The Ohio Random Thread... aka We Should Probably Be Working

[03zoomzoom]

So question of the day...You have $15,000, do you

A. fix/repair/build the underegineerd 11 year old car that has some surface rust and rusty bolts but a ton of parts already in the garage, is somewhat rare and was fun to drive before it was a headache because of your own doing?

or

B. Sell/trade-in the 11 year old car and find something used with about 20k miles on it like a ms3 or mz3 w/ 2.5?

I'm starting to fall in love with the MSP again but don't really have a lot of time to work on it. I'll have to work on it no matter what to be able to sell it if I want to get anything decent in return.

I went thru the same dilemma when I wanted to get a new car. Having that much money wrapped up in a car that you will never get half of it back worried me. I didn't wanna get rid of the ole protege, but it made sense financially to me.

 

[WillD]

I dunno I like to drive and enjoy the car. If I have to spend a ton of time fixing it or working on it I wouldn't be happy. So for me personally I'd choose B. And I agree with 03zoomzoom about the financial implications of such an old car with rust etc. I don't think MSP are super sought after to the point where they would be worth a ton someday.

 

[tweiss3]

So question of the day...You have $15,000, do you

A. fix/repair/build the underegineerd 11 year old car that has some surface rust and rusty bolts but a ton of parts already in the garage, is somewhat rare and was fun to drive before it was a headache because of your own doing?

or

B. Sell/trade-in the 11 year old car and find something used with about 20k miles on it like a ms3 or mz3 w/ 2.5?

I'm starting to fall in love with the MSP again but don't really have a lot of time to work on it. I'll have to work on it no matter what to be able to sell it if I want to get anything decent in return.

The real question is do you have it insured for what you have in it? The only difference right now between the two, is you will loose your ass when some dumb **** rear ends you and totals the car. If you have it insured for 20k over blue book (not hard to add to a policy) then you will not loose your ass.

 

[o0n8]

Ninja'd about getting totaled

If I build it, I'm not worried about getting money back unless it should get totaled. I would be keeping it for a long time where as I might now feel the same about a newer car. I know the MSP will never be woth much for it's rareity, it's just the fact that I would have something different.

 

[Lewis7789]

Or start with a fresh MSP shell. There are tons of them out there with blown motors going for $2k-3k. I'll never buy another used Ohio car. I mean, you've seen my black P5 pics, not a single rusty bolt. It makes it SO much more fun/enjoyable to work on. Of course, you might see about 200whp with your MSP and will be putting down more than that in a stock MS3. But I completely understand the love for a car you've been with for so many years and know the ins and outs about. If I was smart I would be building an FC instead of a FWD family station wagon with maybe 180whp. But you don't get to choose your passions, just gotta go with it.

 

[tweiss3]

+1 on an FC project car

 

[o0n8]

If I was looking to build a summer only car or we didn't live in the rust belt there wouldn't be a debate at all, Maybe a new shell but since this is my DD I wouldn't have the time to do that. Bassically the bulk of the build would be forged rods and pistons, some sort of tunning device and new clutch and flywheel. After that it's all little stuff and suface rust repair and then preventative stuff. I'm sure I could be under budget doing that, but that doesn't mean it's worth it.

 

[Lewis7789]

Why are you going forged? If it's just your DD then run stock boost and tune her right. It seems like you go back and forth on selling her a lot. As mentioned, it's already paid off so in my cheap-ass mind that's a HUGE plus. Spend $2k on fixing her up and she'll be good as new for a couple more years. Heck, even if the motor does blow they aren't too expensive for a new/used one. Imagine buying a new MS3 motor...

 

[WillD]

If it's your DD I think the smart choice is to get into something reliable and fun. MS3 etc.

 

[hat1018]

Nate, if you have to rebuild it anyway why not keep it. At that point you will know the engine is good to go and the other stuff is gravy. You will end up with a car you love and no payment. Rare or not you love your car and that is all that matters.

 

[Lewis7789]

Rare or not you love your car and that is all that matters.

Boom. Well said, Larry. ps- how's the leg, buddy?

Nate, why do you need to rebuild/forge the motor? Is it messed up? I don't remember ever reading what the problem was, just that you were going to work on it soon.

 

[hat1018]

The leg is still sore and a little swollen. Overall I'd say it's good.

I think low oil?

 

[o0n8]

I dont' have to build, I don't think, but the budget would allow going forged and would give me better peice of mind for the long haul.

It still doesn't start and it's just to cold to work on.

might test drive an ms3 for s&g's this weekend

 

[hat1018]

Don't do it! You know what that test drive will get you..... a car payment. And a car that still needs fixed.

 

[tweiss3]

Don't do it! You know what that test drive will get you..... a car payment. And a car that still needs fixed.

Yep. There is something to say about not having a car payment.

Just think, even if the payment was low at 300/month. That means you could pour 300 into the MSP a month and still be in the red, and that isn't considering what ever you have a car payment on still has maintenance costs.

 

[WillD]

Yep, test drive a tech package with all the gizmos and you'll have a new car in no time.

 

[o0n8]

Don't do it! You know what that test drive will get you..... a car payment. And a car that still needs fixed.

If i stay within budget, I shouldn't have a car payment. Plus I don't have all the funds yet, still saving and If I go with a 3 of any sort I have my eye on a certain color that I can wait for until I find one. Since I already have a car loan for the escape I know I can't get approved for another one unless it's refinancing the current one.

 

[Fiji Mazda3]

So question of the day...You have $15,000, do you

A. fix/repair/build the underegineerd 11 year old car that has some surface rust and rusty bolts but a ton of parts already in the garage, is somewhat rare and was fun to drive before it was a headache because of your own doing?

or

B. Sell/trade-in the 11 year old car and find something used with about 20k miles on it like a ms3 or mz3 w/ 2.5?

I'm starting to fall in love with the MSP again but don't really have a lot of time to work on it. I'll have to work on it no matter what to be able to sell it if I want to get anything decent in return.

I think you're two options really would be to either get the MSP running reliably and run it into the ground or get the new car and sell the parts you have since you haven't had any issue selling stuff from it before. I would not do that hard of a build on a DD. Thats becoming somewhat of a regret of mine is modifying my daily. Spending an hour a day in it with the exhaust and aging suspension is getting old. And for me to go in and replace struts, endlinks and bushings doesn't seem financially viable to me. If I had enough money for a beater and keep the 3 as a toy, then I'd be very happy.

That's just my thoughts on that. I know you love that car (and I love mine, don't get me wrong) and I know you'll make the best decision.

(P.S. There's a silver MS3 at the Import store we can go drive. )

 

[o0n8]

Yep, test drive a tech package with all the gizmos and you'll have a new car in no time.

I don't know that I really want the tech package, how much better is it? I don't need nav, bose sound system would be nice but not a must.

 

[o0n8]

I think you're two options really would be to either get the MSP running reliably and run it into the ground or get the new car and sell the parts you have since you haven't had any issue selling stuff from it before. I would not do that hard of a build on a DD. Thats becoming somewhat of a regret of mine is modifying my daily. Spending an hour a day in it with the exhaust and aging suspension is getting old. And for me to go in and replace struts, endlinks and bushings doesn't seem financially viable to me. If I had enough money for a beater and keep the 3 as a toy, then I'd be very happy.

That's just my thoughts on that. I know you love that car (and I love mine, don't get me wrong) and I know you'll make the best decision.

(P.S. There's a silver MS3 at the Import store we can go drive. )

I always know what Byers has, they are always the first listed on cars.com & autotrader.com because they start with the highest priced.