So I get this car from a friend (famous last words) who got it from the original owner, who said it'd never been wrecked. I get it for $500, running, sight unseen b/c I've known this guy since grade school amd he needed the cash.

I'm checking out the frame in the front, and what do I find... but BOND-O! Some unscrupulous shop decided that this was the proper way to patch up the frame. The damage doesn't seem to affect the way the car drives, but it's there nonetheless. It really pisses me off, as I wanted to fix up the car... oh well, that's what I get for being trusting. I don't blame my friend, he would've told me had he known... anyways, here's some pics

before Bond-O removal...

(you can still see the crinkles)

after bond-o


another close up pic


I haven't taken it to a body shop b/c the rest of the car is currently in pieces in my garage. You guys think this is worth fixing, or is it time to cut my losses? Like I said, I had wanted to make the car pristine, but I'm thinking it's not worth the energy and $$$ for this particular car, and it might be better to just big up another FC w/ a blown engine for cheap and go from there.

 

Check to see if the damage extended into the chassis and sub frame.

If the crash is just to the front, crush zones then the car will drive fine.

Returning it to "pristine" condition is a waste of time though.


-Ted

 

so this car runs? and it was $500? and youre bitching because??

 

Yeah no kidding what year is it? The engine might be worth more then that!

 

I'm bitching b/c
a) the damage was covered with bond-o
and
b) I wanted to restore the car, but it's not worth it.

That said, don't get me wrong, I'm still quite happy with the car. So far I've had to rebuild the rear brakes and do some exhaust work, and replace the intake b/c the stock air box fell apart when I went to check the filter. Also had to replace the ECU b/c my friend is an idiot, and new headlight motors...and had to put the driver's side door back together, along with most of the interior, but that's common...

see? there I go bitching again. I'm just a picky bastard, I guess.

 

I'd bitch about the ECU, those can be expensive.

 

nah, got lucky. 326 ECU for $30 + shipping

The car has nothing major wrong with it, besides what I posted, but has alot of little things. It also has it's fair share of rust, which is to be expected. I'm going to get about removing and rust proofing tonight. All in all it's going to be a fun little beater, and I'm enjoying learning the in's and out's on the rotary.

Also, the guy I bought it from thinks it might be street ported, but doesn't know for sure, since the original owner can only be contacted via a ouiji board

That's the other thing I'm upset about. This guy was a pretty good guy, and probably paid to have the job done right. Instead, he got bond-o.

 

so....use it as a parts car and find another one that hasn't hit something.

 

if it's just the Rad support thats a bit tweaked it's really not a big deal as long as the frame is straight and the subframe is alright. if you have a welder you may just want to weld on a couple of small supports, grind them down and use a bit of spray paint.

 

hey, you should have made the title of the thread, "things that suck for $500"

 

This is what I was thinking. Although I missed it in these pics. there's a piece of the support that has, for lack of a better word, a tear in it. I think some extra support is in order.

As for using it as a parts car, the thought did cross my mind

 

Hey you get what you pay for. I would love to buy a running FC for $500, but I wouldn't expect a $500 car to be in tip-top shape. Anyway just fix all the little ****, and remember to have fun, cuz prestine ain't fun !

 

Now you'll just have to do the rest of the car in Bondo.

 

lol does bond-o qualify as weight reduction?

 

lol i dont think so !

 

Does your friend know anything about cars? Just by looking at that first picture you can tell it has been hit. Or doing the hitting.

James