Hey guys, some questions for a newbie!

[dale1389]

Hey guys, just signed up after finding this forum i don't know much about cars so please be easy on me!

I purchased a 1993 VR Executive Sedan from my mate about 2 months ago for $1100 (but cost me about $1000 extra to get it on the road)

Car is on LPG / Petrol.

From looking at the receipts i have, the following has been done:

WITHIN LAST12 MONTHS
- ($225) for new dash lights / cluster unit
- ($360) power steering rack
- ($70) disc pad set
- ($70) second hand starter motor

WITHIN LAST 6 MONTHS
- ($35) throttle position sensor
- ($825) engine
- ($70) crank angle sensor
- ($300) 2x shock absorbers
- ($65) replaced front struts
- ($200) performance exhaust system
- ($100) sport tail pipe
- ($800) replacement gas cylinder, fixed steering and something else (gotta get a reprint of this receipt was very recent)
- ($80) front and rear wheel alignment
- ($100) fixed front drivers seat
- ($140) new bond battery

So about $3500 spent on car in the last year.

Car runs pretty well, gas conks out sometimes but runs perfectly on freeways, only runs iffy when slowing down (been told i need a new gas converter due to a wax buildup)

Now, the car has done A LOT of km's, just over 600,000km ...

Question 1: If i was to buy a custom steering wheel (eg Street Race Design Yellow Steering Wheel), would my mechanic be able to install this quickly and easily, or would he need extra supplies to fit it to my car? How much would that set me back for installation?

Question 2: If i wanted to sell this car in say 6 months, how much would i be looking at selling it for? The interior is not in the greatest condition, no rips or tears but looks pretty rough. Exterior comes up very nice with a wash, and also has 16inch VS Statesmen wheels!

Thanks for your help guys!!!

[accentstencil]

If you currently have a driver's airbag you won't be able to use that new steering wheel legally, as it has no airbag.

[VT-565]

Mate, sound slike you got a bit of a bargain, treat it as one.
IMO, I wouldn't do a thing to it, except what needed to be done to keep it roadworthy. Use that as your daily thrash, and save the money you're not spending on repayments to save for a car you really want later on.

[nathg]

I read somewhere (think maybe the RTA NSW website) thats there is only a limited number of after market steering wheels that are legal. Something along the lines of it has to have a padded centre or something like that, but it is deffinently correct that you cannot change it to something like that if you have a factory airbag fitted.
Correct me if im wrong? but it just doesnt seem a worthit modification which would warrant an easy defect.

Other than that, good luck with the car

[hako]

Re question 2 = Unfortunately when you sell a car you can only expect what the market will pay and not what you've spent on the car. It's a '93 VR Exec with high mileage and Redbook says $1600 to $3500 for cars with up to 375000km - your's is nearly double so its value is closer to the lower end unfortunately. As a trade at a used car lot expect about $1000 (which I was offered on a VY)
If it's reliable, presentable and you're happy with it then keep it as it sounds like its pretty well sorted out now. Good Luck.

[dale1389]

Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated! I'll get some photo's up soon

[Cursed CX8]

in regards to the steering wheel. Many after market ones are not ADR compliant and are often unsafe in an accident, they dont have complete padding over the metal face and do not bent how they should. If you are in an accident, the insurance company may find that it contributed to the accident (even if it didnt) and void the policy, just some things to think about.

Other than that its a nice score for that price. Shame you spent so much on it to get it going, but if you treat it right you will be able to get it past the million kms

Oh and welcome to the forum
CC