Roc,
Like Mike said, each system has it's good points.
I use my old Forney stick welder for anything like framework, welding up four-bar suspension to rear ends and most stuff over 3/16". I'm confident in the strength of the welds and have learned over the last 50 years, to lay a pretty nice bead.
I find it difficult to weld a nice bead overhead, with a MIG welder, but find it indispensible for welding body panels, floorboards, etc, using solid wire and Argon/mix. I usually use MIG for most things up to 3/16ths inch. When I'm outside and there's the least bit of wind, I'll use flux-core wire...but it splatters like stick welding does.
Welding headers, etc, I still like acetylene/ oxygen welding....for me it's still the easiest to control. Of course, unless you have a plasma cutter, slicing through steel is fast with acetylene.
I've done some TIG welding and find it the easiest to lay a pretty, even, bead. Aluminum and stainless welds are beautiful and easy with TIG, too. TIGs are expensive for good one, though. Again, it's difficult to weld overhead with one.
As soon as I hit the lottery, I'm gonna get me a TIG welder, though, just to round out my welding abilities!
