I got my first estimate on my paint job. To change colors from dark red to the new camaro black... everything under the hood and everywhere else. He said he'd make it look like it came out of the factory that color. He changes out all the weather stripping, takes every part off and paint around, replaces any parts that will keep it from looking brand new. Total was 3100$... add the cowl hood and me dipping my rims and it came out to about 4100$. Here's my problem... I have 140K miles on my car. Still runs great, just ran a 14.2 at 97.55 with just exhaust. No smoke other than when slamming it when its cold or hasn't been "got on" in awhile. But the fact remains is it does have 140K... should I attempt to find another one with lower miles and paint it.

 

All depends on what you want to do with the car. I can tell you that my Iroc-Z has over 130k miles and I plan on spending more than you do for a paint job, along with a new hood, and all new weather stripping. To me its worth it. This is the car that I want to bring back to looking better than brand new. I have an RS thats a daily driver, and its in good condition. If it was my only Camaro I would probably do the same thing with it as I am about to do with my Convertible. My RS is a V6 and has over 200k on it and I would think about about the paint job only because of the body/frame damage it has in the rear. I could probably spend 4k easily in having the rear section straighten out, so I would much rather take that kind of money and put into the Convertible and get that one looking sharp again as it once did 11 years ago.

Having 140k on a vehicle now a days is really not something new or rare. I wouldn't even judge the milage on your car when talking about getting a new paint job. I mean do you plan on keeping the car? Are you looking to sell it and getting something else, a newer year?....Is it something that you will never sell until the day you die? (that would be a good reason to not even think about the cost of paint and just have it done!)....

All depends on what you want to do with the car.
HTH

 

Well if he's going to pull the engine anyway and you have the extra cash either rebuild it or drop in a new one. You might as well do it while it's out of there and you're already paying him to put it back in.

 

Well, let me add in one more factor. Though you may be in the same position, maybe not. I'm a part time worker at age 17. I've been saving every paycheck for the last three months and will continue for the next three plus all my xmas into it. In other words, it's alot of work. Not that I doubt you do alot of work... but imagine going to a job 6 months not spending a dime of the paycheck... only to have something go wrong or mess up because your car has 140k. I'm just a little worried I guess. Worried something may go wrong after six months of saving.

 

That is ALOT of cash for a few hundered (depending on color of course) bucks woth of paint.

 

Now that I understand your financial position a little better I'm gonna have to say wait on the paint job. If the guy can do it this year he can do it next year for about the same price. Right now, if you're really concerned about the engine, I'd put some of that money into the mechanics of the car rather than the asthetics. I would've done that with mine, but the engine had been rebuilt about 18 months before. So, i went ahead and painted it and paid under $2000 and it looks great. I'm only 19 myself so I know what you're goin through with the finances. But with all cars the best idea is to let them look like crap and have them run great, than have them look great and run like crap. Good luck and I hope it turns out for the best.

 

hehe I think you meant "better" idea. The best is to have it run great AND look great. If that's your goal, then patience and perseverence will see you to that end. Your problem now is which route you want to take to that end.

If you make it look good before you worry about the mechanicals, (lets say it runs fine now, you're just worried due to the mileage), then when something finally does break down, you really care enough to get it fixed as soon as possible.

I know plenty of people who have cars that run great but are in bad shape asthetically, and never get around to fixing THAT up because "Aw, it's just a piece of junk anyway." I've hear the story many times: "I'm just gonna get a nicer one and transplant the good parts." but they never seem to get around to it. Plus people will compliment the way your car looks much more than "Hey, that car runs really nice.".

Well, that was my justification anyway.. hehe
Like I said before, if you have that goal in mind, it doesn't really matter which you do first, if you're gonna get there, you'll get there. Do it in style or do it reliably.

 

If the car is one color and straight minus door dings of course, dont mess with it. The first time you come out from the grocery store and find a shopping cart up against it you'll flip, all the money, and another ding. Do a nice detail on it, get a fine polish/ 1500 grit rubbing compound, then a sealer and or glaze followed by a good carnuba wax. It'll look almost new again and you wont be worried about what happens to it when you leave it in the parking lot.

Rob
1990 Formula 350

 

I totally agree with Jza, as long as you have the drive to do it, take the route best suited for the car. I'd hate to see yet another thirdgen be sacrificed to appease the junkyard gods. And yeah, you're right, your option is the best, mine is just (in my opinion) the best option give his options.
Ions, my guess is no matter what route you take you're going to do everything possible to protect your investment, especially with how much you're already giving up to make it great. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

oops, double posted

[This message has been edited by 86ZRICHIE (edited November 28, 2000).]

 

wa90formula350, there is door dings and dings in the hood, roof, quater panels... fading from the bad paint that all 91-92s seem to suffer from on the hood and spoiler. The rims are chipped and clearcoat is coming off. Even though it sounds really bad... it is... but it isn't. The fading on the hood, is pretty rough. The chip isn't great either. But when I send my rims in to get dipped they send me new ones, so I'm fine there. and well, the paint and all will be done later.

As far as doing engine and such first. Well, I haven't decided which route I want to do on the engine. Not sure if I'd like to stroke mine or put a 400 in there. But either way, if I was to do it, it'll cost me more than this paint job. I think I'm going to go with the paint job first.

 

Why not just stick wit hthe stock color and save yourself some $$ for the just in case... Spend 2000 on paint and 2000 on the engine...

 

If I didn't change colors it would only save 700. The rims and cowl hood are where the other 1000 is going to come into. Then the paint and all will be the other three.

 

Well here's my advice. Don't spend every dime you're making on your car. It's not worth it. I did the exact same thing you're doing and although I love my car I can't really say it was worth all the sacrifices I had to make. I'd think about it first before doing it. Cause after the money is spent it's hard to change your mind or get it back out of the car.

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1985 ASCD Ram Air Trans Am
http://www.execpc.com/~karpsta/home.html
to find out more
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

What karps says is true, a person can sink alot of money into a car and never get any of it out, as long as you know. You can also consider doing alot of the work yourself and take it down to a Maaco just make sure you see the work first, some paint better than others, for 300-400 you can get it painted and it'll look good for a few years, you got to prep it though.

 

Oh definitely. Any time you can do work yourself you're saving yourself massive amounts of money. And don't sink a lot of money into the car unless you plan on keeping it, because there's a point that you cross where you can put money into it but it won't come back out for anything. That's usually about $6000 which is the most any sane person would EVER pay for a thirdgen unless we're talking about something super-rare or super-showy. And the $4.1k you were originally talking about eats up that margin pretty quickly.

Oh and about your motor options, my advice would be the 383. I've never seen a 400 that didn't have cooling problems; the water-jacket walls are paper thin, you'd spend extra money just getting the cooling system up to par.

 

I am and I'm not worried about losing my money. I like the car, and want to keep it.. but at the same time, I know I may change. I think I'm going to do it anyways. 4000$ is alot, but the way I look at it, after it's done I could sell the car for 5500 or so...if it looks real good and all. Maybe 6K, so I would only lose 2K. Yea, it sucks... but I can deal with that for the enjoyment of seeing my car look good.

as for the engine... Intresting, never thought of any cooling problems. I was thinking about it again, and actually, I would rather go with the 383 as well, simply because I like fuel injected better than carb. But I've always wondered what a 400 storked?(can you do that, heard you could make it a 421)... with a super or turbo charger. I'd say nitros but everyone does that, I try to be different.

 

well i am in the same situation
i am 17 and had my 1991 rs painted at Maaco
it really is the best way to go for kids our age go with the $1000 job that's the one i got looks brand new they even pulled all my dents for only $50
all maaco's are different though so, MAKE SURE YOU DO CHECK THE WORK THAT COMES OUT OF THERE!

p.s. my camaro has 160,000 miles on it!
my plans for my engine are to drop in a 350
and then work that engine later

 

91RSguy is right for people our age you dont need anything super expensive. I got mine from maaco to. and I have 150K miles. If you can't wait until you get an engine. just get a cheap paint job for now (if maaco ask around and ask to see some of the cars they have painted.)
If you get the expensive paint uou will most likley scratch your expensive paint while installing your engine.
after my 355 I will problably get a new paint job.

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aka:15 year old camaro freak
owner of a 91 z28 5.7l camaro
Cross Drilled Brakes, KYB's,AFPR, 3.73 Gears, Trans Go Shift Kit, 2k Stall, B&M Rachet Shifter, Borla Adjustable Cat Back, Hypertech Chip, Hooker Headers.
more to come....
My 91 Z28

 

Remember, JUST HAVE FUN!!! If you all saw my T/A you'd ether laugh or cry!! When I got it, it was like orange or something. So I had to do something quick. I just primered it black. Then I got tired of that look and thought "well, I'm going to paint it anyway" and spray painted flames on it. I'll try to get some pics in.


BTW, I'm not saying to do this or anything like that, but don't loose any sleep over it either.

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'82 Firebird, dead stock, 9 bolt disc rear, over 200,000 miles and still going strong, more to come...