Shoud I fix my car before selling it? or sell as parts?

[steve]

well, I'm going to sell my 84 Quantum 1.6 TD.  I need something newer/bigger for my growing family.  I've had it for 10 years and have done lots of fixes to it.  I have lots of maintenance and spare parts too.

But the big question is:  should I get it running first or not?

It needs a new head and $100 in other parts/gaskets.  Then it's good to go.

 

The block has 50k miles and is .040 bored over.  

The rest of the car has 450k miles.  it has lots of new parts since it was saving me so much in gas I treated it well in terms of parts.  

I have the full set of cam/IP setup tools.

EGT is installed.

The body is quite rusted in a variety of places.  I'd post a picture if I could figure out how to do it.

Almost new tires on aluminum wheels: 195-60-R14

I'd think that it would be a good car or a good source of parts for somebody.  But if it ran I suspect more people would be willing to come get it.  Otherwise you'd need a truck to take it home on.  I hate to part it out because it would be such a nice complete package for somebody.

[vwmike]

I wish you were closer. I rarely ever see TD's around here. If it's no big deal to get the car running then I say go for it, but I guess what you need to weigh is the monetary benefit vs the time and effort. Lets face it, a rusted out Quantum isn't worth a whole lot, but the sum of it's parts can be to the right person so for that reason they may not care if it runs. It probably all comes down to what you want to get out of the car and who you're selling it to.

[greggearhead]

First - I like your signature.    

How much are you asking?  Is it a wagon or sedan?  I might be willing to come get it and flat-tow it back, what does the front bumper metal reinforcement bar look like?  

Otherwise, would  it be possible for me to work on it there for a couple days and pull the engine/trans, etc.  and just haul those back?  Most metal scrap  places will come pick up cars for free.

[steve]

I lived in Colorado Springs for 2 years recently.  Bummer I had to move back to the Wichita area.  And too bad it didn't break while I was there.  I could have left it with you.  It broke just a few days after I came back to KS.

It's a sedan.  I can email pics if you PM your email address to me.  It's been rusty for years so I'd consider it to still be a candidate to continue to be on the road.  and it doesn't look that bad... for a car with rust.

[janb]

"Take me back to Colorado..........."  me too.  

I immigrated in PNW 23 yrs ago from Estes Park / Loveland area.  Really miss the weather, and wide (bicycle friendly) roads.  Oh, and indoor swimming pools... :roll:   can't return now that CO has been 'californicated'  (they should have forced home equity to stay in CA, so the rest of us 'po-folk' could continue to pay our property taxes, all western state props have been artificially inflated)

RE: fix the Q

good thought, but I will bet not worth the time and $$$  consider the 'part-out' revenue and time

A good running (rusty) Q will likely not even pay for your parts; but engine and wheels and tires should cover the retail $$

(tho I hate to see a Q retired)

[vwmike]

"Take me back to Colorado..........."  me too.  

I immigrated in PNW 23 yrs ago from Estes Park / Loveland area.  Really miss the weather, and wide (bicycle friendly) roads.  Oh, and indoor swimming pools... :roll:   can't return now that CO has been 'californicated'  (they should have forced home equity to stay in CA, so the rest of us 'po-folk' could continue to pay our property taxes, all western state props have been artificially inflated)

Real estate prices here are rediculous. I'm looking to buy a house in like the next year or so and it's just rediculous what they go for. I think I'll just end up with some crappy shack for a while....but at least it'll be MY shack.