasing a new car might be your best option. As a reference point, speak with the chassis manufacturer to determine how much a new race-ready car costs. If it's a street car converted to a Street Stock or the like, then ask around about how much it costs to build one.
The center section of the...
The center section of the chassis should be very influential in whether or not you purchase the car. If the sheetmetal is bent and wrinkled, you should be wary.
Pay close attention to the...
Pay close attention to the welds that connect the sheetmetal to the chassis. If the welds are broken and torn away from the chassis, then the chassis members have been tweaked at some point.