What to do;" NewToMe" 98 gt

[WPOD]

I just got this car from a friend--saved from the breakers. 200k miles plus, broken forward band, body and motor in V good shape considering. I'm on the fence as to whether I should fix the trans and keep it as a winter/loaner, or just cannibalize it...I'm in Toms River NJ, and if I knew some folks out there wanted parts off it--or even the whole thing--that might sway my decision. What would you do? I'm going to attempt to attach pics.





Thanks to all., mike

[02NavyBlue]

Well it depends on how much you would like a winter/loaner car and for how much. If you didn't pay for it to begin with or didn't pay much, a new or rebuilt trans would would be in the $1200 range. Of course you could also buy a used one with lowish miles on it, or already rebuilt for something like $800. But if that's pretty much all it needs that's not a bad deal. If the original engine's in it it may be nearing the end at 200k, but they have gone longer. How does it run?

[BillBoost37]

car-part.com

I'm seeing some in my area for $300 with about 100K on them.

[Jomamma]

Nice to see some more NJ people

[WPOD]

It actually runs well for all the miles, and I've known the owner for as long as he's had it--regular oil changes, and no leakage/burnage in 3000 miles between changes. The local junk guy offered him 150 for it--so I paid that. We had previously put an o2 emulator on it for the rear sensor--that cost 75 bucks if I remember right--plus he just put a new battery in it which is in my 01 GTP now.
I'm leaning towards parting it--if I do, anybody here is welcome to any leftovers--(gratis if I don't have to do the work:}--so far I probly want the wheels and A/C bits to fix my 01. Thanks mike

[GP Modder]

I would suggest that the "bow" out on the plastic ground effect under the door indicates that the rocker panels and maybe some of the body maybe rotted away. Ask me how I know lol. Just saying if you have not had it on a lift yet to check out underneath it may be a good idea to do so before sinking money into it for a winter car.

[WPOD]

I would suggest that the "bow" out on the plastic ground effect under the door indicates that the rocker panels and maybe some of the body maybe rotted away. Ask me how I know lol. Just saying if you have not had it on a lift yet to check out underneath it may be a good idea to do so before sinking money into it for a winter car.

Good call--but oddly enough, the plastic bits just fell off, and now it sits in the trunk. I was actually surprised that the car is rust free since it'd seen every winter for the last 15 years. I'm also amazed that the motor has 268,000 miles on it, and yet it doesn't smoke (or rattle) a bit! Not at start up, Not on a full throttle pass in 2nd (only gear that really works besides R) all the way to redline and even then Not on overrun! Makes me think it might be a good candidate for freshening up. Also my buddy was full on 100% "AR" regarding oil changes, and he used the car almost exclusively to commute about 70 miles a day. He blames his AR on being a Machinist's Mate in the Navy--the only reason the car looks dirty is that it sat under a tree for 3 months before I rescued it from the Breakers yard--they were going to give him 150 for it...So I figured even as a parts car it'd be worth it. Luckily I have a nice secluded corner in the back yard and an easy going Woman that understands the compulsive nature of Men and their motorized obsessions...