Sinacola

I know this isn't really the place to post this but I wasn't sure where to post. But here it is. I came across a car today, and I wanted to know the value of the car. It's a z28 5.0 H.O, with an original 5 speed tranny, T-tops, original motor. it's got racing bucket seats, cragar rims, with fat tires, a hurst shifter, some rust and car has been sitting for 6 months, it runs but hesitates because of old gas and the carb needs to be replaced or rebuilt. It drives smooth, but like i said it hesitates. It's dirty from sitting and the t-tops leak pretty bad. But the car would be a good project i think. I talked him down to $2000. And I wanted to know if I would be making a good buy. I'm pretty sure it is, but I need to know.

Sinacola

I would probably sell the seats, because I cant's fit unless the t-tops are off, I can't adjust them and I am 6'4 so I don't exactly fit well.

Marine_Marauder

Depends on what you are planning on doing with it I guess.

Paint sucks. Engine bay is disgusting. Interior is stained. Car is underpowered.

If you're planning on ripping out the engine, interior, having it painted and redoing the weatherstrip then go for it.

If you're looking for a project that won't cost 10K+ to get it nice then I would pass.

But that's just me.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Sinacola

well, the idea was to fix it up and have an ok daily. I know that there is gonna be money involved. But I wanted to know for the price if it was worth it. I don't plan on having a pristine, fully restored car. I'm new to the thirdgen game and really love these cars. I would like to use a car like this to learn on. I just wanted to know if the price is alright.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

$2000 is really not a bad price for a starter.

Sinacola

my selling point on the car was the 5 speed tranny, no slips or grinds.

Marine_Marauder

2K seems a little steep, but if the engine and tranny are good and you like the car then that's all that really matters.

These cars are great to learn on, plenty of elbow room. Get a factory shop manual off of Ebay. You can tear the whole car apart and put it back together with one. I work on my own cars myself, and I can't emphasize that enough.

good luck!

Sinacola

i appreciate the input. I'm a little skeptical on the car. because it does need some money. But i'm definitely thinking it over before purchasing. Trying to put together a parts list of what it's gonna cost me.

1991_305RS

Coming from a guy who's been there before, my advice to you would be to save up more money and start with the nicest car you can afford. You can buy a $2,000 car and put $3,000 into it and it won't be a $5,000 car, More like $3,000 if your lucky. Do you see what I am saying? If you are buying the car as a daily driver to have fun with for awhile then sell, buy something with lower miles that hasn't been beat on. If your buying the car for a project, I would buy something that has already had work put into it, for example been repainted (properly), new motor, etc. That way your not starting from square one. But still, the lower the mileage the better.

This is my car, I stopped keeping track of money spent years ago after 10k.

Before & After

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

That's a *really* grody car.

I would pass; runs rough, has been sitting, rusty, leaky T-tops (floors are probably rotted through underneath the carpet), and just plain neglected. I don't particularly see anything good going for it; you can find another 5 speed car in better shape.

NowhereFast

I'd talk him down to the tune of $300. That car is a mess.

The paint is complete garbage. The car will need a repaint if you want to drive it and not look like a fool. The rest of the car's condition indicates that it probably has body damage. That paint will do a pretty good job of hiding any waviness. The paint isn't even original. Probably some cheapy job done a long time ago. I see that the car was originally bright red.

That spoiler is wrong also, so you'll have to deal with the mounting holes left by that one.

The engine bay looks like it's never been cleaned since it came from the factory. It's got the wrong air cleaner set up as well, and dual snorkels are pretty hard to find. Stray wires everywhere. What's with the yellow wire loom? It wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't an H.O. either.

The interior is in terrible shape. Those seats are hideous. I'm sure they cut up the tracks too, the way they are mounted. The carpet is beige, or was, and it is in awful shape. Stains everywhere, heavily matted. That indicates the interior was probably beige as well, prior to being changed. I see 3 holes in the center console, and the vinyl on the console lid is peeling. That steering wheel is awful too, and good condition stock ones ain't cheap. see that is does not have a radio, betcha the wiring harness is cut too. There's another headache.

As Puma pointed out, the T-tops leak so the floors will be rusted, no doubt.

Honestly, save your money. That car is pretty much good for nothing at this point. It is in terrible shape to drive, and I don't see how it could be parted out, being that there is really nothing on that car worth anything. It'd be better off going to the scrap yard. Put it out of it's misery.

Mike R

Personally, I would pass.

You could get a car in better shape for not much more money. Also if you want a project you can find something that is unmolested for about that price.

Good luck. I know how it goes sometimes. Your head is tellin you NO, but your gut is tellin you, We want this for some crazy reason, and damn it we're gonna get it! And before you know it your saying, "I'll take it!!"

Good luck,
Mike R

Ron U.S.M.C.

I went with a 5.0 for my first and only starter/fixer upper about 7 years ago.Even though I love my car and plan on keeping it all my life,if I were to do it again I would only pick a 350. If you plan on spending money on saving a beat up car like I have over the years ($8,000 put into a $500.00 dollar car)then that's my advice.
By the way even though mine definitely was saved from the wreaking yard it looked better than that car.
Pass until you can find at least a 350.

Sinacola

I think that is exactly what i needed. Honestly this is gonna be like my first car, I've had one already and sole it to buy a total project and ended up junking it. I want something I can work on, but not spend a fortune on. I think I need a little direction, and It looks like I'm gonna walk away from this one. Thanks for everyones input. If anyone in my area is selling a nicer car I would be interested.

Nyczbubba

I bought my car in a little better condition for 1000$. I thought I only had minor problems to fix but the minor problems added up to a bunch of little minor problems. I'm repainting the car now and I'm so far in almost 6000$ including the purchase price.

Sinacola

that seems to be the norm with these cars.

white_ghost

Its only gonna be worth that if thats all you can find in your budget range!! You will put way more into that car than you will ever see back out of it. I paid less than half that for mine but the body is rust free. The motor ran, but needed to be beefed up ($1000) the trans was out of the car and needed rebuilt ($1500), rims were crap ($1600), gutless rear 2.43 geared axle replaced with 3.23 disc posi ($700), interior worn and dated so got new leather custom throughout ($1200), ultimately no sound system (another $1000), and soon to be new custom pearl white and gun metal grey paint job ($3500). Good luck with you project.

kmcn47

agreed i only paid 3 grand for mine and it was worlds better then this thing is, i'd pass the reasons are obvious and everyone else already listed them all