Shiryo

Near mint 2LS Silver Jade Pearl Coach Edition w/ 145k on it.

I'm up in the air about selling it.

The car is going to undergo a suspension refresh (all the rubber parts), brake refresh and total engine rebuild. That will cost me around $3000.

I'm going to value the car at around $7000 when it's all said and done. The car will be practically brand new and maintenance free for another 65k miles after this.

However, I have a UAS/Airlift setup and mint Aimgain exhaust setup sitting right next to it in the garage.

I don't know if I should throw on the suspension and exhaust or just sell it all separately.

The Exhaust and Air was $3000 out of my pocket, so if I split it up, i'd value the exhaust at $800 and the Air for $2500 or just take both at $3000.

Of course there's always the option of selling the vip stuff and just running around in a stock LS...

Thoughts?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

sorry to burst your bubble, but even with the all the work in it, that car (stock, w/o the air or exhaust) won't be worth more than $5500-6000. $7k is too close to '98+ money.

Why do you need a rebuild? unless you have some ridiculous internal issue there's really no need...

Shiryo

Just want to freshen up the motor, get the timing belt full service done.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Regardless what you do in terms of maintenance or mods, the value remains close to what the KBB lists them as. If selling, strip the VIP goodies and bring it to stock without doing the extra maintenance. Sell it for the appropriate KBB and move onto the next project. Mod parts are better sold separately and those even if new seldom sell for what was paid.

If you intend to keep and drive it to 200K miles and beyond, I would do the suspension freshening. If not, save the $.

Shiryo

Well I know for sure, I have to get the car running before I can even sell it. All the vip stuff never got installed, which is good.

ArmyofOne

If you are talking a full rebuild (Piston rings, valve seals, rod bearings main bearings, crank/cam seals etc) then you are talking engine removal and reinstallation, and it will cost you way WAY more than what you are planning unless you know someone, especially to have it done with OEM parts.

Look for a 1UZ-FE V8 rebuild to run you at least $3,000 by itself. With all the other work you said you want to do, you are looking to approach the value of the car.

I have seen LS400's with half a million miles and the engine is untouched except for oil changes and gaskets. That 1UZ-FE is a perfect example of if it aint broke...don't fix it. Unless you have blue/black smoke, rough idle and an engine knock at the same time, there's no need to go that deep into the motor. Do the TB/WP, fix the leaks if you have any, and motor on my friend!

Shiryo

Ah, yeah, I wasn't talking about a complete rebuild touching the bottom end. The heads will probably not even be pulled off either. Sorry about the confusion.

ArmyofOne

ah, well in that case, its just a refresh. But even with all that, I think 7k is a bit much for a 97.

Even in perfect shape with under 100k on it, you wouldn't be much over $6500.

Shiryo

When I was looking for a 2LS, all the decent ones were 8-9k... Are the prices finally dropping? -.-

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

no you just need to look harder