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We have a local shop called Bel-Kirk Mustang that will install the engine for around 1000.00. I figured another grand for misc. stuff and another grand to overhaul the transmission. That's 7000.00.
Mustangs are bringing crazy money lately so I don't think a person could lose.
But...I've thought wrong before!
I'd be surprised if you could pay a shop to do that and come out much ahead, given the unknowns with the engine and tranny. Sure, best case it all goes together fine, and you're money ahead. But I put the odds on that at about 10%.
If the majority of those 'Wheeler Dealer' cars clear maybe 10%, only including parts costs, no labor, then paying a shop would be a major gamble.
And wouldn't other folks have looked at it? If it was such an obvious money maker why's it still there?
i could be wrong.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
He tells me Ford did not start putting VIN numbers on engines until 1968, so any 289 of that era (without serial numbers) will be ok. The engine could be ~$500-$1k rebuilt. They are so easy to rebuild it's ridiculous. I did like 6 of those Ford engines for me and friends in the 80's, both 289 and 302's, and I'm just a "Shade Tree" type. (I was a Huey Mechanic/Crew Chief in the Army, but in Medicine after).
The transmission could be a far worse problem if it needs a complete rebuild, as complete rebuild kits approach $1k, and good luck finding anyone nearby that will rebuild it, you could be looking at $2500 right there; however if all it needs are seals, maybe $1K or even half that. I would find out what the Tranny needs. The big question is the electricals. In storage mice can wreck havoc. The interior needs to be carefully looked at for cracks, blistered Dashboard etc. I would have a trained Body Man look at it underneath. as well as the outer body, don't forget the "Magnet Test" for bondo. The 289 Automatics are fairly common according to my neighbor.
I agree that with a HQ interior and paint, 15k should be easy.
Check out similar cars online for a base, but if it has hidden cancer, that hits the price HUGE.
It WILL be for sale soon however since the owner is getting tired of it taking up space in his garage.
Again, the car is from So. California and cars don't rust there.
I disagree about the transmission. It's a C4 Cruisematic and they are VERY common and a snap to work on. I assumed it would need a total rebuild and a local QUALITY transmission show quoted me between 900-1200 dollars for a total rebuild.
As far as the 289 engine. It isn't seized and it looks like it's been recently gone through. Rebuilding that CAN be easy but if it needs everything including a rebore then it becomes a job for a machine shop.
The interior is a new reproduction interior that has never seen miles. It does need a dash pad but those are reproduced and aren't expensive.
It's a good car for someone with time, patience a big garage and a few dollars.
I lack the patience part myself.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=131014087161
That thing is already at $2200 in just 2 bids. And that's a 6-cyl car.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
If that car is REALLY worth 2200.00, the one I looked at would be worth at least three times as much as it sits.
Unbelievable!
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
People often don't include engine photos on ebay.
I'm sure it's a grimy little 170 sitting in there.
I'm still shaking my head.
But.. I could be wrong!
could it be 2 shills? Sure. But if you are going to bother, just set the opening bid at $2k and be done with it. But people do weird things, right?
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
" We just want it out of the garage now"
By "everything" they mean all books and manuals, all of the parts, an engine stand (with 289 mounted) a cherry picker, go jacks and a "bunch" of other stuff.
Now, if that POS Mustang on Ebay REALLY brought that kind of money, this one seriously should be worth three times that!
thinking.....thinking....
Pay no more for it than you'd get back if you dumped it, as is, on someone else.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
It's just the time, space and commitment that I'm struggling with.
I do think that were they to advertise it someone would snap it up in an instant.
Decisions......what to do?
edit - Now I remember you saying something about reworking the tranny (maybe the engine), so how about renting a storage unit for a few months to store that chassis while that's being done, when they're ready tow the chassis to the shop, and go from there...
You live nearby. Any space in your garage?
The transmission has been sitting for 23 years along with everything else so I'm sure the seals and o rings are shot.
There is a place nearby that only does Mustangs. They said they would install everything for around a grand. Might be a good idea.
Fintail....Are you familiar with Bel-Kirk Mustangs on Bel Red Rd.
I could probably only fit a couple hubcaps in my extra garage space.
I can't tell you how often I have given the same advice.
BUY ONE THAT IS ALREADY DONE!
Thanks for talking me down!
Well, since it has the chrome Mustang wheels I would need a bigger garage.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
And I just KNOW parts will be missing. Things like bolts, brackets etc.
Still, what a buy it is! I've learned to trust my instincts and I just see red flags waving at me.
What screwed the deal? Two things---1) missing or wrong parts and 2) shoddy workmanship to those parts already done.
If I bought that 'Stang, very first thing I'd do is tear the engine down and look around. I have seen 'rebuilt' engines with vice grip marks on the connecting rod bolts!
Isn't a pair of vise grips a poor man's torque wrench?
Once, when I was 17 years old. I had to change a fuel pump on my buddy's
55 Chevy in a parking lot. We were a long way from home and broke.
We walked across the street to a handy wrecking yard and bought a used one for 3.00 and using a pair of vise grips (only tool we had) and by using the old gasket, I changed it.
Lucky it was a 6 cyl and I didn't want to be the guy who had to deal with those
rounded off fittings the next time.
Rebuilt is SUPPOSED to mean that the engine is returned to factory spec. It does NOT mean that "we replaced what was worn and left what was still okay. "
That latter definition should be called "overhaul".
Then there's the second question: Rebuilt by WHOM?"
Hopefully not by the Krylon Engine Co.
It sounds like he has had a lot of interest on it.
Link wouldn't post...in Seattle Craigslist a MINT 1999 Saab 93 convertible.
Selling it for his mother in law who bought it new and babied it.
Wants 3500.00 and has other showings scheduled.
112,000 miles.
Yeah, I have lost my mind!
Compared to columbus, there's a lot of listings in tacoma for 1999 Saabs!
1. It's an orphan
2. Nobody likes to work on them
3. Parts are expensive
4. Resale value is nil.
Now, I believe the convertible switched to the Opel platform after 1994, but certainly before 1999. However, your four points are probably still valid, even if the transmission has a normal life expectancy. For example, I heard from the owner of a body shop who had one from the generation of the one we're talking about in his parking lot that the convertible top mechanism is very expensive to replace.
But, if you want the car for yourself... None of that matters except for #2 and #3... (no one buys a $3500 car for the resale value)
So, if you can find someone to work on it, you are set... That is a pretty nice car for $3500... You can't find an old Civic with under 150K miles for that amount...
That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to get it cheaper... but, someone will snap it up soon for over $3K.. (I'd rather have a stick, too, but that just makes four or five of us....lol)
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About a week ago, someone asked a question in the "Questions" section on these forums about the advisability of buying a used Saab.
Since that person was concerned about maintenance costs, I jumped in and told her that if that was important to her that there were much better choices.
I reminded her that she would be buying an "orphan" etc and I tried to steer her away.
So, here I am, looking at a SAAB!!
I've never owned one but for some reason I've always been attracted to them. I know they tend to attract Engineers and people like that who are usually fiercely loyal to the brand.
I also know that a lot of shops simply refuse to work on them.
Still, I'm meeting the owner in an hour. Thinking I probably will pass
or make him an offer he won't take but you never know.
I just can't STAND not having an "extra" car in the garage!
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There is a Euro shop about three miles from where we live and I've seen Saabs in there but I should give him a call anyway.
I've owned two Peugeots years ago. Don't laugh!
They were both diesels and they were strong and built like a tank. they had the most comfortable seats ever.
There are (or were) a couple of shops in Seattle that worked on them and nearer there was a one man shop that only worked on Peugeots.
That guy was a real Prima Donna who always made sure you knew he was doing you a favor by working on your Peugeot.
And...maybe he was!
SAMPLE: (paraphrasing from memory, from a woman poster)..."then he threw the keys at the floor in front of my feet and said "Get your freakin' car out of here, you Marin County _____!"
Another Saab repair shop: "So, sorry to say, that despite a high recommendation from my mother, who had given my son the Saab in the first place, I found XX at XX Saab to be arrogant, rude, unethical, possibly incompetent, and seemingly intent on fee gouging and ripping me off. Perhaps, as he hinted, he is overworked, stressed out, broke and hurting himself."
3rd Saab shop: "The quote ended up being a minimum of $1500 for a job that ended up costing less than half that at another shop. If you're going to gouge people on prices, make sure they don't have a fast Internet connection in their pocket."
As opposed to our resident Subaru specialist: '"5 stars on steroids if possible. I've never met a more honest Auto Service owner in my life! He deserves the humanitarian award!"
Photos always seem to hide the small stuff and that was the case here.
When he pulled into the parking lot, I thought.." Wow, that is one sharp looking car" and, it is!
Body wise, it only has a couple of Dent Wizard type door dings. Paint has some weak areas but nothing bad. Clean Car Fax for what that's worth.
What appeared to be the original top is starting to show some wear in a couple of areas as would be expected for a 13 year old car. I wouldn't drive it in the rain so no big deal, at least for now. Probably 2000.00 or more for a top I would think.
Interior, probably would give it an 8 out of 10. Broken switch for HVAC controls that could be difficult to find. Seemed to run well and shifted well.
After pouring through some of the forums, listening to you guys and reflecting back on my own limited experiences I have to say, the thing scares me.
One major problem and it's totaled.
I learned the engines are sludge prone and really need synthetic. The guy was selling it for his mother in law and had zero receipts and had no idea about what kind of oil she had used or much else.
I learned through one of the forums that the convertible top hydraulics can be trouble prone and are a nasty, expensive [non-permissible content removed] to fix IF a person can be found to do this vexatious work. The seller operated to top for me and it was interesting to see how it worked. It seemed to work quite well.
I still remember being at an old car show a couple of years ago when it started to rain. A guy with a retractable 1959 Ford scrambled to get his top up but mid way up. something broke leaving it stuck halfway up.
Several guys ran over to help but 20 minutes later, it was still jammed. I don't know how they eventually dealt with that.
The guy quickly dropped his price to 3000.00. I passed without giving him a number. He went on to his 11:00 appointment so who knows.
He has my number. At 2400.00 I might be tempted.
I do appreciate your opinions as always. Funny, I would (and have) have offered the exact same advice.
Still, they ARE cool cars in an oddball quirky way and for some perverse reason, I like them!
Bad thing is they are in Seattle which would be like you taking your car to Oakland to get it worked on.
Not talking about the demographics, just the distance involved and the hassle.
For what its worth, the Saab never gave me, nor my father, whom I bought it from, an ounce of trouble. And parts were never a problem, but we never had to touch the engine (so just suspension, brakes, and some electrics).
I still pine for a manual trans 9-3 sedan or hatch, but I'd prefer an '04+ for the slight styling change.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
It's not hard to get parts--it's just hard to pay for them.
Nothing inherently "bad" about those later Saabs (the earlier 900 series were very problematic)--just a question of upkeep and expense.