Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

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Comments

  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    image

    After several unsuccessful attempts, the service department finally pinned down the source of the annoying rattle in Bob's new Audi.

    james
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    That is a good one and so very true.
  • grahampaigegrahampaige Member Posts: 51
    I kinda like the lincoln, well the paint job anyway. The rest is shocking, but I guess you got a good body to start from. Price is silly though
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Bravo, something other than a Mercedes for a change!
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    The tranny swap on that 5 series must have cost a fortune. I'd be waeary of that too.

    Decent price, but I'd take the later V8 for $500 more, with less mileage, 4 years newer, and with no monkey business attached to it.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I'd buy the firetruck, hook it up to a hydrnat, and use it to mow my lawn or wash my car now and then. :P

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,899
    audi was very impressed with cadillac's 'arts and science' design language. unfortunately, it got translated to 'axe and science'.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • hpmctorquehpmctorque Member Posts: 4,600
    I've never expressed my thoughts on Cadillac's Arts and Science, but here it is: What a ridiculous, inane tag line! It's such an insult to the intelligence that for me it actually serves as a disincentive for buying a Cadillac. I must be in the minority, however, since cadillac sales improved after they adopted that advertising slogan.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Well, their current tagline is even dumber: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit!"

    And going back a few years, remember the "power of &?" What was that supposed to mean? Then there was also the "Caddy that zigs," referring to the Catera.

    Lame and lamer!
  • fulcrumbfulcrumb Member Posts: 4
    ...because I might not give the answer that you wanted me to
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,150
    Frankenstein never was able to figure out the clutch...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I converted a Saab turbo convertible from automatic to stickshift....it wasn't all that expensive...basically a bolt-in job + cost of the manual trans...but I got to sell the automatic to desperate Saab owners (they fried themselves regularly)for a tidy sum. I think the whole deal cost me $2,200.
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    I would think that in addition to a tranny swap, you would need to mount the whole clutch pedal assembly, and tach as well.

    I guess if the car was also avaialbe in manual, then the pedal assembly shouldn't be too hard, as there must be mounting points for it.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • gagritsgagrits Member Posts: 1
    We have a 1976 Chevy Nova 4-door 8 cyl in good to excellent condition mechanically. It needs a redo of interior and a paint job - it has primer.

    Given how much it would cost to do the cosmetic stuff, would you do it? Would you do it just to sell it - and what in the world would it bring? Or is it more sensible to just sell as is and save the money?

    There is a bit of sentiment attached to it, only because we've had it a while and kept it up mechanically, but it looks bad of course. And it isn't a practical commuting car and in fact isn't. It's a backup 3rd car.

    From those of you knowledgeable about old cars and potentially classic cars, what do you think is the smartest thing to do? (Keep it is always an option, but why?)

    Thanks for helping out this old lady.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yep that was the case with the Saab...the pedal assembly, clutch master, etc, was all just a bolt-in. No drilling or welding required. I was even able to use the automatic transmission front mount as it was--just left it in there.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,616
    Maybe an Andre-mobile, probably gets great mileage

    Lemko-mobile

    Not many left like this anymore...has to be worth it - I remember those rattly wire wheel hubcaps on our Ciera when I was a kid, too.

    <a href=
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    My vote on your Nova is definitely to sell it as is, as a project car for someone else. It is definitely not worth restoring but someone may wish to make a street rod out of it, or to restore it as a hobby on their own time and skill.

    Sounds like $750--$1,500 should be all the money for this car.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,100
    That '73 LeSabre might not be TOO much of a guzzler, with just a 350, especially if it's just a 2-bbl. I remember Granddad saying that their '72 Impala, a 350-2bbl, got about 14 around town and maybe 19 on the highway. But then, by '73 they started muffing around more with emissions controls and such, so that might have caused some issues.

    I like that car though. I always thought that the big '71-76 Buicks were graceful, pretty cars. Except for the 1974 models, perhaps. I just don't like the way they have the headlights separated from each other in their little square surrounds like that...seems kinda garish to me.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,792
    I'm with Shifty. Sell it as is if you are going to sell it at all. It is a car with little to no value, so any money you put into it will be money lost. If there is sentiment attached to it, then it is probably worth more to you than anyone else in the world.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    3 ugly ducklings with delusional owners.

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,150
    Pinto - most likely of the 3 to sell (oddball factor), but didn't the '80 have an all glass hatch?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    The 2nd sentence out of a new Pinto owner's mouth:

    Why the hell did I buy THIS THING?
  • boomchekboomchek Member Posts: 5,516
    When we first came to Canada in 1988, my parents bought a 1977 Volvo 240 Wagon. Our Polish neighbours who came here at around the same time bought a brown Ford Pinto.

    The guy was trying to tell my dad the Pinto was one of the best cars in the world. No joke. :surprise:

    2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Compared to the 1856 Warshawsky Politboro 1.0 he was driving, I'm sure it was.

    I've driven worse cars than the Pinto, but that gravel-grinder engine with variable idle speeds, the totally misplaced gear ratios, and knobs and switches an infant could break off trying to suck on them....that all adds up to a certain lack of charm.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    On the final gear forums there was a thread about the worst cars you had ever driven.

    You could see this huge distinction between the worst cars from the west and the worst cars from the east.

    We eventually had to have two different categories. One category for western european, american and japanese cars and then another one for eastern european, russian and chinese.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    That doesn't seem fair somehow...the eastern bloc has a big head start...
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,428
    "last year of the Pinto"

    Who gives a crap????

    To be fair, none of these guys are looking to make a mint off of any of those buckets. Maybe somebody has 800 bucks for that Pinto for the kitch factor.
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,428
    No mention of miles but this has to be an OK deal Can you say DEPRECIATION?

    Nice shape He could probably get it if it was a 2 door

    I'd like to see this in person but it looks pretty good for the dough This is one of my favorite muscle cars. Would the 400 have been original?

    Probably a scam
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    99 Volvo--SCAM (worth 4X the price
    2002 BMW---SCAM worth double the price

    '67 GTO--seems a bit cheap. 400 is correct but if it's a tad ratty and the engine isn't matching #s, perhaps $12K is all the money. Usually the lowest you see decent "plain jane" ones like this would be around $17K, with no interesting options, bad color, etc.

    /64 Comet---dream on seller. Try $5,000.
  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,825
    That last one is most definitely a scam; craigslist is full of them.

    But here's the question: How does it work? I'd love to get cheated by buying a car for 40% of its value... where's the rub? Is there a car? Is the deal so good I'll be tempted to pay $800 'down' and then everything disappears in a puff of smoke? Am I tricked into providing my account number, heaven forfend?

    Anybody know?

    -Mathias
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,616
    There's no car, the photos are stolen from ebay or autotrader etc ads.

    They just want email addresses, the craftier ones might try some weird escrow or western union scams.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Why don't you e-mail him and find out how the scam works. Just be sure you don't fall for it.

    Here's the run-down:

    "Phony Escrow Service Site Scams on Craigslist

    This popular Craigslist scam will work a lot like the bad check and counterfeit money order scams now rampant on Craigslist with a few minor twists. What makes this scam different is that the person running the scam is selling the item rather than buying it. Their Craigslist listing will probably be something relatively expensive like a car or expensive tool. The more expensive an item for sale on the internet is the more paranoid all parties involved in the sale are likely to become. Many people like to use escrow services which are trustworthy third parties who pay the seller once an item has been received. This is a perfectly normal method of doing business on the web or elsewhere as long as the escrow service is legitimate. Some things to watch out for are sellers who insist on an escrow company that you've never heard of especially if it's abroad. Do not get tricked into using Western Union thinking that it's perfectly safe because it's a name you know and trust. Savvy online shoppers know to steer clear of buyers wanting you to transfer money to them via Western Union or engage in currency transfers or try to get you to allow money to be drawn directly from your bank account. Never let "phishy" sounding escrow sites take money right out of your account or you could find that you've paid a lot more for an item on Craigslist than you expected."
  • gsemikegsemike Member Posts: 2,428
    Still, it's nice to dream that I could get the BMW for 7 grand
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    But of course....the scammer wants you to dream that...and wants you to believe that THIS TIME, this ONE is not a scam...are you nibbling on the hook?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    64' GTO --gotta check those carefully, as the GTO was merely an option on the Tempest and can easily be faked. One way to tell: look down in the hole where the rear windows go down and see if you can see the filler squishing through the holes where the "Tempest" nameplate was removed from the body.

    He says he has PHS documentation but he doesn't say that PHS says it was a tri-power. It could have been a 2 bbl, which knocks off $5K in value from a tri-power.

    Jeep Wagon Hot Rod -- cute but optimistic price by a few thou.

    '63 Impala -- that motor would have to have a QG suffix code on the block. Too much money for a Powerglide---that's documentated 4-speed money he's asking and top dollar at that.

    64 Mercury -- fair enough

    68 Chevelle--he wants $38K for a fake?!! Gimme a break! You can buy a #3 clean driver REAL one for that---DOH

    71 Hornet-- top dollar but not unreasonable if it's a sharp one. These are going up in value along with the "normal" muscle car madness.

    74 MINI--I think at least this is new enough to not have the straight cut gears that make you crazy on the highway. Fun car but they have the life span of a Roman slave.

    '88 Testarossa -- basically sale-proof at $65K---this is Ferrari's "mass produced" car and there are way more cars than people who want the hassle of owning one. One of the few Ferraris continuing to DE-preciate. Owner! Try $55K and take it!

    Smart Passion ---hmmm $28K...Smart car or brand new EVO or heavily optioned Cooper S....hmm?......LOL!

    Kelmark---kit car (yawn)
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,150
    Smart-like those that bought a PS3 for $1500, to see them stack up at stores for $650 - why would anyone pay $28,000 when they'll be selling them shortly for $14,000?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It's the "be the first" syndrome. It's pathetic.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Oh Lord, he tried to re-time the injection pump....like what, by ear? I think you can screw them up big time if you do it wrong.

    Might be worth taking a chance....no, wait...I take that back....I'm just doing the math here....

    Yes, parts...probably the cylinder head, gauges, little motors, lenses, chrome, glass, etc.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,100
    the hp of the 409 in that '63 Impala. 304 hp just sounded odd. Then I looked up in my old car book, which for 1963, simply listed the 409 at 340-425 hp. So I'm guessing 304 should've been 340, and just a transposition error in the typing.

    Is there much of a value difference between a 340 hp 409 and a 425? My Dad had a '63 Impala SS hardtop with the 425 hp 409 and the 4-speed. This was back around 1966 I guess. I think he said he paid about $1600-1800 for it, used. And then he got drafted and sold it!

    It's a shame he didn't keep it, but he was pretty wild back then anyway, and ultimately it would've ended up impounded or wrapped around a tree, or abandoned on a back country road if it threw a rod (which he actually did later with a '66 Impala SS with the 425 hp 396). So in selling that '63, hopefully he gave it a new lease on life and it's still running around somewhere!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,100
    I actually kind like those little Comets, but the little 144 CID 6-cyl scares me. I heard that so equipped, these things zip off a 0-60 time in about 26-30 seconds. Would probaby make a nice, leisurely car to drive around local, but I wonder how it would be out on the interstate? Like, say, if I had one and wanted to go up to Carlisle or Hershey with it?
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    About $5,000 difference between a 340HP and a 425HP
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,792
    wifey and I did a lot of searching and driving around this weekend. Never actually test drove anything because everytime we got someplace, the car was gone.

    one that i was really anxious to at least drive was a '95 SL500 (or is it 500sl? i forget) with only 62k miles. Dealer was asking $15,9. but, yeah, that one was gone, too.

    yes, we've been pondering going WAY out of our $7k budget. We're not sure yet. Just wanna see what that might buy us.

    lemme get some opinions on some cars and what YOU might pick.

    A. Never thought I could like an Alante, but WOW this is clean!

    B. Probably the most testosterone-stirring option. my research tells me that a fair price is around $15k. is it worth it?

    C. I'm not gonna dig up the link, but its a '99 C70 vert with only 44k miles and looks extremely spiffy. bright red. They're asking $12k, but research says $10,500 is about all the money. Is the m3 with 30k more miles worth ~50% more?

    Of course, we're not sure we want to part with this much money for a pleasure car. I might opt to keep saving and visit Carlisle in the fall and see what's there.

    I've also noticed we've ventured into SLK230 and Z3 territory. Again, though, 4 seats would probably be best for us. Although I posted that Alante just because it fascinates me. I know NOTHING about them and all those electronic gizmos scare the heck out of me (if they break, that is).

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,792
    forgot about this one.
    Its close to our original pricerange. But should I run away?
    '95 Audi cabriolet

    ah... wait. i just checked my galves on this (paid for the month). Its worth about $3500 trade-in, give or take. So $7500 is actually WAY overpriced. $5500 is MORE than enough to buy one. SOO... is it worth even $5500?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Allante: The only ones worth looking at are the last models made with the Northstar V8..was that 1993? The older ones are gutless, uninteresting to drive and prone to water leaks.

    Audi Cabriolet: REALLY dull cars to drive...

    M3: Fun but pricey...also lotta miles for this type of car. M3 is a stressed engine IMO.

    C70 might be worth a look--miles are right.
  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,150
    M3-Don't know about the price, but looks like a fun car, however the tires are practically bald, uneven wear (they aren't cheap), and I wonder about any dealer that would list it with a "V6".
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Maybe the engine got bent from abuse :confuse:
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