Looking for some advice from the TST community.

[naDintheHat]

OK so the story goes that I have a younger brother who has had his problems in his young life and I am currently trying to get him into cars as a way to keep him out of trouble. Well with the background out of the way the problem is he got himself a 90 Civic Si for his first ever car, sank all his cash into and the motor blew in it. So he comes to me for advice on what to do if he should get another motor (JDM or USDM) to put in it or get get rid of it and get something else. Just kinda looking for some opinions on what i should tell him to do.

-Dan

[ToTheIX's]

depends on what kind of funds he has to work with really.....its a wide open question your asking

[freebmx444]

i would say sell it and have him buy a 1g dsm (he wont have $ to do anything bad with except put in all his $ into the car)

[Chris(NJ)]

depends on what kind of funds he has to work with really.....its a wide open question your asking

2nd. Does he have the cash to go out and buy a new car? Or is he strapped for funds? Mechanically inclined to do work himself (w/ you?). Even better, .. got a place to do the work? etc etc

[Intercooled T]

tell him the truth that a 90 civic isn't worth sinking a whole lot of money into and it's better spent elsewhere, especially when it comes time to re-sell. i'm not being sarcastic either.

[whitezenki]

Tell him to hit the gym! It is as much of a hobby and time consuming as cars, and hasnt cost me thousands of dollars. I dont even look huge or buff, but I like it and it keeps me from a lot of bad things from food to drugs.

[Sberk06]

basically it all depends on how much he put into the car other then just the price he bought it for. what kind of shape is it in? the fact that its an SI is pretty sweet, also that its his first car. people who say "resale isnt going to be good" are right in a way but resale of any car is gonna be less, cars on not real estate..

lets say he sells it now.. he gets $800 (thats saying the shells nice) how long will it take him to get the other 1000 for a different car like a 1g dsm. better yet will he take the money and get into trouble rather then saving it.

in my own personal opinion i say to keep it. let me learn the car. you can get another engine for $200-300, even an LS teg motor for 200-300 which will be a nice upgrade but then need the trans and what not. i'm not saying he should dump tons of money into it, but its cheap, reliable and nice begininer tuner.

[su_maverick]

but then again, if you get too frustrated with something then you tend to drop it and look elsewhere. What kind of goals does he have for a car? Does he want to get into any type of racing? The question is way too open for suggestions

-budget
-goals
-uses for said car
-etc

[Scapegoat]

get him a membership to SCCA for his next birthday and get him out to autocross events. If Ihad the money it'd be an addiction... I went to one, had a blast!!! I want to get rid of my srt-4 to get a rabbit and do the suspension all up and do basic engine mods for more power... lol

SCCA makes you nuts, you'll take any car and want to turn it into a performer... I really want another carbed GLH for autocross, lol

[BradC]

There are some good points in this thread already.

A 90 Si would make a nice autox-er, is he into anything like that or do you think he would like it?

If he sells it, does he have the loot to buy something else?

How did he pop the motor? If it was from neglect or abuse, help him put a new motor in (something cheap, I think an LS was mentioned above) and while doing it teach him how to care for a motor/car.

I think its admirable that you care for your brother enough to try to help, good job.

[98GSXdude]

freebmx has the golden plan. have him get a dsm. he'll be working on it more than he sleeps and sink every penny he has into the thing whether he likes it or not because he'll get hooked. he won't physically have time to do anything else. I hope you don't think we're kidding or exaggerating either.

[turbo4g63]

freebmx has the golden plan. have him get a dsm. he'll be working on it more than he sleeps and sink every penny he has into the thing whether he likes it or not because he'll get hooked. he won't physically have time to do anything else. I hope you don't think we're kidding or exaggerating either.

:iagree:

[naDintheHat]

Thanks guys for the input. Sorry it was too broad of a question, it has just been a completely frustrating week for me. The reason i asked you guys for help is my dad has been breathing down my neck for "advice" on what to do (mostly because he has to replace the turbo in his car and is pissed about it) since he likely is going to float him the loan if he gets something else, but considering the civic was owned by us for only like 3 weeks. (160K on the clock) I was have been looking at possible motor swaps for it. As for me helping him do the work on it, I don't really have that much knowledge on most of how to do things; i am learning slowly. That and he doesn't live with me nor does he live really close to me.
As for the car itself, the body is in decent shape i guess, a bit of rust and the rear bumper needs re-hung. Once i dig out my camera i could post up a pic or 2 of it.
I am going to suggest we either go with the whole swap idea or i am gonna look for an 1g dsm or any VW (both will sink all of his money).
Thanks guys, any more input would be great.

[su_maverick]

The biggest thing would be to get him started on learning how do things himself no matter what car he has. It tends to give someone pride in what they do with their car and keeps them out of trouble. You are less likely to do something stupid with your car if you just spent 30 hours putting together.

[freebmx444]

true^

[Sberk06]

did i hear panel rust? sell it.

i spent 1300 gettin rust taken off my old crx.

[naDintheHat]

From the looks of it and a second opinion he is only surface rust and he even told me himself that he is going to learn how to fix it himself. He decided he wants to keep it so we are currently searching for a D16A6 motor in or around the allentown area. If you all know of any places that we could check please post them up. And thanks for all the opinions, in the end it is his(and father's) call on what to do.

-Dan