To repair or not to repair

[PaulChater]

Hi

I have a uk spec fd3s. It\'s been sat on my drive for quite some time and its come to the point where I either need to repair it or sell it on and buy something else. As with most uk cars which are left outside for long periods its got some rust issues, needs a respray etc. it\'s mechanically sound got 67k on the clock, but the engine was rebuilt by rotechnics when it had 40k on the clock. All told it will probably cost 5-6k to get it fixed up and looking good. For that money or a couple of k more I could get something else, or a newer rx7 import.

Is investing that amount in it worth it. What would it be worth once done.

Opinions ?

Thanks

Paul

[clive]

Hi Paul,

Pictures would help so we could see its condition

[mpk490p]

Hard to say the uk cars are pretty rare, I would love a sunroof in mine!
But I guess it depends how attached you are to the car, most end up getting split as you can get more pennies that way
(Will take the rear washer bottle if you do split it ��)

[PaulChater]

Hi Clive,

Here are some photos. The repairs that would be required are:

1. rear wheel arch needs replacing. I can source the necessary chunk of car for this. The rust in the photos needs fixing. There is a small hole at the rear underneath the passenger side sill which needs fixing.
2. All 4 shock absorbers need replacing. I have second hand ones to put on. (the springs broke on one side, whilst the car was sat on the drive, (I am amazed by this). Hence the car is undrivable and will need to be recovered to where ever its fixed.

3. all the dents, scratches etc. need fixing, which probably means a respray.
4. The carpets inside need lifting to let the air circulate about because it appears damp inside.
5. I have new break pads for it which should go on as well.
6. The wheels are ok but could do with a referb.
7. the drivers seat mounts could do with replacing (rusted but still functional)
8. A couple of break lines need replacing.
9. Changing the fluids would be a good idea also
10. It needs an MOT.

BTW. I got a rough quote from my local bodyshop. If anyone knows anyone who would be interested in repairing it if I decide to go down that route. I would welcome recommendations if possible.

Some images. I can add more if necessary.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0PEpfbPkdDQdU92c011cUtxSVk&usp=sharing


Thanks

Paul

[clive]

I would say the initial estimate was spot on,

Tough decision but if you go ahead at least you know the car already

[boosted]

Hi Mate,

Id be interested in repairing this mechanically for MOT purposes and the guy that sprayed my race car would probably be interested in the cosmetic side of thing.

A little about myself....Dairy engineer by trade but for the past 5 years had a part time business mot repairs and servicing. All legit with HMRC.

Owed an RX8, RX7 and just rebuilt my westfield race car with a rx8 lump in it.

Have a look at my build thread.

Labour rate would be £25.00 per hour...cost to get it to wiltshire on a transporter would probably be £120 ish.
 
I would tackle the obvious mechanical jobs in order to make it mechanically safe for the road and then take for mot...all insured legit etc.

This wouldnt arrive at my house and me spend odd hours here an there id crack on and get it done.  Id enjoy it and prob do a repair thread so you could track progress and it would rescue me from repairing awful french junk.

if interested email at b3nut AT btinternet.com

No obligation at all.

Ta Jon

[samoht]

Just to say, my FD was \'damp inside\', water was getting in round the spoiler holes, ended up being a ~£2k job to repair the rust ahead and behind and around both rear wheelarches.  So be aware that rust may be worse than you can see, depending on how closely you have inspected it.

[nadz]

Hi mate if you decide to sell as it is let me know. 07880497019.

[PaulChater]

Hi,

I am going to get it fixed unless its uber expensive. Thanks for the comments & suggestions.

Paul

[boosted]

Paul has taken me up on my offer to do the repair work, we\'ve hatched a plan to get into onto the mot repair ramp as cost effective as possible before expensive bodywork commences..that way we have an exit strategy if she looks like shes too far gone to repair fully only minimal outlay which would help any onward sale.

Looking forward to getting stuck in, gotta have an FD in your life!

[boosted]

On an mot ramp next week! Shes is moving around on her own power...rear arb thought me hard. But i won with a little help from my mate Butane....Butane Blowtorch!  Hes firery!
Cleaned up all the brake pipes and lashings off lube n copper grease.
Basics done...lets see what mr mot says.

[boosted]

not very often have to use the long uns but rear bolts murder tight....car struts all replaced with bilsteins allround.

[boosted]

[boosted]

Mot\'d today....always going to be a fail but not to bad atall...

got some welding. x2 sills and x2 floor pan.

2 blows on the exhaust so lamda well out so aborted rest of emissions test.

horn mooin noise fail.

1 tyre as craked badly.

parking brake eff. so needs 2 calipers.

tentative drive on way there...3 rev rises on way home and boosting fine.

repair full steam ahead...see wanted section.

[boosted]

just a little update. taken a awhile but got 12 months MOT ! had a little help from Hayward Rotary as the turbo packs needed changing and i chickened out!
off to spray shop tomoz.