I need your advice

I have a 1981 GTSi that has been sitting in a garage for 20 years without running or moving. I owned it for 5 years before it started sitting. It's a long sad story why, but the car was put away with no intention of leaving it there. There was a small leak in the coolant hose on top of the engine, and corrosion behind the front wheels and the bottom of the doors meant it was up for some work which never happened. I now need to sell the car as I am renting out the house and garage where it was kept.
My question is what's the best way to sell the car. I don't have the time or inclination to work on her to make it right. I have rolled the car in gear and the motor is free turning. I have made no attempt to get it running as I think a fluid flush and change would be the minimum along with a new battery. I am concerned about fuel hose integrity after this amount of time has lapsed. Should I try to sell her as is to someone who is looking for a project? If I did the minimum to get her back running would that be worth the time and money? It has been de-smogged with no air pump or cat. It does have an Ansa sport exhaust which makes it sound really good. I even have the jack/tools/owners manuals, original window sticker etc. I haven't a clue as to what it is worth as is...suggestions?

What would you do?

 

I'd sell it on the cars for sale on this board first.

If not successful, I'd list it on e-bay.

Good Luck.

Ken

 

Since it's injected, and hasn't run in 20 years, the biggest issue a potential buyer would be concerned about is going to be the fuel system. The fuel distributor would probably need to be sent off for a rebuild. If it were me I would sell it as-is and not try to fix all the things that 20 years of not moving will do, it is almost certainly going to be more than simply changing out hoses.

 

That car is going to need minimum 60k miles service.
All belt change
All hoses change
All fluid change
All lubrication change
All filters change
All tires change
Maybe all oil seals change to start with.

 

I would sell as is and let the new owner have the fun of fixing it up.

For example, last year I brought a GT4 back to life after sitting snugly in a garage for 25 years and without any major engine work and no paint work needed I spent over $25k and counting. Replaced all hoses, all fluids, replaced fuel and water pump, new belts and bearings of course, replaced all suspension bushing, rebuilt Koni's, rebuild brake calipers, replaced all brake lines, alignment, rebuilt steering rack (which seems to go bad from just age), alignement again, rebuild distributors, rebuilt carbs, touch up and condition interior and a lot of little things that add up. Oh, and lots of fun.

 

Don't do anything as you may do damage sell it as is.

 

Agree with the above. Esp if it's been stored where moisture and humidity are a concern. Not so much for the interior bits but rust and corrosion on internals of engine/gearbox. gunk in the brake lines etc..

Sell as is or do a complete restoration. Problem with option two is cost and current values, anything in-between is not going to be worth the effort or manage any respectable ROI.

 

Maybe try and get it started as a minimum,obviously don't try and start it as is but a car with an engine that runs is better to sell than one that doesn't.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been leaning towards doing nothing but finding her a good home for a rehab. The other issue I have is assigning a fair value. Like Jimgolf1 said, it may take almost 20+k to get back on the road and cleaned up/painted. Any of you care to guess what a fair selling price would be. I have seen the values of these cars climb lately which surely would make restoring this old gal a worthwhile project.

$$$$$$$ ?

 

Don,

What is the VIN? I am looking for the two adjacent to mine.

 

Based on the condition you are stating it sounds like it will need a complete restoration . That being said I would think your selling price would be around $15K. Look at some of the work going on here and take some assumptions on cost. Just to fix the rust and repaint it would run about $15-$20K. Now add on the engine work and maybe the interior and you ar in for another $15-$20K.

 

Maybe post a couple pics before asking anyone to put a value on it. The corrosion maybe a little scary for some people, you really don't know the extent till you start cutting it out. Would love to see someone get it back on the road instead of parting it out though. Hell maybe i would be up for a challenge...

Sent from my SM-P905V using Tapatalk

 

^^ Purchased my 82 GTSi for $16,000 one year ago and it was a running driving car, Will easily have another $28,000 in it by the time I'm finished. ( doing all the work myself )Wanted a project and don't regret it for one minute, but just remember there are no cheap Ferraris! LOL
Go for it Joe! Misery loves company! Ha ha

 

Well ya know Kim , for the right price .

 

For paint, interior and mechanical I would say $40k is even on the light side to get it to a solid driver. My guess without seeing the car is if you can sell it for $15-$18k to an enthusiast that would be pretty good, $20-$25k would be top money and if you put 4-6 months and $10k+ into it you can probably get $30-$32k. You have to remember even though prices have gone up that has been mostly for solid well maintained desireable cars. On most not all lists of desireable 308's the 2v GTSi is usually at the bottom.

 

Don, of course it is always a matter of time and money. If you don't "feel" anything with/for the car anymore, or have to make certain (other) priorities then I think the best option is "sell as is". Though some 15K isn't exactly small change, in "Ferrari territory" it is not exactly a fortune either. Still an amount that could be quite handy/nessessary to have on a certain point in one's life (ask me how I know..).

Don't you know someone who could store the car and do some repairs on it ? A 308 isn't exactly a high-tech car, I would say (almost) all the works (cleaning, brake/fuel lines, brake parts, hoses) can be done by someone who understands basic car tech. Maybe outsource the service on the engine. In doing so maybe you could get/improve the car to a good running condition, without spending a fortune, but with the value that goes with it, and split the profit/difference with the guy who did the works. Or maybe take it on a trailer to a small/smaller specialist/shop who would give you an honest advice and quote for the things that need to be done. I live on the other side of the globe, so "my guy" isn't of any use, but I am sure such guys are there/known/are active on this very forum. It would make a fair, sensible decision a lot easier to make.

PS hope that long sad story has (or will) ended/will end in a positive way !

 

Just wrote the check for a complete interior, $7050.00
Was complete but tired .

 

Mine was a little more $$$$$ and not "complete."

 

Seats with crest in headrest, door panels, door panel armrests, center console, emergency brake Boot, complete Wilton carpet Kit w/floor mats
Vic's upholstery, Van Nuys California.
Can't say enough about the gentleman or the service I received except top-notch!

 

The jack kit and tools are now worth about $5K.

Break them out and tell the buyer of the car they were "lost"...

 

Good honest post for the restoration budget, here...

I tend to agree the way out is to sell it "as is, where is" but get ready for the price beat down you will take.

If you had the money and inclination to get it to top condition, it would change your mind on selling possibly, but would net you the current eye watering price levels.

 

Um....no.

I disagree on the "bottom number" here, he has not even posted pictures, but it's been stored inside, I assume.

I thinlk the new bottom number on decent project cars has to be above 20K, but I know some disagree.

Those are not the guys successfully buying the car!

 

There are people looking for cheap 308s.

 

Guys, Thanks for the informative opinions on my dilemma. I wish I was in a situation to bring her back to like new...especially with the current values. I was thinking if she was done right, a well sorted restored example is worth considerably more now than just a year or two ago....glad I didn't do something then! For those who need pics, when I first brought her to where she is now she was dusty and dirty. I took a couple of pics when I got it rinsed off. They look a bit better than detail pictures would show as there is a lot of surface scratches/nicks that don't show. I have a concrete floor 40X40 storage building which is where it is being kept now.
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Pm Sent thx