Seeking Advice - Help me decide
Posted: June 9th, 2011, 11:39 am
I currently own a '93 four cylinder teal MX3 and about 3000 miles before I hit the big 200,000 miles. The car still runs great and still reaches great fuel mileage.
At one time, I had a truck and thus, never drove the MX3 in the winter leaving it rust free. Then, about 6 years ago, I sold the truck resulting in driving the MX3 in the winter and now, there is rust. I had every intention of having it repaired, but financial issues always stopped me. Now, the finances are in good shape and the rust is fairly bad (both rear quarter panels, passenger side door needs replacing, slight area on driver's side door and small area on hood). Overall, the estimate to repair is $1500, which is about what I expected. With that being the largest of needed repairs, there are a few misc repairs needed which are as followed:
Oil leak, though, it's been this way for years but I finally should do something about it.
Driver's side seat torn
Front bumper mount needs to be straighten
Front struts
Valve cover gasket
and maybe a few misc minor repairs.
The oil leak will be the next most expensive to find and repair with the others minor expenses and which I can do on my own. Everything else I have done a decent job of keeping on top of with replacements or repairs such as tie-rod ends, CV joints, stabilizers ends and other normal body/control parts.
Upon searching for misc parts (mostly a used door), I came across some other MX3's for sale and then some from members of this forum. Viewing the description and/or pictures of many of these MX3s, they appear to be in better shape than mine and some prices being asked are anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1500 over the body repair needed for mine. Therefore, it got me thinking about simply purchasing another MX3 instead of putting the money to repair the body. The drawbacks are not knowing the history of the vehicle while knowing mine from just about day one (I bought it in '95). Otherwise, I don't see any other concern.
I love this car or the MX3 in general for it's handling and great fuel mileage where it still beats most newer cars coming out in the fuel race.
What would you do?
Thank you
At one time, I had a truck and thus, never drove the MX3 in the winter leaving it rust free. Then, about 6 years ago, I sold the truck resulting in driving the MX3 in the winter and now, there is rust. I had every intention of having it repaired, but financial issues always stopped me. Now, the finances are in good shape and the rust is fairly bad (both rear quarter panels, passenger side door needs replacing, slight area on driver's side door and small area on hood). Overall, the estimate to repair is $1500, which is about what I expected. With that being the largest of needed repairs, there are a few misc repairs needed which are as followed:
Oil leak, though, it's been this way for years but I finally should do something about it.
Driver's side seat torn
Front bumper mount needs to be straighten
Front struts
Valve cover gasket
and maybe a few misc minor repairs.
The oil leak will be the next most expensive to find and repair with the others minor expenses and which I can do on my own. Everything else I have done a decent job of keeping on top of with replacements or repairs such as tie-rod ends, CV joints, stabilizers ends and other normal body/control parts.
Upon searching for misc parts (mostly a used door), I came across some other MX3's for sale and then some from members of this forum. Viewing the description and/or pictures of many of these MX3s, they appear to be in better shape than mine and some prices being asked are anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1500 over the body repair needed for mine. Therefore, it got me thinking about simply purchasing another MX3 instead of putting the money to repair the body. The drawbacks are not knowing the history of the vehicle while knowing mine from just about day one (I bought it in '95). Otherwise, I don't see any other concern.
I love this car or the MX3 in general for it's handling and great fuel mileage where it still beats most newer cars coming out in the fuel race.
What would you do?
Thank you