2004 Monaro VXR #55 - To rebuild or sell in bits
Discussion
You'll recall that I bought the rolling shell of 2004 VXR #55 a while back. I've been picking up bits for it and have most of what's needed to start the rebuild.
I've been hesitating to post a build thread, as the whole thing really isn't a financial sound idea. As Gary and Brett know, the parts are worth more than the car. Think about it like this:
(1) Rolling shell with V5...over a grand
(2) Full VXR bodykit...over a grand
(3) 2004 VXR alloys and tyres...almost a grand
(4) Low mileage LS1 engine, T56 gearbox, front accessory drive, ECU and loom...£6K
(5) VXR interior...£500
(6) New stainless headers (stubbies), cat pipes, and used cat back...a grand
So before I even start looking for daft things like pipes, bolts, clips, etc I'm in it for over £10K. And it still needs a decent paint job. As we've seen from the chap in Scotland with a 2004 VXR for sale, they aren't worth £much more than £8K. This one's a Cat-D, so will be worth less. I can image finishing it, selling it and then hearing that it's been broken for parts.
I gave it to my son and he has an interest in engineering and wanted to have a go at putting it together. Sadly, his GCSEs and now A-levels absorb much of his time. I've got the other Ro to build and finish, so there's no real reason for keeping it once it's finished. And no the garage isn't big enough to keep it until they are worth something.
You'll recall I bought a 122 supercharger with a view to fitting it on a giant chargecooler. As the photos show, the front of the charger sits very high when the pulley is in the right place. Which would necessitate a revised hood (nice ones out there, but they cost a grand).
I could just drop the 6.7 stroked LS2 in there, but I'm guessing that even with a beefy engine, it won't be worth that much.
And the reality of starting the build is this: Lots of work to clean up the engine bay and sort out a bit of rust.
Thoughts?
I've been hesitating to post a build thread, as the whole thing really isn't a financial sound idea. As Gary and Brett know, the parts are worth more than the car. Think about it like this:
(1) Rolling shell with V5...over a grand
(2) Full VXR bodykit...over a grand
(3) 2004 VXR alloys and tyres...almost a grand
(4) Low mileage LS1 engine, T56 gearbox, front accessory drive, ECU and loom...£6K
(5) VXR interior...£500
(6) New stainless headers (stubbies), cat pipes, and used cat back...a grand
So before I even start looking for daft things like pipes, bolts, clips, etc I'm in it for over £10K. And it still needs a decent paint job. As we've seen from the chap in Scotland with a 2004 VXR for sale, they aren't worth £much more than £8K. This one's a Cat-D, so will be worth less. I can image finishing it, selling it and then hearing that it's been broken for parts.
I gave it to my son and he has an interest in engineering and wanted to have a go at putting it together. Sadly, his GCSEs and now A-levels absorb much of his time. I've got the other Ro to build and finish, so there's no real reason for keeping it once it's finished. And no the garage isn't big enough to keep it until they are worth something.
You'll recall I bought a 122 supercharger with a view to fitting it on a giant chargecooler. As the photos show, the front of the charger sits very high when the pulley is in the right place. Which would necessitate a revised hood (nice ones out there, but they cost a grand).
I could just drop the 6.7 stroked LS2 in there, but I'm guessing that even with a beefy engine, it won't be worth that much.
And the reality of starting the build is this: Lots of work to clean up the engine bay and sort out a bit of rust.
Thoughts?
Thoughts? Your workshop looks better kitted out than my kitchen
Its a good learning bench for the son but its an 04 car, its probably best to break the parts to be honest. Once a car gets to the stage of needing new engine etc it makes commercial sense to do that - restore it if it means something to you otherwise flog it, get him a mini and let him learn on that
Its a good learning bench for the son but its an 04 car, its probably best to break the parts to be honest. Once a car gets to the stage of needing new engine etc it makes commercial sense to do that - restore it if it means something to you otherwise flog it, get him a mini and let him learn on that
stigmundfreud said:
....but its an 04 car, its probably best to break the parts to be honest. Once a car gets to the stage of needing new engine etc it makes commercial sense to do that....
Sad to see an 04 VXR going this way, but it really does make sense - unless the car means more to you than money.ArnieVXR said:
You'll recall that I bought the rolling shell of 2004 VXR #55 a while back. I've been picking up bits for it and have most of what's needed to start the rebuild.
I've been hesitating to post a build thread, as the whole thing really isn't a financial sound idea. As Gary and Brett know, the parts are worth more than the car. Think about it like this:
(1) Rolling shell with V5...over a grand
(2) Full VXR bodykit...over a grand
(3) 2004 VXR alloys and tyres...almost a grand
(4) Low mileage LS1 engine, T56 gearbox, front accessory drive, ECU and loom...£6K
(5) VXR interior...£500
(6) New stainless headers (stubbies), cat pipes, and used cat back...a grand
So before I even start looking for daft things like pipes, bolts, clips, etc I'm in it for over £10K. And it still needs a decent paint job. As we've seen from the chap in Scotland with a 2004 VXR for sale, they aren't worth £much more than £8K. This one's a Cat-D, so will be worth less. I can image finishing it, selling it and then hearing that it's been broken for parts.
I gave it to my son and he has an interest in engineering and wanted to have a go at putting it together. Sadly, his GCSEs and now A-levels absorb much of his time. I've got the other Ro to build and finish, so there's no real reason for keeping it once it's finished. And no the garage isn't big enough to keep it until they are worth something.
You'll recall I bought a 122 supercharger with a view to fitting it on a giant chargecooler. As the photos show, the front of the charger sits very high when the pulley is in the right place. Which would necessitate a revised hood (nice ones out there, but they cost a grand).
I could just drop the 6.7 stroked LS2 in there, but I'm guessing that even with a beefy engine, it won't be worth that much.
And the reality of starting the build is this: Lots of work to clean up the engine bay and sort out a bit of rust.
Thoughts?
Given other projects etc, I think the reality is clear.I've been hesitating to post a build thread, as the whole thing really isn't a financial sound idea. As Gary and Brett know, the parts are worth more than the car. Think about it like this:
(1) Rolling shell with V5...over a grand
(2) Full VXR bodykit...over a grand
(3) 2004 VXR alloys and tyres...almost a grand
(4) Low mileage LS1 engine, T56 gearbox, front accessory drive, ECU and loom...£6K
(5) VXR interior...£500
(6) New stainless headers (stubbies), cat pipes, and used cat back...a grand
So before I even start looking for daft things like pipes, bolts, clips, etc I'm in it for over £10K. And it still needs a decent paint job. As we've seen from the chap in Scotland with a 2004 VXR for sale, they aren't worth £much more than £8K. This one's a Cat-D, so will be worth less. I can image finishing it, selling it and then hearing that it's been broken for parts.
I gave it to my son and he has an interest in engineering and wanted to have a go at putting it together. Sadly, his GCSEs and now A-levels absorb much of his time. I've got the other Ro to build and finish, so there's no real reason for keeping it once it's finished. And no the garage isn't big enough to keep it until they are worth something.
You'll recall I bought a 122 supercharger with a view to fitting it on a giant chargecooler. As the photos show, the front of the charger sits very high when the pulley is in the right place. Which would necessitate a revised hood (nice ones out there, but they cost a grand).
I could just drop the 6.7 stroked LS2 in there, but I'm guessing that even with a beefy engine, it won't be worth that much.
And the reality of starting the build is this: Lots of work to clean up the engine bay and sort out a bit of rust.
Thoughts?
Financially it would be crazy to build as you could simply buy a complete running car for less and then modify it...and it wouldnt have the insurance bit attached.
It would take a lot of work and more money, to actually add a lot of value...and we all know modifications rarely add re-sale value.
Maybe try and just sell the parts/shell etc ?
stigmundfreud said:
breaking it improves your residuals though Vince, it will keep them around the 8k mark a little longer
True, but then as ARAF says the car is worth more than 8k to me, mine is very similar to the one in the classifieds albeit with the usual mods to it, I'd hope it was worth a little more. 
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