Last year I purchased a high mileage 96 GT Turbo. It had about 362 000 km on the clock and 25 previous owners, so I am proud owner number 26. First picture is the moment after purchase. I drove it 1000km home without any issues, although the car had many issues. Brakes were terrible, lots of weird noises, wheels rubbing up the rear arches, almost no travel in suspension in the front so it was a rough ride. After a week the blow off valve flew out and knocked off inner axle boot and its contents greased up the exhaust. Blow off valve was just shoved in the hose and not clamped in. So that was the first fix. I changed engine oil, filter, air filter and coolant next.
I drove it for 3 months, barely used any oil. I checked coolant 2 times in the month after changing it and it was good, didn't check it later. One day the coolant temp went up and I pulled over asap. I let it cool down, checked the coolant and it was low. No visible leaks, nothing on ground. First thought was headgaskets. Took it to a mechanic and they told me it was leaking from the water pump. So new water pump and timing belt. When I picked it up again, I couldn't even get home before the temp went up and when I took it back the second time they told me it was headgaskets, both of them. They changed the headgaskets, heads were in good condition and was put back in after machine shop. They told engine was in good condition and after I got it back engine's been great.
The car is originally pre face lift, so I also put in pre face lift grill and headlights, hood isn't easy to get cheap so haven't gotten around to it. The brakes were terrible and front springs were too, one of them were snapped. All wheel studs were cut to fit spacers. With good help from one of my friends I got to fix it by myself. Front brakes were STI Brembos and I wanted to fit 15" rims so they had to go anyway. Rear were stock brakes, very rusty and easier to just replace. Got a new set of stock brakes all around, painted them, new discs and pads. Braking is a joy compared to before. New springs in front made the car much more comfortable as well and I got more ground clearance, no wheels are rubbing anywhere.
It has clearly been through a lot and it shows. Headgaskets, water pump and timing belt kit has been costly, but the engine runs great. I was expecting it to be worse when I bought it. Really enjoying this car and now it's it for up a classic car event. As it is 30 years old now, it's a classic. The event is a long roadtrip with a big group of classic cars. Never done anything like it before and it will be fun with this car. Hopefully it won't let me down.
The plan when I bought it was to build and register it as a rally car. It is still my goal and I hope I can make it happen!