Do I fix it up or part it? My old 93.

[bobotech]

I have 2 Marks. A 93 that I have had since 2004 (edit: not 94, my mistake!) and my 97 that I got a few months ago for dirt cheap.

I love my 93 except that it needs a fair amount of work. The car had been attempted to be broken into by someone using a crowbar on the passenger door so they crunched the corner of the rear quarter panel a fair amount. About 5 inches of area by the edge of the quarter. I guess about 500-1000 dollars worth of work by a pro if just banged out and filled.

The driver's door has a broken door handle, broken mirror, and the paint is badly scraped up on the mirror and door. The driver's window has a problem going down, you have to pull it down lightly on the rear of it.

There are a bunch of little dings on the car (5-6?).

The car loses brake fluid only when the traction control or ABS kicks in.

Front end is a mess, needs upper control arms, lower control arms and ball joints and possibly tie rod ends. Rear end clunks a bit over bumps but has done that since I first owned it.

Air ride still works but the bags are leaking and the front will leak down after 2 days and the rear will leak down after at least a week.

The car has NO rust on it. The interior is in okay shape except for the typical leather cracks (gray).

What would you do? Part it out or fix it back up?

It is that white pearl color.

 

[wood_e]

Hate to say it but with that laundry list I would part it.

 

[GMAN]

I would fix it. You've had this car since it was practically new. If it was me, I would bring her back to her original glory. The mechanical problems you mentioned are just the normal stuff we all deal with. The body work can be done by any reputable shop. Keep it. Upgrade it. Make a project out of it. You will be happy in the long run that you didn't get rid of it.

 

[NoLimit95]

Take some shots of it, especially the parking light lenses. I might want them if you part it.

I agree with the above though. That is a long list.

 

[UltimateSVT]

It all comes down to the time in your hands, the money you may/may not have, the passion you have for the car & the desire! If I had the cash & it was my car I'd make it into a project just like mentioned above, slow project that will pay off in the end. If your engine & transmission are solid, it's well worth it. About the bags? My friend, that's not a problem, my bags were so bad they had the car slammed on the ground 5 hours after it was parked.
I would do the body work first just because it's an eye sore for you. If you physically see it in better shape, you will want to fix it. Then you go with all the control arms, suspension parts, etc... Doors & windows can come at a later time. Do it slow begin a progress thread here so that we keep you motivated & take plenty of before/after pictures. I guarantee you will be proud of your work! For God's sake, it's a MARK VIII!!! Don't let it die if it still has a fighting chance!

 

[GMAN]

What he said.

 

[Sapperfire]

You have a small list compared to what mine was when I started...I needed almost every suspension,steering and brakes replaced, I didn't have a radio and the speakers were also all blown, needed radiator and all hoses, belt, plugs and wires, tires and rims,battery,head lights were garbage,ect ect ect ...now mine needs slight body and paint and some nice leather and carpet....almost a total car rebuild...even did the k-member ....I'm glad I did the work...she's a beautiful car now

 

[Green Machine]

Fix and restore FTW. go at your own pace and as fundage allows.
93's are so :waving: cool!

 

[zmt325]

it depends. do you think pulling this car apart will make you break down and cry? all the good old days you had in it. i have a car that i have had since h.s. it has been in my fam since 92 or 93. i got it in 1998. i would not part it to save my own life. i will probably be burried in it. but i am parting a convertable that is just like it. lots of good ole times it it. i almost broke a tear when i looked at it the other day. it looks so sad with all its goodies stolen.

but that money is allowing me to breath a new life into this 93 m8 with 100k. so its up to you really. weigh out your personal attachment vs your wallet and see which is heavier.

 

[bobotech]

BTW I screwed up, I meant to say that I have had the car since 2004, NOT 94. My mitake!!

 

[zmt325]

o that changes things

part it i got dibs on the grille

 

[bobotech]

Well one of the stupid reasons why I want to fix it up again is because I have a set of minty 96 LSC HID lenses. I have always wondered what it would be like to drive my 93 with good headlights. I can't drive my 93 at night anymore due to how I am so used to driving my 97 at night now.

 

[micahs97m8]

keep it and fix it. I hate to see a good one parted

 

[UltimateSVT]

Well one of the stupid reasons why I want to fix it up again is because I have a set of minty 96 LSC HID lenses. I have always wondered what it would be like to drive my 93 with good headlights. I can't drive my 93 at night anymore due to how I am so used to driving my 97 at night now.

On 2nd thought, part it out & I'll buy your LSC headlamps RIGHT NOW! lol... J/k man, fix it please... Overall I think all of us here back you up! Take your time on your decision & let us know & ask questions, you know they'll get answered here.

NOTE: I REALLY want your headlamps though. I have dibs if you want to sell them!

 

[bobotech]

On 2nd thought, part it out & I'll buy your LSC headlamps RIGHT NOW! lol... J/k man, fix it please... Overall I think all of us here back you up! Take your time on your decision & let us know & ask questions, you know they'll get answered here.

NOTE: I REALLY want your headlamps though. I have dibs if you want to sell them!

I'm so scared to put them on my 93 though. My kid wants the 93 if I fix it up. They are just such a hard to find part these days. I was amazed when I found them in the pick and pull yard for 35 dollars.

 

[UltimateSVT]

I'm so scared to put them on my 93 though. My kid wants the 93 if I fix it up. They are just such a hard to find part these days. I was amazed when I found them in the pick and pull yard for 35 dollars.

I'll give you way more than that if you want to sell them to me then!

 

[Sapperfire]

You got a grill for $35 ?? Lucky basturd...my car is nearing perfection...and I can't find a grill
someone gonna get mad I'm sure... But I found a very nice one in Austin at a upullit place,and I broke it cuz I didnt know that there were screws from the bumper to it...it was in a 96LSC...I'm goin back next weekend for the lights

 

[bobotech]

You got a grill for $35 ?? Lucky basturd...my car is nearing perfection...and I can't find a grill
someone gonna get mad I'm sure... But I found a very nice one in Austin at a upullit place,and I broke it cuz I didnt know that there were screws from the bumper to it...it was in a 96LSC...I'm goin back next weekend for the lights

no, not the grill, the 96 LSC HID lenses. The ones without the ribbed lens.

 

[MediumD]

Nice find for $35.. I paid $2200 for mine (free car with purchase of HID housings.)