My Vert has been sitting in my garage for the past 4-5 years, I have only started her once or twice a year, but haven't driven her on the road during this time. She needs restoration, like a new top, new paint, new wheels/tires, steats need to be stitched, suspension probably needs to be replaced with updated parts, engine and clutch are good. Needs brakes. I am not comfortable with her being roadworthy without taking her apart and making sure all components are good.

So, I know it is going to cost me probably up to $10K to get her in tip top shape. She has 158K miles on her. I have owned her since brand new. So all miles are mine. It is a 5.0 TIP with a rare 5-speed.

Advice I am looking for is what to do with my car. Options are:
1. Fix her up and drive her around on weekends and nice weather - so sink $10k into her.
2. Keep her stored and wait to work on her until my son is older (he is 8).
3. Sell her and free up the space in my garage (this is my WIFE's solution)
4. Part her out by selling pieces to other thirdgen members or on ebay (last option)
What option would you choose?

 

I have a 91 Z28 vert with a 5 speed, and Im keeping it for my son . By that time who knows how much the car might be worth. In the mean time start fixing her little by little. It took me almost a year and half to upgrade all the suspension and brakes. Little by little is getting better and my son (also 8) enjoys riding with me with the top down.

 

I'd do a combination of #1 & #2. Use the next 8 years (before your son turns 16) to restore her. That way you will have the best of both worlds . . .
A - The cost is split over 8 years ($1250 over 8 years instead of $10,000 in one year is pretty reasonable. Of coarse this is give or take a little).
B - Neglect can be a horrible thing on a car, even if it's stored (especially for 8 years). If you work on it a little here & there, it will be better for the car (let her run once and a while) and might make for an easier restoration as well.

Taking the time between now and when your son is older will allow you to budget over time as well as give you plenty of opportunities to locate any parts you might need. Who knows, what parts will be available 8 years from now and for how much $$$?

Good luck. And what an awesome ride for when he turns of age. You might not want to give it to him!!!

 

Do you think your son will enjoy helping you work on it?

I would fix SOME of the things up front, and slowly fix things. If your only driving it on weekends over the summer, some of the things to fix could slide for a while.


No surprise the woman wants it gone.

 

option #1. i dont think it would be that costly to do all of that stuff you listed. I have had most all of that done on my car...brakes, paint job, suspension replaced and upgraded and some other stuff. all i need now is a new top which will be like 400. if you do the work yourself like i did it will save you a lot of money...and i mean A LOT of money. the paint job was just under 400 dollars and the total amount I have put into my car is like 1400. i have done a lot of other stuff besides what i listed