Earlier today, I looked at a 2003 Infiniti G35 Sedan (auto) as a candidate for a project car. The car has been sitting for the last 2 years and has 141,000 miles.
The seller allowed us (buddy and I) to keep the car overnight for an inspection, so we jump-started the car and took it back to our shop for a full inspection. Here is what we found:
Mechanical:
- Dead Battery, which was expected. ($50-WM Valuepower)
- Both Valve Covers have severe leaks, you can smell oil while driving ($80 for Fel-Pro valve cover gasket set and intake manifold gasket set, 4-hours labor). It probably needs a few vacuum hoses as well for $20-$40.
- Thermostat is stuck closed, so the vehicle overheats ($50 for OE thermostat and coolant, 1 hour labor)
- Front and Rear Sway Bar End links have a significant amount of play ($50-Mevotech)
- Tires and 4-wheel alignment, all tires worn unevenly and are at 2/32" ($540 for General RT-43, $80 for alignment)
- Control Arms - Front lower rearward (compression rods). Bushings are torn, which is common for this type of vehicle. ($130-Mevotech, 2 hours labor)
- Differential Bushing is leaking fluid ($100 for whiteline bushing kit, 4 hours labor)
- Front/Rear struts - 3 of the 4 struts are leaking a moderate amount of oil ($220 for KYB Excel-G and OE front strut boots)
- Missing fan shroud and lower engine cover ($100 for generic replacements)
- Front/Rear Brakes due to severe rust from sitting for a long time. ($160 for Centric 105 pads and 121 economy rotors)
- P/S Rack has a minor leak (not a needed repair at this time, but should be given consideration)
- Needs some scheduled maintenance such as oil change, spark plugs, filters, p/s flush, trans flush, diff oil service, wipers ($250 for parts)
- Scanned vehicle with our Snap-On scanner, found a few active faults that are likely related to the vacuum leaks. Also found two historic/pending faults for the airbag module and the driver-side curtain air bag, but interestingly enough, it is not showing any active faults. The airbag light IS flashing at this time, so I will probably need to dig a little deeper here...
Cosmetic:
- center console, radio and climate controls are all missing due to a theft. So for now, there is no way to control the climate control (a/c and heat) and no radio. I would have to source these components from the junkyard, pricing is unclear. $500?
- all seats are torn (foam showing)
- the paint on the roof is peeling
As as a baseline, a car of this type in "fair" condition is worth $3200 according to KBB.
My questions to everyone:
1) Would you buy it as a project car to refurbish and keep as a spare beater?
2) If you purchase it, what would you pay for it?
The seller allowed us (buddy and I) to keep the car overnight for an inspection, so we jump-started the car and took it back to our shop for a full inspection. Here is what we found:
Mechanical:
- Dead Battery, which was expected. ($50-WM Valuepower)
- Both Valve Covers have severe leaks, you can smell oil while driving ($80 for Fel-Pro valve cover gasket set and intake manifold gasket set, 4-hours labor). It probably needs a few vacuum hoses as well for $20-$40.
- Thermostat is stuck closed, so the vehicle overheats ($50 for OE thermostat and coolant, 1 hour labor)
- Front and Rear Sway Bar End links have a significant amount of play ($50-Mevotech)
- Tires and 4-wheel alignment, all tires worn unevenly and are at 2/32" ($540 for General RT-43, $80 for alignment)
- Control Arms - Front lower rearward (compression rods). Bushings are torn, which is common for this type of vehicle. ($130-Mevotech, 2 hours labor)
- Differential Bushing is leaking fluid ($100 for whiteline bushing kit, 4 hours labor)
- Front/Rear struts - 3 of the 4 struts are leaking a moderate amount of oil ($220 for KYB Excel-G and OE front strut boots)
- Missing fan shroud and lower engine cover ($100 for generic replacements)
- Front/Rear Brakes due to severe rust from sitting for a long time. ($160 for Centric 105 pads and 121 economy rotors)
- P/S Rack has a minor leak (not a needed repair at this time, but should be given consideration)
- Needs some scheduled maintenance such as oil change, spark plugs, filters, p/s flush, trans flush, diff oil service, wipers ($250 for parts)
- Scanned vehicle with our Snap-On scanner, found a few active faults that are likely related to the vacuum leaks. Also found two historic/pending faults for the airbag module and the driver-side curtain air bag, but interestingly enough, it is not showing any active faults. The airbag light IS flashing at this time, so I will probably need to dig a little deeper here...
Cosmetic:
- center console, radio and climate controls are all missing due to a theft. So for now, there is no way to control the climate control (a/c and heat) and no radio. I would have to source these components from the junkyard, pricing is unclear. $500?
- all seats are torn (foam showing)
- the paint on the roof is peeling
As as a baseline, a car of this type in "fair" condition is worth $3200 according to KBB.
My questions to everyone:
1) Would you buy it as a project car to refurbish and keep as a spare beater?
2) If you purchase it, what would you pay for it?
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