Enable me or talk me down

1997 neon acr. The one that got away for me.  I have missed this car since two hours after i sold it. 

Needs an engine, as the built one i had with the car broke a rod.

Comes with a full 2.4 swap of unknown condition. Also the numbers matching engine that was smoking pretty bad.

Two transmissions. The numbers matching acr trans and a 3.55 trans

Tti long tube and short tube headers

Stock exhaust and borla

Spare konis, mopar high rates, eibach prokit and konis on the car, full suspension rebuild parts, srt 4 short shifter, adjustable cam gears, and other stuff im forgetting. 

Link is to the pictures sine im doing it from the phone. Wants to trade for my e39 wagon. 

The emotional side of me can't resist. 

Financial part says i have 3500 in a bmw thats realistically only worth 2500 on a good day, and the neon trade value to someone else is 1500 without the kosei wheels. 

So, discuss and help me make the right decision. Im teetering on the brink of something awesome/stupid. 

Pictures of the current status, but not all the parts

Having excitedly re-read your original thread recently about the build for it, i say DO IT! 

The BMW is very cool. But its different cool. I dig my bmw E36 project but working on it is so different from a “normal” vehicle. Popping the hood on the e36 vs my old nissan truck gets different responses. I think it would be the same with this neon. Very simple, basic, easy to work on, nothing real scary about it. Then the bmw where everything is an exact procedure and you will break everything if you dont follow procedure(removing any interior pieces). 

Id rather have simple, easy and fun. 

Do it 

Sounds like you really never loved the BMW and did the neon. I'd trade

I want to see you build an engine so go for it.

I like the shade of blue for the Neon

Do it, but try for neon kit + $500

In reply to AngryCorvair :

Agreed.  I would need some boot if I was making that trade.  

I once bought back one that got away after someone else got their greasy mitts on it and things weren’t the same the second time around.  It’d be like going back to your wife knowing she nailed someone else while you were away

Doesn't seem like a bad idea...

Patrick said:

 It’d be like going back to your wife knowing she nailed someone else while you were away

GameboyRMH said:

Doesn't seem like a bad idea...

 You have some odd relationship goals.

You want what you want.....  

Patrick said:

I once bought back one that got away after someone else got their greasy mitts on it and things weren’t the same the second time around.  It’d be like going back to your wife knowing she nailed someone else while you were away

Agreed. You can never go home again. Do the trade for what's on the table today, just be careful not to let too much of the past creep in. It's an illusion. If you want an ACR, sell the BMW for good money and seek out the best ACR deal you can. 

This is too much like the 1:45 AM call from the bar to your ex, if you know what I mean... easy but not the best idea in the long run.

Cooter said:

Patrick said:

 It’d be like going back to your wife knowing she nailed someone else while you were away

GameboyRMH said:

Doesn't seem like a bad idea...

 You have some odd relationship goals.

Bwahaha I was referring to the E39/ACR trade and not Patrick's analogy...

In reply to Patrick :

Maybe she learned new tricks??

I'm in for enable. 

Ask how much the seller wants for a cash deal for the Neon parts pile. 

Is "numbers matching" a thing for Neons already?!?

In reply to Javelin :

It is to me. This is one of 4 known to still exist lapis blue acr's. In 1997 there were a total of 1050 acrs in 97, 525 coupes. 

So, numbers matching will matter at some point, probably in the next 10 years.

Im not sure of his financial status for cash and pile. Hes in pretty hard times, which is why this is even happening. He agreed when he bought it that i got first refusal if/when the time came to move on. 

Im awaiting word back on a cash price.

And i know the memory is better than it was in reality. Has to be, cause thats the way the mind works.i also know its NOT the same car i sold him, as it is much more molested than it was when it left. Its a big project, probably in the full restoration category to be honest .

Do it or you might be called for not having any follicles on your scrotum.

Hey Mister,

        that thing Got a Hemi ?

  How many non running cars ya'll got nowaday's

Get it.  I am still missing my '88 Daytona Shelby Z and have recently started looking for a replacement.

Mike,

     Was trying to be Cute but looking at the pics this my be a Knee jerk reaction, I have had a Few that I wish I still Had and Had the Chance to get some of them Back, but they also were not the same as I had left them. It hurts worse to let them go a Second time.

 You have a Super Kool MMMMe ati/answer WITH a BIG V6 to make NEW memories, So Onward

I don’t have any good pics but my buddy who got me into little cars called me years ago to go to the dealer as he wanted to order a new car - Neon ACR.   Huh?

Wait - factory Koni shocks?   I was pumped. He kept it for summer driving only and still has it today   Factory original - no rust.  He brings it to the local car show and has to convince them it should be let in.  Not a rocket but a respectable car.

In reply to Datsun310Guy :

I get a big kick out of car shows that "have to be convinced" to let cars in. You don't want my car there? This is the local K-mart, not motherberkeleying Pebble Beach!  Of course, these are the same guys that you can't even convince to take a ride at an autocross, should they randomly pull into one thinking that there are a bunch of cars and people around, so it must be a car show. :)