First time poster; long time lurker; long time access to a 1986 Camaro.

WRT the machine, it's as stock as it can be: 2.8L V6, manual tranny, red/red interior, electric windows, basic climate control (no A/C). It presently has about 118K miles (I think) on the odo. When not driven, it sits in a garage. Over the last few years, it's seen sporadic use (less than a few thousand miles a year).

It's been a great car and the owner (my mother) would like to keep it around. She likes the looks she gets as an almost 81 y.o. driving the car! However, of late, it hasn't been that reliable and there are more than a few things that need fixing or visible improvement. (My parents also have a '97 Chevy Astro that's nearing 200K and it too has its share of "issues".)

They really need a more reliable run-around town/area car and have made overtures that they/she may want to get a new, smaller, more fuel efficient model. If so, she may give/sell the Camaro to a family member or just sell it on the open market.

Here's where your opinions come in. If I (or they) keep the car, would it be worth the time, effort and money--whether it be by myself over a number of years or by a professional for a shorter time and a lot more cash--to restore/fix-up the puppy or should I/we just drive it 'till it dies?

Things that need or probably need fixing:
- probable rust (bubling under the paint) on both rocker panels
- probable rust on the edges of the wheel wells
- a "funky" tach and gas guage
- cracked corners of the dash
- broken outer covering for the driver's side door lock (which is still functional)
- a "soft" clutch (I don't like the way it engages)
- faded cloth/synthetic interior
- drooping overhead liner fabric (but that's an easy fix with some glue)
- slow as beans electric windows
- slow as beans windshield wipers with an internmitent function that won't work
- worn paint on the headlight cowls
- it handles and accelerates like a tank (but, that's normal...it's always been like that)
- who knows what else, like a new paint job
- I'd want to retrofit some A/C into the car
- If the current engine is toast and is not worth rebuilding, I'd probably want to put a different engine in the car (maybe a new LSX V8 or current/new gen Camaro V6)
- I'd definitely want to change out the clutch and suspension
- Sometimes, unless you really pay attention to the clutch and throttle, the car will stall when decellerating to a stop. This is not good when one is in traffic or your 80+ y.o. parents are driving it.
- The rear of the RF qtr panel behind the wheel into the door now has a nice, large dent in it from where someone (not me) scooted over too early after coming off of a one-lane stone bridge. Thus, there's a new need for some additional body and paint work.

On the good side:
- it gets about 26+ MPG on the highway with regular unleaded gas
- it's never had any major engine issues (the engine has never been disassembled)
- it has a fairly new stock-like exhaust system
- while no longer pristine the paint is still good
- the car definitely has "presence", especially in this day and age of rounded econo whatevers

I'd love to make it new, but my challenges are:
- limited current mechanical ability (I can change brakes, but that's about as deep as I've gotten into cars. However, if someone teaches me how to do something, then no problem!)
- limited space to do the work (I live in a townhouse; Mom & Dad live with a garage full of stuff, to include the Camaro)
- full knowledge of how much it costs to put in a new performance engine, exhaust, etc. if someone else does it; (I just spent $$$$$ to put a stroked 416 LS3 in my Corvette); I do not have a bottomless bank account.

So, there's the "basics" of it all. Your input would be much appreciated!

Oh...and if you work for the show Overhaulin' (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/overhaulin/overhaulin.html), I'd love for you to do the work!