Cost of keeping a ST185? How do you decide, what is the ROI

Well I have four cars two motorcycles and a jet ski. The wife says something has to go. Is it the 1992 ST185? The engine died two years ago so I replaced it and the transmission with JDM. It runs great but the leather has had it's day. $6,600 went into keeping it running like new. You know tires, rotors, install/removal charge for engine. replace all hoses and belts, advancedclutch.com.

Well it runs great and I really needed it last winter with the snow. Made a few Mitsu and honda guys look like asses on the turnpike going 140mph +. So what do I do now. What price is too much to keep a 1992 car? Should I paint it, update the inside leather and replace speakers and CD player? Should I put a 210hp car in the hands of my 17 year old nephew for $3000. Any comments are greatly appreciated. How much is enough or two much if I want to keep it?

I'll have 20k into mine in no time.. still like it more then any other car i could pickup with 20k cash. So I'm probably not the one to ask. I personally really like the interior of the 185 (dash and doors wise) but the leather seats dont hold up. My car could use new seats/redone leather. I'm pretty much getting to the point where i will have everything done but the interior (new engine/electronics/syspension/paint/etc). Dont know what I'll do when i get to that and have the money.

My carpet is dirty/center console leather ripped etc...

> normt66
> Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:43 pm
> Post subject: Cost of keeping a ST185?
> How do you decide, what is the ROI

There is no ROI on Any car that I am aware of.
Even new, they depreciate Quickly after driving it off
of the lot. My St165 was 26K new, the owner
traded it in for a Subaru, loosing $14K in 1.5yrs.
I bought my ST185 for 13 after the owner
Did get a deal, since the wifew worked for Toyota
leasing, and leased the car. :-
)
There are Few exceptions.
When the Miatas first came out; the new minis,
as long as supply is less than demand.
The Prius is The ONLY Toyota I can think of that there
is a mark up on now.

The ST185 is a Specailty car.
You will Never recoup the money you put into it.
You do it for Fun, or the Uniqueness of a rally car.

> Well I have four cars two motorcycles and a jet ski.

I'd get rid of One Motorcycle anyway.
IMHO, jet skis are for kids ? :-}

> The wife says something has to go.

How cute is she ?
Is she worth giving up a toy for ? ))
Well at least ask her to give up some shopping in return....

Women have Loved mycar, and often comment on it.
The few women who have owned one offered me $$$
to buy mine. But I may be an exception ?

> It runs great but the leather has had it's day.

They are all getting old.

> $6,600 went into keeping it running like new.

Small time investment so far...

> ... I really needed it last winter with the snow.

They Are decent winter cars with snow tires.

> Made a few Mitsu and honda guys look like asses on the
> turnpike going 140mph +.

Not in the snow ???

> What price is too much to keep a 1992 car?

How much is it worth it to keep the GF happy ?
It Might be worth it to sell it now while it is
worth something ?

> Should I paint it, update the inside leather and replace
> speakers and CD player?

Keep it relativley stock and keep up with maintenance only ???

> Should I put a 210hp car in the hands of my 17 year old
> nephew for $3000.

No way, no how, until he proves himself.
Maybe when he turns 21 and has $3k+cash+insurance+
maintenace $$$ etc... along with some Experience driving
and fixing the car?

> How much is enough or two much if I want to keep it?

" Too much is never enough" -Billy Idol.

Have you considered a Stroker kit ? :-}}}
Whatever $$ U Have now, there Will be a way
to spend it on the car. Always a goody coming out.

Like shoes 4 the girls you can never have enough hp. :-}

My $0.02

Regards;

GMan":idea0qqz said:

> > Should I put a 210hp car in the hands of my 17 year old
> nephew for $3000.

No way, no how, until he proves himself.
Maybe when he turns 21 and has $3k+cash+insurance+
maintenace $$$ etc... along with some Experience driving
and fixing the car?

Click to expand...

Yeah, not yet. We don't need any more wrecked.

You could always sell it to me for $3.
Seriously, if you love it, don't get rid of it. You will regret it.
Drop something else.

alltracman78":9e5r9kpo said:

GMan":9e5r9kpo said:

> > Should I put a 210hp car in the hands of my 17 year old
> nephew for $3000.

No way, no how, until he proves himself.
Maybe when he turns 21 and has $3k+cash+insurance+
maintenace $$$ etc... along with some Experience driving
and fixing the car?

Click to expand...

Yeah, not yet. We don't need any more wrecked.

Click to expand...

I'll third that.
Speaking from my own experience.

You know you guys might be right. It could be time to get rid of the wife. Her leather seats are certainly warn and I was not even the original owner. Time to do some prioritizing...

Honey! What's the number of that laywer?

so let me get this straight you have a 92 that your willing to let go for 3k? I garauntee you could sell that here, for that price if not more.

Gary":2y8mvdmw said:

alltracman78":2y8mvdmw said:

GMan":2y8mvdmw said:

> > Should I put a 210hp car in the hands of my 17 year old
> nephew for $3000.

No way, no how, until he proves himself.
Maybe when he turns 21 and has $3k+cash+insurance+
maintenace $$$ etc... along with some Experience driving
and fixing the car?

Click to expand...

Yeah, not yet. We don't need any more wrecked.

Click to expand...

I'll third that.
Speaking from my own experience.

Click to expand...

Me too.

I agree, no ROI on a car. Invest in securities or real estate or a business venture, but not in a car. Car is an emotional purchase...

The trick to keep costs in check is to not neglect maintenance and keep the car stock. It shouldn't require anything major given the quality of these cars. I read somewhere at the average person spends $1500-2000 a year per car on maintenance/upkeep. That's for all cars. That's something to keep in mind to put things into perspective.

ROI and Alltrac do not go together..

You will NEVER see a ROI in terms of money out of this car..

You WILL get an emotional roller coaster of the highest order with you experiencing emotions at each extremes of both joy and pain..

The constant will always be money going out in both cases.. You'll curse having to spend more money to stop that oil leak, or to get rid of that grinding noise.. and You'll always praise the money spent on the 3 inch exhaust and fuel cut defencer when you make a WOT blast at 1bar down the highway..

Its up to you to decide when you want to get off this roller coaster..

I am in the progress of rebilding my motor and it is turning out to be way more then i was planing to spend but i love my car and i can't just get rid of it, i say start up dateing every things like cd player and what not

Keep it! It is more useful than the cycles, of course cycles are fun. If you sell it, you should be able to get more than $3000.00

I agree, no ROI on a car. Invest in securities or real estate or a business venture, but not in a car. Car is an emotional purchase...

Click to expand...

Dont listen to what they have to say, take pride in your work and believe in your self.

hell, if ur letting her go for like $3k, I'll have my loan next week... plannin on gettin a black 91, but for 3k

Damn, this thing is still going?!!!

arm182":8rbyfl3g said:

I agree, no ROI on a car. Invest in securities or real estate or a business venture, but not in a car. Car is an emotional purchase...

Click to expand...

Dont listen to what they have to say, take pride in your work and believe in your self.

Click to expand...

We're not saying it's useless.
We're saying you will never get your $$$ back out of it...