So I got my dad's 99 base 5spd about a week ago and I absolutely love the car, the lude is fun to drive and my dad's had it since brand new when I was like 4 so I basically grew up in the thing. She's 100% original (body, interior, exterior, wheels, engine, clutch, transmission, head unit, everything) and mine to do with as I wish (probably not sell because of the sentimental value) but about two years ago some asshole in a truck backed up into her in a parking lot and my dad, despite being a lawyer and the guy having insurance, didn't pursue for damages nor ever got it repaired although it killed him to leave it that way. Anyways the rear right quarterpannel area is crunched from the wheel well to the door and all estimates I've gotten for replacing the area (can't do it myself because I neither have the tools nor the skill to cut and weld sheet-metal) have been right around $3000, "more than the car is worth" in the words of the appraisers. I could probably bang it out or pay someone to do it but the metal is rusted anyways and needs new paint... so what should I do? Keep the car and try and get her fixed (the frame is straight by the way its just superficial damage) or is it a lost cause? Also mind you I'm a broke kid without a job (I go to a serious prep school) relying on the charity of my family.
Last edited by lifeinthelude; 01-02-2012 at 04:09 PM.
You cant bang that out, gotta get the quarter panel replaced.
If you love the car, get it replaced. Otherwise, time to let her go.
You got the car for free, and these tend to be worth about $5000-6000... specially with one owner. $3000 isn't more than the car is worth, and if you really don't want to get rid of it, it seems to me that it would be an investment. If it continues to rust, it won't be any good.
You guys have been driving it like that for 2 years without any problem, so I would save up your money, keep driving it as it is, and fix it when you can.
WHATEVER YOU DO... DO NOT bondo the crap out of it! Totally the "hick" thing to do.
Make sure that whomever fixes it does it correctly. As was said above, the whole panel needs to be replaced with a new one and welded in. Don't let someone talk you into just "banging it out." First of all, can't be done well, secondly, will involve TONS of bondo which will not look good in the long run.
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-1992 Honda Accord DX... sold
-1993 Honda Accord EX 5spd...Sold
-1991 Honda Prelude SI... Sold
-1989 Honda Prelude AWS... Sold
-2002 Honda Civic EX... Sold
-Now-1997 Honda Prelude 5spd Base model with SH engine and Tranny... In the process of restoration.
It sucks when thing like this happens, but you are not alone. There have been others, who spent good amount of money upgrading/mantaining their Preludes. And, suddendly the next day, they got damaged in accident. The auto insurance did not even consider a dime for the money they spent on the car.
If you really like the car, and you should since it belongs to the family and has original parts, you should have it fixed. $3000.00 is a good chunk of money, but it is worth it - spending on something that you love.
Talk to your dad for immediate loan and pay him back weekly (since he's your dad, I'm sure you can skip a week or two every now and then ).
But, before you spend that kind of money repairing it, please double check your car if it is worth it fixing it, i.e. if it has some other problems like oil burning, eninge runs roughly/shaking blah blah blah - you get the point.
I have a 1997 base manual transmission, purchase off ebay. I love her since the day I had her. I fixed her up now and then... She's very reliable, funs to drive, but drinks oil like she's been thirsty for years!
I had near identical damage like that on my 4th gen. replacement of the rear quarter cost me about 2000 and it looked perfect after that. Of course I knew it wasn't perfect but you couldn't tell.
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AP2 / Legacy GT Wagon
I don't visit forums much, but when I do, it's preludeonline.com. Stay thirsty my friends.
Allright I've mulled it over and I've decided to keep her because frankly I love her to death and I can't see driving anything else for the moment. My plan is to drive her as is for about a month and then get it repaired at a Honda only place where she passed smog recently (she burns oil lbut what h22a4 doesn't?) and see how it goes. Thank you for steering me away from the bondo idea, cause that was actually what I was leaning towards... Anyways thanks for the help and once the damage is repaired I intend to invest in a new transmission because the current one has 250k on it and has never been rebuilt, it'll probably seize or drop in the near future anyways. I'm probably going to wait during the summer and with the money I earn from that I'll get her repainted with an OEM lip kit and maybe acquire and install some jdm goodies for anyone curious about what the future of my Prelude is going to be. Thanks all for the advice
Also to give everyone a scope with what I deal with at school, I'm the only one who drives a manual to school, let alone appreciate the prelude, that's including faculty and students. There's no one to talk to about cars or ask for advice or anything, this forum is my only source for information and help, so I really appreciate the assistance.
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