Hello, all --

I have a 1997 A4 (2.8 V6, 5-spd, FWD, approx 130k miles) that I parked in the garage one day about 7 years ago and haven't restarted since. I got a job that's on the bus line, and my wife can't drive a standard, so we just ended up using her car. And then it was winter, so I didn't drive it. And then it was spring, and the battery was dead. And then....

Anyway, I can't afford to restore this, and need to get it out of the garage. I didn't store it properly, so obviously it will need tires, battery, brake work, maybe engine/trans seals, etc. It had a leaky fuel line near the right rear wheel but really no other problems.

The interior is mint and the body is in great condition - no dents, no bodywork. This was a North Carolina car its whole driving life until I moved to Illinois in 2007. It ran and drove great, everything worked (power windows, sunroof, seats, mirrors, AC).

I don't have the time or inclination to part it out. I would hate to see it go for scrap, but it seems like it would be hard to sell a project car.

A pic from before it was garaged:



Still looks the same, just dustier!

Any thoughts about what to do with this car?

 

You could probably get a decent handful of money for that guy, but you'd have to get it at least running.

New battery, and hopefully only a few other smaller things could get it going (albeit, probably not wonderfully), but that may be enough to put on CL. I would guess if it were running and could get from point A to point B, you could sell it with the known issues and get at least $3k for it if not closer to 4 or 5k.

 

Tough position there. Put it up for sale on CL and try to gauge the buyers interest. Only sell to someone who wants to run it.

You should have little issue getting $1000 for that car. I would list for $2000 though

 

Thanks for the input, elduderino and redline!

I've been reluctant to try to start it after so long. Even if I change the oil first, I'm imagining rings rusted to cylinders, and seals, gaskets, hoses, and belts failing, etc. Even assuming a best-case scenario, to get it road-worthy I'm figuring $500-800 in parts, which I just can't afford. In fact, I'd be happy to sell the car as-is for that.

 

I'm willing to bet it will start right up. I wouldn't worry about rust.

I recently bought an avant that was sitting for two years. I charged the battery and it fired right up.

 

Unless it was parked outside with the plugs out and the hood up, the rings won't be rusted. I might be wary of the timing belt, unless it was fairly new when you parked the car. I certainly wouldn't part-out a nice vehicle like that, unless you have lots and lots of spare time. Start it up, get it washed and buffed, then advertise all over. The only problem is you might change your mind and plan to keep it.

 

The timing belt will definitely need to be replaced, when it sits without moving for a long time the whole belt deforms. It'll run, but it won't be long until it breaks or the teeth separate.