Free cars?

Occasionally, we see threads on this forum about such and such member has a friend that has such and such interesting car and that friend is willing to give it away if someone will just come and pick it up.

First question, anyone have an interesting free car they need taken off their hands?

Second, more serious question, for those who have been blessed / cursed with said free car, what have your experiences been?

Was it worth it, or did you get what you paid for... that is to say... nothing?

Do you still have it or did you get rid of it? Same condition, improved... worse that when you got it?

Free cars seem to be the ultimate GRM project. They have the right price point, they are likely not the ideal make/model/trim for that project, but someone who takes on and completes a project has likely shown a great amount of ingenuity, effort and elbow grease to take that car from a heap to something usable, maybe even respectable?

Tell me your stories...

I got a free, late 70's or early 80's Olds something or other. 350 RWD.
I towed it home with my Omni (I'll give you a second to picture a Dodge Omni towing a Olds Delta 88 or something on a rope). Wouldn't start. I monkeyed around with it for about 7 minutes, started it up and drove it to the guy's house I got it from. I offered to give it back to him for nothing. He didn't want it. Nice car, no rust and clean(ish) interior. I sold if for like $700 a few days later.
Then I was given a 1946 CJ2-A. I was going to restore that one. I parted it out. I think I made about $800 on that.

Ive gotten a bunch of free cars, probably 5 turbo AWD DSMs in various stages of disassembly and an RX-7.

Right place at the right time, getting the word out that I am "That Guy", and having a truck and trailer all play heavily into my favor.

My first free car was an '80 Mustang, 4 cyl, 4 speed with a worn out engine. I put two more 4 cylinders in it (the first one I put in ended up having a lower end knock), and ultimately a 5.0 Liter. It was my second cousin's car and he lived far enough out of town, a junkyard wouldn't even come tow it out for free.

Let's see...I was given an ~'84 buick regal with a bad headgasket on the V6. This was a freecycle, deal. I replaced the head gaskets and sold it for like $700 a few weeks later. It was a neat car, but I didn't want to keep it and fix everything else that was wrong with it.

I got a pair of free dodge...um...I don't know, new yorkers or something. They had 318 v8s in them. One of them fired right up and ran. The other had a bad fuel pump or fuel line or something (would run on a fuel IV). I sold them to a neighbor for $300 for the pair. I bet they're still driving one of them...or both...

I was given a free purple BMW 320i because it had a broken window, flat tire or two, and the rear suspension beam had broken loose from the car. I drove it home. A buddy welded the suspension back together, I spent probably $200 fixing little stuff here and there and getting some used tires for it. I sold it for, IIRC, $550.

Most recently I got an '89 Corolla. It's got title issues but runs ok. It's a back 40 car now.

I got a Suzuki Samurai. I posted a want ad on CL and a guy said he'd sell it to me. I asked for pictures. In the process of taking the pictures, the "seller" realized how rusty it was and decided he couldn't accept payment for it...I could have it. I still have that one and use it ocassionaly. Off road only.

There are more...I can't remember them all right now.

Usually, it's a case where you're removing a burden from folks. They're typically GLAD to see the things go. I like to help like that. I don't typically profit much from it...but I don't typically lose money on them.

Clem

I got a free europa body from someone on the board. I was planning to build a chasis for it. I would now let anyone else have the free europa body.

I once got a free dodge shadow (auto, 4 door, beige). I drove it for a winter before selling it for $200. I still feel ripped off as I should have been paid more than $200 to drive it for a winter.

I've had many other free cars offered to me, but in most cases they were something I had no interest in and I didn't want to use up one of my 6 parking spots for it.

Free is free, whatever you make of it is icing on tthe cake.

I got a free but rusty 2002 recently. In the trunk was a bag of five brand new stainless braided brake hoses. I won. Then I sold the car for $250.

I got a free 3 series BMW. The PO wanted the wheels and tires, so I had to get some. Someone donated wheels & tires from a car with the same bolt pattern, I had to fetch them about 3 hours away.

I was to sell the car to a friend that wanted to enter the LeMons race. That started in fighting between team members because one guy had the tools and a trailer, the others were "drivers". My friend got pissed and didn't want the car, by that time I was tired of looking at it so it went down the road for free.

Scenario 1: Win win.

Scenario 2: Drove 5 - 6 hours for wheels & tires, got no money, got stressed over someone else's problems. Not a win.

YMMV.

I got a free rusty 79 Prelude with a blown head gasket and frozen brakes. I sold it for $175.

I got three free VW Bugs. Sold one for $200 as a Formula Vee engine donor, swapped the engine from the second into the third and sold it for $75. Cut the second one up and threw it into a dumpster.

Someone gave me a 79 mgb - rusty mess - got about $600 parting it. Sister-in-law gave me a 900s 4-door. Drove it for about a year with no issues at all. Sold it before it got expensive (also insanely slow). Sister-in-law is still pissed at me for selling it - probably have to buy my niece a nice old saab when she hits 16 to make up for it.

I got a free '70 240z project. It's had extensive bodywork and rust repair done and it's all wrong. I just recently had to move it and every panel has bondo cracks all over. The doors and hood won't line up correctly because the car wasn't braced when the floor was cut out. The floor and rockers were repaired with sheet steel, rivets, fiberglass, and what looks like roofing tar. One of the headlight buckets is screwed into what looks to be "great stuff" expanding foam. The "freshly built" engine was halfass thrown together from parts he had lying around. There's much more I don't feel like listing, I'll probably end up buying another Z and using or selling the good parts off the free one. It did come with some neat centerline wheels, a MSA rubber front air dam, a bunch of extra engine stuff, extra sets of lights and headlight covers, a BNIB carpet kid, a complete set of NOS seat belts and luggage straps, and other nifty odds and ends that made dragging the broken hulk home worth it.

My completely rust free 140k '90 miata was $100. However, that was a family deal so I guess it doesn't count. I really wish I would have kept that car. At least it went to a good home (whoever the guy on here is that works for Koni bought it).

I got a "free" 1995 ford aspire from JB and Joey. It was well worth what I paid for it. I have put over 20,000 miles on the bad boy this last year with very little issues. New CV's, rebuilt caliper, a few fluid changes, a used driver side strut assembly, a wonky motor mount bolt, and a set of miata rims later, and it is still trucking along. I am planning to retire it in July if anyone wants it. It would be a great rallycross car!

I got a Galant VR-4 from the dealer I worked in. Ten years ago. I'm still driving it.

Free: '82 Civic missing third gear. I loved this car, 50 mpg, go-cart handling, but slowww. I gave it away to another board member mid D-series swap when I ran out of money, time, and a place to keep it. I was in college at the time. I'm pretty sure the new owner scrapped it as soon as it left my sight. Should've just swapped gearboxes and never got rid of it. This is the car I most regret letting go, free or purchased.

Free: '88 Fox "needs new engine" PO said. Came to me really, really dirty and with "new" junkyard engine. I replaced the coolant temp sensor and gave it a good wash and good to go. Sold for $400 to a man in need. Gave the engine to a VW friend.

Free: '87 325is with a 'sploded oil pan. Replaced oil pan, painted wheel centers black, removed ignition inhibiting Viper alarm system and miles of random wires, sold for $1500.

I've been offered a lot more but these particular cars caught me in those rare times when I was between projects. I also took in these particular cars because they were pretty interesting and I could see them being worth my time.

My dad and I are picking up a '75 CJ-7 tomorrow for free. Its missing most of the body but all the mechanical parts seem to be there. We shall see how it goes...

The closest I've come is a $100 car that I yanked the drivetrain out of to use in something else

my buddy jeff and i are the only 2 carguys i know who havent been offered free cars.

i am however looking forward to the possible lemons fiero another friend just picked up for free... i'll have to live vicariously free through him

Right now I have 2 "Free" trucks and a Bike. Truck 1 has been off the road for 13 years and basicly needs a frame-off. One of these days when I have the resoarces I do plan to get it back up. Truck 2 is a 4X4 F-150 in need of break lines with tons of body rust. Might make a good trail rat. This I might actually fix it this summer.

The bike is an old UJM that has been off the road for 16+ years... No idea if this will ever get fixed.

I got a free 87 RX-7 a year or so ago,and parted it out after finding it was severely rotted from use during the winter months,and sitting for about 2 years. I made probably $1000+ on that freebie. The best part was I found a 94+ RX-7 drivers side power window switch mixed in with the various parts,and sold it in a heartbeat for like $120. I still have a set of 16" OZ wheels from it that don't fit anything I own,and have been trying to give them away for well over a year with no luck.

I also got a pretty rotted 79 RX-7 a year or so back for free that I have kept lots of parts from,and sold lots as well. I bought a 79 Limited edition RX-7 for $300 last summer,and have already sold $600 worth pf parts along with keeping stuff for myself,and more to sell still.

I have done pretty good with free,or nearly free cars so far,but I am sure my luck will run out soon.

Chris

I will take those OZ rims if you don't want them! Shipping+? Let me know, and I will paypal you quickly!

Forgot to mention they are 4 lug rims. Sorry for the thread jack.

THREADJACK!

Mazdax605- do you still have that '87? I need a couple of parts for my '87.

No I don't have the car anymore,but I did save a few pieces. What are you after?

2 Questions:

1) @Carson: Can I be on the list to receive the free cars that don't inspire you???

2) Is it a good idea to have a free section or wanted section on the message boards? Does it cause redundancy?

Here are the free cars I've picked up over the last few years:

85 Chevy truck longbed 2wd: It had a blown motor. I installed a junkyard 350 and used it as a field truck for a year or so. The junkyard engine started smoking so I parted it out.....well I took it apart, but didn't really end up selling anything.

82 BMW 633CSI 5 speed: It had been sitting for a year and wouldn't fire. I got it running and drove it around the house a little to see how it ran. It was very rusty and needed brakes, electrical repair, etc etc. One day it wouldn't start. I traded it to a buddy of mine for his restored 80 Husqvarna 390 2 stroke dirtbike. He is now restoring the BMW....VERY rusty car.

87 Jeep cherokee 4x4: Had been sitting and wouldn't start. Owner said when she parked it reverse was out. I put a crank angle sensor on it and repaired some mouse damaged wiring and it fired. I then installed a junkyard transmission, used 3 inch lift, and used 31s. We used it for a field vehicle and trail rig. Man that thing took a beating. One time I sunk it in our pond real bad. I got it running again, but a few months later the I got it stuck and did some more damage getting it out. Wouldn't run after that, so I parted it out and kept the good stuff.

91 Mercury Capri XR2: Blown HG and had 272k miles with the original clutch!! I installed a used engine, new half shafts, radiator, waterpump, and some other stuff. Car runs great and looks pretty good. I might trade it for my buddies Checkmate boat or just sell it this summer when convertibles with working AC sell well.

mrwillie wrote: 2 Questions: 1) @Carson: Can I be on the list to receive the free cars that don't inspire you??? 2) Is it a good idea to have a free section or wanted section on the message boards? Does it cause redundancy?

Hell me too!

My sister came to me with her them about 12 yr old '90 Geo Prizm. She wanted help selling it.
Three shades of light blue paint on the exterior.
Oil light on
Tires worn to the exposed cords
Blown front struts
Brakes at metal to metal
Interior trashed from 12 years of no cleaning.
The car only had 110k miles

I gave her nothing for it but helped her find a replacement.

I did most of the work myself and then drove it for another year.
I had just got to the point where I could no longer stand it and was going to put it up for sale. I would have been happy to get $1k for it. Just about then I was rear ended and the other guys insurance cut me a check for $3,250. I gave half the money to my sister.

Win-Win.