Hi everyone,
Haven't posted much on here but I really want some opinions because I really don't no what to do... All opinions welcome!
I have a 1984 3.2 cabriolet. I have been driving the car almost every day for the past year, and she has never let me down. On the way to the MOT garage yesterday, white smoke started pouring out the back and I pulled over straight away. It's at the garage now, I think its a piston ring - there's oil in the exhaust.
The car has rust as well. Both front wings need replacing, kidney bowls need doing, theres small bubbles on the doors, it needs a new hood because it leaks, 2 front seats, full respray, the list goes on......
Here's my issue - I don't know whether to sell now, or keep the car for life and do a full restoration over a period of a year or two. I personally cant do any of the work myself, I would have to pay someone to do everything.
I know its an impossible question, but how much do you think it would cost for a full blown restoration from the ground up? Where's the best place in the south of the country for something like a full blown restoration?
SO.... I am wondering, do I sell now and call it a day. Maybe save up some money and buy a better example later on in life, or do I stay with the car for life, and restore... I'd probably never sell it if I did restore. I bought the car very cheap in the first place, so I would like the think the money I would spend on a full restoration I could make back if needed.
Sorry for the train of thought... I love this car so much, and I'm just not sure what to do! I don't want to sell and then find iI can't afford one down the line because prices have risen...
Any opinions and advice is welcome, thank you.
Haven't posted much on here but I really want some opinions because I really don't no what to do... All opinions welcome!
I have a 1984 3.2 cabriolet. I have been driving the car almost every day for the past year, and she has never let me down. On the way to the MOT garage yesterday, white smoke started pouring out the back and I pulled over straight away. It's at the garage now, I think its a piston ring - there's oil in the exhaust.
The car has rust as well. Both front wings need replacing, kidney bowls need doing, theres small bubbles on the doors, it needs a new hood because it leaks, 2 front seats, full respray, the list goes on......
Here's my issue - I don't know whether to sell now, or keep the car for life and do a full restoration over a period of a year or two. I personally cant do any of the work myself, I would have to pay someone to do everything.
I know its an impossible question, but how much do you think it would cost for a full blown restoration from the ground up? Where's the best place in the south of the country for something like a full blown restoration?
SO.... I am wondering, do I sell now and call it a day. Maybe save up some money and buy a better example later on in life, or do I stay with the car for life, and restore... I'd probably never sell it if I did restore. I bought the car very cheap in the first place, so I would like the think the money I would spend on a full restoration I could make back if needed.
Sorry for the train of thought... I love this car so much, and I'm just not sure what to do! I don't want to sell and then find iI can't afford one down the line because prices have risen...
Any opinions and advice is welcome, thank you.