Need some help with this decision...

[e_clouser]

So I am driving on a back road when I see a 97 SHO in a field. Of course I need to stop and look. The owner comes out and we started to talk. It seems the car was his daughters and she didn't take care of it. It needs a tranny, car does run but not well. It has 179xxx miles on it, the body seems to be decent no real problems. interior is about a 5 out of ten with the overall condition being about a 6 if it would move on its own. Then out of the blue the guy asked me if I wanted to buy it? Which is my question, anyone know about how much for a tranny. Is this car worth the 800 he is asking?

 

[brokenin]

Sounds to me given the condition its in, would be an endless moneypit for you . Take your time look around for something better.If your totally intent on getting it dont give more than 250 for it. Just my .02 cents .Have a great day.

Rome

 

[Mr. SHO]

Here's what the average repairs will cost you:

Transmission rebuild - $2000-3500 (Personally, I've heard SO many stories of worthless rebuilds at the $2000 price point, I would go toward the high side and deal only with a shop that specializes in SHO ATXes.)

Cam weld + 100K-type service - $800-1200

Interior rehab - Assuming you can find the stuff you need, at least a few hundred to replace the seats, carpet, door panels and other trashed items.

OTHER (hard to predict what else will be needed, but I'm figuring brakes, tires, struts, a few coils etc.) guesstimate ~$2000, but the sky is the limit.

So to get the car back to say a 7 out of 10, your are probably looking at an investment of $6000 or so plus the purchase price, and potentially much more. That's assuming the body is good. And the car will be worth considerably less than that given the age and mileage. I'd say walk away. You can find a SHO in good condition with half the miles for $5000 or less.

 

[avocadoman1]

or...
offer $500 and get into the '96-'99 SHO parts business.