[Christien]

I picked up an 83 944 for $1700. Mechanically in pretty good shape (just had a major service, incl. timing belts, water pump, etc.) but cosmetically poor. The body had tons of small dings and a poor paint job, the interior was maybe 5/10. I had some bodywork done and the whole car repainted. Luckily someone owed my dad a favour and it was done for cost, otherwise yes, the body work and paint job would have been more than triple the price of the car, easily. And I don't expect to see that cost on resale.

So now I'm into it for maybe 4K, which I doubt I could sell it for (even in Canada, where prices are higher) but it's now enjoyable. It's my winter car, so I'm not concerned about it being perfect.