Keep it or Lose it
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale CA
Keep it or Lose it
I have a '76. I love it. But there are two problems. First: It needs a lot of things. Second: I don't have money.
My car needs paint, it needs engine help, interior help, drivetrain help, new tires... just lots and lots of things.
I am a senior in high school with no job.
What should I do? I mean I wish that I had the money to work on it, but I'm pretty much broke as it is. I was thinking about selling it and either driving my dad's car or buying a Porsche 928 because I can get one for like $3500....
I love my car, But it is a moneypit that I can't fill. Thoughts? If I did go ahead and sell, would it be worthwhile to wait and paint it myself this winter to try to maximize the sale value? Help!!!
My car needs paint, it needs engine help, interior help, drivetrain help, new tires... just lots and lots of things.
I am a senior in high school with no job.
What should I do? I mean I wish that I had the money to work on it, but I'm pretty much broke as it is. I was thinking about selling it and either driving my dad's car or buying a Porsche 928 because I can get one for like $3500....
I love my car, But it is a moneypit that I can't fill. Thoughts? If I did go ahead and sell, would it be worthwhile to wait and paint it myself this winter to try to maximize the sale value? Help!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by 76mike
I was thinking about selling it and buying a Porsche 928 because I can get one for like $3500....
That's what I'd do. Sell the car that's reasonably affordable to repair and replace it with a car that's insanely expensive to repair.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello,
That decision is something you have to make yourself. But given your circumstances as a Sr. in high school with no job.....I dont know that a Vette with all those problems is something that you need right now.
What type of car do you need right now? A basic commuter car to get back and forth to school, or a hobby car that you are going to restore. I dont know you can do both with what you have to start with.
And as far as thinking it is a money pit you cant filll......forget about buying a $3500 Porsche 928 then.
Have you priced the parts replacement for these things???
Timing belt p/n 928-105-157...........$26
the required timing belt tensioner to go with is p/n 928-105-046-06 is $736.00 The water pump is $280. A center muffler p/n 928-111-030-03 is $1426. OUCH! That sounds worse than Vette prices.
But...the decision is yours. I am waiting to see what other responses you get.
kdf
That decision is something you have to make yourself. But given your circumstances as a Sr. in high school with no job.....I dont know that a Vette with all those problems is something that you need right now.
What type of car do you need right now? A basic commuter car to get back and forth to school, or a hobby car that you are going to restore. I dont know you can do both with what you have to start with.
And as far as thinking it is a money pit you cant filll......forget about buying a $3500 Porsche 928 then.
Have you priced the parts replacement for these things???
Timing belt p/n 928-105-157...........$26
the required timing belt tensioner to go with is p/n 928-105-046-06 is $736.00 The water pump is $280. A center muffler p/n 928-111-030-03 is $1426. OUCH! That sounds worse than Vette prices.
But...the decision is yours. I am waiting to see what other responses you get.
kdf
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
Sorry to hear you are in a dilemma, but don't think you will like my advice. Old Corvettes are moneypits as you say, and considered only as a hobby by me. They will quickly absorb much of your expendable income, but that is what hobbies do. Without the support of a garage, tools and helpful others, you are shoveling sand against the tide. Your description of the vehicle sounds like a complete rebuild is needed, maybe a body off. A conservative material cost would be upward of $10,000 with you providing the labor. If you wanted to get fancy, $20 or more would not be out of the question. Doing it in your spare time, this includes weekends and nights, it could take two years. This kind of committment for someone in high school is severe. You'd be missing out on all the girl action you probably want the Corvette for. What is a young man to do? Buy a Porsche, nah, you would be swapping headaches IMO. If this helps with your perspective, you will know what is best for you..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
Why sell it? Hang on to it until you can afford to fix it. Drive dad's car if you can and look for and save for a more practical daily driver....not one that costs bundles at a foreign car repair shop. You will regret dumping your Vette.......Remember why you got it? 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Originally Posted by TonySinclair
That's what I'd do. Sell the car that's reasonably affordable to repair and replace it with a car that's insanely expensive to repair.
Tough decision, if you can store it some where them do that otherwise sell it and get another later when you can afford it, certain year C3's will still be cheap
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Let me get this sort this out, in high school, no job, live at home with parents, want a Porsche instead of the Vette that needs repairs. 
You can't afford any kind of car, you need gas money, repair money, insurance money. You don't need a car you need an education and a job. How long will this $3500. Porsche run before you need everything the Vette needs now.?
Park the Vette until you can afford to fix it, use dads car if he will allow it. Sorry, just my 0.2
You can't afford any kind of car, you need gas money, repair money, insurance money. You don't need a car you need an education and a job. How long will this $3500. Porsche run before you need everything the Vette needs now.?
Park the Vette until you can afford to fix it, use dads car if he will allow it. Sorry, just my 0.2
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale CA
lol well vettes are my true love, but the porsche 928s are cheap and the only thing unreliable is the clutch. Plus they have 5 liter v8s and have 4 seats.... this would be something to hold me over until i could get a vette that i would have the money to work on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by 76mike
... but the porsche 928s are cheap and the only thing unreliable is the clutch...
Everything else on that car is bullet-proof. The clutch is the only maintenance item you'll ever have to deal with. [/sarcasm]Foregoing the advice of a few hundred (thousand?) years of experienced car folks, it sounds like you've talked yourself into the 928. Enjoy! Check back with us on occasion to let us know how it's goin'.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 2
From: Scottdale Pa
I guess you have'nt learned a thing in high school, or you would'nt be asking stupid questions about any car that you should'nt have. My sons are in highschool and they got jobs paid for their car/truck AND insurance. Sorry if you don't like the answer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
i can relate to your problem. i'm a senior in high school with a 75 and no job. i've had it for three years already and it still needs work. i work on it whenever i get money by just doing a few things at a time. but when you look back at all the work you did, you are happy about it.
after you but a porsche, you will drive it for a while and it will need work. all cars need work. the vette will take longer to fix, but when its done you will have a bad azz car.
after you but a porsche, you will drive it for a while and it will need work. all cars need work. the vette will take longer to fix, but when its done you will have a bad azz car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 2
From: Scottdale Pa
Originally Posted by chris75stingray
i can relate to your problem. i'm a senior in high school with a 75 and no job. i've had it for three years already and it still needs work. i work on it whenever i get money by just doing a few things at a time. but when you look back at all the work you did, you are happy about it.
after you but a porsche, you will drive it for a while and it will need work. all cars need work. the vette will take longer to fix, but when its done you will have a bad azz car.
after you but a porsche, you will drive it for a while and it will need work. all cars need work. the vette will take longer to fix, but when its done you will have a bad azz car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale CA
lol man you guys are harsh. Yes I am thinking about college . Basically: I can't pay for the vette now unless someone wants to send me $10,000 to keep going. I've looked at some 928s that are like $3,500 and are in excellent cosmetic and mechanical shape, and I thought that it might be a good "cool" car to have before I get a job and can get another vette. Yeah nothing can replace a vette, but what else can I do?
. Basically: I can't pay for the vette now unless someone wants to send me $10,000 to keep going. I've looked at some 928s that are like $3,500 and are in excellent cosmetic and mechanical shape, and I thought that it might be a good "cool" car to have before I get a job and can get another vette. Yeah nothing can replace a vette, but what else can I do?
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Glass Act
Let me get this sort this out, in high school, no job, live at home with parents, want a Porsche instead of the Vette that needs repairs.
You can't afford any kind of car, you need gas money, repair money, insurance money. You don't need a car you need an education and a job. How long will this $3500. Porsche run before you need everything the Vette needs now.?
Park the Vette until you can afford to fix it, use dads car if he will allow it. Sorry, just my 0.2
You can't afford any kind of car, you need gas money, repair money, insurance money. You don't need a car you need an education and a job. How long will this $3500. Porsche run before you need everything the Vette needs now.?
Park the Vette until you can afford to fix it, use dads car if he will allow it. Sorry, just my 0.2
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