AgentEran

Ok.. so I've got a bit of a quandary. I've got a couple quotes to paint my car for ~$3000. My paint inst bad but it has the usual pits and scratches that a DD has so i have been contenplating getting a paint job to get it perfect again. I set aside the money and am about ready to pull the trigger.

At the same time.. my xwife & current gf (long fn story) is turning her lease in in Aug so I've had an eye on Craigslist lately looking for a beater. And generally have the word out that I'm looking. A friend recently bought a new car and is selling his old 1991 lexus ls300 w 180k miles for $1300. Seems like a good fix.. but then I come across this 96 auto in Craigslist listed for $4500.. has 160k and from the looks of the ad is in really really good condition. Has has to be a scam right. So I called the number and I s*** you not an older lady answers and proceeds to tell me how reliable the car has been to her and she's had it for 5 years and all of this and that. So I naturally schedule an appointment to go see this car tomorrow and that's what I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon.

Long story I know, but my question is.. what would you do?

1. Buy 96 auto tomorrow provided it's what it's supposed to be and there are no surprises. Forgo painting my car bc hey I'm getting a WHOLE other c4 for the price if paint for mine..

2. Don't buy 96 auto, miss possible barn find but get my current car repainted and looking new again..

So I guess would you paint your car, or get another c4, if presented these same circumstances?

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Not4spd

Depends on what kind of history I have the current C4. If I've owned it for several years I would just opt to paint it. If the "new" C4 has all the options and color I want then I would go for buying a the C4. So what did you end up doing?

AgentEran

I haven't done anything yet.. go check the car out tomorrow.
As for my current c4, I've had it for a few yrs. It's everything I wanted. LT4 & black. It's also got all the mods I wanted, 4:10s.. Longtubes.. wheels.. radio etc.
I'd be getting this new one out of pure vanity.. I set the money aside already but it was intended for paint. I don't need another vette. But I didn't "need" the 1st or 2nd one I got either.. this would just be my first time owning 2 at one time. An auto and a m6.. the idea tickles me enough to really do it even though I can't necessarily justify the purchase outside of happening to have the spare change, albeit for another purely vanity car purpose.

Bckmstr

cv67

I wouldnt buy anything with 180k on it..spend 3k on your current one, you already know what you got.
Theres an 02, 04? ford taurus on CL with 49k ultra clean for aroud 2k. Those will go 200k easy.

That 150k mark on older cars is usually round the time when head gaskets, trans are ready to go.

Mr. Peabody

As you are looking for opinions I offer this for your consideration;

I would not sell a 96 to buy another 96. You already know your car.

If you have already equipped your car the way you want ... you know it will be difficult to get enough $$ for those improvements to enable you to do them to this new-to-you car.

I take it that you would not change the color of your current LT4 but instead are going to respray it black. It's going to look really nice particularly if you have them re-clear the entire car.

On the other hand we both know that C4's are a hobby not an investment. On a hobby basis there is NOTHING wrong with having two C4s to play with. I do the same thing except I have a C4 & a C5

xrav22

Did you spot this one?
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/...592956722.html
Looks gold I think it may be gray.

confab

Gonna put the SO in Vette #2?

Is she good with that?

Mine almost bought one herself, she likes it so much. Other women? I dunno..

I can't imagine not wanting to drive a vett. Then again, I can't imagine spending a million dollars on all the girl crap they buy, either?

81c3

I would consider buying the LS300 and the 96 if you can swing it. I imagine you can knock 500 off the Vette and 300 off the Lexus... Pick em both up for $5000. Now, the LS300 is a known friend of yours... its essentially a Camry... if it was decently maintained, the car will go another 50k miles with minimal issues....

AgentEran

Nope, not this one. Im afraid to post the ad, dont want anyone to creep on me.

AgentEran

Shes actually more excited then I am honestly.. She loves my car and LOVEs to drive it. The idea of driving an old lexus vs a corvette is a no brainer.. but i do know what your saying.. I offered my car for my nieces prom and she didnt want any part of it..

But shes def game.. Im almost conflicted like.. well if your driving it.. what about me?? lol.. yea ill prob but the lexus too.

AgentEran

Agreed! This is why I made this post, bc I see all of these points you made here. Just got back from the bank, withdrew 5k. Im going to call her up and see if I can get both one way or the other with the $5k.

AgentEran

Def considering this too, but I do know this cars history, and have even worked on it a couple times. I come from a lexus family, we have had at least 5 or 6 over the years. My dad has 275k on a 2005 es330 he still has. original motor and tranny. Moreover, you can get a transmission for $500 and the motor 1UZ-FE toyota made a bizillion of are also only $1000. Ill probably wrap the lexus and drive it until something gives.

ETM

Buy the Lexus. Save what you can. Paint the Vette. Have a great summer.

AgentEran

So yea... went to check out the car and it was everything I expected and MORE! I mean perfect body, near perfect paint. Runs strong, but stock, which is good really. but absolutely no mods whatsoever, even has factory mufflers

You would NEVER guess how much I paid for this car..

So now I have 2 '96s.. 1 auto and one m6.

Here she is!

confab

Nice ride...

The ensuing conversation:

SO: "Did you get the Vette?"

Eran: "Yeah, but there's a problem.. It's too nice to let you drive."

SO: *shocked* *Huffs off*

Eran: "Oh, don't be like that.. I'll get you a nice Kia?"

*sound of door slamming*

pologreen1

So you bought the ex a car, hey????

are you going to mod it?

AgentEran

AgentEran

Yes, but very little..

1. cut airlid
2. bypass TB
3. X Pipe
4. Flowmaster / Corsa ? Maybe emilinators
5. New Wheels
6. Redo tint

In maybe 6 mos or so Id like to:

7. Built Monster Transmission 4l65e

Patsgarage

Congrats on the new ride. Now you can tell us the story of the ex wife/current gf.