Looking for a Lemon
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Looking for a Lemon
Just finished my second "24 hours of LeMons" race this past weekend, which was an actual 24 hour race at Buttonwillow. We placed 34 out of 134 cars, which isn't bad, but I want to do better and race something other than a truck.
So, I'm in the market for a $500 or less 928. A few years ago that seemed easily obtainable, but fortunately for most of us, it looks like values are going up.
If anyone has a line on a car like this, please let me know. Below are the official rules for the $500 price (also found under #4 here: http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx).
Also, if there's anyone from the Bay Area who knows these cars well and wants to regularly wrench-on and race one, let's talk.
-------------------------------------
4: VEHICLE PRICE
4.1: Total Investment in Vehicle Can Not Exceed $500: Except for items described in Rules 4.2 and 4.3, the total spent to purchase and prepare any car may not exceed $500.
4.1.1: Lame-*** Rationalizations: Cars that "should be" worth $500 don't count; cars that "were worth $500" before you spent another $2000 to fix them don't count; cars you've owned for 20 years and spent more than $500 on during that time don't count; "it would have been worth $500 if it didn't already have a cage" doesn't count. Five hundred dollars means five hundred frickin' dollars.
4.2: Safety Equipment DOES NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Safety equipment described in Section 3 DOES NOT count toward the $500 total. "Safety" refers to things that can save the driver--not things that can save the car.
4.2.1: Beside the items and processes listed in Section 3, the following are considered safety-related and therefore exempt:
Wheels, tires, wheel bearings, balljoints, and brake components
Exhaust systems downstream of the header/exhaust manifold (NOTE: Turbos and related components are NOT exempt from the $500 limit. Nice try.)
Windshields and wipers. (Stock windshields, true Lexan, or circle-track mesh are acceptable; non-Lexan plastic is not acceptable.)
Driver comfort & information (steering wheel, shifter, gauges, pedals, cool suits, vents, heaters, radio)
All fuel hoses, fuel fittings, fuel filters, and related mounts
All fuel-system components upstream of the fuel pump, including tanks/cells, mounts, fillers, vents, etc. (NOTE: Fuel pumps, carburetors, injection pumps, computers, and individual injectors are NOT exempt from the $500 limit.)
4.3: Registration, Insurance, and License DO NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Registration, insurance, or license charges--assuming for some reason you bothered--DO NOT count toward the $500 total.
4.4: BS Factor: To prevent cheating, all cars will be inspected by a panel appointed by the Organizers. At that time, all teams will be given an opportunity to describe the car's purchase and prep. If the panel believes the limit set out in Rule
4.1 has been exceeded, it will assign a Bull**** Factor (BSF) equal to one BSF per $10 above the limit. The entry will be docked one lap for each BSF assigned. (Ten dollars = one BSF = one lap.) Entrants are very, very, exceedingly strongly encouraged to bring pre-race-prep photographs, verifiable receipts, notarized testimonials, plus any and all other supporting evidence to Tech/BS Inspection. Or at least make up plausible-sounding stories in advance.
4.4.1: Appeal of BSF Panel Decisions: Get real. There's no appealing this decision. You're boned.
4.5: Sponsorships: Conned some hardworking corp into giving you parts or cash? Nice work, but it still counts toward the $500 total. We recommend blowing that sponsorship dough on other stuff instead--hotel rooms, gasoline, entry fees, pedicures, driver suits, personal male enhancement medication, travel expenses, Freudian therapy for the Organizers...things like that.
4.6: Labor Costs: If you didn't pay for the labor, it doesn't count toward the $500 total. If you did pay for it, it does count toward the $500 total. This just ain't that complicated, guys.
4.7: Scavenger Sales: If you sell pieces off of your car, the money that comes back in can be used to offset the initial purchase price. Just be prepared to convince some exceedingly skeptical judges of the validity of all those transactions.
4.8: Residual Value: Dumb enough to bring the same pile back for another race? Either do the whole BS process again (bring all your papers and evidence--we ain't gonna remember your sad-sack story from last time), or email the Chief BS Judge to beg a residual value. Include clear post-race pix of the car and list any major mechanical stuff that needs fixing.
So, I'm in the market for a $500 or less 928. A few years ago that seemed easily obtainable, but fortunately for most of us, it looks like values are going up.
If anyone has a line on a car like this, please let me know. Below are the official rules for the $500 price (also found under #4 here: http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx).
Also, if there's anyone from the Bay Area who knows these cars well and wants to regularly wrench-on and race one, let's talk.
-------------------------------------
4: VEHICLE PRICE
4.1: Total Investment in Vehicle Can Not Exceed $500: Except for items described in Rules 4.2 and 4.3, the total spent to purchase and prepare any car may not exceed $500.
4.1.1: Lame-*** Rationalizations: Cars that "should be" worth $500 don't count; cars that "were worth $500" before you spent another $2000 to fix them don't count; cars you've owned for 20 years and spent more than $500 on during that time don't count; "it would have been worth $500 if it didn't already have a cage" doesn't count. Five hundred dollars means five hundred frickin' dollars.
4.2: Safety Equipment DOES NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Safety equipment described in Section 3 DOES NOT count toward the $500 total. "Safety" refers to things that can save the driver--not things that can save the car.
4.2.1: Beside the items and processes listed in Section 3, the following are considered safety-related and therefore exempt:
Wheels, tires, wheel bearings, balljoints, and brake components
Exhaust systems downstream of the header/exhaust manifold (NOTE: Turbos and related components are NOT exempt from the $500 limit. Nice try.)
Windshields and wipers. (Stock windshields, true Lexan, or circle-track mesh are acceptable; non-Lexan plastic is not acceptable.)
Driver comfort & information (steering wheel, shifter, gauges, pedals, cool suits, vents, heaters, radio)
All fuel hoses, fuel fittings, fuel filters, and related mounts
All fuel-system components upstream of the fuel pump, including tanks/cells, mounts, fillers, vents, etc. (NOTE: Fuel pumps, carburetors, injection pumps, computers, and individual injectors are NOT exempt from the $500 limit.)
4.3: Registration, Insurance, and License DO NOT Count Toward $500 Total: Registration, insurance, or license charges--assuming for some reason you bothered--DO NOT count toward the $500 total.
4.4: BS Factor: To prevent cheating, all cars will be inspected by a panel appointed by the Organizers. At that time, all teams will be given an opportunity to describe the car's purchase and prep. If the panel believes the limit set out in Rule
4.1 has been exceeded, it will assign a Bull**** Factor (BSF) equal to one BSF per $10 above the limit. The entry will be docked one lap for each BSF assigned. (Ten dollars = one BSF = one lap.) Entrants are very, very, exceedingly strongly encouraged to bring pre-race-prep photographs, verifiable receipts, notarized testimonials, plus any and all other supporting evidence to Tech/BS Inspection. Or at least make up plausible-sounding stories in advance.
4.4.1: Appeal of BSF Panel Decisions: Get real. There's no appealing this decision. You're boned.
4.5: Sponsorships: Conned some hardworking corp into giving you parts or cash? Nice work, but it still counts toward the $500 total. We recommend blowing that sponsorship dough on other stuff instead--hotel rooms, gasoline, entry fees, pedicures, driver suits, personal male enhancement medication, travel expenses, Freudian therapy for the Organizers...things like that.
4.6: Labor Costs: If you didn't pay for the labor, it doesn't count toward the $500 total. If you did pay for it, it does count toward the $500 total. This just ain't that complicated, guys.
4.7: Scavenger Sales: If you sell pieces off of your car, the money that comes back in can be used to offset the initial purchase price. Just be prepared to convince some exceedingly skeptical judges of the validity of all those transactions.
4.8: Residual Value: Dumb enough to bring the same pile back for another race? Either do the whole BS process again (bring all your papers and evidence--we ain't gonna remember your sad-sack story from last time), or email the Chief BS Judge to beg a residual value. Include clear post-race pix of the car and list any major mechanical stuff that needs fixing.
#2
There is a 928 in Sarasota, FL for $950. Really rough condition and on the other side of the country.
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/ctd/3057515471.html
I was going to buy and part it out but they are really firm on the price
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/ctd/3057515471.html
I was going to buy and part it out but they are really firm on the price
#3
Race Director
You missed the turn key deal of the century when I sold the 928 "Estate" back in April.... it sold for $256.00...just like I bought it for.......plus safety equipment....
New owner had it shipped all the way to Miami!!!!
I don't have any leads right now.....but am willing to help out since your local.....I will be racing the "other" lemons 928 (the Pinata 1982) at Thunderhill in September....
I do think an 80-82 L jet automatic is ideal, especially if it has an LSD.....the 3 speeds gearing is much better than the 4 speed the estate has...... L jet has much better fuel economy than CIS on track too
I also have quite a few spare parts lying around.....a well worn 4 speed automatic with open diff....a G28-03 open diff with crunchy synchros... The closest thing to a running lemons worthy car I know of is one sans engine and trans seen here years ago
It even has a lemons worthy fender....
email for more info
New owner had it shipped all the way to Miami!!!!
I don't have any leads right now.....but am willing to help out since your local.....I will be racing the "other" lemons 928 (the Pinata 1982) at Thunderhill in September....
I do think an 80-82 L jet automatic is ideal, especially if it has an LSD.....the 3 speeds gearing is much better than the 4 speed the estate has...... L jet has much better fuel economy than CIS on track too
I also have quite a few spare parts lying around.....a well worn 4 speed automatic with open diff....a G28-03 open diff with crunchy synchros... The closest thing to a running lemons worthy car I know of is one sans engine and trans seen here years ago
It even has a lemons worthy fender....
email for more info
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Dang it! I miss a lot of good deals by not looking at this list daily. That is definitely the deal of the century.
This is all good advice and I appreciate the willingness to help out.
Are you guys still racing Infineon on August 11th-12th? I PM'd Sean but never heard back. I'm planning on getting a pit pass and coming to meet you guys if nothing else. My offer still stands to help out if you need me.
We signed-up for Thunderhill too, so it'll be fun to race you guys. I just got a disk with the video of Pinata passing me in the hairpin at Sonoma, so I'll post that as soon as I get around to sorting through the 3 or 4 hours of GoPro capture.
-T
This is all good advice and I appreciate the willingness to help out.
Are you guys still racing Infineon on August 11th-12th? I PM'd Sean but never heard back. I'm planning on getting a pit pass and coming to meet you guys if nothing else. My offer still stands to help out if you need me.
We signed-up for Thunderhill too, so it'll be fun to race you guys. I just got a disk with the video of Pinata passing me in the hairpin at Sonoma, so I'll post that as soon as I get around to sorting through the 3 or 4 hours of GoPro capture.
-T
#6
Drifting
I don't know iof this guy is selling the whole car or not. He has not replied to my inquiry, but if it is the whole car might be a lemons candidate.
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I don't know iof this guy is selling the whole car or not. He has not replied to my inquiry, but if it is the whole car might be a lemons candidate.
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
Blown head gasket means I'd probably have to replace $500 or more just in hoses after they all crack when I pull it apart. Hmm. I may go check it out this weekend if it's still around, especially since it's in Oakland. Thanks for the tip.
Trending Topics
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I don't know iof this guy is selling the whole car or not. He has not replied to my inquiry, but if it is the whole car might be a lemons candidate.
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
http://r.ebay.com/5YWt03
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Yeah, that might be a possibility. I won't be needing the interior, hvac, dash, headlights, windows, steering wheel, spare tire, tool kit, etc. I could also sell the wheels and replace them.
#10
Race Director
I can't make the NCRC weekend....so I bumped it 1 week to the 18-19th NASA weekend....Speedtoys is always at the NASA events so I figured it would be good to run DE with them.....
Don't worry too much about cost to make things run.....if they can't see it, its no big.....headgaskets are about $170...... old and dirty is always good....they like to spot clean shiney parts......but most lemons worthy 928's are plenty filthy
I also have a lead on another 928..a 78 5 speed with open diff......price is a bit higher and the engine needs work, but I have a lead on another one as well......but plenty of parts to sell to make it under zero..... shoot me an email and we can talk..... icemang17@aol.com
Don't worry too much about cost to make things run.....if they can't see it, its no big.....headgaskets are about $170...... old and dirty is always good....they like to spot clean shiney parts......but most lemons worthy 928's are plenty filthy
I also have a lead on another 928..a 78 5 speed with open diff......price is a bit higher and the engine needs work, but I have a lead on another one as well......but plenty of parts to sell to make it under zero..... shoot me an email and we can talk..... icemang17@aol.com
#12
Race Director
Yes....I've had it for 2 weeks....INCREDIBLE Car.....while its not exactly powerful, its just a blast to drive....the handling is nothing short of sublime....the turn in is SO fast, amazing for a street car on touring tires.... It also gets great gas mileage.....I'm still in break in and the 1st tank was nearly 24mpg about 1/2 in town....I don't drive exactly "easy" niether.... Its taken me YEARS getting my race 928's to have this type of turn in-front end grip!!!!
I might take it on track at my next track day July 20th.....if I have past break in by then....
I might take it on track at my next track day July 20th.....if I have past break in by then....
#13
Drifting
I have a contact for a 5spd sunroof delete -- think its a 78.
It's in Austin, wasn't running -- but I think its because it hasn't run in 10 years
but it turns over. Don't know price -- but I know it can be had for under $1k
and probably a good bit lower.
I was going to snag it for parts (a tree fell on the right side of car)
Interior is in good shape (think $$ for parts).
I was going to snag it -- but have too many projects (and 4 track cars).
Last I talked to them was about 6 weeks ago.
mike in Austin.
I'm traveling -- but send me an email @ mike@ lonestarrpm.com
It's in Austin, wasn't running -- but I think its because it hasn't run in 10 years
but it turns over. Don't know price -- but I know it can be had for under $1k
and probably a good bit lower.
I was going to snag it for parts (a tree fell on the right side of car)
Interior is in good shape (think $$ for parts).
I was going to snag it -- but have too many projects (and 4 track cars).
Last I talked to them was about 6 weeks ago.
mike in Austin.
I'm traveling -- but send me an email @ mike@ lonestarrpm.com