so i am faced with the ultimatum of either selling my car or rebuilding it, and i dont have the money as of right now to rebuild it, let alone rebuild it and add the things i want to.

basically, its got around 78,000 miles, never been in an accident, some small scratches and dents (college parking lot...its unavoidable) and normal wear and tear in the interior. the only modification is an intake, and i have the stock system still. it has plenty of tread, and break wear left, non-smoker, and it will pass SMOG fine, i had it pre-tested a month ago.

BUT there are a few main problems:

1) it smoke for a minute in teh morning when i give it some gas to warm up

2) the add coolant light has come on periodically, so i put coolant/water in the radiator and it is fine. the coolant has never come out of the spout of the overflow resivour.
(so i think it is the water seals)

3) it runs a little cold to start out with, but when the car is warm, it runs great.


please let me know what you all think this might be worth if i sold it. and if anyone would be interested in seeing it, i would be willing to meet you somewhere, i am located in santa rosa, ca (north of san fran)

i really want to keep this car, but i am not totally confident in putting a new enging in (i would send it to pinneapple to be re-built) not to mention the prices it would cost to have someone install it for me, plus all the goodies i want, unless someone has some incredible hookup, then it just isnt economical right now.

-eric

 

I paid $4k for my 1991 w/ straight body and 96k miles on it. I think that $3k if the body is in good shape. How often does the coolant go low? COuld it be the level sensor? Does your exhaust smell sweet as if it is burning coolant?

 

the coolant has only gone low 2 or three time max in the past 7 and a half months. my aunt says the exhasut does smell sweet sometimes, but then again, it smells like gasoline to me (leaky fuel injectors?)

if i was to sell it, i would be looking for at least 2,000. dose that seem fair? i will try to post some pics within the next couple weeks or so...i am in san diego right now ad my car is 600miles north of me.

thanks!

 

bump, c'mon people, i really want to know what to do, and it all depends on what it is worth,

THANKS

 

With a straight body, Id say that on the HIGH side Id give 3k for it...and thatd be in excellent cosmetic shape.

 

anymore opinions? PLEASE, thanks!

 

When you get it back up, let me take a look at it and I'll let you know exactly.

But off the top of my head, $3000-$3500 doesn't sound unreasonable if you get someone that doesn't know much about rotaries.

But if you get someone that knows his stuff, maybe $1500... thats pretty typical for a blown motor series 5 NA.

But if you get that desperate... again bring it by... maybe i'll buy it off you for a decent price.

 

I have dont this more than a few times.

If what your saying is true, then a compression test and cooling system leakdown test will tell the whole story.

The minimum compression is 85 PSI.

If the compression bumps near or below this number, or is more than 20 PSI difference beteewn rotors, its close to losing the engine.

-OR-

If the cooling system leakdown/pressure test showed a leak that pushed water into the combution chamber, then its going to blow any second.

I would buy it as a "blown motor" vehicle.

Although I would give a little back if it hadnt actually blown yet becuase the core engine is rebuildable with now extra housings or rotors most likely.

If it blows .... $1500-$1900 depending on interior and exterior condition

If it doesnt, $1700 - $2100 becuase it saves me rotor housing and rotor costs to rebuild that motor.

best case scenario, no blown or close to blowing engine with the problems you mentioned, (and the ones you didn't)?

$3000 -> $3800

Jeep in mind that your cluster surround is broken, your dash support structure is cracked, your carpet has years of YUK in it, the wipers may/maynot work park right.

all the normal stuff.