Prioritizing
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Cheektowaga NY
Prioritizing
I'm the soon to be proud owner of an 88 gray metallic coupe. Couldn't bear to see it sold as part of my dad's estate. Dad was the original owner and one thing it has going for it is relatively low miles, 37k.
However, the poor girl has been neglected somewhat and not aged so gracefully. Here's what I've noticed so far...
So all I had time to do so far was an oil/filter change, and a quick carwash before putting it into storage...wanted to change the coolant, but didn't have time and now the snow is flying, but who knows maybe I will be able to get that done if we have a warm spell in the next week or two.
Here's what I'm looking for, there so many things that need to be done...some quick easy and inexpensive, some quick easy but expensive, some difficult but relatively inexpensive, and some difficult and expensive....which items would you tackle first and foremost?
As a side, given what I've listed above about the car, any ideas on current value? I have to come up with a number so my dad's estate can be divided equally. I'm thinking anywhere between 5-7k, what do you think?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to reading replies and using this forum regularly.
However, the poor girl has been neglected somewhat and not aged so gracefully. Here's what I've noticed so far...
- Both Seats (sport) need to be replaced, leather and foam is badly deteriorated, however electronics in them seem to work fine (didn't check the lumbar bladders though)
- The center of the top of the dash has a big crack in it.
- The targa top has a crack
- Window weatherstripping on both doors, inside and out needs to be replaced
- Drivers door speaker is functioning intermittently, wouldn't be surprised if its due to water getting by window weatherstripping
- All the rubber bushings throughout the suspension look pretty dry
- There some oil staining around the PCV valve and the it seems to sit very loosely in there, pulled out with no resistance at all, is this normal?
- Sputters some upon intial startup, but hoping with fresh fuel, and general tune-up items this will go away
- Paint seems to be in pretty good condition overall, really worn around sideview mirrors, only saw one spot where it had blistered a little, and couple small scratches, looks like he rubbed against something painted blue with the drivers side front wheel well, not sure if that will buff out or not.
- Dash has slight flicker, but seems to be functioning fine otherwise for now
- Several of the plastic trim pieces throughout the interior have dried out and cracked, for example both tabs/catches that would catch the rollout privacy screen in the rear storage compartment have cracked off.
- He was a smoker so I have that stale cigarette smoke smell that may haunt me forever...
- Tires and alternator look new
- Fortunately the car has never seen winter, primarily looks like the victim of sitting in the sun too much (no garage)
So all I had time to do so far was an oil/filter change, and a quick carwash before putting it into storage...wanted to change the coolant, but didn't have time and now the snow is flying, but who knows maybe I will be able to get that done if we have a warm spell in the next week or two.
Here's what I'm looking for, there so many things that need to be done...some quick easy and inexpensive, some quick easy but expensive, some difficult but relatively inexpensive, and some difficult and expensive....which items would you tackle first and foremost?
As a side, given what I've listed above about the car, any ideas on current value? I have to come up with a number so my dad's estate can be divided equally. I'm thinking anywhere between 5-7k, what do you think?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to reading replies and using this forum regularly.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm the soon to be proud owner of an 88 gray metallic coupe. Couldn't bear to see it sold as part of my dad's estate. Dad was the original owner and one thing it has going for it is relatively low miles, 37k.
As a side, given what I've listed above about the car, any ideas on current value? I have to come up with a number so my dad's estate can be divided equally. I'm thinking anywhere between 5-7k, what do you think?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to reading replies and using this forum regularly.
As a side, given what I've listed above about the car, any ideas on current value? I have to come up with a number so my dad's estate can be divided equally. I'm thinking anywhere between 5-7k, what do you think?
Thanks in advance! Looking forward to reading replies and using this forum regularly.
1) Fix any safety/operating related items
2) Get the maintenance up to par
3) Comfort items
4) Cosmetics
Based on your description I'd say $3500.00 tops and maybe lower. Pictures would help.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
I know it's your Dads Vette, but I fear to fix this up, is going to cost you a small fortune, and that is doing the work yourself. I guess it will boil down to how much that car means to you and how deep are your pockets
I wish you luck
Jim
I wish you luck
Jim
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Cheektowaga NY
Sounds like it sat outdoors for a long time. That counters any low mileage advantage.
1) Fix any safety/operating related items
2) Get the maintenance up to par
3) Comfort items
4) Cosmetics
Based on your description I'd say $3500.00 tops and maybe lower. Pictures would help.
Steve
1) Fix any safety/operating related items
2) Get the maintenance up to par
3) Comfort items
4) Cosmetics
Based on your description I'd say $3500.00 tops and maybe lower. Pictures would help.
Steve
Guess I didn't figure the mostly cosmetic aging from sitting outside would counter the low mileage that much, but I'm not totally surprised. I ran NADA on it and it said approx $6,800 low retail, so I figured somewhere around there with mileage boosting it some, and condition detracting some. Also, some one else locally had told me around $4,000 site unseen. So that may be the number I will use, and hopefully the siblings agree...
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Cheektowaga NY
Well, at least I'm young, planning on taking it slow, and budgeting a certain amount for fixing each year. Hopefully I stick to that budget!!
I'm sure that can be a challenge sometimes. Don't worry if it gives me too much trouble/costs escalate too much I will bail on it...not going to put myself in debt because it's "Dads vette"
At least you said small fortune...
Perhaps a topic for another time is, How long will it be Dad's vette?, when will I start referring to it as my vette? Hmmm...maybe after you name it?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
