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

explorerx4

Went to a local transmission shop to make an appointment to get the Mustang checked out.
Described the issues and the guy said it looks like a trans rebuild which is not a surprise.

fintail

Some more stuff:

Twofer

I suppose many met this fate

Idaho but not laughably overpriced, weird

Here too, seems reasonable enough

Speaking of, this just doesn't do much for me

Surprised in these days of Radwood examples like this aren't doing better

Tiny

"The ultimate Japanese sportscar" - uh ok, but it is pretty thin on the ground in decent shape today

Welcome to 1988

"Not willing to part out" - pics say otherwise

Those price guide values have to be for the convertible

Seller has a few cars for sale with wildly inappropriate wheels

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Went to a local transmission shop to make an appointment to get the Mustang checked out.
Described the issues and the guy said it looks like a trans rebuild which is not a surprise.

Refresh my memory, have you been having problems with the transmission or did you take it out for the first time and have problems?

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
trans started acting up early last year, so I basically stopped driving it.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
trans started acting up early last year, so I basically stopped driving it.

That’s too bad. I hope that it’s cheaper to repair an older unit than a new one. That’s a four speed auto, right? Back in the day I had the tranny on my 69’ Plymouth rebuilt for $190. I still use the same shop but I’m sure the prices are higher now.

explorerx4

The shop has an interesting sign in it.
It is required to post your labor rate. $125.
Underneath that sign was another one.
If you bring your own parts, labor rate is $200 and no guarantees.

tjc78

@explorerx4 said:
Went to a local transmission shop to make an appointment to get the Mustang checked out.
Described the issues and the guy said it looks like a trans rebuild which is not a surprise.

How many miles are on your car? At any rate if they have to rebuild the trans please make sure they install a brass TV bushing in the linkage. I’m willing to bet that yours (OEM plastic) has disintegrated by now and could be the root of all the issues.

This happened to me on both my Panthers. First time it nuked overdrive, the second time I caught it in time and saved the tranny and only had to do the bushing.

Forgive me if I already have talked about this.

tjc78

@fintail
Interesting mix of rides you posted.

The Seville is a shame, nice color combo. Ditch the wire wheels for the Touring wheels and it would be sharp

Eldo… I just can’t warm up to the coupes on that generation, convertible looks much better. Fair price if you like those

GMC.. if not rusty is a good buy

Vette, nice looking example. I have zero clue if the price is fair or not. Are those wheels correct or from a later model?

oldfarmer50

That Corvette might be worth the price just for the mileage. No rocket ship with only 245 hp.

gsemike

explorerx4 said:

Went to a local transmission shop to make an appointment to get the Mustang checked out.
Described the issues and the guy said it looks like a trans rebuild which is not a surprise.

The trans is unfortunately the weak link in those cars

explorerx4

@gsemike,
I's 30 years old, although low mileage, so I cant get too upset.

gsemike

Sad cautionary tale here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MUSCLECARCENTER/permalink/5193451720774533/?sale_post_id=5193451720774533

Really curious what the story is here

explorerx4

@gsemike,
Not really sure what the actual problems are.
Could be a 350 stroker or bored out.
Looks pretty nice except the trunk lid fitment on the right side.

oldfarmer50

gsemike said:

Sad cautionary tale here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MUSCLECARCENTER/permalink/5193451720774533/?sale_post_id=5193451720774533

Really curious what the story is here

Somebody should have done his homework.

When an ad say “needs some things” I walk the other way.

fintail

Yep, those wheels were 88-90, for some reason I had a mild thing for Corvettes at that time and remember some details. That color combo is quite good, and the condition looks great, lots of retro flash for 13K (and I bet you could get it for less) even if it isn't fast by 2020 standards.

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Interesting mix of rides you posted.

The Seville is a shame, nice color combo. Ditch the wire wheels for the Touring wheels and it would be sharp

Eldo… I just can’t warm up to the coupes on that generation, convertible looks much better. Fair price if you like those

GMC.. if not rusty is a good buy

Vette, nice looking example. I have zero clue if the price is fair or not. Are those wheels correct or from a later model?

andres3

fintail said:

Yep, those wheels were 88-90, for some reason I had a mild thing for Corvettes at that time and remember some details. That color combo is quite good, and the condition looks great, lots of retro flash for 13K (and I bet you could get it for less) even if it isn't fast by 2020 standards.

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Interesting mix of rides you posted.

The Seville is a shame, nice color combo. Ditch the wire wheels for the Touring wheels and it would be sharp

Eldo… I just can’t warm up to the coupes on that generation, convertible looks much better. Fair price if you like those

GMC.. if not rusty is a good buy

Vette, nice looking example. I have zero clue if the price is fair or not. Are those wheels correct or from a later model?

If it sounds fast that can make up for a little bit of "not actually fast." Right up until you get smoked by a V6 Camry.

fintail

But you'll still look worlds cooler in a now-vintage white on red 'Vette than in any Camry

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Yep, those wheels were 88-90, for some reason I had a mild thing for Corvettes at that time and remember some details. That color combo is quite good, and the condition looks great, lots of retro flash for 13K (and I bet you could get it for less) even if it isn't fast by 2020 standards.

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Interesting mix of rides you posted.

The Seville is a shame, nice color combo. Ditch the wire wheels for the Touring wheels and it would be sharp

Eldo… I just can’t warm up to the coupes on that generation, convertible looks much better. Fair price if you like those

GMC.. if not rusty is a good buy

Vette, nice looking example. I have zero clue if the price is fair or not. Are those wheels correct or from a later model?

If it sounds fast that can make up for a little bit of "not actually fast." Right up until you get smoked by a V6 Camry.

tjc78

@fintail said:
But you'll still look worlds cooler in a now-vintage white on red 'Vette than in any Camry

Same thing…..! 😝

andres3

tjc78 said:

@fintail said:

But you'll still look worlds cooler in a now-vintage white on red 'Vette than in any Camry

Same thing…..! 😝

I give Toyota an A for effort.

qbrozen

Nice job on the interior but I still don’t like the exterior

fintail

No jutting tablet screen, which is nice.

Michaell

I had a Camry SE as a rental in 2019; I found it to be a pretty nice place to spend some time. The only quibble I had was that the ACC would shut off at a predetermined speed (like, 12-15 MPH).

gsemike

@qbrozen said:
Nice job on the interior but I still don’t like the exterior

I agree. I think what Toyota thinks is sporty to me just looks lumpy

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
Nice job on the interior but I still don’t like the exterior

I do have to say the interior is pretty nice.

fintail

A few things for sale:

Neat, but I am not sure if this is there yet, especially as it doesn't appear totally original (maybe Idaho pricing)

Pretty sure that's not an original color

Lots of character and patina, I like the original local dealer badge

Pardon me?

No doubt has plenty of needs but maybe a project for someone

Strong "Tommy Boy" vibes with that rear window

Saddest one of these I've ever seen

If that's just an angle/shade anomaly on the passenger side, maybe not a bad "youngtimer"

I wonder if any of these still exist in stock form

3.8 is great? Maybe a deal here, big engine for this car

Or if you want a newer one

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

A few things for sale:

Neat, but I am not sure if this is there yet, especially as it doesn't appear totally original (maybe Idaho pricing)

Pretty sure that's not an original color

Lots of character and patina, I like the original local dealer badge

Pardon me?

No doubt has plenty of needs but maybe a project for someone

Strong "Tommy Boy" vibes with that rear window

Saddest one of these I've ever seen

If that's just an angle/shade anomaly on the passenger side, maybe not a bad "youngtimer"

I wonder if any of these still exist in stock form

3.8 is great? Maybe a deal here, big engine for this car

Or if you want a newer one

I worked with a guy who had a Suzuki like that. Fenders falling off from rust, similar to my 86’ Toyota truck.

My dad had a 68’ Fury hardtop in that same color. It was one of my favorite cars during my college years.

My son’s first car was an exact match for that Lesabre. He bought if from his grandmother with only 27k miles and drove it for 11 years.

tjc78

Those older FWD Cieras were probably pretty quick with the 3.8. I forgot they had that as an option. Always associate them with the 3.1 or 3.3.

The white LeSabre is clean and would be a great commuter

The Lincoln should go to the crusher

fintail

I recall driving an 85 Ciera with a 3.0 (I think, was there a 3.1 then? Maybe a 2.8? I think my dad's 85 S-10 Blazer was a 2.8) when I was a young driver. The initial throttle tip in/response was immense, it would shoot off the line with light pressure (of course would eventually run out of steam). Somehow, the Ciera I linked is an interesting car to me, maybe via that memory (I think the one I drove was the same color, too).

tjc78 said:

Those older FWD Cieras were probably pretty quick with the 3.8. I forgot they had that as an option. Always associate them with the 3.1 or 3.3.

The white LeSabre is clean and would be a great commuter

The Lincoln should go to the crusher

sda

I looked at the MB 190s when they were new and liked them but too expensive for me at the time. Perfect size as I was single. I like the interior of the 88 Ciera much better than dad's 95. Though the 95's interior was nice the 88 looked more upscale and I like the full instrumentation and the 3.8. Clean LeSabre.

fintail

My uncle had a 98 LeSabre that he bought I think as an ex-rental, white with dark red interior. He miled it up to something like 160-170K I think, but when my grandma stopped driving and gave him a low mileage Taurus, he sold it. He maintained the Buick well, and sold it within a couple days after listing it.

Amusingly, today he drives a Honda Fit.

oldfarmer50 said:

fintail said:

A few things for sale:

Neat, but I am not sure if this is there yet, especially as it doesn't appear totally original (maybe Idaho pricing)

Pretty sure that's not an original color

Lots of character and patina, I like the original local dealer badge

Pardon me?

No doubt has plenty of needs but maybe a project for someone

Strong "Tommy Boy" vibes with that rear window

Saddest one of these I've ever seen

If that's just an angle/shade anomaly on the passenger side, maybe not a bad "youngtimer"

I wonder if any of these still exist in stock form

3.8 is great? Maybe a deal here, big engine for this car

Or if you want a newer one

I worked with a guy who had a Suzuki like that. Fenders falling off from rust, similar to my 86’ Toyota truck.

My dad had a 68’ Fury hardtop in that same color. It was one of my favorite cars during my college years.

My son’s first car was an exact match for that Lesabre. He bought if from his grandmother with only 27k miles and drove it fir 11 years.

fintail

If I had space and that amount of legitimately spare cash, I'd think about looking at the 190E. It looks legit from what I can see - super clean, headlight bezel and interior condition suggests a garaged car, seat covers, factory radio and period phone. I toy with the idea of an 80s car now and then, those early cars being all 4cyl would be easy to maintain and not thirsty.

That car cost maybe 25K or so new, a pretty penny for a smallish 4cyl car, but IIRC the "Baby Benz" sold well enough, and now has that clean 80s look.

I wonder what the take rate was for a 3.8 Ciera, I noticed no more than a couple for sale, I think.

sda said:

I looked at the MB 190s when they were new and liked them but too expensive for me at the time. Perfect size as I was single. I like the interior of the 88 Ciera much better than dad's 95. Though the 95's interior was nice the 88 looked more upscale and I like the full instrumentation and the 3.8. Clean LeSabre.

texases

I'd rather get that era 300E over the 190E.

qbrozen

I never had the 4-cyl. Had a 300E and two of the 2.6 190s. Never had any good luck with any of them. Always needing something.

fintail

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

bhill2

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

fintail

A 190E will be especially small in the back, might not matter to most. I remember suggesting you try to find another similar car, but you realistically know it won't be the same. They are out there, however, if you change your mind. Those late run small V8s aren't too bad to live with.

This one has been offered locally for months - might be nice, but given the cosmetic flaws, seller is optimistic (maybe time for me to mock Idaho again) - I'd want to be more like 7K on this, and only if everything mechanical is OK. Seller is lazy in staging it, spend a grand fixing some things (the dent, interior detail, wheels), and it would really show.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

bhill2

fintail said:

A 190E will be especially small in the back, might not matter to most. I remember suggesting you try to find another similar car, but you realistically know it won't be the same. They are out there, however, if you change your mind. Those late run small V8s aren't too bad to live with.

This one has been offered locally for months - might be nice, but given the cosmetic flaws, seller is optimistic (maybe time for me to mock Idaho again) - I'd want to be more like 7K on this, and only if everything mechanical is OK. Seller is lazy in staging it, spend a grand fixing some things (the dent, interior detail, wheels), and it would really show.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

I haven’t (completely) given up, Fin, but circumstances have worked against it. With the pandemic we don’t do as much recreational driving and our new garage is smaller. You never know what the future will bring though.

sda

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

A 190E will be especially small in the back, might not matter to most. I remember suggesting you try to find another similar car, but you realistically know it won't be the same. They are out there, however, if you change your mind. Those late run small V8s aren't too bad to live with.

This one has been offered locally for months - might be nice, but given the cosmetic flaws, seller is optimistic (maybe time for me to mock Idaho again) - I'd want to be more like 7K on this, and only if everything mechanical is OK. Seller is lazy in staging it, spend a grand fixing some things (the dent, interior detail, wheels), and it would really show.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

I haven’t (completely) given up, Fin, but circumstances have worked against it. With the pandemic we don’t do as much recreational driving and our new garage is smaller. You never know what the future will bring though.

Did you rebuild on the same lot or did you move to another location? I felt for you and everyone who were affected by that horrible disaster. While I was dating my wife her house burned due to a lightning strike. I remember the hassle of all the details of rebuilding, replacing her car which also burned, trying to list everything that was lost.

fintail

I understand, even with one old car, it is sometimes hard to get the time and energy to maintain and drive it. At the same time, I am glad I only have a two car garage, or an impulse buy could take place.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

A 190E will be especially small in the back, might not matter to most. I remember suggesting you try to find another similar car, but you realistically know it won't be the same. They are out there, however, if you change your mind. Those late run small V8s aren't too bad to live with.

This one has been offered locally for months - might be nice, but given the cosmetic flaws, seller is optimistic (maybe time for me to mock Idaho again) - I'd want to be more like 7K on this, and only if everything mechanical is OK. Seller is lazy in staging it, spend a grand fixing some things (the dent, interior detail, wheels), and it would really show.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

I haven’t (completely) given up, Fin, but circumstances have worked against it. With the pandemic we don’t do as much recreational driving and our new garage is smaller. You never know what the future will bring though.

fintail

This came up in my YT feed, thought some here might be entertained:

https://youtu.be/3FdrzZe8Ozc

fintail

First drive in I think 4 weeks, due to some almost record-breaking damp and cool weather over the past month. Started on the first turn and ran fine, got a couple comments at the supermarket:

bhill2

sda said:

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

A 190E will be especially small in the back, might not matter to most. I remember suggesting you try to find another similar car, but you realistically know it won't be the same. They are out there, however, if you change your mind. Those late run small V8s aren't too bad to live with.

This one has been offered locally for months - might be nice, but given the cosmetic flaws, seller is optimistic (maybe time for me to mock Idaho again) - I'd want to be more like 7K on this, and only if everything mechanical is OK. Seller is lazy in staging it, spend a grand fixing some things (the dent, interior detail, wheels), and it would really show.

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

The M103 I6, used 190, E, and S can have issues - head gaskets and fuel distributors are quirks I've read about. The 4 is going to be slower and maybe not as smooth, but probably easier to live with as it ages (we never got a 4cyl E-class). Really mint W124s can bring OK money on BaT too, where I think the non-16 190Es are still unloved.

Fin,

FWIW, that's how we ended up with our W126. In 1991 we were debating getting a 190E. It was smaller than we would otherwise have chosen, but it was a Mercedes. We had just about convinced ourselves that it was the way to go when I saw an ad from the local MB dealer advertising a six-year old 380SE with 60K miles that had been bought from and serviced by that dealer. They offered a generous warrantee. We went to look at it and that was all it took. Twenty-six years and 200K miles later we lost it in the same wild fire that got our house. I'm still mourning.

I haven’t (completely) given up, Fin, but circumstances have worked against it. With the pandemic we don’t do as much recreational driving and our new garage is smaller. You never know what the future will bring though.

Did you rebuild on the same lot or did you move to another location? I felt for you and everyone who were affected by that horrible disaster. While I was dating my wife her house burned due to a lightning strike. I remember the hassle of all the details of rebuilding, replacing her car which also burned, trying to list everything that was lost.

We rebuilt on the same lot. In fact, the city (Santa Rosa CA) made the offer that if you rebuilt on the same lot and a house that had the same footprint they would give you the same tax basis that the old one had. We jumped on it. The garage ended up smaller because of changed building standards and our decision to install solar power. I can totally identify with "the hassle of all the details of rebuilding". Oh well, after it all we didn't lose any pets, which would have killed me. But I do miss our beloved Mercedes (and an equally beloved 2001 Jag XK8).

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

First drive in I think 4 weeks, due to some almost record-breaking damp and cool weather over the past month. Started on the first turn and ran fine, got a couple comments at the supermarket:

No doubt about it, that is a beautiful car. Do you not drive it at all when it rains?

xwesx

Well, let's just say that when it comes to theme songs, this is not it.

fintail

Thanks. Definitely a photogenic color, and I suppose I have maintained it well enough over the past 27 years to keep it looking proper.

The car seldom sees rain, usually only by accident or if it rains when it goes in for its annual service. The car is not 100% water tight, and I fear rust from any dampness. When I was younger and it was my primary car, I drove it in any weather, but now am trying to preserve it a little. It is also somehow more difficult to clean than a modern car, lots of nooks and crannies I guess.

oldfarmer50 said:

fintail said:

First drive in I think 4 weeks, due to some almost record-breaking damp and cool weather over the past month. Started on the first turn and ran fine, got a couple comments at the supermarket:

No doubt about it, that is a beautiful car. Do you not drive it at all when it rains?

fintail

This is coming up in a local estate sale - absolutely no data about the car in the ad, but it is a multi-sale event from a wealthy local hoarder (in a rich "eccentric" way - there are apparently several houses full of furniture, all fancy stuff)/collector, I suspect it is a low mileage original:

texases

Looks just like my wife's first car! Year, paint, etc. Except the paint looks in good shape, unlike the faded silver on hers.

tjc78

Any takers??

stickguy

well, definitely a project.

just buy a finished one.

qbrozen

2 parts cars with zero good parts between them.