There's nothin wrong with ricers. It's a good choice for someone to practice on before you buy a real rod or muscle car. If you screw it up real bad it's no big deal. Just junk it and buy another. I never heard anyone say "I wish I'd kept my old Toyota, or Nissan or Subaru"
Don't Ricers have a forum where you can get information? I don't think there are many ricers here.
I like the idea of makin a rat rod out of a ricer. It's a step in the right direction.
Keep your eyes open for a bargain on an old Ford or Chevy or Studebaker and you'll find a lot of friends here.
AL