I'm at a crossroads, I've had the Trans Am for 10 years ('97 bought in '99) and the repair list goes on and on. I haven't really driven the car in several years. I just haven't had the time, interest or spare funds. I really, really need some input from you guys on this thing because I can't decide if it's worth it to spend the money to fix her or not. I love the car, after all, it was in GMHTP several years ago, although not for anything really that "big" I guess. Also, if anyone has any idea how much parts cost for this list, let me know. The interior stuff I'm thinking I'd pull out of a junkyard.

Here's the specs:
1997 Trans Am M6, T-Tops, all Bolt Ons. 101,XXX on the chassis and T-56, 76,000 on the motor, probably 2,000 on the clutch (Spec Stage 2)

Here's what I'm looking at her needing:

• Headliner (the whole thing, foam and all)
• A/C Blows Hot Air, I'm sure it needs full servicing
• Missfire @ higher RPM's after it's warmed up. I had massive amounts of air in the coolant system and I think bleeding it out killed the opti
• Coolant Flush/Fill as well (it's been years)
• I need to seal where I made my own access hatch to the fuel pump (I'll tackle that one myself)
• New Radio - The old one is completely dead and as weird as it is, I want OEM. I like the stock look
• New Rear Seat - just the back portion. I took the seats out years ago and the back has gotten moldy sitting unprotected in my parent's basement.
• A/C control *****
• Power Drain Malfuntion - I don't know where it's coming from and no one has been able to diagnose it, but if you hook a battery up the car things the key is in the run position and all power accessories work all the time draining the battery.

To give a background: Several years ago I blew the head gaskets, ahem, actually a friend did. Instead of pulling the heads I let a local community college use it as a project car and they put a "new" LT1 in (new to me, used w/ 76K on it). When I got it back it ran great but I think they rekeyed the iginition (the passkey went out) and I wonder if that has something to do with the power drain. Anyway, ever since then I've moved away from the time and expense of these cars and I've focused on growing up. I was 19 when I bought the car and I'm 29 now so you can imagine.

Anyway, that's where I'm at now. I'd really appreciate the input. Part of me wants to find a used 2000 - 2002 LS1 but part of me wants to just fix the 'bird. I'm sure as it sits now, it's not worth more than $1500 or so. But if those things were fixed KBB has it sitting at around 5000ish. After all, 101,XXX isn 't a lot of miles on any 1997 model vehicle. I'm rambling at this point.

Input please! Thanks guys!

 

I would think that all you listed would be about 1500-2000 to fix everything on the list the right way. Less if you wheel and deal and look for steals, if you have the time and money fix it. Than if your still not into it, sell it than for 5000- 6000 and make yourself 4g's.

 

It's one of those things where I'm just blasted by work. I work all time (I'm a fraud investigator). I'm always on the road going from case to case and putting in 40 hours a week is on the light side. The thought of wrenching on a car makes me sick to my stomach. Don't get me wrong, on our cars I'd do a battery, alternator, ignition coil, stuff like that. But I haven't even changed my own oil in probably 6 years. So, a large part of getting this stuff fixed is labor costs. The headliner, seat, sealing the FP hatch I made - I'd do myself. Electrical gremlins and opti-sparks, oh man, no way. Been there, done that, got like 8 T-Shirts. NO THANKS! LOL

 

Sounds like your ready to move on than. Labor coasts would make it not worth the money just to sell for a bit more.

 

Well, if I fix it, I'll just keep it and drive it. I was about to go buy a new (well, used but new to me) car anyway so I have the cash to fix it. It's just that if I fix it I'm gonna wanna be able to get another 100K out of it!

 

I'd say fix her up.

 

As a guy who gave up a Camaro I loved once, I say keep it. I feel your pain dude, I'm the same age and have another Camaro now that needs work, and the time/place to work on it just isn't there... but I know I'd regret it if I gave it up. Been there.

Sink some money into it, fix her up a little, then if the car does not give you the joy of driving you expect, sell it - and at least you'll be able to get more than you currently would.

 

You obviously need to get rid of it, IMHO. Your statement above says you need to move on and working on it will only bring you more pain.

 

The car worth fixing? Of course. The real question is, is driving it worth it to you?

I get the same way, my T/A has been down for almost 3 months with a headgasket swap, then started doing headers, and all the bolt ons. I finally got it running yesterday, and while I bitched, complained, and just didn't feel like it, hearing it fire gave me the motivation.

Go wash it up, see if you can hit a local cruise in car show, hang out with a few people, and enjoy the laid back, fun side of the car scene, might give you some motivation.

 

Here's the thing. I'd LOVE to drive it. I really would. Heck, I'd work out of it (I'm a private investigator and YES, I'm THAT good! ). My thing is being out in the heat turning wrenches. I haven't done serious under the hood work in years. The seats, CD player, headliner, stuff like that I have no issue with. Sticking the car on jackstands for a week getting frustrated and pouring sweat in 100% humidity over something that is out of my league is a part of my life that I've left behind. I love the car, it's sentimental to me and I do have the money to fix her, I just can't decide if a '97 model 4th gen is a realistic vehicle to own when you don't want to do serious wrenching on your own.

 

I get wher eyou are coming from. I've owned a bunch of cars and i have learned a couple things, free time dictates whether you can work on it or not. I'd just buy an LS car w/ some mods and enjoy it.

I know its hard, but it sounds like you are moving on.
Just my $.02

 

If your that split on it just keep it around for awhile...If you do end up selling it wait until you are certain you dont want it anymore. To me it just sounds like youve gotten out of the groove of things with the car you said yourself its been sitting forever.

Start doing the light stuff you mentioned and see how you feel. If it no longer gives you the satifaction then sell it to someone who will get it running.

 

I agree with Shoebox on this one.
Sell it!!!