Sensible advice needed - Sell it OR Fix It and restyle ...

[78F350]

I have repaired several Boxsters myself and this one I would probably just use as a parts car.
My choices in order:
#1 Sell it at a loss. More money into it is just more money lost. For all the money that you would put into making this one right, it probably would not significantly raise the value above what you paid to buy it.
#2 Fix the absolute minimum needed and enjoy it while it lasts. Is it safe and legal to drive now? Can a small investment and a few hours of you time keep it roadworthy for another year or two?
#3 Arrange to have it stolen. Many years ago, I had a friend who owed a lot of money for his car and could not keep up payments. First he tried parking it near the ocean when a storm was coming. The storm arrived at low tide and the car was fine. A week later he parked the car in a bad part of the city and forgot to lock it. Two days later they found it stripped out and burned. His insurance paid him the 'book' value of the car.

***Just saw your reply that it is not rust on the body, only exhaust etc... I agree with Geof3 that most of that is just maintenance that needs to be caught up.
Check out this thread: Bad news from the mechanic - any insight greatly appreciated!
Original estimate for repairs was $15,000! speedyspaghetti is now fixing the car mostly himself and seems like it's working out well.

[gouldar]

thanks. Well it is roadworth and driving etc. Should be ok for the next MOT as well probably. That said the brake lines and full engine service is needed plus full coolant flush. But then the radiators are shod as well. So if I dont look at the suspension, shocks etc. it should be ok for a while as I wont be driving it like i Stole it You make an interesting point ... it will probably take 2-3k to get it safe. But this is till no guarantee the engine wont blow up.

[Geof3]

Originally Posted by gouldar

thanks. Well it is roadworth and driving etc. Should be ok for the next MOT as well probably. That said the brake lines and full engine service is needed plus full coolant flush. But then the radiators are shod as well. So if I dont look at the suspension, shocks etc. it should be ok for a while as I wont be driving it like i Stole it You make an interesting point ... it will probably take 2-3k to get it safe. But this is till no guarantee the engine wont blow up.

Why are the radiators shot? Rust? If all of those components are as rusty as you mention, it would be pretty unusual not to have more rust where you might not be able to see it. Rust can be fixed, but you are so far behind the curve if that is the case, IMO wouldn't be worth the headache.

As mentioned, and I agree with the above regarding personal perspective on "worth" and "value". Even though currently these cars are pretty low priced, they have bottomed and are great, relatively special cars IMO. So "worth" is in the eye of the beholder. For the most part, keeping any old car on the road is a loosing proposition. At least these cars have SOME hope of making a comeback one day. So there may be a bit more incentive to spend. In the case of your car though, that might not be the best option.

[gouldar]

Thanks all. I will ask someone to look at the chasis for rust. Also potentially a second opinion. I guess i am a tad emotionally iinvolved.

[speedyspaghetti]

Originally Posted by 78F350

I have repaired several Boxsters myself and this one I would probably just use as a parts car.
My choices in order:
#1 Sell it at a loss. More money into it is just more money lost. For all the money that you would put into making this one right, it probably would not significantly raise the value above what you paid to buy it.
#2 Fix the absolute minimum needed and enjoy it while it lasts. Is it safe and legal to drive now? Can a small investment and a few hours of you time keep it roadworthy for another year or two?
#3 Arrange to have it stolen. Many years ago, I had a friend who owed a lot of money for his car and could not keep up payments. First he tried parking it near the ocean when a storm was coming. The storm arrived at low tide and the car was fine. A week later he parked the car in a bad part of the city and forgot to lock it. Two days later they found it stripped out and burned. His insurance paid him the 'book' value of the car.

***Just saw your reply that it is not rust on the body, only exhaust etc... I agree with Geof3 that most of that is just maintenance that needs to be caught up.
Check out this thread: Bad news from the mechanic - any insight greatly appreciated!
Original estimate for repairs was $15,000! speedyspaghetti is now fixing the car mostly himself and seems like it's working out well.

I've been wrenching like a mad man! New struts, mounts, track arms, trailing arms done! Brake and clutch flush - done! Transmission fluid changed! Just need to do the front control arms and then get an alignment and I should (fingers crossed) be done. I'll have someone do clutch/IMS probably, but part of me wants to do it myself... I do miss driving her though.