big_g

This car was recently totalled I'm thinking of getting it fixed. I'm a little concerned about the rust though, since I plan on keeping it another 5 years at least. I live in AZ (car was from somewhere back East), so car rust is totally foreign to me... Is this rust bad, or no big deal? (What about in 5 years?)

FYI: It is a 99 T/A with 75k miles. Everything is in great shape. When it is all said and done I'd have a $2500 buy-back and $4500 in repairs, so $7000 in it with a restored title.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

no. the rust isnt that bad and could be fixed however thats way to much money to have in that car with a restored title. You could easily go out with 9k and buy a nice t/a with a clean title and that many miles or less

big_g

You would think. But I've looked at craiglist and Autotrader 10 times every day for over a month and have not found a single one under 100k that is in any kind of decent shape for under $11,000. That is looking here in Tucson, Phoenix, San Diego, and parts of New Mexico. In fact, the going rate here in Arizona appears to be 100k+ miles in 8/10 shape is around $8-$9k.

But yeah, $9000 for a restored title does seem a bit crazy...

Daniel Richards

iTrader: (1)

yeah, at 6500 in repairs, I would look for a roller and just swap everything from the wrecked car over, it would be cheaper and you'd have a clean title, especially if you can find a v6 roller, those go for like 1-2k and if you do the work yourself you'll come out WAY cheaper then paying for the repairs.

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

^^^ This. I would just find a roller as well. I got my '02 SOM Z with 110k miles(thing is almost mint) for $8500

00MaroonZ28

iTrader: (3)

^^^^^ What these two said.

luigiandme

iTrader: (2)

Way too overpriced!

BTW where in AZ?

big_g

Tucson. You wanna buy my car? I'd like to sell it to someone who can fix it back up. So sad to take another T/A off the road forever...

big_g

So I told the shop I didn't want to repair it, and they say they can do it for $4500 by not buying a brand new complete GM body panel and by discounting their labor rate. So then I'd have $4500+$2500=$7000 total in the car. They are going to completely replace the right quarter panel (and straighten or replace the right frame rail), replace the right half of the body panel, and straighten the left frame rail. All (used) GM parts. Labor and paint is warrantied for as long as I own the car. Now I'm tempted a bit... Am I crazy?
Anyone else ever have any repairs like this done and wind up happy/sad/mad in the end?

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

watch craigslist for a southern roller IMO.

big_g

Unfortunetly, I don't have the time or tools (or likely the knowledge) to make that swap.

M.BOZZ

iTrader: (14)

DON'T DO IT !! just be patient and look for a roller. Rust just sucks and you live in the southwest so just keep looking you will find something

TXsilverado

iTrader: (18)

is exactly what i said before my first header install, my first motor swap, first cam swap.....etc etc etc.

the only way to learn is to get in and get your hands dirty. a motor/trans swap is pretty straight forward. can help ya on the time or tools. i would bet a nice $80 set of decent tools would be enough.

M.BOZZ

iTrader: (14)

just looked at CL and seen a 2002 Pontiac T/A for 3000 grand, but add says that it has a 1993 chassis , 1996 powertrain and the 2002 body with a r/b t-56 and red seats. OK, so anyways body looks good

Black_Z28

iTrader: (1)

You're not looking that hard then. Hell, I was trying for 2+ years to sell my car for $12k, and it's a 2000 with 55K miles and about $25-27K invested in parts. It's never been driven in snow, has a spotless title, not a spec of rust.

I ended up just giving up on trying to sell it. Cars are not bringing what they once did in this market. And people that need to sell will sell for cheap. Just keep looking on this board. Hell, I'd even look on some Houston boards if you're really wanting another Fbody. Damn cars are a dime a dozen in Texas.

big_g

I suppose I fail to see how a complete swap would be cheaper than fixing mine? Sure I can buy a beat up roller, but I want my car to look nice too. So factor in $3000+ for a paint job and I'm still $4500+ in this. The upside is that I have a straight frame (which is my only real concern in fixing my car). I take it people here have had less than favorable work done at bodyshops?

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

i've seen some beautiful clean rollers go for cheap... It's your car, up to you

M.BOZZ

iTrader: (14)

Hey black Z I feel your pain, tried selling mine 2+ years ago for 12,000 with almost 11,000 miles on it. now I dumped 11 k more in it on top of the 12K and can't get 12k for it. As the rusty T/A goes, do as what you feel is right. You like the car, fix it. Its not a good investment, but who cares - its just a car

big_g

Haha, I don't think I'd call my car a "rusty T/A"... (see pic) I really just wanted to know if the rust was bad, which it doesn't seem to be. POR-15 works well too I've heard?

And FWIW I think I may fix it anyways, and I am 100% sure I could sell it tomorrow for at least close to the $7000 I'd have in it. Wherever you guys live is a whole different car market than here in AZ. Seems like everyone on all these car threads always talks about how they found their perfect, 20k miles, 10/10, all options, etc., car for $100. Shenanigans. Here is what I've seen:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/ctd/4277078686.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4277269969.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/4251913101.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/4266495501.html
http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/4277063891.html

M.BOZZ

iTrader: (14)

sorry man, no offence on the rusty thing,. I grew up in maine and owned some real rust buckets. I ve been in az for 22 years and work on cars all day (except mine ) and if I see any rust I go into relaps, just spoiled with the no rust thing. I live in phx