Should I Buy?

The shame of it all is IMO the odds favored only a leaking intake manifold gasket as the source of the coolant in the spark plug wells.

Preforming an in car head job of a modular motor is no walk in the park. I'm of the opinion that it's almost easier to pull the whole motor and do the work on an engine stand for the home DIY'er.

Ask yourself what is the car worth to you all put together?

Are you planning to do all of the work yourself?

Need answers to these questions in order to create a "project budget". The difference between what the car is worth minus the cost is the "sweat equity".

I have purchased several 1000-1300 dollar "project" cars that needed new motors. I have got to say that 1500 seems a little high for a car that is so old and fairly high mileage.

I paid too much for one of my recent "project cars". I planned on a head job that turned into a whole motor. In the end I spent as much $$ in parts as the car was worth. I got to say that it bites having ZERO sweat equity value. A ton of work when I could have just bought a different example that didn't need so much work.

I suspect that it's possible to get a similarly distressed 1999+ for 1500. The electrical is so much better in a 1999+ model year.

But if you really want the car and you are doing the work yourself (zero labor cost), and the seller comes off just a little it could make a nice project car.

Naynay13 said:

Thanks everyone for your response! I think I'm going to pass on it. Maybe something else will pop up.

Click to expand...

You did not answer the questions about creating a project budget. This could still be a good project but maybe not at 1500.

But how could you know without a budget and a plan?

You are concentrating on the engine but since it does not run you cannot be sure what condtion the other parts are in, like the tranny, rear end, clutch etc etc and with that many miles........ $600-$800 if the rest is primo, like the top and interior and body.

Patience pays dividends, I looked for many months before I found my present '02 GT.