I have come upon a fair condition 1994 Honda Prelude, non-vtec.
I am interested in to restore (not too much to do) and do a H22 swap and FI.
I can muster up a budget of $6000 (after purchase price of $2000) to do the following.
1. Replace:
Front Bumper
Rear Bumper
Healights
Taillights
Hood
Fenders
2. Repaint the Vehicle: A good paint job, not elite, but....car only looks 3 years old good.
3. Engine Swap. (Forced Induction to come later.
4. Interior: to be done later with FI, not included in budget.
It looks to be a good project, and I have been cunching some numbers and the only factor I am unsure of, is if I can get a good paint job for $2k - $2.5k.
What will it be worth to you after it's all finished? Is it gonna be worth taking the hit if you try to sell it? You're pretty much guaranteed to take a $2000 hit in resale.
What will it be worth to you after it's all finished? Is it gonna be worth taking the hit if you try to sell it? You're pretty much guaranteed to take a $2000 hit in resale.
Oh no sir,
This is not a car that will be resold. I am one of those put money into it, not to get it back kinda guys
This is not a car that will be resold. I am one of those put money into it, not to get it back kinda guys
The question is:
Can I get a good paint job for the price im looking, indicators point to yes, as long as a bring it to them with headlights, taillights, trim, removed. And the lack of heavy prep needed on the new bumpers which come primed will help.
I plan to to do a shell job, and I can handle the door jambs and doors. and engine compartment, trunk, etc... with a rubberized coating primer that usually turns out great, and is very durable even in high temps. Sounds strange I know, but I am not fond of painted surfaces on the places we are most likely not see, or will get heavy use getting in and out of the car.
Are you having to replace all that because they're damaged and the paint isn't so good? Or just because you want different styles? $2000 isn't a great deal if you need to replace the bumpers, headlight, tailights, hood, fenders, especially with an H23 with 160,000 miles. Locations matters too though.
In my area,chicago, IL, you can find a clean non vtec lude with minor rust but everything else in tact for $2,500-3,000 and around 120-150,000 miles. Keep in mind you're not adding maintenance to the budget. It's always sad when someone dumps $1,000's into looks and then complains when the timing belt, water pump, brakes, tires, clutch etc need to be replaced.
Are you having to replace all that because they're damaged and the paint isn't so good? Or just because you want different styles? $2000 isn't a great deal if you need to replace the bumpers, headlight, tailights, hood, fenders, especially with an H23 with 160,000 miles. Locations matters too though.
In my area,chicago, IL, you can find a clean non vtec lude with minor rust but everything else in tact for $2,500-3,000 and around 120-150,000 miles. Keep in mind you're not adding maintenance to the budget. It's always sad when someone dumps $1,000's into looks and then complains when the timing belt, water pump, brakes, tires, clutch etc need to be replaced.
I am replacing them to replace them, any panel that can be replaced is being replaced. Plus re-painting labor $$$ will be reduced significantly with this method, as repainting bumpers require more intensive labor than a door or a hood, the new panels come primed and ready to pain. plus fit and finish of the front end will be restored versus the panels on it now which due to the sun are off by millimeters. The fenders are damaged by dings.
Little things here and there.
And as for $2k, the car runs and drives great.....and I believe any car ANY car is worth at least $1k if it does that alone.
Have a sleeper car. dont worry about getting fenders and all that just leave it as it is outside, swap the engine, build it up. everyone will think its junk but in reality it isn't. thats just my opinon, cuz lots of people down here do that.
Have a sleeper car. dont worry about getting fenders and all that just leave it as it is outside, swap the engine, build it up. everyone will think its junk but in reality it isn't. thats just my opinon, cuz lots of people down here do that.
I think that's more out of financial necessity than strategy.
If you have 3-4 grand and a so-so car.....reliability and performance become priority.
I don't see the point of that in my opinion....its drop 6k in this car, or drop 6k on a new car ill be paying on.....If I can fit everything in $6k....i'll have a like new car.
Serious labor is afoot here....everything is being removed and cleaned from the ground up. I can do all that, its the paint that is the only thing that can't be done by myself.
The end result with be "like new".....can't beat that.
i agree in some aspects, but lots of the people where i live, we do all the work ourselves. installing an engine, all u need is a guide and the right tools, but yea when it comes to painting id let sumone do it.
true you could just buy a new car, but it would be a new car. thats it. thats great if thats what you want but im just saying from my point that if you want a sleeper car that will tear everything else up, then build it. i dont no of anycar that you could get around here for 6$k thats nice and fast. hah the only car u can get where i live thats new for that much is a kia.
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