So – heres a dilemma that I have arrived at and I can’t quite figure it out. So lets see what the list thinks.
My original 944 turbo (I have had it for 10 years) has sat dormant for almost a year, too many projects going on. It has tons of fancy mods (2.8l sleeved engine, Vitesse turbo, Tec 3 engine management, lots of SFR parts) a Turbo S trans, lots of suspension work (solid bushing, rebuilt arms, new bearings and such but the Ledas have been taken off), big reds and more
The interior is in mint condition with a real nice stereo and great original seat.
The problem? – it was hit in the rear quarter (minimal damage) and the header panel and support have been damaged while towing it in the shop (wife forgot about the hand brake!).
I am way too picky about paint and finish. So to get this back out on the raod will run me about $5k for paint and body and a new set of Ledas (figure $3k).
$8k to get this back into tip top shape, it’s a real 400 rwhp car that is a blast to drive.
In the past this might not have been much of a debate – except I have a Mini Cooper S as a daily driver, a 944 turbo (actually two and a half!) track car and a 968 cab for a fun car. I also just added a 35’ diesel pusher RV to get to the track and my wife’s Audi S4 to maintain…..and an 8 year old son….oh yeah, and I live on a lake and have a boat….
I have run out of time!
I hate the idea of parting out my first 944 turbo, but it doesn’t make sense to spend $8k to sell it for $12-14K. I doubt that many will offer anywhere near it value as a project car.
I was thinking of pulling the best parts and dropping them in the cab to make it a real fun weekend ride and parting the rest. 400rwhp 968 cab would be interesting.
But I still hate to part out an old friend.
Any thoughts? Advice? Interest?

 

If you have had it that long honestly i'd suggest just parking it for awhile and getting it back on the road later. I've owned mine now for 5 years and letting it go gets harder with every passing year.

Making a turbo S 968 would be awesome. You aren't going to get your money back thats for sure. No one ever does, so if you do decide to part with it part it out first then sell it. Its the surest way to get the most money.

All that being said. Keep it man. Just put it up in storage or something so you don't have to look at it every day. It'll help.

 

Engine swap.

 

Have pics? How bad is the damage?

 

a 968 turbo with 400rwhp would be fun no doubt.

 

The damage is not bad, the header panel needs replacement and the support can be returned to the correct position easily enough. The rear quarter was backed into in a parking lot, a dent low and behind the rear wheel – a little body work and paint.
My problem is that I am very picky about paint and the only way I would be happy is a complete repaint…
I don’t have any pics of the damage but it’s the car in the avatar.

 

Part it out, save some parts for your other cars, and then put the money into something else. It is just a car, mine will follow the same fate when the time comes.

 

Part it out and spend the money on cheap hookers and beer!

 

i'm having flash backs to the old days were a few of us would stay up late and make joke threads full of statements like that.

ahhh the good ole days.

 

John, It had to be done, sorry Chris.. We must be getting old.. Not a lot of late nights anymore.

Chris,

In reality, fix it and drive it. It seems like you really love this car. Then, go see someone about your serious detachment disorder, lol.. j/k .. I'm jealous..

 

Perhaps you just need to be less picky about the paint.... Sounds like you're somewhat attached to the car (which is understandable), but can't justify the $$$ to bring it back to 'mint'. Logic does dictate that you should part the car out (makes the best economic sense), but it does seem like a shame to do that for relatively minor damage. Maybe just fix it up enough for now that it's 'presentable', and then some more years down the road you might want to do a full-up restoration on it or something.

 

Look at the signature list....It could be decades down the road!

I do have a mental problem with the paint finish. When the car was a street / track car and a development mule I didn't care too much about the appearance, but now that it has 'retired' from track use I would feel the need to have it look nice again.
Beer and cheap hookers….hmmm….does it really have to be the cheap hookers?! I am a Porsche guy and we do have a reputation to keep up here…..!

 

If I were you, I'd fix it. I feel you on the paint job tho. Mine ended up being $7200...

-Darwin

 

I know it seems crazy financially, but swapping parts and parting a car is a lot of work, sending it off to the body shop is simple, and new paint is great, and if you are attached to the car, and you have a good body shop...

 

If you decide to send it away why not

more economical escort cups setup (most would not appreciate or really use ledas as designed anyway)
Have just header and local quarter repaired/painted.

Sell for the same price as before!