Hey guys,

Been awhile I know.

Well, here I am once again contemplating what to do with my 92 GTA. It's been sitting in my parents back yard since '05 not driven. Currently has 128,000 miles on it. Reason I parked it was it would shake while running (maybe bad injector?) and the tranny was going out. Didn't have the time or money to fix it then, still don't actually. Apparently my dad jumps it and starts it up from time to time.

The reason the topic has come up again is my mom passed away 2 weeks ago. She was always ok with me having the car there but now that she's gone my siblings are kind of griping about it and we had to shell out lots of money for the services.

Is the car worth anything in it's present shape though? Mechanically it probably needs a new transmission, suspension is loose, and the trembling needs to be addressed along with whatever can happen from sitting for 4 years.

Cosmetically here are some pictures. Not too bad, faded paint, and there's a crack in the rear wing

This isn't really a 'buy my car' post just asking for advice. I know you guys are more biased towards keeping it and of course I am as well but bottom line is I don't have the money to fix it now, don't really see me getting it for awhile, and I'm not mechanically inclined anyway.

Ideas? Thanks.

 

Juan:
You have a real tough situation there, to fix the engine, paint it, and rebuild the trans, you're looking at 3-4k and then it might not sell for that.

 

either keep it .. or part it out.

 

A car that isn't drivable will sell dirt cheap, if at all. Parting it is a huge hassle frankly, you'll make a huge mess and it will take a lot of your time, and you'll still have to have the carcass dragged away, but you will get a LOT more money out of it.

Honestly, if you are not mechanically inclined and don't have money, you need to cut your losses.

TA

 

sorry about your moms, i say keep it for what you will get for it your better off keeping it until you fall on better economic times. Parting doesn't sound like a solution for him, if space is an issue parting it will only take up more space and time. good luck

 

I think you answered your own question. When was the last time you were here? The last time you drove your car? I'm not sure you have any interest left in it, honestly. Might be time to get rid of it and move on.

 

Keep it. Took me ten years to finally get my car on the road again. Had my dad pass away, take care of my ailing mother and a sister, school, work, a nervous breakdown. But yet, in all that commotion that car was going to be my goal to drive it again even if i had to buy part by part and store them until I was able to put it all back together. Sure enough, it's rolling again and makes me smile when I drive my baby. Never once thought about getting rid of my LT. So something to think about. And oh yea, my paint is super messed up but that is the last item on the list. Mechanical always first. Keep your chin up. Not that many GTA's of 1992 out there.

 

OR.....
Bring to me, I will fix it, have it painted and then we can sell it and split the money.

Just a thought.....

 

You have a 1 of 38, at the most, GTA. The (38) could even go lower, with some research.

Keep it & pick away at rebuilding it. Used, good 700R4 trannies are cheap. Your shaking problem could be as simple as a dead plug/plug wire or 2.

If YOU like the car & want to keep it, don't let your siblings get in the way. I've made that mistake before & regret ever day. Literally.....EVERY day, not just a figure of speech.

 

Don, do you have the time for a project car right now.

 

Hey Juan,
Sorry to hear about your mom.

As others have mentioned, it may be time to let the car go.

 

I like Don's idea. Couldn't put the car into better hands.

But does Don really have the time for something like that? He always seems waaaayyy too busy

 

Hello guys,

Thanks for the responses.

I've actually posted this before I realize. Guess every once in awhile I evaluate the situation. Hurts to see the car just sitting there.

I just don't know though. I asked my wife what she thought and she said "if you're going to go through what you went through after you sold your red car [the '91 Formula I had] then I say no, keep it." So I understand what Stephen said about his regret.

I guess since it's not worth much as is anyway it's not worth selling it now.

After the funeral yesterday we went to my dad's house and he had pushed it out of the back yard and had it parked on the street. It's still a damn fine looking car, not much like it on the road today.

Don's offer is actually very interesting as well. I'll have to consider it.

Lots to think about now though.

Also remember I have a full Super ram for it, as well as original Firehawk wheels. Could be a nice project.

I think I'll give myself some time to let my mom's thing heal up a bit before I make a final decision. Need time to think and sort stuff out.

Thanks for your advice

 

No, but like he said, it's been awhile so I doubt there is a rush.

 

...but maybe he has time to look at the motor and correct the problem such as a bad injector. If it was an injector I would replace them all. The car might make a nice fill in job from time to time.

 

The Firehawk wheels alone would get you more $ than the whole roller car! Yes. Some people are crazy enough to pay that much, I know.

Knowing you have those 2 items, I say DEFINITELY keep it now, unless you are REALLY in need of money right now. Even them, sell the items & keep the car, but the Firehawk wheels are virtually irreplaceable items.

 

SLP was selling the early Firehawk wheels in GM High Tech and High Perf Pontiac magazines a few years ago, so they are not exactly the Hope Diamond. I do agree that if you sold it all, it would probably be far more expensive to get all this stuff again when you did have money. But if you did have money, would this be your car you would choose to spend it on?

In short, if you keep it, you can always sell it off later, but once you sell it, it's GONE.

TA

 

keep it .. paint it.. fix it.. drive it.. its a nice project..

or part it out.. ill buy those door panels. lol

 

If you keep it, get it out of the sun. The sun has already done a lot of damage to it but its just going to get worse the longer its outside.

 

I remember when Juan's car was still gloss black and put down 245hp at the wheels on a dyno day. Ahhhh, the memories.

P.S. — Juan, make sure your dad gets it off the street. If it sits too long the city will tow it.

 

I'm currently in the market for another third gen. If you do decide to sell it let me know.

 

...

 

Car is already off the street, it was just moved to make room for the gathering after the funeral. My dad parked his car right behind it while it was out so nobody could see the expired tag

I will keep it, just too crazy later if I have regrets and it's all gone.

The Firehawk wheels have the red inserts. Hopefully I'll be able to paint those black and polish the rest when the car is ready. Should look very nice. Just don't know what to do with the red Firehawk logo center caps.

I will buy a car cover for it in the meantime

Thanks everyone!

 

Cool!

I had a non-running, non-tagged car in an apartment complex for about 9 months. Ever few nights I'd go out at 3am & roll it over to a different parking spot, in the same general area, so it looked like the owner only went out at night!

Worked like a charm & even the Management never said anything about it.