We have acquired this car for free and as we adults all know, this should be enough to make any new driver happy. But it's not. We are a car family; I'm a gear head and even my wife is a car person and quite an operator. This '92 745 GLA, white w/ tan leather is in pretty good shape. It's been sitting out for 3 years and is a little mildewy and smells a little like Grandma inside. It's got beat hubcaps but otherwise is really straight and not rusty. Jane (not her real name) had her sights set on my Saab 9-3 but that's not going to happen, at least not for a couple years. We don't own any automatics and have taught Jane and her little sister (off road) to drive the sticks and Jane was really looking forward to mixing her own gears (as learned on this board, A in GLA stands for automatic). Jane doesn't like anything about this car....
What can I do to JAZZ UP this rather pathetic grandma-mover so it's more acceptable to an embarrased teenager. I don't need a speech about unappreciative kids-these-days and how spoiled our Jane must be; I've been there. I've suggested that she can clean it up, sell it and get something else but that probably isn't the best thing right now. I'm the mechanic and I know this car was well maintained and probably has another 100k left in it. She is working but really can't afford to do much. I digress.... back to the question; her sister and I want to PIMP HER RIDE. Maybe even do my first ever paint job! Chime in people. She's a good kid , getting good grades and very responsible. I'm willing to hit the junk yards for wheels, trim , whatever.... Thanks, C.

 

They're safe cars with big brakes....I am with jane though automatics...well just don't do it for me. You could install sway bars from ipd to improve handling but they are on the pricey side. My son didn't like the manual volvo 240 wagon I got for him. So I let it sit there for about a month. Rather suddenly he decided it was ok! He drove it for many years........and was happy with it. Let it sit.....

 

Tell her it's her only choice. She'll eventually drive it, or work real hard to afford something else. And go down to the auto detailer and ask for a full detail. it'll be maybe $80-100, but will make the interior look pretty new.

 

Or sell it to someone who is really wanting a stock wagon that was gently driven?

 

Well it all depends on what she wants and what your willing to pay for a do.

- Engine mods?

- Suspension mods?

-Interior mods?

- Exterior mods?

 

High performance engine and/or handling isn't the thing here. It's looks. I'll probably set up 2 sets of wheels and keep the existing for snows. What are my choices at the junkyard? What does the '92 740 cross with? Is there a stock air dam or rear spoiler from another trim level or model that will fit on this car? I'm looking for things that will make the car a little less homely...

Another idea is that it becomes Dad's dump/utility car and I could do the 5.0 Mustang engine conversion. It would be a great tow vehicle and a real sleeper... Digressing again...