Hi all,
I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, for its length and for the fact that I do not know my terminology very well.
First some background. This is my first created topic however I have been a member of the forums for a couple of months and have been a long time browser. Most everything I have needed I have found via searching; many thanks to all the knowledgeable members!! However this one is on a more personal level and I am looking for "what you would do in this situation" type of advice. Here goes:
I have a 98 2 door manual cavvy that has treated me well for the last 3 years. I have had to sink very little money into it to keep her running aside from normal maintenance however my goals have always been to try and mod her as far as I can. Life got in the way and my modding plans were put on hold however I am now back in the game but I fear that I am too late to do anything worth while to this car. Rust has developed along the bottom and top of the doors, there is a dent in the driver side 1/4 panel right next to the tail light that is now forming rust, I have pealing paint and rust below my gas filler door, there is paint oxidation on the hood (its all white looking but its a black car) and spider cracks in the paint on the rear bumper. The roof has scratch marks, pits and now some rust as well. The under carriage has rust too as usual. Mostly towards the back under the rear bumper brace and on the lower engine mount frame. All of the rust on the car is minor (it hasn't gone all the way through). There are also some mechanical problems, all minor but they do exist. The steering is a little skewed; I have to have it cocked to the left to go straight and that is after an alignment. Its also easier to turn left then right and has less feedback from the left then the right. That same problem may or may not be contributing to a squeaking noise coming from the front drivers side wheel well (Its not the bearings, I just replaced those this summer). Also when I turn it off it makes an awful sound right before the engine stops spinning. Not sure what it is, how to describe it or even if I should be worried about it (i just changed the oil so I know its not low. It kind of resembles nails on a chalk board for a second then stops). The coolant needs to be flushed, its looking a little rusty in color. The tranny needs to be flushed, its just over 100000 miles. I need new suspension and mounts. The interior needs some new upholstery due to cigarette burns that the previous owner made and some stains that I made; d@mn coke blew up. It has no a/c, no power windows, no power mirrors or locks and it has a 2200 ohv engine.
Now that you guys know the story what would you do? Fix it or trade it for a newer model? Keep in mind it is bought and paid for. I want to stay with a cavvy; I love this model. I want to continue my pursuit in modification. I want to get on with modding for the least amount of money. What I mean by that is, I want to get the body fixed and start modding quickly. At this point I do not know if trading it in for a newer model with no body damage and a/c and power everything would be cheaper then installing power everything, a/c and fixing the body would be. When I say fixing the body I mean fixing it right. I do not want to half a$$ anything.
I will be installing a body kit, hood, mirrors, suspension, and seats on either car eventually so the problems that I am having with the hood, mirrors, bumpers, suspension, and upholstery should be factored out of this equation. The expense for those will be the same regardless of the car. I will also be applying por15 to the undercarriage of either car. The same goes for the coolant and tranny flush. Either car will eventually have its engine rebuilt and turboed so mileage doesn't really factor in.
What it all boils down to in summary is; what is the cheaper way to get a/c, power windows and locks, the body fixed, and the steering problems fixed in your honest opinion; trade in or not? After that I am good to go with modding.
Some prices to keep in mind if the car is kept:
a/c will cost me 1000 bucks from jc whitney
power windows roughly 200 from electric life (scissor manual to power conversion kit)
power locks roughly 250 from autoloc (maybe ca2000)
estimate for 1/4 panel dent repair roughly 1000 - I may be getting raped though. They said they would need to replace the entire panel.
The rest is up in the air. I do not have estimates for it.
Please, if you recommend keeping it also recommend a course of action for fixing the body. I know that I am asking alot but bare with me. Also if you have some witty remark, kindly keep it to yourself. I am looking for constructive feedback not a flame war (they seam to happen alot). I have tried to show as much respect as I could in this post so I expect to get some in return. I do not claim to know everything and if I have incorrectly stated something in this post kindly correct me.
thanks.
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if all your doing is installing options that are factory on other cars just go get a new one....or another used one with the options you want.
Being a 98 2 door manual, Thats a lot to put into an LN2, one with a bad body at that. Get a 00+ trade in this one, and put what you would spend on all that extra stuff into a car that already has that stuff. You will have a newer car and if you get an ECO or a QUAD 4, you will have more stock power.
I know what you mean about wanting to keep the car, i almost sunk 4500 into my 92 cav (not a z24), and that was all looks, no hp, and then i test drove a 2000 Cavalier, the one i have now, and i felt like an idiot.
Get a car that doesn't have all those problems and comes with the factory options stock, it will be much less trouble, believe me.
Thank you both for your quick replies. That is more then likely what I will end up doing. Everyone I talk to recommends that.
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I was browsing the forums today and came up with a couple of options that I have and again would like your personal opinion regarding them. I will be getting another cavvy, that much is decided however I have alot that I can do:
1) keep the car, buy another ln2 and build up the old engine for a direct drop in replacement when it is finished.
2) trade in the car for a cavvy with an ecotech and build that.
3) trade in for an ln2 auto and do the 3400 swap. Auto so that I can do a direct computer replacement from a grand am instead of messing with ludicrous amounts of wiring and a dual computer setup.
I do have a couple of questions about the 3rd option that I am trying to get ironed out on the 3400 thread so it may not even be an option if it will prevent it from passing a nh state inspection.
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WOW...I ACTUALLY WENT BACK AND READ ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG WITH THE CAR. damn caps.....
I changed my mind....you should just set it on fire.
as far as getting your next car.....depends on your budget and your preference
if this is your only means of transportation....keeping the ln2 and building it might be a good idea
If you're looking at getting a newer one, I'd say definitely go for an eco (03+). You could get an LD9, but the availability of parts is heading toward ecotec.
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