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

Mr_Shiftright

Great story but no price. I hope he doesn't think it's worth $5 more than a regular 1926 Model T. The Gypsy Coeds aren't exactly the Dixie Chicks. But, having said that, a local museum might find the car interesting...not that local museums have any money. Well maybe one of the families of the Coeds will pony up.

Mr_Shiftright

Saw an interesting Porsche for sale...1986 Carrera Targa, white, black interior, 110K miles, clean, new clutch (whee, kiss $2,000 goodbye for that job).

Priced reasonably at $16,000 (not a bargain but okay) and looks pretty good...some signs of bodywork to one fender but on a lift car looks straight and good. Has 8" wide wheels, unfortunately chromed (I can paint 'em), no whale tail or any other bling. Compression is tops. These engines should be good for 300K, and this is the FIRST clutch (how can you tell Shifty? That's a secret!).

I'd really rather have an '87 due to it having a hydraulic clutch and much easier shifting, but then everybody wants an '87 as well and prices higher by $4,000 or so.

british_rover

I have a 1999 C2 Cabriolet with 19,000 miles in the showroom right now to tempt you.

stickguy

Saw a 944 yesterday, in a parking lot I pass on the way home from work that seems to attract DIY sellers. There is often 1 or 2 parked off in a corner that the store never uses.

Didn't stop, so I know no details, but it looked straight enough. It was a funny bronzish color thoug, something I have never seen before, and have no idea if it is factory.

If I see it again I will pull in and look for details.

qbrozen

speaking of a car on the way home from work i have yet to stop and take a look at ... there is a 5-series on a lawn that has been out since the weekend. tough to read what it says, but i believe it is a '94 for $2500. So either its got a ton of miles or its actually an '84. I am not familiar enough with the styles to be able to tell. Did '94 still have the 4 round headlights?

anyway, it is on the morning bound side of the road, so i keep forgetting to leave the house a few minutes early to give me the time to stop.

edit: just checked some pics online. its definitely a '94.

Mr_Shiftright

When speaking about an old 944, "DIY" should mean "Destroy It Yourself", meaning your checkbook.

Compared to a 911, an old 944, 914 or 928 is a much greater risk financially.

A beautiful pristine, late model 944 might certainly be considered, but the early cars really need to be junked and forgotten. They just aren't worth the trouble.

One has to remember the Porsche is a company that constantly imroves and refines a model----so the newer the version, usually the better off you are.

I think a C2 Cabriolet is outside my price range. Also I'm rather wary of that model as the 996 is plagued with rear main seal leaks---a problem that is actually incurable (new engine required).

british_rover

Yeah it is not my favorite either. One of our other dealerships had a 1997 Targa recently but it was an automatic :sick:

Mr_Shiftright

Same problem I think---but only a small percentage of 996s exhibit the leak...it starts early in the engine's life, and if you don't have a leak by say 50K, you aren't going to be bothered.

I don't think it is a coincidence that when Porsche goes racing they use a converted version of the air-cooled 993 block.

british_rover

Ahh the Targa we had at the other dealership was a 993 body style not a 996 though. It was still air cooled so it shouldn't have the main seal leak problem you were talking about.

The one I have in front of me is a 996.

texases

Here's a related question - the Ferrari 308 blog recently asked "If you had $28k, would you buy this 308 or something else?" Well, what would folks here buy? (as a hobby/weekend car, not a daily driver). My thoughts went NSX (but $28k may not get a good one) to 911 to Boxster S. I guess I'd lean to the 911, seems like $28k might get one only a few years older than a Boxster S. What do you folks think?

edit - great post today on the realities of driving a 308:
308 reality

qbrozen

I was awfully fond of my 350z. I wouldn't mind having that back.

But .. yeah, if it was a hobby car, there are SO many choices for that kind of cash. I might have to go build my kit cobra with the 2jz powertrain I often fantasize about.

michaellno

"If you had $28k, would you buy this 308 or something else?" Well, what would folks here buy? (as a hobby/weekend car, not a daily driver).

Well, I am not a handy guy at all, so I'd lean towards something that had a pretty good reliability record and wouldn't need a lot beyond regular maintenance.

So, something CPO comes to mind ... 3-series convertible, TT Roadster, CLK, Z4, Boxster. Benefit of the extended warranty and still keep the miles low.

fintail

Cheapo Alfa

stickguy

for $1,600 bucks, I would buy it to put in the garage so I can sit in it and make "vroom vroom" noises (with an Italian accent, of course!)

I assume though, that like a Ferrari, or a Benz, there is no such thing as a "cheap" Alfa. Just ones where you pay on the installment plan (little up front, lots each month to get it fixed up).

fintail

" some rust in engine bay" - sounds about normal given where it is from

steine13

Learned Friends,
After much frustration, I found the culprit that's pulling down my voltage every few seconds.

Problem is, I don't know what it is...

Two pics:
http://www.msu.edu/~steine13/alt5.jpg
http://www.msu.edu/~steine13/alt4.jpg

What is this? Is it even stock? Kinda looks spliced in in the 1st pic; I have all kinds of stuff like that due to the conversion.

Engine runs OK with it disconnected, but I daren't drive. Or do I?

Thanks in advance,
-Mathias

british_rover

Is that a vacuum line running into it in the back?

Do those blue characters on it look like Part numbers?

Looks like the bottom numbers say 85-12V but I can't read the top set.

texases

It looks like a starter relay, or some other relay - does the van have some big stereo?

lilengineerboy

I think that is a horn.

qbrozen

it LOOKS just like a selenoid to me. But the car wouldn't run without it if it was.

I'm also curious about the vacuum line. Tough to tell from the pics if it is connected or not. 4 wires indicates to me its more than just a relay. If that is a vacuum line, where does it lead to? Any idea where the wires run from/to?

Some sort of external vacuum distributor advance?

Mr_Shiftright

As a hobby car a 308 (last models made, please, no early ones, no carburated ones) would be a lot of fun and very sexy. They aren't particulary fast but they are very thrilling to drive and listen to. Nothing quite like a Ferrari. A modern car seems dull and lifeless in comparison.

A 911 would be great but they are very reliable so I wouldn't consider one a "hobby car".

An NSX for 28K? Sure, you could definitely find a good one...but again, as competent as they are, not so good on "soul". The NSX does everything so well, so quietly, so undramatically, it's almost boring. But you can go 160 mph in one and they are very stable and very reliable. Maintenance on an NSX is probably the same as on a Corolla--LOL!

A Ferrari 308 will...not "might"...but WILL cost you $1--$1.50 per mile to drive, in terms of maintenance. You can count on it. But if you want lots of eyeballs, people begging you for ride, instant celebrity and a palpable thrill running through your body (Ferrari connects the car directly to your nervous system), it's quite an experience to have before you expire.

Go for it, practicality be damned!

british_rover

I think I would take the Porsche then modify it so it wasn't as reliable. :P

Mr_Shiftright

oh LOTS of people think they are smarter than Porsche engineers and often accomplish that very thing---LOL!

steine13

Thanks guys...

There is no vacuum line running to the thingy. That's the + cable from the battery, and it just runs past it.

-Mathias

texases

So unhooking the two small wires has no effect on starting, running, etc? Does it eliminate the noise? Problem solved! Tape 'em up.

lilengineerboy

An NSX for 28K? Sure, you could definitely find a good one...but again, as competent as they are, not so good on "soul". The NSX does everything so well, so quietly, so undramatically, it's almost boring. But you can go 160 mph in one and they are very stable and very reliable. Maintenance on an NSX is probably the same as on a Corolla--LOL!

At my first HPDE, I went to watch. I ended up being Track B***h which means I went and picked up lunch, gassed up cars, found parts, changed tires, etc. I got sent to fill up an NSX on r-compound tires. The car was incredibly easy to drive, sounded like my MILs Accord V6, and was incredibly stable.
It had soul, but not the same as the Italian or German cars.

qbrozen

$6 per pound seems like a lot

you guys were just talking about these trucks, weren't you? That's within driving range for you, BR.

or if you prefer a project

I really like this ... but maybe not THAT much.

Here's something different

british_rover

That is one of the best looking 240s I have seen in a while.

Hey I know someone that works at the Glen Cove Land Rover dealership. If I was looking for something like that I could probably have her go take a look at it.

jlflemmons

That is a non-GM aftermarket starter solenoid. If this thing had some kind of massive lights, it may have been used as a relay. GM doesn't use that type of relay, they use a starter-mounted relay.

Follow the big wires on the sides of the solenoid. One side will go to the battery or fuse box, the other will go to something that has been added. Be interesting to see what they are trying to power.

steine13

Thanks, JF!
Yeah, I drove it with no ill effect yesterday, and there's a bunch of interior lights as well as a fairly mild amp/equalizer package that is not working. That's got to be it.

Of course, I had to mess with some of the exposed wiring spaghetti that currently hangs down from the ceiling console... fabricated a brief short, and now I don't have cruise, the "choke" warning light is on whenever the car runs but not when you turn the ignition on, and I got another electrical thingy to trace.
I'm such an idiot it's hard to believe I got out of high school. Keep in mind that all this stuff WAS working when I got the van. But after sitting in a garage for 5 years, some of this is just the nature of things, I believe.

Ugh.
Thanks for all the help, though, and dangit, I still got transportation...

-Mathias

Mr_Shiftright

Honda 600s are really fun but it helps if you are a motorcycle mechanic since that's what drives them...a motorcycle engine with a chain drive to the front transaxle. Noisy, busy but very peppy and able to do freeway speeds. Stronger runner than you'd expect' but frighteningly tiny. Highly recommended as a hobby car!

'69 Toyota Sport Coupe---about as sporty as a UPS van but a really good little car that will run forever. Definitely worth $800 but at best a "special interest" car with no real value in sight. I think it would make a very nice errand car or reliable hobby car.

fintail

Cheap compared to the period competition

Very interesting, but I am sure the owner thinks he has a Duesy

Mr_Shiftright

Those early 30s Chrysler Imperials were very nice cars. Hmmm...if that picture is current and it needs "restoration" I'd figure a #4 car, so maybe.....$5,000 would be plenty.

texases

Here's a bit nicer one...Pricey '33

Mr_Shiftright

When the top goes way down, the price goes way up.

However, either I am confused or the seller is, because if he has "only" a CQ and not a CL (custom Imperial)then his price is off about 3 times the going rate. I'd figure 50K is all the money. The CLs bring huge bucks as they are princely cars with lavish appointments. Not so this one.

bumpy

this one is :P

lemko has too much pride to buy this

destined to end up as a bridge in China

strategic use of closeup photography to obscure...something

maybe Andre could buy this for his mom

sport utility

Andre could get this hot tamale for himself

Why is this on craigslist?

andre1969

:P I like the '80-83 Cordoba and Mirada, but going by my own set of values, I'd have to deduct $1000 for the slant six, and maybe $500 for that front end. These cars look good with the Mirada or Cordoba LS front-end, which was much more slicked back and blended well with these rakish coupes. But that upright, frumpy grille just doesn't seem to fit right.

And I can't imagine an 85 hp slant six would be much fun in one of these cars. The 318 was rated at a laughable 120 hp that year, but was probably adequate.

Oh yeah, I'd deduct another $200 for that AM-only radio. So that gets it down to about $500. I wonder if they'd let it go for that?

As for that '85 Monte Carlo SS, my Mom's not rednecky enough to drive something like that. I am, but she's not. Mom drives a '99 Altima these days. She and my stepdad were talking about getting a Subaru wagon at one time. I was going to jokingly make a comment about her changing tastes, but then wisely thought the better of it. :P

That '86 Caddy Brougham is really sad. My heart really goes out to it. But it's probably to the point that the guy who runs this site might even turn his nose up at it!

andre1969

and that buffoon with the "Neon is not crap" ad is just DYING for some chop-busting with that comment!

Mr_Shiftright

'63 Karmann Ghia -- Sure, I'd take $300 to haul it away for the guy.

67 Vette - a "classic" case of not having a clue how to market your car!

International Scout -- does the term "agricultural" ring a bell here?

qbrozen

Well, the Honda 600 ended nowhere near the seller's asking price. The Toyota is at $2200 and still has 13 hours to go. I don't understand either price. Seems like the seller was asking way too much on the Honda and people are paying way too much on the toyota. But what do I know?

Mr_Shiftright

I think the Toyota is worth that. It's really a nice little car to drive and could be used on a regular basis.

The Honda 600 should be worth maybe $2,500--$3,500 if it's in nice shape...maybe $4,000 is all the money. It's a "freak show" car, like Metros and Amphicars and Fiat 500s, etc.

qbrozen

maybe on the toyota, but i see some rust spots in the pics that scare me (under the hood).

Mr_Shiftright

Yep you're right, there is rust under there, and at the door edges, too. Okay forget that $2,500 bid.

The Honda 600 was bid to $4,600 and that was spot on, market-correct IMO.

fintail

Looks like a good cruiser

Mr_Shiftright

yeah I'd leave it like it is...trying to paint a barge like that and redo the leather might end up too $$$ for the value of the car when you are done. If it runs well and doesn't look too shabby, that's a decent price.

andre1969

Actually I don't think the paint on that Caddy looks too bad. At least, if it looks as good in person as it does in those pics, I could probably deal with it.

How much would it cost to redo the leather? I wonder if you could get by with just redoing the worn inserts?

british_rover

I could live with the paint but the seats would start to bother me after a few weeks.

andre1969

I could live with the paint but the seats would start to bother me after a few weeks.

I'm starting to have a similar problem with my '85 Silverado. It has a vinyl seat (odd, because it has an otherwise upgraded interior with cloth doorpanels, silver trim with that machine-turned look, those stupid pull-straps that break over time, etc), and has held up fine until earlier this year. I noticed one little tear in the base cushion. Soon after that I noticed a second little tear. They haven't gotten any worse, but I'm sure they will, with time.

I guess if it gets too bad, I can just put a towel over it! :P

fintail

I suspect the paint on that Caddy is like my fintail...looks great in photos and from a distance, but up close it has many little imperfections, and looks pretty bad up close like in the flourescent lights of a parking garage.

The seats would also bug me, especially passenger side. I've developed a little issue where I like to have the seat beside me, when empty, to look pretty much as new. Makes the whole car feel better.

Mr_Shiftright

Full leather seat restoration would cost about $5,000 or so. Just a guess but I bet I'm not far off. Then maybe $8,000 for paint. Now if you want to do all the chrome....well then...keep adding....