C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Should I buy a fixer-upper?

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Old 09-25-2007, 03:35 PM
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ta3ff
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Default Should I buy a fixer-upper?

I'm looking into buying a 1991, as the title says it needs a lot of work. It blew a water hose and shut off on the guy. There wasn't any water in the oil which is good. I'm just afraid of the heads being warped.

When the car was towed it was of course towed from the front end and messed up the lower front fascia. The interior is shot to hell, lots of broken parts.

The guy is asking $1500 and is motiviated to sell.
Old 09-25-2007, 05:22 PM
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Greg Gore
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You should buy a fixer upper for only one reason... you want a good C4 education. Otherwise you will end up with twenty grand in a car worth ten... if the money side matters to you that is.
Old 09-25-2007, 05:46 PM
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steven mack
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The parts will allways cost more than the whole.
Old 09-25-2007, 05:47 PM
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SCCA VETTE
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NO you dont want it!! Tell me where it is and I will buy it so that it does not bother anybody else

It all depends if YOU want to "fix it up". I went that route paying 2500 for one and spent time and money to make it how i wanted it. It IS a good deal for the car, the parts are worth 1500. I would go for it.

If you DO buy it and change your mind OR decide it is not for you, let me know, I would be interested in buying it from you.

Phil
Old 09-25-2007, 05:52 PM
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ta3ff
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I hear what your saying, restoreing any chevy gets expensive. Although right now I more interested in it as a daily driver. I'm pretty much a grease monkey, I've rebuilt motors before.

Has anyone warped these aluminum heads?
Old 09-25-2007, 05:52 PM
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teufelhund
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Originally Posted by ta3ff
I'm looking into buying a 1991, as the title says it needs a lot of work. It blew a water hose and shut off on the guy. There wasn't any water in the oil which is good. I'm just afraid of the heads being warped.

When the car was towed it was of course towed from the front end and messed up the lower front fascia. The interior is shot to hell, lots of broken parts.

The guy is asking $1500 and is motiviated to sell.
I got mine in the same basic situation. alot of miles and in bad shape. I've put 4800 in it now including the cost of the car and I have had a guy offer me 8K for it....... It's up to you but for me having a car with VERY cheap insurance and no car payment is worth the work. JMO
Old 09-25-2007, 05:55 PM
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ta3ff
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It's in California!
Old 09-25-2007, 05:56 PM
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Aardwolf
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Originally Posted by ta3ff
I'm looking into buying a 1991, as the title says it needs a lot of work. It blew a water hose and shut off on the guy. There wasn't any water in the oil which is good. I'm just afraid of the heads being warped.

When the car was towed it was of course towed from the front end and messed up the lower front fascia. The interior is shot to hell, lots of broken parts.

The guy is asking $1500 and is motiviated to sell.
If I did not have the car I have now, I would buy that and enjoy fixing it up.
Old 09-25-2007, 05:56 PM
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JLeatherman
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For $1500 it's worth it if the motor is toast. If it were anywhere near my area I'd jump on it. On that note, if it's near MD/VA/OH/PA and you aren't gonna buy it I'd like the guy's name/number.
Old 09-25-2007, 06:27 PM
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SCCA VETTE
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Originally Posted by ta3ff
It's in California!

I need a vacation! Sounds like a good reasson for a road trip out west! can you get pics of it?
Old 09-25-2007, 09:19 PM
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LTxDave
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Originally Posted by Greg Gore
You should buy a fixer upper for only one reason... you want a good C4 education. Otherwise you will end up with twenty grand in a car worth ten... if the money side matters to you that is.
I guess if you pay someone else to do the work and don't know what you're doing, you could end up like this. If you plan on heavily modifying the car, sometimes you can be far ahead by starting with a fixer upper.
Old 09-25-2007, 11:48 PM
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ta3ff
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I'm a big DIY guy, I hate to pay from something that I know how to do. Or can learn for that matter. So I can do much of the work myself.

I'm a Camaro fan an love TPI motors. So I need more people telling me why I shouldn't buy it. Again the motor over heated, cracked windshield, interior is shot to hell.
Old 09-25-2007, 11:53 PM
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Youre crazy man, youll easily spend over 10k getting it half decent and it will still need work. .

If thats your thing go ahead..Not sure if it even sounds like it could be parted out without losing.
Old 09-26-2007, 12:32 AM
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comp
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Originally Posted by SCCA VETTE
NO you dont want it!! Tell me where it is and I will buy it so that it does not bother anybody else

It all depends if YOU want to "fix it up". I went that route paying 2500 for one and spent time and money to make it how i wanted it. It IS a good deal for the car, the parts are worth 1500. I would go for it.

If you DO buy it and change your mind OR decide it is not for you, let me know, I would be interested in buying it from you.

Phil
Old 09-26-2007, 07:58 AM
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runner140*
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If you have the time and space, buy it and part it out. The parts are worth alot.

If you try to fix it yourself, you can spend a ton of time and money and still not have a daily driver. (unless you can really use a wrench)

Good luck on your dicision and get back to us and let us know what you decided.
Old 09-26-2007, 08:35 AM
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rick lambert
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How is the body and paint? the windshield and weather stripping will be around $500, tires? another $450., tranny? miles?, I wouldn't worry to much about the heads...junk yards are full of them, I'd worry about the bottom end, interior can get expensive...I'd check with a vette yard like vette2vette. $1500., sounds good...maybe to good. But if your a good mechanic and have the time...IF the body and paint are good...I'd go for it...bad body and paint and I'd pass.....that can get very expensive.
Old 09-26-2007, 09:09 AM
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RacerX70CC
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The term "fixer-upper" makes me think "pig in a poke" after reading the descriptions.... sounds like a parts car. I'd pass on it if you're looking for a daily driver.

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Old 09-26-2007, 04:01 PM
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rayosequis
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See how cheap you can get it, and if it seems to be too big of a project, sell it to someone on here, it sounds like there are already several interested parties.
Old 09-26-2007, 04:15 PM
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SCCA VETTE
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Originally Posted by rayosequis
See how cheap you can get it, and if it seems to be too big of a project, sell it to someone on here, it sounds like there are already several interested parties.
Old 09-28-2007, 08:33 PM
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ta3ff
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Some pics...well trying to attach pic but no link. I'll keep working on it.


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