Worth fixing? - Honda Prelude Forum

munscher · 08-12-2006, 05:10 PM

So I finally got the rundown from the other person's insurance about my car. They are gonna total the car and give the value as ~$3250. I can buy the car back from them for ~$300, netting me $2950 plus the car. I figure even if I can't fix it, i can get 300 in parts no problem. However, i'd rather fix it and not worry about finding another car right now.

I know it needs a new deck lid, spoiler, and bumper cover. What i'm more worried about is what is pictured below. Due to this damage, my trunk will not currently close and has to be tied down. Does this appear to be fixable (can it be 'unbent')? It doesn't have to be the most beautiful thing in the world, I just want my driverside taillight to sit straight and the trunk to close.

The main bumper support seems fine. I assume i will need to replace the black strip of metal (see pics) that used to be parallel to the ground (you can see it is mangled). What about the sheet metal that forms the trunk and is bent...

Without further ado, the pictures...

shown for reference...

DOHCVTEC190 · 08-12-2006, 05:31 PM

I'd probably buy it back and part it out. Was there any suspension damage? If so, probably won't ever drive the same. Probably have to get an "ass cut" from another car for the body damage. Plus, I just would feel the same about the car knowing it was wrecked, but that's me. You could easily make over $300 in parts off of it.

munscher · 08-12-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOHCVTEC190

I'd probably buy it back and part it out. Was there any suspension damage? If so, probably won't ever drive the same. Probably have to get an "ass cut" from another car for the body damage. Plus, I just would feel the same about the car knowing it was wrecked, but that's me. You could easily make over $300 in parts off of it.

No suspension damage... the only damage is the cosmetic stuff in the pictures. The only problem with getting a new car right now is 3 grand (plus maybe 1 grand from parts) won't get me much. Rather have a car I where know every sound and am confident in its drivetrain instead of taking a chance on another 10 yr old car.

TruNinja619 · 08-12-2006, 06:31 PM

is this the only car you have?

munscher · 08-12-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruNinja619

is this the only car you have?

haha, yep, sure is

Slatelude · 08-12-2006, 09:30 PM

That can definately be fixed to where it will be functional, and look fine cosmetically when entirely reassembled, now if you took the rear bumper, trunk trim, or tailight off you'd see the mess. Any reputable body shop should be able to get it back to good, just make sure you communicate to them your wants/intentions. BTW, what is the condition of the spoiler on there, got any pics? I'm looking for one to hack on for a little project I dreamed up, depending on how damaged and how it is damaged that might do me.

K

GldCrzy · 08-12-2006, 10:57 PM

you can try and use a 2x4 and a rubber mallet and try to hammer it back to being level.. it wont be 100% but close

Qveon · 08-12-2006, 11:52 PM

yea i would take a tow strap put it around a tree and with guidence, put the hook on the damaged end of the truck and pull the strap tight, then give it some gas to pull that frame towards alignment. then use a hammer to get it close to where it needs to be.

Well thats how i fixed my truck's bumper when i got it.

munscher · 08-13-2006, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slatelude

That can definately be fixed to where it will be functional, and look fine cosmetically when entirely reassembled, now if you took the rear bumper, trunk trim, or tailight off you'd see the mess. Any reputable body shop should be able to get it back to good, just make sure you communicate to them your wants/intentions. BTW, what is the condition of the spoiler on there, got any pics? I'm looking for one to hack on for a little project I dreamed up, depending on how damaged and how it is damaged that might do me.

K

The spoiler is cracked along the front edge, otherwise its fine.

Slatelude · 08-13-2006, 09:56 PM

can you post, or send me pics?

X01VTEC · 08-13-2006, 11:15 PM

itd be pretty easy to just drill out all the spot welds for that rear piece and weld in a straight rear panel. i bet you could pick that up pretty cheap at a junkyard. then itd be perfect. you wouldnt even have to repaint because all that will be hidden by the trunk lid and the taillights.just mask it off and prime over the spot welds. the hardest part would be drilling out spot welds... easy fix really, really just takes a bit of time and patience, that and you might go through a few bits... there are actually drill bits made just for spot welds, not sure who makes them but i picked up a few at a local automotive paint store, worked pretty well for taking off a radiator support. i cant really tell from the pics but if your quarter panels are still fine then its an easy fix.

really its easier than it sounds... its a cheap fix to replace that whole panel if you can tackle it yourself, then youre left with a bunch of insurance money to dump into go fast parts=)

munscher · 08-14-2006, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slatelude

can you post, or send me pics?

Link

that's all i've got for now... ill take a picture of the crack after work if i get the chance today

munscher · 08-14-2006, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X01VTEC

itd be pretty easy to just drill out all the spot welds for that rear piece and weld in a straight rear panel. i bet you could pick that up pretty cheap at a junkyard. then itd be perfect. you wouldnt even have to repaint because all that will be hidden by the trunk lid and the taillights.just mask it off and prime over the spot welds. the hardest part would be drilling out spot welds... easy fix really, really just takes a bit of time and patience, that and you might go through a few bits... there are actually drill bits made just for spot welds, not sure who makes them but i picked up a few at a local automotive paint store, worked pretty well for taking off a radiator support. i cant really tell from the pics but if your quarter panels are still fine then its an easy fix.

really its easier than it sounds... its a cheap fix to replace that whole panel if you can tackle it yourself, then youre left with a bunch of insurance money to dump into go fast parts=)

I may get a body shop to do this part, and then i'll replace all of the parts myself. Any guess as to cost?

X01VTEC · 08-14-2006, 08:09 AM

i havent dealt with any third party for repairs since i was 17 they are a rip off =) so i cant really give you a decent guess. its not the same thing but it is almost the same process. i can almost remember paying about 600 bucks for a rad support replacement including the labor but not including any painting, but dont quote me on that, that was years ago and i didnt know anything about repairs so i didnt pay a lot of attention.

i did the same thing a few years later and it cost me about 200 bucks to replace my rad support myself with a new part.

hopefully you can find someone you know that will tackle this for you. try to source the parts yourself, however you might be able to get an new aftermarket rear panel really cheap.

X01VTEC · 08-14-2006, 08:24 AM

looks like majestic honda has this part for just over 200 bucks for ya new

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...y5=OUTER+PANEL

munscher · 08-14-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X01VTEC

looks like majestic honda has this part for just over 200 bucks for ya new

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...y5=OUTER+PANEL

Would require a lot of cutting/welding to replace that entire panel (18). I don't think thats worth what it would cost. Maybe i'll try to pound it out with a 2x4 and sledge hammer or somesuch and see if i can get the trunk lid to close and the tail light to align close to straight.

On a side note, here is the picture as promised...

BionicKris · 08-14-2006, 10:49 PM

Looks like you would have the best luck with putting a new rear end on if you can, as was posted earlier. Not only for the damage to the inner sections of the base of the trunk cutout, but also since you have a nice area of rust on the metal facing under your right taillight - more than likely from a bad seal on the old taillight. If you can get a good replacement rear clip it probably be worth the time and work to be sure the trunk and taillight openings are straight and to get a good fit.

BionicKris

X01VTEC · 08-15-2006, 03:23 AM

call a couple body shops and see what theyd charge to replace that rear panel. ive personally replaced rad supports and that looks harder than the rear panel. there is multiple panels you have to line up just right to make it look alright in the front end, with the back its just a few spot welds around the edge of the taillights and around both frame rails where the bumper support bolts in. i cant imagine more than 30 spot welds. i could count them for you tomorrow if ya like, but its much easier than it sounds and if you look at the rear panel at majestic honda, part 18 i think it was, is a couple parts but i think they all come assembled as one piece if you order that specific part number. 200 bucks is pretty cheap for all of that. call around and see what people will charge, insurance is paying for it, might as well get it done right. its not that big of a project, or i guess you could just part it out, but itd be a shame to tear apart a prelude thats still in decent shape if thats all thats wrong with it.

munscher · 08-15-2006, 05:44 AM

I'm not sure where you see rust, but by all means point it out to me.

I'll check with some body shops next week after I get back home FINALLY.