Built for project-car buyers
You are not digging through random marketplaces. Projects are made for unfinished builds and serious buyers.
Buyer guide: evaluate builds, show interest, talk to the builder, come look, and take it at the ask. Seller and platform mechanics are on How It Works.
For buyers
Why buy here
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Buyer-focused guide — how to evaluate builds, when to show interest, and how to take one at the ask. Platform mechanics for sellers live on How It Works.
Buyer guide
Five steps. Tap to expand.
- Classifieds
- Interest
- Evaluate
- Ask the seller
- Close
Browse cars and parts in Classifieds. Read the Window Sticker, photos, and garage history before making an offer.
- Filter Browse for live builds and for-sale listings.
- Open the Garage profile to see other builds and Sold Stories from the seller.
Follow a project to keep up with the builder’s updates. You do not have to buy or sell anything.
- Followers get notified when the build goes for sale so they can act quickly.
- Read the seller’s answers and ask about anything that is missing.
Compare the seller’s condition disclosures, work record and asking price with the project you want to take on.
- Title status, what's done, money in, photos, Q&A, history.
- See the seller’s other builds and posted updates. A garage gives you context; it does not mean SMP inspected the car or verified every claim.
- The Window Sticker records the seller’s answers and missing details. Ask about gaps before making an offer. A follower count does not establish condition or value.
- Ask in the listing Q&A — answers are public, so the next buyer sees them too. Talk is for rust and what it needs, not for haggling in a DM.
Ask what it needs and what came apart. Questions and replies are public. Use Suggest a price privately for a different number.
- Q&A answers are public, so the next buyer sees them too.
- Everything on the listing is the seller's word. Nobody here has checked it.
One button, at the number on the listing. There is nothing to type. The seller has to say yes, and nothing is charged until they do.
- Card on file first, or it is not an offer.
- You pay the seller. We don't hold the truck money. The buyer fee is 5% on Accept, capped at $5,000.
Why buyers choose us
Built for project cars. Not window shoppers.
More trust signals up front
Garage profiles, build stories, and clear project details help you evaluate faster before you drive out.
One number, one button
The ask is printed on the listing. Take it at that number, or type a different one in talk and the seller says yes or no. No clock, no ladder, no back-and-forth DMs.
Real demand, visible momentum
Interest activity shows which projects have real buyer attention and community support.
Before you drive out
Evaluate the build. Not the post.
Window Sticker & build sheet
Title status, what's done, money in, photos, Q&A, history.
Real Garage, real history
See the seller’s other builds and posted updates. A garage gives you context; it does not mean SMP inspected the car or verified every claim.
Know what is still unknown
The Window Sticker records the seller’s answers and missing details. Ask about gaps before making an offer. A follower count does not establish condition or value.
Public Q&A, not DMs
Ask in the listing Q&A — answers are public, so the next buyer sees them too. Talk is for rust and what it needs, not for haggling in a DM.
Buyer playbook
From interest to keys.
While you are looking
01Follow the build and read the paper
Follow updates and read the plate under the photo — what the title says, whether it rolls, what is in the pile, and where each answer came from. Nobody here has checked any of it.
Before you drive out
02Talk to the builder
Ask what it needs, what came apart, why it stopped. Talk is public. To negotiate, choose Suggest a price privately and the seller can accept or decline your number.
Before paying the seller
03Check the car and its paperwork
After acceptance and the buyer fee payment, use private sale chat to arrange pickup. Check the condition, title and VIN before you pay the seller. SMP does not inspect the car.
When you are ready
04I'll take it, at the ask
Choose I’ll take it at the asking price. Add a card and review the terms first. The seller decides whether to accept; acceptance charges the 5% buyer fee, capped at $5,000. A disabled button explains what still needs to be ready.
Buyer timeline
Browse to keys. Step by step.
01
Browse with context
Filter for real project builds. Read the Window Sticker, photos, and Garage history — evaluate fit before you invest attention or money.
02
Show interest
Follow updates and get notified when the seller lists the build for sale.
03
Ask the seller
Read the public questions and ask about condition, completed work and missing parts. These are the seller’s answers, not an inspection by SMP.
04
Take it at the ask
One button, at the number on the listing, card on file first. The seller says yes or no, and nothing is charged until they do. You pay the seller direct and sort out pickup.
Next step