Project cars..... What do I do?

Hi All!

  I am new to the forum here (some may have seen me on PFF before).  None of you likely know me, I have only met Patrick once, recently.   I have never attended a club meeting (I always work weekends) but have been into Fieros for about 12 years.  I think I have owned 4 over that time.  An 84, 85, 86 and an 87.  All were 2.5L dukes.

I am posting tonight because I have reached a point where I am no longer sure what way to go with my last remaining Fiero.  I have a project car I have worked on for a number of years.  I have restored a lot of it.  It has sat for a number of years now though (only minor work, oil changes and collecting parts).  I find that I really don't have the desire in me any more to finish it.  

The car is a 87 2.5L, 5spd with 206k km on it

I have been thinking about selling it for a while.  Do people actually buy uncompleted "project" cars?

  This one is in GREAT shape.  Virtually no rust and runs strong and smooth (for a duke).  I feel bad parting it out and not seeing it ever come to completion (even if not by me). 

I guess I'm looking for advice on what to do.  Should I go to the trouble of putting the body back together (without paint - its multi-colored at the moment - GT fastback swap, rockers, doors, bumpers) or should I cut my loses and sell it in pieces?

I do have some rather valuable parts (355 bumper(with belt line), quad 90mm headlights (Mark II), side scoops etc).

Anyone able to give me some guidance?  I'm guessing it's worth more as parts.  But I really would like to see it finished, even if not by me!  Or at the very least if I part out the body, perhaps the chasis can be saved for someones daily driver.

Thanks
- Caladin
 
PS. Car-2-Lo, your car is AMAZING! I've seen it a few time on Hwy 1 in Burnaby.  Always heading the opposite direction as me though. It sure is a head turner!

Well....first of all, it's a shame you can't finish it.  These cars were made to customize weren't they?  But I can surely relate to not being able to put energy into something when priorities change.

Sure people sometimes buy project cars especially if you've already completed something really cool.  You know, like a chop top or bigger motor swap or custom interior or tricked out suspension.  You get the idea.

I'm afraid a stock Duke powered car is not going to get many people excited.  Especially if it's in pieces.

But what the heck, snap some photos of your car and put it up on this site.  It's easy, just push the button with the blue "up" arrow and the green tree.  This will allow you to upload right inside your message.

If the car was totally assembled and was one color and ran perfect you might get $1000 for it.  Possibly more if it was real nice or again, you had some expensive add ons.

Hope this helps.

The Dawg

Patrick wrote: pressure from other Fiero enthusiasts helping to egg you on.

SURE that's what you'd want??

Dr.Fiero wrote: The '87 duke as a 'normal' car in reasonable shape is worth about 5-700. Depending on what your time is worth (for the parting, waiting around to sell, meeting people etc), you might be best off to stick it together as a 'needs work but running/driving' car, then sell off your goodies (355 nose, etc) as stand alone separates.

That right there is just depressing! It kills me to see it has no value really.  I can see myself being able to hold onto it for a few more years.  But by then I would have put thousands more into it for paint etc.  So ultimatley in the end I am just ending up further down the hole on it.  Unfortunetly I dont have parts to put the car back together without using the special goodies. 

Dawg wrote: But I can surely relate to not being able to put energy into something when priorities change.

That right there is what it basically boils down to for me. 

Dawg wrote: But what the heck, snap some photos of your car and put it up on this site.  It's easy, just push the button with the blue "up" arrow and the green tree.  This will allow you to upload right inside your message. If the car was totally assembled and was one color and ran perfect you might get $1000 for it.  Possibly more if it was real nice or again, you had some expensive add ons.

Snapped some pictures today.  They are at the bottom.


[QUOTE=Patrick]What would it take to get you enthused again?

Im still enthused about Fieros (just not mine ).  I know when I see one on the street it still grabs my attention just like it use to.  I just cant see how in the next 5-10 years I can justify the long term exspense.  And im really not sure how to make it fit.  I do own 2 other vehicles besides this one, so that is a big chunck of the reason.  Having to pick between the 2 "extras" the Fiero unfortunetly dosn't come out on top for me any more.

On to the pictures...

The interior when it was assembled.




How she sits today.




Rims - MSR 103


Redone front suspension.  I have not tackled the back end... but I have the parts.


It's clean!


Headlights!




Engine


And onto the exterior.






The hood is sitting loose, as is the bumper.






Side scoops.


I hate to think of what I have paid for all the parts!  But I really do beleive I'm gonna have to let her go (in pieces).

Well after seeing the pics, I would honestly say to the right person it would be worth closer to $2000 just as it is.  If you swapped in a V6 or a V8 and put the rest of the body together, I would say closer to $4500 or even $5000.  The cheapest way to do a V6 swap is to find someone doing a V8 swap and get all their V6 parts for around $500 and drop them into your car.  Because your car is an 87 it is pretty much built to have a V6 and your stock transaxle will be fine for a V6.

Caladin wrote: It kills me to see it has no value really.  I can see myself being able to hold onto it for a few more years.  But by then I would have put thousands more into it for paint etc.

Adrian, just a heads up on the cost of painting. We have a new club member (Kevin) who painted his own Fiero (his first ever paint job) and it looks fantastic. What did it cost him? ..... $300

No, there isn't a zero missing... 300 bucks.  

I mention this just so you know that painting doesn't necessarily need to be a major expense.

If your mind is made up on selling the car, your mind is made up. However, we're just telling you that you do have options.

 

Car-2-Lo wrote: Sounds like you have made up your mind about selling it ,

Basically at this point I have descided to part it out.  Gonna sleep on it a few days though.  Come tuesday I will start posting things on craiglist should I be selling it off.

Patrick wrote: Adrian, just a heads up on the cost of painting. We have a new club member (Kevin) who painted his own Fiero (his first ever paint job) and it looks fantastic. What did it cost him? ..... $300 No, there isn't a zero missing... 300 bucks.   I mention this just so you know that painting doesn't necessarily need to be a major expense. If your mind is made up on selling the car, your mind is made up. However, we're just telling you that you do have options.

I painted the yellow pieces myself.  I have learned from doing so that I am by no means a painter.     Part of my problem is that I tend to be a perfectionist.  If it's not perfect I see every little flaw, and it drives me nuts! 

We shall see how I feel on Tuesday. Perhaps I can get a little help on what to charge for various things.  Im guessing the bumper, scoops and headlights I wont loose a ton on.   If anyone wants any parts then, throw me an offer.

kharmata wrote: Closer to $400 actually for paint supplies and I sanded it and masked it and sprayed it.  (still want to redo my clear coat but it is one color and was very inexpensive )  oh and I could have spent days longer sanding out all the itty bitty imperfections but I just wanted it done so i could drive it.

Did you paint outside? I tried a few pieces outside but had bad luck with bugs!  I no longer have a place to paint inside. 

Have any pictures?

Painted inside and doors closed - cleanup the garage and move slow around the car.  Yes bugs and dust can be bad.

http://westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1946&am p;PN=1

This was the day after I painted it.

Kevin, those headlights are worth quite a bit. Like about $500.

I only know because I've been in PM contact with Adrian trying to convince him not to part his Fiero out.