im looking for a "project car" my requirements have been needs to be v8 and hopefully a 5spd so I don't have to swap either of those. Looking for a long term project. Don't even plan on driving for a few years. Want to make a 11 second street car long term goal. So long story short I found a "cheap" 5.0 gt. Needs floor boards and struts have some rust. Haven't seen the car in person but assuming everything is as described how hard would this be to repair ? If I took to a body shop what could I expect to pay? Any other areas of concern I should look at?
Replacing Floor Boards?
- Thread starter tjmaxx
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I'd pass.
Body work in general is expensive. Even worse when it requires welding and searching for rust.
If you already know there is rust in those spots, you can assume it's in other places too.
I probably wouldn't take a rusted roller if someone gave it to me for free.
As for how much, that's hard to say, body work varies from state to state, but i'd bet you pay more to fix those spots than the entire car is worth.
It would be cheaper to pay more and buy a car in better condition.
These cars aren't expensive enough to do major rust repair.
Body work in general is expensive. Even worse when it requires welding and searching for rust.
If you already know there is rust in those spots, you can assume it's in other places too.
I probably wouldn't take a rusted roller if someone gave it to me for free.
As for how much, that's hard to say, body work varies from state to state, but i'd bet you pay more to fix those spots than the entire car is worth.
It would be cheaper to pay more and buy a car in better condition.
These cars aren't expensive enough to do major rust repair.
The floors aren't difficult. The shock towers..well they require a little more work. It's not difficult but it is an intensive job. I'm with 2000xp8, if you dont have the car keep looking
I agree with the other guys.
The shock tower rust will mean the motor needs to come out to fix, the floor means gutting the interior.
Shock tower rust probably means frame rail rust too.
Lots of work if you can do it yourself, LOTS.
Body shops will charge you quite a bit to fix this, well beyond the initial investment. What they charge depends on how much you're willing to do like the engine removal and gutting the interior.
If you like a challenge, offer him $700. Otherwise, I would find another one.
The shock tower rust will mean the motor needs to come out to fix, the floor means gutting the interior.
Shock tower rust probably means frame rail rust too.
Lots of work if you can do it yourself, LOTS.
Body shops will charge you quite a bit to fix this, well beyond the initial investment. What they charge depends on how much you're willing to do like the engine removal and gutting the interior.
If you like a challenge, offer him $700. Otherwise, I would find another one.
I am waiting for more detailed pictures since it's about. 2 hour drive. I certainly wouldn't pay asking price. I guess if $700 was realistic and I bought it and it turned out worse than expected I could always part it and make the $700 back. Or if the trans and motor are strong or clean interior I could find a clean roller and transfer.
With travel time and expenses even at 700 dollars I wouldn't expect to part for much of a profit.
mikestang63
SN Certified Technician
with a million of these cars out there, why start with a known rust bucket? On these cars it pays to find the cleanest, non hacked up, low mile, rust free car you can find IMO.
I would look at the pictures too. See if it's rust or rotted out rust, you start seeing daylight through any of it, walk away. There really are still a bunch out there (though you couldn't tell that by checking the salvage yards in my area!).
- Mar 2, 2015
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Before you pay 1500 for a rust bucket think about this....
A four cylinder car can be converted for about the price it cost to professionally repair the rust. If the rear end, motor, and trans are good its worth at least 1000 in parts. Buy it and find a clean 4 banger to swap everything in....same year swaps are easier.
A four cylinder car can be converted for about the price it cost to professionally repair the rust. If the rear end, motor, and trans are good its worth at least 1000 in parts. Buy it and find a clean 4 banger to swap everything in....same year swaps are easier.
Wow! After looking at that floor! Wow!
You'll probably want to replace the entire floor. the panel isn't very expensive, it'll just take work.
Need a more detailed picture of the shock towers though.
Truthfully, the floor is relatively easy. That is compared to the shock tower and probably the front subframe.
Like @90sickfox said, find a great condition four banger and do a swap first.
I would let it go brother, just me and my opinion. If it were like a '84 t-top notch, then maybe. Still a bunch of work.
Plan B: BBRSB
Buy the rust bucket for a parts car
Buy a rust free 4 cylinder .
Rob the rust bucket for parts to convert the 4 cylinder.
Sell the remainder of the rust bucket for scrap/parts
Buy lots of Ban-Aids and aspirin; you'll need them...
Buy the rust bucket for a parts car
Buy a rust free 4 cylinder .
Rob the rust bucket for parts to convert the 4 cylinder.
Sell the remainder of the rust bucket for scrap/parts
Buy lots of Ban-Aids and aspirin; you'll need them...
