What'* it matter what the car is worth money wise? He loves the car, so it'* worth it to him. That'* all that matters.

I paid $6000 for the car 14 months ago. I had a cracked motor mount, a dead speedometer, and the ventilation actuator replaced at purchase time, before taking delivery from the dealer. The undercarriage is perfect, and except for a small bit of blistering of the paint, developing just under the gas cap access door, the body is perfect. Even the engine compartment is exceedingly clean. The rear shocks are fading, but that'* it.

I don't value a vehicle for what I can sell it for. If I'm that worried about getting rid of it, I'd never buy it in the first place. Rather, I value it for the number of years I will get out of it before it completely falls apart on me. I hang on to my vehicles until I drive them into the ground (I'm currently driving my 15 year old Dodge Dakota, until I get the Bonneville up and running again.) For me, investing $10 grand ($6K for the purchase, $4K for a new motor) into a car that I can keep at least 5-7 years is not bad when compared to a new car, especially when you figure the '04 Bonneville SE, when originally purchased new, had a $37K "5 year average cost of ownership", according to the automotive press.