atari_st

Well....first off...don't be a hater when you see the pictures. I understand my lack of care and usage created this opportunity and for many of you..its a SIN. I have owned the car for about 10 years and at one point was fairly proud of it. It's been about 5 years since the car has been driven more than 10 miles from my house maybe 3 times a year. It is an early 86 auto with about 116K on the clock with limited slip and rear AC. Everything else is factory except the radio...still have the factory speakers.

This is what I am trying to decide: Restore it with my 13 year old son as a project to spend time together and teach him about cars....or just sell it for someone else to make a track car, part it out, or restore. I expect it will take 9K before its all said and done....and realize I will have a car thats worth about 9K when I am done. I have almost 2X that in the car now from the original purchase price and all upkeep over the years.....but hey...that money has already been spent. Whats your opinion? RESTORE IT or SELL IT.

Current condition:

I had an accident two years ago while out on one of the 3X per year drives that dented the drivers front fender...which I think can be fixed at a local shop that specializes in aluminum. The car has all of the normal issues: Seats just smack worn out, dash/pod cracks, and carpet worn. Since its not been driven in 5 years, I plan to put a TB on it and rebuild the tensioner which has dumped all of the oil out. TB light came on last night when I was playing around with it....which is another indicator its got to be done. It needs a torque tube but its needed that since I bought it. Brakes are horrible so I need to change the fluid and bleed the system. Suspension has never been touched so I need to shocks/struts. I will need to do another top refresh, motor mounts, and oil pan gasket. Interior will need to be completely re-done and of course a paint job. Also will trash the man hole covers for a set of 18's of my wifes choice....as she will drive it for her fun car.

Here are some pictures I took last night. If I decide to do it, I will start a thread and keep up with progress. I would love to get it done and show it at 2013 SITM. Its going to be a major time and money commitment. I am not the best a wrenching...and have a bad back....but I have always enjoyed be able to craw away after and say...I fixed that.

Me and my son put the console back in last night so I could take it for a state inspection in order to get a tag..which it has not had for the last year. Happy to say....I got it to pass. I will have to rip it all out when I get the interior.

My plans are to first get the drivetrain solid and reliable, then ripe the interior out, send it off for repair...while its at the body shop getting painted. Get it back home and put the interior back in it.....and then drive it.

Here are the pictures:

docmirror

Hey, all it needs is paint, suspension, engine, and brake work. What's the deal?

Kidding. This is the kind of question that doesn't work well on line, and with a biased audience. Do what you gotta do, but all I ask is that it not be parted.

Hilton

You don't say what year - but it looks like its a 85 or 86.

Lets say for the sake of argument, if you put it back together as-is, its worth $5k (could be $2k either side of that). A restoration is going to cost a fair way north of $10k by the time you're done with the interior, paint and mechanicals.

So really, only you can decide whether your emotional attachment to the car, or the prospect of working on the car with your son, is worth it.

Nicole

Realistically, it's only about $12k away from being a $8k car...

The point is: If you restore it, don't do it because you expect to recover your time and money. Do it for your own enjoyment, if you plan to keep the car at least for a while.

Otherwise, write it off.

springman

I think a project with your 13 year old son is invaluable time together that will be remembered by both you for years and years. Whether it is on this car or another is your decision. Go with your gut.

joejoe

Agree with springman, time spent with son will be well spent. It may also be ready for him to drive when he gets his licence. I have an '86.5 that is nearing completion. Needed a lot of work from neglect, but I have enjoyed most of the work (the fiddly stuff is tiresome) but as you said it feels good to step back and say 'I fixed that'.

Kiln_Red

I vote to save it. From your original post, I gather that you have the right attitude to do it. You realize three important things. It's going to take time, money, and dedication. It may take more of all three than you have forecasted. But, clearly, this is something that you *want* to do with your son. Hopefully that drive will reign supreme to the frustrating, fatiguing experiences you are sure to run in to. If you have determination and you are the type to see things through then you are absolutely capable of saving the car. The only other things you need are tools and time.

I recommend making your repairs to one system at a time. I would get the drivetrain right first. Then the suspension stuff. Then paint. The interior would be my last concern. By the way, the seats don't look that bad to me.

Buy your own paint materials online and take the car apart yourself. This will reward you in *huge* savings.

Orantes

I think you already know the answer or you would of off-loaded it by now. Restore it with your son.

Bilal928S4

If my experience with my 13 year old is any indication, you will be doing most, if not all the work yourself. Then in a year or so the girl thing kicks in and you will be doing it all by yourself. Just my .928 cents.

danglerb

Depends on you and your son. If both of you are into it, great, otherwise I would look at passing it on to somebody else.

In the current 928 market you can buy a much nicer car for less than trying to fix that one. Its a bit disturbing to many of us cheap older car owners, but can't really be ignored when the cars show up. OTOH its more disturbing how little a 928 that needs some work may actually sell for.

elgy

I agree with the other comments that it depends on what your son wants... is it him who wants to do the restore with you, or you who wants to do the restore with him. At his age if my parents had bought me an old flat head ford engine to take apart I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven! Never understood my friends who see something broken as a problem, rather than an opportunity to get the tools out. But that's just me...

atari_st

Well....decision is made: She is going under the knife...with or without my son. Making the first part order tomorrow. I plan to start a thread soon around the work to be done. Thanks for the input.

danglerb

Parts order is a good sign of commitment. Next step is to start buying tools, lots and lots of tools, get to know your Snapon dealer.

Harvey928

There are a few of us in the Charlotte area that have tools that an lead a hand if needed. I am in the Monroe area, and have tools. Let me know if I can lend any assitance. I have an 84 in similar condition that I am going to bring back to life.

Harvey Carlisle

ledee416

why not find another car to restore with your son? Like one for instance that doesnt have ridiculously high part prices.