Having an internal battle with myself about what to do. 95 Formula, have had the car since I was 16 years old. 28yrs old now, car has been through a motor and 4 transmissions, 4 rear ends. Currently has an internally stock good running LT1, CAI, LT's,Off Road y, Hooker Catback, dropped, adjustables, SFC's, Strut Bar, LS1 Front Brake Upgrade, 18" C6Z06 Chrome wheels all the way around, piece of **** performabuilt stage 2 with 3K 9.5" stall that burned the clutches up in 3K miles and i'm in the process of rebuilding now. Interior is rough, needs new carpet, headliner, seats recovered & stereo. Needs new A/C compressor, and the fender/bumper needs to be lined up and car probably could stand a full paint job.

Lot's of tedious work to be done that will cost a pretty penny. Fortunately, I know quite a few folks who do great interior/body/paint for a fair price and I can fix mechanical issues myself. I figure i'll be in the $4-5K range to get this car right where i'd like it to be aesthetically speaking. I love the LT1 and I love the way the car feels/performs when it's running the way it should (which isn't often).

All that being said I can't decide if I want to take the plunge and dump the money into the car that I won't get back unless I hold on to the car until it's a true collectable. Or take the suspension/wheels off of the car, sell it like it sits for 2-3K and buy a newer LS1 WS6 car and get better fuel mileage, more reliability, power, nicer aesthetic condition because it's newer and has fewer miles etc.. The downside is that my car has some sentimental value to me and the LS1 that i'd want to buy would be 15K or so. My car would be the initially cheaper route and i'm fine with the looks of the car, I just don't know if it's worth dumping 4-5K for aesthetics only and then only be followed up by another 4-5K down the road for heads/cam etc to keep up with the joneses.. Let's face it, LS2's, LS3's, 5.0's etc are all running around town at 400+hp now a days. My poor LT1 gets eaten alive by LS cars on the highway.. AHHHHHHHH DECISIONS!! Thoughts?

 

I would keep your old car and fix the bird up !! You can't replace the memories and joy that your firebird has given you over the last decade .. and as far for the resale value it doesn't matter if you don't sell it. That being said there is no better feeling than blowing the doors off a car that is 17 years newer than your firebird /////// sounds like you need to get in touch with frank at CPT

 

The one thing I keep telling myself: You KNOW what you have, you've had your hand on every bolt. lol.

 

go find a cheap newer 5.0..


jk...they do run 11's with a tune and sticky tires though..

 

I know what you are going through, and I guess it could be a decision we all have to make one day. But at the moment the feeling when you put ya foot down either slowly or quick makes me tingle all over, please shoot me if I ever buy a Bubble Car.
Graeme in OZ

 

I really do want to keep the car. Whats $4K more when i've already spent a boatload on her over the years? Just sucks that everytime I get her in good shape I drive it for a year and some catastrophic failure occurs. Guess it's just the nature of these beasts and my led foot haha. Thanks for all the feedback gentlemen!