When to give up on a car?

johnny_adidas

At what stage have you just said enough is enough?

Prob the best place to ask (albeit i dont believe anyone would consider a 92 calibra - a classic car). Have always loved the look of them and bought one 7 years ago in the uk. learned a lot about mechanics changing countless parts on the car but eventually the heater matrix failed on a long journey so i bought something more reliable (and mature some might argue :eek:). I replaced this but something fell on the windscreen so I just never replaced it as i had other transport.

Currently looking at the space it occupies in the garage and although i still love how it looks, i cant help but think its used space for something which may never be driven again. Recently i had to move it and the engine didnt start (i suspect its the fuel pump relay) but again, just dont care really and have left it there.

I fear i have lost the will to put it back in pristine order (along with the funds) and should just get rid, but then i look at how well it looks and harp back to the sound of the engine running. As it is even if i got it back running, I doubt i would ever drive it regularly unless classic insurance and tax kicked in.

If you did give up, did you scrap / sell for parts / sell as is? (dont know if i could ever sell whole locally as id see it being driven )

bijapos

You could try selling it to a member of an Opel or Opel Calibra club. That way if it isn't actually repaired and put on the road someone might get some enjoyment out of the parts. At least you know it will be respected and cherished.

I've sold mine to friends who I knew would look after them, through clubs to other enthusiasts or occasionally to someone privately who I reckoned would take care of it. Only one, a Mini was part scrapped after an accident, parts were sold via the classifieds and even then we converted the rear of it into a trailer.

carchaeologist

I have a few non running cars in the shed at the moment that i am considering getting rid of that would free up space for more deserving(read, ones that have some hope of getting roadworthy again) cars. Sometimes its just not worth keeping stuff, particularly low end stuff.
The Opel club of Ireland reqires something like 20 posts before you can advertise stuff for sale, its a pity because its stopped me advertising there before.

wee truck big driver

i wouldnt say no to a cheap calibra

lepoatnam

Hi Johnny, Calibra's are class machines alright. Have a Manta myself and will at some point have a Calibra. They're hard to find in original factory spec, much the same as Manta's, as most have been b*****dised cos of the redtop engine in them.
If anyone has Opel gear they are looking to get rid of, send me a PM as I'd be interested.

johnny_adidas

yeah it seems the engine is nearly worth more than the cars themselves these days

bijapos, hadnt thought of that side of it. that someone else might be prepared to put the time in and more importantly get enjoyment out of it (although id prefer it to be me tbh). Joined all the owners clubs so when the time is right (or i get sick of the nagging) it might make sense to start there

YBTurbo

johnny_adidas wrote: »

yeah it seems the engine is nearly worth more than the cars themselves these days

bijapos, hadnt thought of that side of it. that someone else might be prepared to put the time in and more importantly get enjoyment out of it (although id prefer it to be me tbh). Joined all the owners clubs so when the time is right (or i get sick of the nagging) it might make sense to start there

When you do decide to get rid, PM me. I'd love to get a Calibra as a project, do it to 100% factory spec....

MercMad

I love the Calibra's too, deffo a future classic. It doesn't sound like there is much wrong with the OP's one, I would suggest joining the Club where friendly members could help out.

They didn't all have the Redtop engine though, the last of the 16V's used the Ecotech engine, which although close at 148BHP it does not performe the way the redtop one does.

I know where there is one unused Irish car lying up and two seemingly abandoned. Not sure if any are for sale though, but I have made the enquiries.

charlie1966

I would have to agree to really liking the Calibra. I've owned 2 and I still have one of them, a 92 16valve Irish version. It needs a bit of work but I'm getting there slowly.
I would say if you like it that much and have the room to store it then keep it. I always regretted selling my 1st Calibra. A lot of them are still getting broken up but I also know a few who are keeping and restoring them.

carchaeologist

If Calibras didn't have the utterly bland Vectra dashboard they would have had much more kudos IMO. Same as the VW Corrado having the similarly horrible B3 Passat dash.
I know it's a cost saving issue but still..

Xlaxeo

carchaeologist wrote: »

If Calibras didn't have the utterly bland Vectra dashboard they would have had much more kudos IMO. Same as the VW Corrado having the similarly horrible B3 Passat dash.
I know it's a cost saving issue but still..

It's amazing how much difference a dash can do. The Renault 5 Turbo (1) had an individual dashboard, but when the Turbo 2 came out, they had replaced it with the standard Renault 5 dashboard.

The hugh difference in prices between these two models (now) reflects this.

charlie1966

carchaeologist wrote: »

If Calibras didn't have the utterly bland Vectra dashboard they would have had much more kudos IMO.

I have never driven a Vectra so this isn't an issue for me. I will even go out on a limb and say I like the dash in the Calibra.

carchaeologist

charlie1966 wrote: »

I have never driven a Vectra so this isn't an issue for me. I will even go out on a limb and say I like the dash in the Calibra.

I'm not having a dig, just pointing out the manufacturers cost cutting.
Calibras should be saved because as has been pointed out already, most of them end up as engine donors. Especially the Turbo versions.

charlie1966

carchaeologist wrote: »

I'm not having a dig, just pointing out the manufacturers cost cutting.

No problem, I didn't think you were. I was just giving a different perspective.

mondeo

Years back in the early to mid 90's there was a white calibra bodykitted around by Firhouse/Tallaght area. It really looked cool to me back then. The guy who owned it had 2security posts in front of the car in the driveway. It was a 1991 reg with some whopper of a spoiler on the back. Sold disappeared around 1997'. I loved seeing it driving up and down