New Guy Questions...

[CSX 4039]

Galaxy- My $.02......
The initial price of the kit pales when you add the right equipment, paint, and time value of 100's of hours of assembly, if you are worth $10+/ hour. ERA looks better than ffr. On this, there is little disagreement. My unscientific opinion is that ERA resale is also better than ffr. If you are going to go low end engine (used 302) low end rear end, moderate paint, fit and finish, go ffr. If you want track quality drive train, wheels, brakes, suspension, engine, and near show quality paint, start with ERA.
I didn't build, I bought, and I'm an admirer not a racer.
The only reason I can think to put race quality drive train, and less expensive body is if you really intended to thrash your car on the track. "When you buy quality, you only cry once". Not to say ffr is bad quality now (the past may be a different story), but you get what you pay for....
Also, if $$$ huge limitation, buy used and fix what you don't like. There are a ton of sport cars on the market now, economy down, unemployment up, and all. Most guy sell their cars for $5-10-15K less than what they spent to build them. Save time, and take some of the saved money to fix what you want to change. My opinion.