Am I insane for thinking this can be repaired?

[ObliqueFD]

Might be picking this FD up. It's going to need a good pull on a frame rack.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/obliquerx-7/CIMG0621.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/obliquerx-7/CIMG0620.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/obliquerx-7/CIMG0619.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v451/obliquerx-7/CIMG0622.jpg

[blwnrtr93]

That looks like a major PITA to fix. It will probably cost more than it's worth, in addition to being one hell of a headache.

[ObliqueFD]

Yes it will cost more than its worth. It's basically a shell I am going to build up. Mazda sells unibody pieces for a surprisingly decent price. The top portion of the firewall needs to be cut off along with the lower frame section behind the driver's wheel. After everything is pulled in to position the replacement panels can then be MIG welded in to place. Follow up with a little paint and it's good to go.

[David Jerome]

Have you checked the other forum lately, there are some really cheap blown motor and rolling chassis fds over there right now. A lot of them need minor body/paint work which is why they arent worth me buying. Unless you are getting this body for around $500.00 I wouldnt waste your time and the car needs to come with a clear title for that price.

[ObliqueFD]

I'm getting a good deal on it. It'll be worthwhile since I'm doing the work.

[0110-M-P]

Sounds kind of like you just want someone to talk you into/out of doing it even though you have pretty much made up your mind that you want to do it. I say if it is worth the time, effort, and money to you then go for it.

[Proxy One]

If you are doing the work yourself and dont mind putting the money into saving it then go for it. Its one more 7 that wont get crushed or sit in a junk yard forever. I say Save it and bring her back from the dead.

[ObliqueFD]

I'd like to save it but I'm just worried if it's really worth all the time and effort. I can't make up my mind.

[Herblenny]

Best is to post what you are getting it for. Personally, I wouldn't mess with it as its already looking like its going to be a pain in the ass. Trust me, I had my handful of 7s and body work is sometimes more painful than dropping an engine. If you don't have a shop, I wouldn't even attempt.

[Max777]

I'd like to save it but I'm just worried if it's really worth all the time and effort. I can't make up my mind.

It's an RX-7.


/\ There's your answer.

I personally think that you could more than make up for it by parting it out in case you give up.

Either way, it's a double win!


EDIT: If you decide to get it, and part it out, I call the upper intake manifold, TB, the alternator, seats, and the wheels if they are any good, lol.

[David Jerome]

I just saw the thread for that car for sale. With a salvage title and the price he is asking it is no where near worth messing with. I will have a car for you in about 3 weeks that would be a much better deal, clear title and never wrecked. Im going to be asking $5500.00 for it. It would be way cheaper than trying to fix that red car and the title is clear so it would be worth about double what that car would be worth fixed.

[Herblenny]

David knows his stuff... If he has seen what this thing is going for and he says NO, I would agree with him without knowing the price.

I personally wouldn't touch this as I could already tell its going to be a "LONG" term project...

[dudemaaan]

is there more pictures of the whole car?

[David Jerome]

Its over on the other forum. The guy was asking $2200.00. You would have a $3-4k body shop bill minimum and that is if you cheap out. The only other option would be to remove the front clip and weld in another one. There are already a couple of people who do that on the other forum and in all honesty I would rather the car get parted then half assed fixed. The market is way too flooded with clear titled cars for good deals right now to waste your time on a car that in the end will only be worth about $7-8k on a good day.

[ObliqueFD]

I might buy the car for parts then and I'm not paying $2200 for it. The body shop is giving me a quote tonight.

[ObliqueFD]

I was quoted $1500 to fix it with them doing all the work. The body shop said most of the labor would be drilling the spot welds. So, I've decided I am going to drill the spot welds myself to save some money.

[Phoenix7]

why? I'm sure you can find other Chassis' in better shape (maybe not paint) for the same amount as buying this one and fixing it.

[ObliqueFD]

I've always wanted to gut a 7 down to the shell and restore it from the ground up. It may not be worth it, but it's worth my enjoyment. If worse comes to worse, I can part it out and break even.

[ObliqueFD]

Alright, like you guys have said, it isn't worth it. It'll be a good parts car though. :)

[David Jerome]

I love to see people do full restoration but please start with a clear title chassis. I dont care if you buy from me or not but just make sure you start with a clear titled car. I hate when people submit really nicely built salvaged fds to our website,www.speedforsale.com. and I have to break them the reality of the situation. It is rare to see any salvaged fd bring over $10k. Most in running form bring $6-8k.

[Max777]

Yeah, that's one thing I like about my FC... the shell isnt perfect, but then, when I have my car built, I wont have to worry about wrecking this shell, will drive better, etc..

but my ultimate goal is to get a coupe shell that is as nice as possible. A wrecked shell for a full out restoration is just not worth it, imo... maybe a neglected one, but not one with a ton of miles, rust, and frame damage on it...

if this was a drift car you were making, maybe it would be worth it, but then you shouldnt build it to the same pristine level you would build a personal car.

[SHPmainMAN]

ive SEEN worse pulled out, but is it worth the time effort and money. i seen frame straightening like that cost upward to almost 15k, but that was on an 07 vehicle that still had some worth. id love to see one more FD brought back... but also.. the more wrecked the more mines worth..ha ha jk. bring her back if you think you can.. it would make for a nice writeup and project build