What do you think the value is if I part it out?

Please don't part it out!

Probably wont but want to know what my options are.

Should link to the Porsche blasphemy thread

Parting out probably doesn't make sense. Engine + Transmission yield the most money. The rest of the stuff is going to be a lot of work for not much profit. What do a good 3.6 and 5 speed G50 sell for these days. $12k? That means you'd have to clear another 8k in chassis, suspension, interior etc. without accounting for your labor.

I think a little effort into the fender and the oil leak and you should clear more $ than parting it out, not counting all the labor you'd save.

G

yeah probably I should mention again the oil leak would not concern most folks as it does not yield much but it bugs me more then anything.

I could see fixing the fender and will if need be it wouldn't cost more then 2-300 to fix.

Oil leaks are funny - they never bother the owner. But a buyer is bothered. A dry engine has no stories. A wet engine, especially on the 3.6 may worry buyers - even if it is not based on facts - as you know it had some issues in the early engines.

What does it take to get the engine dry? Where is it leaking from?

G

Please don't part it out. If it comes to that, PM me and we will make a deal. Like I need another Porsche, but most are too beautiful to go like that.

Back to the initial question

I'd recommend a 1998-2002 Trans Am WS6 or Firehawk (LS1 6speed)
Not a regular T/A, not a Formula
Either a real WS6 or SLP Firehawk
The newest year you can afford....year not miles
Any color you prefer, but with Black interior (no tan)
Modded is fine as long as you still have kept the original pieces

If you buy in the $10-12K price range your cost of ownership for the next decade should be much less than keeping your 964

What does everyone think about older Vettes like C4? They certainly seem to have reached the bottom of the depreciation curve and would be a bit more respectable in cornering driving performance than a Camaro / TA of the same vintage.

I have a longing for an open top car and have considered the C4. I also really like the mid 80s Camaro convertibles but they are all beat to h-ll.

G

1984-1996 was a long run for the C4s
When they came out, they raised the bar for handling. They were the first factory car to generate 1.0G on the skidpad.
Almost every year there was an advance in power or refinement. IIRC, C4s were available from 240hp to 350hp all with iron-block small-block motors (except the 375-415hp ur-ZR1).

When the C5 came out in 1997 with 345hp and the all-aluminum LS1, the old C4 looked like a kit-car in comparison. It was more powerful, smoother, more refined, and offered more luxury.

I'd buy a early C5 before I'd buy a late C4....they're the same money.
I'd buy a late LS1 F-body (Z28/TransAm) before ANY C4, hands down.
The all-aluminum LS1 motor is that good.

If you want a ratty (even when nice) slow early C4, you can find them for under $5K

I did realize that the later ones aren't the bargain they look to be if you cover the whole C4 range.

I would imagine that one could have some fun bringing a $5k 85 model up to snuff with a nicely built engine!

What's really killing me is the lack of stick shifts in the Vettes - especially in convertibles. This also is getting better over the years IMHO - as these became more performance oriented, more people bought them with a stick again.

G

You can buy a nice 'driver' late LT1/LT4 C4 for $10-15K. Over that and they're low-mile garage queens or pseudo-collector's cars. Much under that and they're high-mileage, tacky, and/or have issues.

If you really want a true convertible, they didn't start making them until 1986, although ALL C4 Vettes are Targa (one-piece removeable top) if not a convertible. And the manual transmission cars were the crude Doug Nash 4+3 until the 6 speed came out in 1990. The LT1 came out in 1992.

So it wouldn't make much sense to buy a 1985 Coupe 4+3 for $5K and build a motor, when for that same money you could have simply bought a no-issues 1994 LT1 6speed.

But you can also find 1997-1999 C5s for $10-15K, so *if* you can afford that I think they are much more car for the money. I wouldn't be afraid of miles on a C5, but to each their own.

True, but a stick really isn't necessary on the street. They have so much torque that the autos do a great job. You'd buy a stick because you want one... you enjoy one. Not because they're faster.

I've owned both.

Ben - once you get an old 911 fixed -- it stays fixed

not so true of lesser brands: VW, Italian, some 'murican cars

you may want to evaluate "where you are" in terms of going thru the car & think about getting rid of it on that basis

you can always buy another one - they are not rare like an Alfa or Fcar -- but then you will not know the car inside & out

if it was me (and it has been me) I'd add a Miata or Boxster - some roadster that is not too old and fun for summer - the trick is to buy in mid-winter

if an all around car that is also fun and snowable - then a Sube WRX

but I suggest adding, not replacing

Guys vettes are out of the mix as gotta have 4 seats. and definatly want a late model WS6 found one at a dealer it has 115k on it and they are asking 10k 2001 model. I dont car about milage (odometer) much cause who knows it may get a new engine or what ever. My budget is 12k max as the rest I promised would go towards an in ground pool as we really want to landscape the back yard.

Keep in mind that I ran M&K for the last 7 years and have talked so much porsche that I am burned out of porsche. I know these cars inside and out and have talked with thousands of people about their projects and I am just porsche 'd out not that I dont truly love them and enjoy the conversations its just that I turned a hobby into a business and that is not a good thing to do I am not sure how wayne does it. I know that a bunch of business's that I dealt with were in the same shoes as I . Love the cars but want to try different things.

dont get me wrong My 964 is very very nice and would not hesitate to drive it out to zeke's in CA right now its just that I have been thinking about this for a good year or so.

keep the thoughts coming and if anyone wants a good deal on a nice car let me know

Here you go:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/3120350155.html

Pretty embarrassing ride IMHO, not just compared to a 964.

G

http://images.craigslist.org/5I55Y45...1e34bf150e.jpg

Ben, don't try to move too fast. Selling a car can go quickly or it can take some time. You are trying to put two things that exist somewhere together at a point in time. The 2 things are absolute: the car and that someone that wants that car. It's an infinite process with the time factor being the infinite factor.

But, the 2 will meet given time. To enhance that encounter, you need exposure. If you could contact an infinite number of people, time would disappear.

Patience. Too late to start a pool this year anyway. Use that time again to get the best deal on a pool (off season).

Embarrassming? It's less than half what he's asking for his 964 and, even as a convertible, would be as quick around a long road course (and flat smoke it down the straights). All with ice cold air, hot heat, no leaks, low miles, and half (or a third) the parts costs.

BTW, he didn't suggest it needed to be a convertible, or even a T-top car.

Not sure if I could see myself in that car. I'd do a 70s and 80s trans am, but this one's style is a bit over the top - in a bad gold chain way - and not a young classic yet, where it'd be cool again.

I am the one who started babbling about ragtops, so that's why I was looking for that locally.

You are right - that's a lot of car for that money. I am actually tempted to go look at that. ;)

G

Here's one of my previous F-body cars (I've owned a few)

2000 Camaro SS 6 speed Convertible with SLP options
345 horsepower
SLP/DeCarbon suspension
Auburn differential

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1341528571.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1341528583.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1341528592.jpg