kedvesh

First time poster; long time lurker; long time access to a 1986 Camaro.

WRT the machine, it's as stock as it can be: 2.8L V6, manual tranny, red/red interior, electric windows, basic climate control (no A/C). It presently has about 118K miles (I think) on the odo. When not driven, it sits in a garage. Over the last few years, it's seen sporadic use (less than a few thousand miles a year).

It's been a great car and the owner (my mother) would like to keep it around. She likes the looks she gets as an almost 81 y.o. driving the car! However, of late, it hasn't been that reliable and there are more than a few things that need fixing or visible improvement. (My parents also have a '97 Chevy Astro that's nearing 200K and it too has its share of "issues".)

They really need a more reliable run-around town/area car and have made overtures that they/she may want to get a new, smaller, more fuel efficient model. If so, she may give/sell the Camaro to a family member or just sell it on the open market.

Here's where your opinions come in. If I (or they) keep the car, would it be worth the time, effort and money--whether it be by myself over a number of years or by a professional for a shorter time and a lot more cash--to restore/fix-up the puppy or should I/we just drive it 'till it dies?

Things that need or probably need fixing:
- probable rust (bubling under the paint) on both rocker panels
- probable rust on the edges of the wheel wells
- a "funky" tach and gas guage
- cracked corners of the dash
- broken outer covering for the driver's side door lock (which is still functional)
- a "soft" clutch (I don't like the way it engages)
- faded cloth/synthetic interior
- drooping overhead liner fabric (but that's an easy fix with some glue)
- slow as beans electric windows
- slow as beans windshield wipers with an internmitent function that won't work
- worn paint on the headlight cowls
- it handles and accelerates like a tank (but, that's normal...it's always been like that)
- who knows what else, like a new paint job
- I'd want to retrofit some A/C into the car
- If the current engine is toast and is not worth rebuilding, I'd probably want to put a different engine in the car (maybe a new LSX V8 or current/new gen Camaro V6)
- I'd definitely want to change out the clutch and suspension
- Sometimes, unless you really pay attention to the clutch and throttle, the car will stall when decellerating to a stop. This is not good when one is in traffic or your 80+ y.o. parents are driving it.
- The rear of the RF qtr panel behind the wheel into the door now has a nice, large dent in it from where someone (not me) scooted over too early after coming off of a one-lane stone bridge. Thus, there's a new need for some additional body and paint work.

On the good side:
- it gets about 26+ MPG on the highway with regular unleaded gas
- it's never had any major engine issues (the engine has never been disassembled)
- it has a fairly new stock-like exhaust system
- while no longer pristine the paint is still good
- the car definitely has "presence", especially in this day and age of rounded econo whatevers

I'd love to make it new, but my challenges are:
- limited current mechanical ability (I can change brakes, but that's about as deep as I've gotten into cars. However, if someone teaches me how to do something, then no problem!)
- limited space to do the work (I live in a townhouse; Mom & Dad live with a garage full of stuff, to include the Camaro)
- full knowledge of how much it costs to put in a new performance engine, exhaust, etc. if someone else does it; (I just spent $$$$$ to put a stroked 416 LS3 in my Corvette); I do not have a bottomless bank account.

So, there's the "basics" of it all. Your input would be much appreciated!

Oh...and if you work for the show Overhaulin' (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/overhaulin/overhaulin.html), I'd love for you to do the work!

Jason E

I'd say leave it stock and have fun with it. As someone who has completely restored a run-of-the-mill RS and spent a lot of money modifying it, and also purchased a Trans Am that is more fun to drive bone stock (a lot cheaper, too), I can tell you right now enjoy the car for what it is...and leave it alone, mod-wise.

No, a 2.8/stick/t-top third gen is not a desireable collectable, but years from now it will prove to be a rarity at shows, and will draw attention all its own. It will also be worth something, just like 6 cylinder first gens are now.

Maintain it, fix it where needed, and enjoy it.

ROBERTDMERRILL

iTrader: (1)

It seems like the car has some sentamental value to it. I say just maintain it, keep it on the road, and most important - enjoy driving it.

3rdGenSuperman

I wouldn't start a full ground up rebuild but I would do a little work. They are great little cars, and just like with you mom, if you get bit by the 3rd gen bug, you get bit hard.

I was would start doing little things here and there Check the wiring to, and change out the windshield wiper motors, check the window motors. Mine were slow, and I opted for manual windows, works fine and just one less problem to go wrong.

Some guys here tear them to just the chassis and build them up with AMAZING detail. That doesn't mean that's the only option. If you have some nice days, sand down and do some grinding, fill in with body puddy, or have some put a nice weld and grind on, get those covered and then paint. It's process that takes some detail and attention but you've got time.

The 6 is a fun little engine but IF it goes, for the money to get the LSX from GMPP and the time and energy to swap it, keep an eye out for an IROC parts car at a salvage. Speak with a local salvage guy. Alot of times an IROC written of in an accident, has plenty of usable parts and a solid engine to build from. I picked one up for $300, a solid engine and tranny and front end, but it was a right off and not rebuildable, so for about $500 all said and done with towing. I had a nose cone, interior, engine, and tranny ready to be swapped.

Restorations dont have to be quick. Go step by step

TZFBird

I have rust in those places. I bought a parts car and pulled all parts off in order to replace what was replaceable.
*The rear hubs are probably bad rear wheel seals. If you don't take care of that all your oil will leak out and could ruin the carrier as well. A time consuming job, but not difficult.
*The shocks/struts are easy unless you don't know what you are doing.
*Handling could probably be taken care of fairly easily by just upgrading to swaybars off a V8 car.
*Clutch could just need the fluid replaced and system bled.
*As soon as I come across a fix for the horrible gas guage, I'm going to try and fix mine that doesn't read right.
*Missing vanes in the vents can be taken care of by yourself if you just come across some good ones over time.
*If you really don't want the 2.8, my dad has done a 3.4 swap into his Fiero out of a 4th gen Camaro and dropped in a cam. All you'll need is a new chip for it, but that pepped it up incredibly and he's putting down 35mpg on the highway.
*You'll also want to go through and give the steering and bushings a check. I know by '04 my ball joints were starting to make some weird noises. Not sure if they were factory or not though.

rideon1200

If a car that your 81 yr old mother drove around for 24 yrs has no sentimental value, sell it. It is a 5sp v6 taht is rusted and needs more work then it is worth.

kedvesh

Thanks to all the comments from last year.

I'm reviving the post/thread to see if there's any additional comments out there.

BTW, over $1000 was put into the car last year so it would pass a PA state safety inspection. Hey...at least it doesn't get driven that much and thus qualifies to be exempt from state emissions inspection!

So what say y'all:
- keep and gradually fix everything;
- keep, maintain as much as possible and just drive as is until it dies;
- sell it for what someone will pay for it...what they do with it--fix or part out--would be up to them.

Thanks again for the inputs!

3rdGenSuperman

At this point I would probably say sell it, and look around for a V-8. If you want a car to restore I would keep looking. You did say you had a corvette. So I don't know if you would even want that.

However since you have put $1000 into it and it's been inspected I would just rip around in it until it dies. Keep your eye out for V-8 if you want a 3rd gen.

navy02ws6

Sounds like the car would only be worth restoring for sentimental value, so it really comes down to how sentimental you are about it. Being a 6 cylinder without factory air, it's not exactly a car that a collector would be looking for. If you really love the car and can justify the cost, go ahead and build it to your liking. Just don't ever expect to get more than the modern day equivalent of $2,500 for it in any condition that you might restore it to should you choose to ever sell it.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Does the engine burn oil or leak any fluids? 118k isn't THAT high for that engine, I've seem them with over 200k.

Aftermarket a/c could be a pain(and costly), might be best used as a spring/fall car.

The headliner isn't hard to fix as long as the original board is intact.

The rust is the biggest issue in my opinion, but I live in the South and have never owned a rusted car, so I can't give advice there.

ErikWS6

Don't worry too much about the "it isn't worth it" comments. It is worth totally what it is worth to you. Cars are for the most part crap investments anyhow, and with a few very rare exceptions, you will always lose money on them.

So what it comes down to is whether or not you like the car enough to spend some the time and effort and money on it to get it how you want it to be. In the end, that is all the matters.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The flip-side of that coin is that you could dump all the money in the world into a $500 car, and if some teenage girl texting a smiley face T-bones you, her insurance company is only going to give you $500.

ErikWS6

And while we are flipping coins, there are insurance options out there that can work based on an appraised value that will take your changes into account.

The same girl could also kill you in the same accident. Or could drive it through the garage door where your perfect, all orginal 200 mile 1LE is parked. No sure things in life.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Personally I'm more concerned about a tornado then a teenage girl. The point is that while YOU might think it's worth it to YOU right now, priorities change, life has a habit of getting in the way. Making an illogical investment is a good way to get bitten later on. When someone else is in charge of deciding what YOUR car is worth, it can really cause problems. That someone else might be your family, or an insurance adjuster.

ErikWS6

I guess I will never get the idea of a hobby car as an "investment". It is a hobby. Something you play and have fun with and just enjoy. Like any other hobby. If you are looking for investments, there are MUCH better ones out there. Hobbys are the things you have fun with and spend money on and they make your life better by doing them. There are damn few hobbies of any kind that have a return on investment. They are just done because someone is having a good time.
If your hobby were cooking, would you expect a return on investment? How about golf? Certainly a lousy one. Stamp collecting turned out to be a bust for most. Rock climbing? Lots of cost and no return.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

It's not about investing to receive a return on the investment, it's about NOT investing in something that is a particularly bad investment. Take away the sentimental value, and V6 thirdgens of the 2.8 and 3.1L variety are worthless. The thousand dollars spent recently to keep the car going, probably already exceeds the car's resale value. That's why the advice so far has been to be frugal in efforts to keep the car going, unless the OP is REALLY emotionally attached to the car.

Investing in any car is a bad investment. Investing in a V6 thirdgen is like burning your money. It's money spent that you will absolutely NEVER get back.

Rumblin70SS

I'd say keep, fix and enjoy it little by little. Mom has some sentimental value to it and honestly, I don't see you spending a fortune to fix it up. If you finished putting a stroker in a Vette, you probably have a few dollars. Most things including cars arent investments so just enjoy it. Your mom will be proud.

startat2

iTrader: (2)

I agree with keep it going. While 1000$ likely does exceed the value of the car, I'd pay that any day to keep my 81 year old mom smiling and giving her something to look forward to driving everyday. A few small parts and repairs here and there wont kill you, and will bring some happiness to your moms likely final years. That in its self would make the car worth it to me.