It depends on the car. For example I couldnt even come close to building my malibu with whats in it for what I paid for it. Hell just the headders , exhaust , converter , trans , rear end , rear suspension and fuel system retail for what i paid for the car.
That of course is a race car where things are pretty cut and dry. We looked at the car and bought it because of this. Knowing if somthing happened most parts could be scavanged out and put in another body.

I think especially right now when the economy is shit having cash in hand can net you some killllleeerrrr deals.

 

Ground up for me with assistance from some shops along the way. While mine started as a stock running car it has been transformed over 15 years. Now it did have a year plus downtime from the stock blow thru set up to the fully built motor, cage, and race trans..

I did a lot of things myself but do not have the ability nor time to build a motor, weld in a cage, etc.. So this is when I go to the people I know to do this. But even with my motor I was involved in every aspect of it and purchased everything for it. It was not a call me when it is done thing.

Take your time with it and get involved.

 

+1 on that statement!