Car needs restoration. Tired of it.
#1
Hi sir
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Modesto/Rancho Cordova CA
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Car needs restoration. Tired of it.
Folks, My car has been in decline for several years now. I got it bone stock in 1997 from a dealer and lucked upon a '94 R2. Loved the car and spend hours polishing it (even hand polishing the aluminum suspension parts with a Dremel tool ) Been to 7Stock and modded it mostly myself. I put a new motor in it and that motor is not gone again.... Only a few thousand miles on it and it dead... Paint is original and pretty, but dinged up and I hit a pole like an idiot backing up in my office parking garage a few years ago and just haven't dedicated money or have the money necessarily to do anything. Front fenders are torn up too from the tires grabbing the lip in turns.. The other day I backed the car out of the garage to get some camping stuff out the car just died. I noticed that the oil pan I keep under the car is full of oil, some clear liquid which I believe is steering or clutch fluid, and there is some white dried crud too which I assume is coolant Turbos are probably toast too. Original twins at 96K miles. It's all kinds of messed up. I'm at the point of just trash it or let somebody do a project.
Is there a builder that I can take the care to and just have everything done at one place? Potentially minor body work and paint and all the motor work. Make a bulletproof (ish) car to just drive and not mess with. The cost will of course dictate whether or not I can swing it, but I've had this thing for almost 22 years now and I hate to crap it away. I can't spend a lot, but I don't want cheapo or inferior work and parts. I asked this on the FB forums and got some pretty good suggestions. Any more ideas here?
Is there a builder that I can take the care to and just have everything done at one place? Potentially minor body work and paint and all the motor work. Make a bulletproof (ish) car to just drive and not mess with. The cost will of course dictate whether or not I can swing it, but I've had this thing for almost 22 years now and I hate to crap it away. I can't spend a lot, but I don't want cheapo or inferior work and parts. I asked this on the FB forums and got some pretty good suggestions. Any more ideas here?
#2
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (15)
I am sure there are shops willing to help you out, however, budget will dictate all of what needs to get done. You could stagger the approach to your restoration, where you can have the engine addressed. While it is out, you could then have the engine bay repainted. I would recommend focusing your effort and funds on what matters most to you. But if I were you in your shoes, I would get the car running well first before doing any exterior work.
#3
Racecar - Formula 2000
IMO, FourtyOunce has the right idea. Get the mechanicals right before you spend a ton on the bodywork. A good repaint with minor body repairs may cost nearly as much as the total of everything else. Once it's mechanically sound, you can decide whether you want to go further.
Also, in my case I'm delaying a repaint because if the paint were perfect I'd be REALLY paranoid about parking it most places.
Also, in my case I'm delaying a repaint because if the paint were perfect I'd be REALLY paranoid about parking it most places.
Last edited by DaveW; 06-27-19 at 08:57 AM.
#4
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Sounds like the motor needs to be pulled and have everything gone through - new gaskets where needed, new coolant hoses, find and fix leaks, etc. I agree, I would get it mechanically sound then get some body work done to it.
If it's getting to where you've lost the passion for the car and you're ready to move on it will be worth a good amount of money even as it sits.
Really, it sounds like pretty minor stuff that needs to be sorted out to get the car happy again.
Having a shop do the work could be pricey, I know there are a ton of RX-7 shops in California so you're in good shape there.
Dale
If it's getting to where you've lost the passion for the car and you're ready to move on it will be worth a good amount of money even as it sits.
Really, it sounds like pretty minor stuff that needs to be sorted out to get the car happy again.
Having a shop do the work could be pricey, I know there are a ton of RX-7 shops in California so you're in good shape there.
Dale
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2GSLSE (06-27-19)
#7
Hi sir
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My concern starts to be that with at least $10k in mechanical and let's guestimate $6-7K in body and paint.... I can just pick up a really nice complete car for about $25K and sell mine for something.
Last edited by Donovan; 06-27-19 at 04:31 PM.
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#8
Hi sir
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Location: Modesto/Rancho Cordova CA
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Sounds like the motor needs to be pulled and have everything gone through - new gaskets where needed, new coolant hoses, find and fix leaks, etc. I agree, I would get it mechanically sound then get some body work done to it.
If it's getting to where you've lost the passion for the car and you're ready to move on it will be worth a good amount of money even as it sits.
Really, it sounds like pretty minor stuff that needs to be sorted out to get the car happy again.
Having a shop do the work could be pricey, I know there are a ton of RX-7 shops in California so you're in good shape there.
Dale
If it's getting to where you've lost the passion for the car and you're ready to move on it will be worth a good amount of money even as it sits.
Really, it sounds like pretty minor stuff that needs to be sorted out to get the car happy again.
Having a shop do the work could be pricey, I know there are a ton of RX-7 shops in California so you're in good shape there.
Dale
Hey, how about you just sell me your car?
I love the car for the 15 minutes it runs well but it's just a pain in the *** because it's falling apart fast. Engine is leaking from all over and it stalled and sounds like it's on one rotor now... I'll try plugs because... They fix everything lol. It was warmed up when it stalled though and I got the coolant light so that;s not good. I'm just tired of wrenching on it. I don't have time or room or funds for a project. I have a little girl that demands all my time and she likes LEGOs... LEGOs are expensive.... I just want it done or gone really at this point.
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MattGold (06-28-19)
#10
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (1)
Cool, you can get paint and body done too? How about little interior detail etc? Any ideas on what kind of price we'd be looking at for this. Obviously dependent on seeing the car and what it actually needs upon assessment. I'm assuming a new Motor @$5,000 and new turbo @$4,000 just to get started minus labor.
My concern starts to be that with at least $10k in mechanical and let's guestimate $6-7K in body and paint.... I can just pick up a really nice complete car for about $25K and sell mine for something.
My concern starts to be that with at least $10k in mechanical and let's guestimate $6-7K in body and paint.... I can just pick up a really nice complete car for about $25K and sell mine for something.
#11
Full Member
iTrader: (4)
Here is what I think you would be looking at for prices. Like everyone else said I would get the car running first and then consider if the bodywork is worth it. Worst case you would get your money back with it in a running state vs selling a roller.
1) Most current shop rebuild prices are around $3500 with a loose engine including all parts and labor.
2) Removal and Reinstallation of a typical engine is about $1500 including all parts and labor.
3) A set of twin turbos can run anywhere from $200 to $1000 if you don't mind used. If you absolutely have to have new turbos then you are looking at around $2,500 (new Efinis or BNR's). Labor should be included with either of the above.
4) Decent bodywork (at least insurance quality) will be about $500 per panel if they don't need to be removed. Add $175-300 for each new fender or bumper if needed (also add another $100 per piece for removal and reinstallation costs). Extent of bodywork and color may affect this.
1) Most current shop rebuild prices are around $3500 with a loose engine including all parts and labor.
2) Removal and Reinstallation of a typical engine is about $1500 including all parts and labor.
3) A set of twin turbos can run anywhere from $200 to $1000 if you don't mind used. If you absolutely have to have new turbos then you are looking at around $2,500 (new Efinis or BNR's). Labor should be included with either of the above.
4) Decent bodywork (at least insurance quality) will be about $500 per panel if they don't need to be removed. Add $175-300 for each new fender or bumper if needed (also add another $100 per piece for removal and reinstallation costs). Extent of bodywork and color may affect this.
#12
Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
Cool, you can get paint and body done too? How about little interior detail etc? Any ideas on what kind of price we'd be looking at for this. Obviously dependent on seeing the car and what it actually needs upon assessment. I'm assuming a new Motor @$5,000 and new turbo @$4,000 just to get started minus labor.
My concern starts to be that with at least $10k in mechanical and let's guestimate $6-7K in body and paint.... I can just pick up a really nice complete car for about $25K and sell mine for something.
My concern starts to be that with at least $10k in mechanical and let's guestimate $6-7K in body and paint.... I can just pick up a really nice complete car for about $25K and sell mine for something.
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Nakd n Fearless (06-29-19)
#15
Rx7 Wagon
iTrader: (16)
Here is what I think you would be looking at for prices. Like everyone else said I would get the car running first and then consider if the bodywork is worth it. Worst case you would get your money back with it in a running state vs selling a roller.
1) Most current shop rebuild prices are around $3500 with a loose engine including all parts and labor.
2) Removal and Reinstallation of a typical engine is about $1500 including all parts and labor.
3) A set of twin turbos can run anywhere from $200 to $1000 if you don't mind used. If you absolutely have to have new turbos then you are looking at around $2,500 (new Efinis or BNR's). Labor should be included with either of the above.
4) Decent bodywork (at least insurance quality) will be about $500 per panel if they don't need to be removed. Add $175-300 for each new fender or bumper if needed (also add another $100 per piece for removal and reinstallation costs). Extent of bodywork and color may affect this.
1) Most current shop rebuild prices are around $3500 with a loose engine including all parts and labor.
2) Removal and Reinstallation of a typical engine is about $1500 including all parts and labor.
3) A set of twin turbos can run anywhere from $200 to $1000 if you don't mind used. If you absolutely have to have new turbos then you are looking at around $2,500 (new Efinis or BNR's). Labor should be included with either of the above.
4) Decent bodywork (at least insurance quality) will be about $500 per panel if they don't need to be removed. Add $175-300 for each new fender or bumper if needed (also add another $100 per piece for removal and reinstallation costs). Extent of bodywork and color may affect this.
#20
Endure Persevere Succeed
iTrader: (30)
Sell it and move on with your life. Sometimes these cars can keep you from making a bigger leap forward in life.
If you get into a better position in life and have the expendable income to get an FD again, then you'll be able to make that decision regardless of how much the prices have risen.
If you get into a better position in life and have the expendable income to get an FD again, then you'll be able to make that decision regardless of how much the prices have risen.
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