For sale in the newspaper today is a 1995 Sentra GLE, automatic, with just over 100k. Good brakes, good tires, good int. and ext., sunroof, power everything. $550. The catch? It has lost a connecting rod, and according to the owner, the "flywheel is grinding". It does not currently run.

How much parts cost and how much labor (if doing it myself) to fix this, assuming there's nothing else wrong?

Would you say this is a good buy? I'm thinking as a project car this is a small investment considering the car is worth $4000-$5000 fixed.

Thanks for your opinions.

Emily

you would be hard pressed to get that much out of it fixed, id say 2000 max. remember to the casual buyer, this is now a car with a replacement engine and tranny(as that tranny wont work with the sr20). to an enthusiest it wouldnt be worth much as repeating it would be cheaper than buying what you did. NEVER think of cars as investments or way of making more money out of what you put in to them.

I didn't mean investment that way. I meant that as a possible car for either my boyfriend or either of my brothers to buy (they're all in need of cars right now) and fix themselves, would this be a feasible option? None of them have internet access right now, so I'm trying to do some of the research for them.

I'm not necessarily swapping in an SR20DE either, unless a swap is necessary because of the connecting rod. I understand that replacement of this rod is basically going to require dismantling the engine. In the non-profit-making sense, would it be a good idea to purchase this car at $550 and fix it for use as a daily driver?

if you are just gonna drive it..sure why not?

Originally posted by Bowlcut
NEVER think of cars as investments or way of making more money out of what you put in to them.

Don't try and say that to my father in law. He has bought several cars/trucks with the engines blown and replaced the engine and then driven the car for years. Sold the vehicle for more then he invested in it. He does all the work himself of course. I think a car can be an investment IF you don't value your time to highly and don't mind working on a car. It is by no means a "sure thing" so I wouldnt begin the project unless it meet another need other then "fix it to sell it". I bet you could pull the engine and replace it with another ga16 for not to much money. I also would offer the owner 300 or maybe a little more.