Is this 5500$ FD worth it?
 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r=&cardist=125

Does this look to be something that could be easily repaired to a point that it wouldn't like a rolling garbage pile of red on the right side? Do you guy's think it is worth it? This is pretty cheap especially considering that it runs and it is nearby. Any input would be more than welcome.

Thanks,
--Fritz

I don't think it worth it because you will need at least another 5~6g to fix the body.

If you're expecting a cheap & running FD out of this, pass on by. :)

Talk to a nearby bodyshop. Ask what it would cost for a new f. fender, new door, and a new rear quarter panel, including transfer of old interior parts and stuff onto new panels. don't forget painting the entire car because it's hard to match red. $10,000? I would'nt do it for any less

As long as the damage repair cost doesn't exceed 4,000.00, you'll be way ahead. Sounds like a very decent deal.

That is very easily $8-10k of body/paint work right there, assuming everything else is ok. Also, the car may have a Salvage title now, depending on how the previous owner dealt with their insurance.

Unless you are looking for a track only car, I would definitely move on.

I agree with the last three guys but also don't forget to check for frame damage,and don't take the owners word that the cars alright, any number of things could be wrong with the car, even if it starts & runs.

I bought my FD salaved about 2yrs ago. She was hit in the front pretty hard. Shroud was a bit bent up on the passenger side, light brackets were crumbled and radiator support was pushed in. I got her fixed and aligned for around $1,200 with parts. She has 27k miles and im still in the process of getting her together so I can pass inspection.. :)

I think if your into it go for it. If your going to put a body kit on it it will need paint anyway. I would be more concerned about the rear quarter. The rest you canfind on the forum in time (finder and door).

Also they say good compression, but they know how to do a compression check on a rotory and what it should be at. Drive it and make sure it boosts right.

Good luck.

Totally fixable...

The key is finding a used 1/4 panel assembly. Do all the R+R yourself (lights, mirrors, trim) and find a GOOD body shop.

If you aren't careful the cost of the repair will creep up and might make your time worth $0 vs. buying a nice FD. Mileage is low though so overall it is probably in good condition mechanically.

i agree, its fixable, just find a new door (which runs under 500 bucks plus the cost to ship to you and to take it off) and a new rear fender (400-500 bucks plus the cost to ship to you and to take it off) and just find some one which can weld for you or just buy a 400 dollar mig welder+gas tank+grinder and do it yourself. then just hit it with paint at some place cheap like macco for paint which will last a year or 2 or go to a pro place and spend about 4-6k for a custom show paint job. the window isnt even cracked so you save your self taht much more money!

I'd say it all depends what you're using the car for.

If you just need a parts car I'd say that's a good buy, this of course assumes most of the damage is body only. I guess it would also depend on what kind of parts you needed from this car and if you could sell the rest.

If you're looking to repair the car and have a normal well running FD then it could end up costing you more then if you just waited and looked around for a good deal on an FD that doesn't need any work.

I agree. IMO I would try and estimate the value it will be worth after you're done with it. With 50k and a clean title, it should still have good value if it's put back into shape. Also there are people parting cars out in the 3rd gen section all the time, most of them being cars hit in the front so it might be possible to buy a rear cut off of one of them. I am in the process of repairing a damaged/light wreck FD myself, and while not quite that bad make sure you have a little cash to play with as parts run up in $$$ real quick..

A parts car?

It has rear quarter panel and door damage.

What's up with people and their non-recycing vulture mentality these days. The car is completely fixable.

P.S.: Selling the rest? You'll sell a shell that will cost someone else even MORE to make usable.

buy it if you have the money and time for its repair.

Rear quarter panels are not something you can just pull off another car! The entire rear section of the car is one piece (same piece as the roof,/ frame, etc.) I'd be careful with this one...

Manolis,

I have a bridge for sale if you're interested.

The seamless layer of paint covers the non-visible quarter panel -> roof seams underneath.

Any frame damage to me is priceless to fix. If you want it to drive like and FD, buy a straight FD. No amount of frame work will keep it driving is straight. But if you are looking just to cruise, and if you can do it cheap, I'm all for it.

I think turbojeff would tell you differently - and he has the experience to back it up.

People, almost all cars are spot welded together. That means you can drill out the spot welds and replace sheetmetal.

Mazda sells just about every part of the car in pieces, the problem is that FD needs several pieces and it can get expensive to buy them new. Most FDs are hit in the front, so that means that there are A LOT of 1/4 panels and complete rear sections of FDs sitting around. I've personally thrown away 2 rear sections of FDs cause I didn't have the space to store them.

The roof is a separate piece of the car as are the 1/4 panels. It would be very difficult to assemble on the production line if it were one piece. 1/4 panel replacement is standard crash repair procedure with all cars.

From the pic that car appears to be fixable. It would be interesting to look at the floor of the car and rear strut tower area.

My experience:
http://community.webshots.com/album/69912816VsRYvb

My latest project FD just showed up at 7am this morning from Louisiana. I'll be posting pics of it's repair process as it progresses.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...&highlight=wtf

Just because that's all the damage the seller lists doesn't mean that's ALL the damage...

You'd also be surprised as to how eager others sometimes are to pick up stock fd parts because of the cost of buying them from the dealer... I'm not suggesting he has to sell everything just what he can to make some of his money back and if he has to JUNK THE REST... because I have non-recycling vulture mentality!

This is especially true with high performance sports cars that have strict specifications... when by bros fc was involved in a crash and the rear chassis was twisted they quoted him an outrageous amount to fix it and said it would only be 98% back to normal. The bodyshop owner someone with experience in repairing car frames said that any car with frame damage will never be 100% the same again!

Just some stuff to consider...

Jason

hey guys, i bought my car pretty similar condition to that car, although im from new zealand, the car only cost me 4g. which is around 2g US dollers, anyway my car i had to replace the whole right hand rear quater panel, replaced right hand door, replaced front bumper chasis was bent so i straightned it, engine subframe was replaced. front right shocks and wishbones replaced. but all in all its damn cheaper than buyin a rx on the market.
i have a few pics of my car but i dont know how to post it.

If your looking for a project...you found it. In my best opinion, I would cut all the bad metal out and install a wide body kit, but then you'll have to invest in some wide rims/tires. Just an idea. good Luck.

If I were you, I wouldn't settle for anything more than 5000. But, it's your money. Do what you will and good luck to ya. :D

I just had my rear quater panel replaced and 2/3's of the car repainted by a GOOD shop. This was all covered by insurance because some jack-ass backed into me.

It cost $4,200!!!! I couldn't beleive what the insurance co agreed to pay to fix some cosmetic damage. The new rear q panel cost $569 the rest was labor. cutting, welding, prep and paint, etc.

Another low-end chop shop gave me an estimate of $900 to pull, bondo and paint it.