I am puttering around on the MR2 over the winter so that I can get it inspected and then sell it come spring. I started doing some work (minor rust repair, what else) because I was going to keep it, but I am continuing just to sharpen my bodywork skills. My goal was to have it in good shape and inspected for spring, hoping to grab $1500 - $2000 for it.
My wife thinks I am crazy. She says to list it and sell it now. Why put more effort and the cost of paint and an inspection into it? See if you can get $1000 for it as is and let the next owner do the work their way.
What thinks the braintrust here?
i believe that at least in certain states it may be illegal to sell a car that cannot pass the state safety inspection. does that mean that it never happens? not at all. needing an inspection to me means there could be any number of things wrong with the car that would keep it from passing, especially if you have emissions testing there. will it not pass inspection as-is now?
On this side of PA, for daily drivers fresh inspection can mean a couple hundred more when selling the car than one that just expired. To the buyer new stickers = I don't have to spend any more on the car right now. Expired stickers = Something is wrong with it and that's why he's selling it. Perception doesn't necessarily match reality.
On play toys at your asking price I'm not sure how much it will make a difference. I'd suspect if somebody is planning to make a toy out of it, then they will be going over the same stuff the car will see for the state inspection.
For the paint part of the equation, pretty cars sell easier than ugly ones. When I look at a project I prefer an original paint car so you know nothing is hidden. But less hardcore people will want one they don't have to spend money on paint.
Real question is can you get it to pass inspection and make it pretty for less than the $1000 difference in asking prices? If not, then it's not worth the effort to me.
It gets less than 5000 miles per year, so emissions is no required in PA. The engine is 100%, as are the brakes and suspension and electrics and so on. Since I cut off the rusted bits and replaced with panels from Twos-R-Us, it won't pass until everything is buttoned up. Doesn't need paint, but at least some filler and primer.
I think that I am going to get it to that point, not paint it, and sell it with a fresh inspection. IF you know that you can drive it for at least one year, then the asking price can be a little higher than a "project".
You may as well finish. If you're going to cut out the rust, install the new panels, and mud it, you may as well spray it. Otherwise, your work won't gain you all that much in value. If anything, it may scare potential buyers.
I bought my Ranger because the inspection was already done. Saved me the money and trouble.
