jwatty

Okay guys, here is a list of "things" I have found that may need to be fixed on the 82 vette with unknown mileage. The asking price is $8000. Anyone have a ballpark estimate on what it might costs me to have someone else do all the mechanical work versus doing most of it myself. I can buy a car that needs basically no work for 12000. So I'm trying to decide whether to pay more and forget the fixer upper...

1) Speedometer / odometer not working – control box under hood missing, needs replaced

2) Cruise control not working – needs repaired

3) Interior courtesy light not working – needs repaired

4) Cigarette lighter missing – needs replaced

5) Left side sun visor missing – needs reinstalled / repaired

6) CD player not working, gives error – needs replaced

7) Windshield washer motor / pump not working – needs repaired / replaced

8) Air conditioner not working – needs recharged; assuming compressor itself and seals and hoses are ok; hoses probably need replaced.

9) Air conditioner drive belt missing – needs replaced

10) Power steering pump hoses leaking – need replaced

11) Power steering servo leaking – needs replaced

12) Steering loose – steering box needs adjusted

13) Radiator corroded / crusty – needs flushing / rodding out

14) Radiator coolant 2 to 3 inches low – coolant needs replacing after flushing

15) Braking System: Left front caliper sticking – most likely will need all 4 calipers replaced due to normal corrosion once the car is driven on a more frequent basis and calipers start being used again; normally calipers start leaking brake fluid after car has been sitting for an extended period and then is driven again.

16) Brake fluid level low – needs refilled, could be sign of calipers leaking

17) Rear differential cover gasket leaking – needs replaced along with replacing grease

18) Exhaust System: Catalytic converter leaking at exhaust pipe connection – needs repaired / replaced

19) Valve cover gaskets leaking – need replaced

20) Oil pan gasket leaking – needs replaced;

21) Oil change and filter replacement needed after replacing oil pan gasket

22) Engine rear main seal could be leaking, but couldn’t tell due to oil from valve cover gaskets – dye test needed

23) Transmission fluid pan gasket leaking severely – needs replaced

24) Transmission fluid level very low and dirty – needs changed

25) Transmission makes clinking sound when shifted – fluid change may reduce noise.

26) Tires worn out – need replaced

27) Air filters dirty – need replaced

28) Spark plugs - need replaced

29) Spark plug wires - need replace

30) Distributor - needs replaced

31) Rotor - needs replaced

32) Radiator hoses - need replaced

33) Heater hoses - need replaced

34) Heat riser hose missing - needs replaced

35) 2 in right front fender (one about 10 inches and one about 2 inches) – needs repaired

36) One blemish on right side door – needs repaired

37) Paint on front end nose piece cap ed / spiderwebbed – needs repainted

38) Paint on rear end cap faded – needs repainted

39) Paint thin in spots, especially around corners and edges – entire car may soon need repainted

40) Right side door stop bushing worn, door will not stay open by itself – bushing or hinge needs repaired or replaced

41) Front air dam damaged – needs repaired

42) Front air dam rubber missing – needs replaced

43) Carpet has a few stains - needs cleaning

The_Dude

Pay more and forget the fixer upper. What you have listed will cost far more than $4k to fix, even if you do the work yourself. The car you describe sounds like a typical vette that has seen lots of miles and hasn't been maintained very well. They can be picked up around here for $3k-$5k. Good luck.

Scott78

I agree with The_Dude. Your looking at more then $2000 in parts alone.
$8K for that car, way to much. I'd keep searching you should be able to find a "driver" for under $10k. Mine was $7K and needed Radiator, Tach board and Major Tune-up.
Personally I'm not real keen on the early computer controlled cars. But thats just my opinion.
Good Luck keep us informed on what you decide.

Scott

BlueL36

What you listed, and probably what you haven't yet found, could double the asking price of $8K, if not more. The last thing I want to hear from a mechanic is "uh-oh" when he's working on any car of mine. You might hear that a lot with this car.

CWUin82

The advice the others have given is right on. When buying a Vette, buy the best you can afford. The higher priced car may not be pefect, but the lack of frustration will make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.
Parts are expensive, if you don't do the work yourself the cost will be insane.

Robert N

Agree with all of the above!! Avoid the car!

stickboy

8K is way too much for this carI would say 3-5K and you will be putting atleast 5K into it for repairs. I would keep on looking unless you want a project that will test your nerves

R. Bruno

"Dude" - you are so right! Walk away from that piece of s%$# and recommend the seller get a drug test before he goes postal. (No offense to the postmen or postwomen in the audience.)

foundvettelifeisgood

Everyone is right. Buy the best one you can afford, and neither one sounds like a deal. It's one thing to buy an old car. It's another to buy a neglected old car.

Keep looking. :cheers:

Wardour74

and its a completely different thing, to want to buy an old neglected basket case car :D .. seriously, I just bought a 74 for 2k.. and it has less wrong with it :lol: .. well kinda. Needs more body work, but a lot less mechanical.

Ken73

$8k for this car... Yikes. See below.

Speedo cables (both) + cruise control unit, $150.

Above will fix this.

Could be bulb - $2 for a pack of 2. OR it could be the door pin switch. Open both doors and see. No light with either door could just be a burnt bulb.

Do you smoke, or care for that matter?

You could probably get a used one for 1/2 the price of a new one. Not sure how much this will set you back. ($100?)

If it has a CD player, it's obviously an aftermarket radio - pick one up of your choice or listen to the radio.

Washer pump is fairly generic - shouldn't be more than $20.

Get a new hose assembly, ~$100, recharge with R134a yourself, $50.

$10 for a belt?

Hose set, ~$65.

~$125?

Adjustment nut on top. I charge $1,000,000 to do it, or you can do it for free in about 20 seconds. :p:

Do yourself a favor, pick up a NEW one for under $200 at your local parts place. Get a FOUR core, NOT another wimpy three core.

This will be fixed with the new radiator. Might as well swap in a new pump ($25) while you're at it though, just to be 100% sure. Thermostat as well, $5.

If you have the cash, don't mess around and get the Vette Brakes O-ring caliper set. It'll set you back about $450 or so, but it's WELL worth it as the brakes will need less maintenance.

Will be fixed with above.

THIS one can get hairy. I've never attempted this; this may be a job for a shop; $100? $200?

Depends on which section is leaking. May just need a new gasket; $10. If the Y-pipe needs to be replaced, it's more like $150.

$15 for good gaskets.

Another $10-$15 for a good gasket.

You'll be doing this anyway... $15.

If so, this could get hairy.

Filter/gasket/fluid - ~$25.

See above.

'82 transmission is the first release of the 700-R4. Very weak, tends to die at 30k mile intervals. May just need a rebuild, in which case it's more economical to buy a new beefier '88-up unit for the same or less (approx. $1k.)

$400, rough guess. Depends on what tires you get.

Don't bother getting cheap paper elements. Get a pair of K&N's. $100.

~$15

$~25-$75 depending on your taste.

Uh.. why? What's wrong with it?

Rotor/cap = ~$40.

$20-$50?

$10

$5

:confused: you mean it's busted..? This might be a shop thing again.

Deal with it until you can get a paint job.. do it the way YOU want it.

Door spring and tool, ~$25

How badly? This will probably get tossed in with the body/paint repairs.

$50

Do you care? Honestly, for $8k it's not TOO bad but it IS a fixer-upper. The above costs are for do-it-yourself repairs unless otherwise noted. If you want, try to talk the guy down a little further (closer to $6k) if you can. If the car is original, it just might be worth it. Unmolested cars are much better. Also, don't expect a ton of performance unless you REALLY learn how to modify it. The CrossFire isn't just something you can slap a few bolts-ons to and run 11's. It just doesn't work that way. However, if you want tons of CrossFire info, check out http://www.crossfire.webhop.net . You CAN make it get good gas mileage (I've had reports up to 27mpg!) and make it haul-butt. Just depends on your taste.


[Modified by Ken73, 12:52 PM 5/9/2002]


[Modified by Ken73, 12:53 PM 5/9/2002]

jwatty

Thanks a million, or should I say several thousand, for the advice...

jwatty

Any thoughts on what a reasonable price would be for a well maintained 82 with 40 - 60 K miles?