Project cars..... What do I do?
Printed From: West Coast Fieros
Category: General Fiero Chat
Forum Name: General Talk about Fieros
Forum Description: Just want to chat about fieros? here's the place to make that happen.
URL: http://www.westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2067
Printed Date: 23 November 2024 at 10:17am
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Topic: Project cars..... What do I do?
Posted By: Caladin
Subject: Project cars..... What do I do?
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 1:36am
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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! |
Replies:
Posted By: Dr.Fiero
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 8:12am
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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. |
Posted By: Dawg
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 8:25am
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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 ------------- You dream it up....I'll make it |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 9:49am
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Aw geez Adrian, I don't want to hear this! You have put SO much work into that car. It would be such a shame for you to sell it because you won't get anything for it relatively speaking. What would it take to get you enthused again? I had several Fieros in my back yard and none of them were driveable for years. It was really depressing and embarrassing, but I never lost hold of the dream of driving a Fiero again. I finally got one going, and then two, and I'm determined to deal with the rest as well. I know you can't come to the club meetings on Saturday evenings because of the hours/days you work, but if you were to start a thread on your Fiero (which I suggested you do ages go!), you could get members here familiar with your Fiero and who knows, you might even find there's a member or two who could give you a hand on occasion. Believe me, it's a lot easier to get things done on these cars when you have a certain amount of peer pressure from other Fiero enthusiasts helping to egg you on. So let's see those pictures. Tell us what the roadblocks to completion are. Let's get your '87 in one piece and running again!
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Caladin wrote:
Posted By: Dr.Fiero
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:09am
SURE that's what you'd want??    |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:18am
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Hey, whatever it takes to get motivated!
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Posted By: Caladin
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 3:41pm
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.
That right there is what it basically boils down to for me.
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). |
Posted By: Caladin
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 3:48pm
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Thank you everyone for the replies. I appreciate the feedback!
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Posted By: Capt Fiero
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 4:42pm
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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. ------------- Capt Fiero 88 Fiero GT 5spd V6 Eight Fifty Seven GT V8 5spd. |
Posted By: Car-2-Lo
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 7:53pm
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Thanks for the nice comment about my car! 
Mine is also a project car, every year I add something on it or change something, it's still not finished, but that's the fun of having a project
Your car is actually pretty amazing. Great work you have put into it and all the nice cool parts. Sounds like you have made up your mind about selling it  , but since it is a project car you should finish it and ENJOY driving the car with the West
Coast Fiero's . You;ll be much happier  Later on add 2.8, 3.8 or 4.9 ? You will also get lots of support from the club. 
Johnny Boy (Car-2-lo) PS: It doesn't have to perform, just has to look good
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Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 9:04pm
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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.
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Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 9:39pm
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. 
Posted By: Caladin
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:15pm
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.
I painted the yellow pieces myself. I have learned from doing so that I am by no means a painter. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:16pm
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Okay, closer to $400... but it still looks great!
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Posted By: Caladin
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:17pm
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? |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:23pm
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There are good people in this club who would give you a helping hand (if you want one) to see your project on the road.
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Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 09 September 2010 at 10:25pm
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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&PN=1 - http://westcoastfieros.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1946&am p;PN=1 This was the day after I painted it. |
Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 10 September 2010 at 10:57am
I really want those headlights (if they will fit my 86
SE) What's your price - I have no idea what they are worth. |
Posted By: Patrick
Date Posted: 10 September 2010 at 11:17am
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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.
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Posted By: kharmata
Date Posted: 10 September 2010 at 1:37pm
Holy  !!!!
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Posted By: beken
Date Posted: 10 September 2010 at 3:36pm
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I wonder if we should all do a cruise-by of Caladin's place of work after our club meeting. -------------  Beken (aka Ken) - bekentech@westcoastfieros.com Original and still the owner of an 85SE 2M6 4spd |