So, my mother informed me that she wants rid of her ION... It's been sitting for about a year, not having been driven... She talked about crushing it, and that's when my protective instinct kicks in...

I can buy it for scrap value($200), and it runs and drives, but needs lots and lots of work...

I don't think parting it out would be a profitable venture, due to high mileage (187k)and extremely poor cosmetic condition... Nor do I think that I can flip it for any profit either, due to the cost of getting it back up to saleable condition...

I'm thinking about using it for a beater, but I'm not sure if I should even bother... She offered me parts that might be compatible with my IRL, but they are few, far in between, and mostly broken or worn out...

The car needs

Lights(from the 86,000 deer she has hit)
Suspension(shocks, struts, possibly more)
Transmission (3rd gear won't engage at all, just grinds)
The left rear door fixed(it won't open at all, hasn't for years now)
Exhaust(it was ripped off)
Clutch pedal(surprise!)
About 20 hours worth of detailing work to remove smells and stains...

And that doesn't delve far into cosmetic work either, that is just it's mechanical/inspection related faults...

Should I just run away instead?

 

"Run away, Run away....!!!!!" (The knights of the round table fleeing the killer rabbit.)

 

As a positive, it's L61 still starts each time, and there is no timing chain noise at all, and Goalie might have all the stuff it needs... I'm really not worried about the door or painting it... I kinda hate to see it crushed, given that it can be fixed... My mom just won't save up and buy one major part at a time...

 

dude

re read slowly what you posted it needs.....you could spend that amount of cash on buying a beater that already runs.

Part out what you can as a cash recovery project, which ends when you sell the engine.

You will therefore not be crushing a running vehicle --- only a shell. The heart of the vehicle will beat on in another car....

 

I would part it out. Not worth the aggravation or the cost to bring it up to beater status.

 

I agree with derf and Jeff. Just not worth it.