So my little girl (8) wants to go racing and so I started shopping for a Jr. Dragster for her. I don't want to spend a whole lot of cash on it at first but I realize you get what you pay for. I found a digger without a motor...he wants 3500 for it. It comes with a bunch of extras including the electronics and a used fire suit....what do you guys think I ought to offer for it? I don't thing he is going to give it away but I want to make sure I'm getting a fair deal...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-Half...fLegalQ5f#v4-35

first make sure it's chrome moly, unless you plan on buying another one later. I would get a good name brand for future resale. it's hard to unload a no name car.

So what/who are the names I should look for? Trying to ejamacate myself before plunking down the cash....

I'm sure I'll leave some out, but KCS, Halfscale, Motivational Tubing, Quick Kids (owner runs a duster in SS/KA out of MD), Hardens, Mike Bos, Spitzer, Ken Keir (mostly builds Comp stuff), JR race car engineering makes one now IIRC...there are several others I can't think of now.

yea what Kevin said we ran a light weight Spitzer for 6 years and loved it. won many big buck races. 2 time track champion and 2 time divison 2 race of champions winner.

I believe it's a Half Scale Superlite...

I think Tony Overrev has one for sale.

That be a great car for you !!

im not sure where that car is, i have a 1992 or 93 comp eng car for sale. It is chrome moly and is pretty complete. I am local and can deliver to you or easy for you to pick up, im in Ny , westchester

http://www.smallblockposse.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=000951#000000

Agree that you should make sure that it's chrome moly (strong/light/can run down to 7.90's). Half-Scale cars are very good quality and hold their value. Motors can cost $600-$4000, so for an 8 year old you need a really tame motor. Depending on what he has for the car, you may not use it for a few years (8-year olds can only run 12.90's in the 1/8th). As for clutches, I used a beefed up Salsbury for years, then went to the JR Billet clutch. I never really like the Polar (alot of people had problems with the early ones).

Be sure to buy lots of Loctite blue and Nylock fasteners. Those little one lungers will shake everything loose on the car...

As for a price; we've been out of it for some time, but $2500 for a rolling chassis is good, the electronics, clutch, tow dolly can add up the $$$$ fast, so $3000-3500 is not out of the question. Add a $600 motor and go 12.90 racing.

But, before you spend the money, see if any local tracks have a rental program. That way if she hates it you are not out $3500 which sounds like what happened to the guy selling the car (This happened to some people we know).

Running these cars is a blast. Your project will be delayed a few more years if you get into it, but the people are great. Some of our past competitors are moparts members.

Mine is an older car, but comes complete turnkey and has the parts to put a good motor together for later on...

That is a great car that will serve well for many years.

A small raptor motor and a sals clutch is all that will be needed to run 12.90. Both of which I have if you would be interested. I no longer use them so they're just sitting here.

You'll probably want some type of data acquisition for tuning i.e. a Digitron 54 or a Mychron 660. I prefer the Mychron.

As was stated previously, be prepared to put your project(s) on hold. I did but, you will find there are no better times with your child. The memories are priceless.

2 best days I ever had owning a jr. was the day I bought it and the day I sold it...that thing drove me bonkers....A V-8 is cake to tune compared to those things...LOL...but the daughter LOVED IT !!!

You don't have to put your car on hold. You just have to be crazy to do both.

Take a look on Racing Junk. I've seen many 12.90 cars for sale for less than that.

You can also take a look here. A great forum for Jrs.

I'll be happy to help any way I can.

It's the first forum I ever joined.