okay so i'm looking to possibly buy an older firebird and it has a decent amount of rust. the pass. side rocker panel is totally rusted out underneath. the area where the door and fender meet is also rusted out on the same side. drivers side isn't as bad... only rusted out on quarter panel in front of rear wheel.

This is all underneath and not seen unless you go down there so i'm not worried about it's appearance immediately. At some point though i would want to repair it. how much work/cost are we looking at here? there are a few other small rust spots and bubbles elsewhere but the underneath stuff is what i'm worried about most.

I'm having my mechanic take a look at it this week and while it's on the lift we'll see how much rust has attacked the floorpan, exhaust, etc. Any info on cost and difficulty of repairing the damage... especially the rocker panel being that it's not separate from the quarter would be appreciated. thanks

 

get another bird... it is not worth spending that much money on a body believe me... there is plenty of 3rd gen firebirds/trans am around so you can pick a better one. Unless you have a garage and know how to wield and work sheet metal, which you obviously don't from your questions, it'll be way too much time demanding and you will throw alot of money in the repairs... in the end it'll cost you probably more than a f-body in a much better shape...

that said if you are still interested PM me... otherwise I'd load this post... good luck with finding a nice firebird

 

thanks for the response. My brain is saying beware, but you know how it is when you want something that bad. Assuming it's all good mechanically though, how much money are we talking to repair the rusted panels? I know it's hard to say without seeing it but i'd like to get a ballpark figure. maybe i'll have a body shop look at it this week too just to find out what would be involved. Also i want to see if it poses any structural danger or just aestetic for now. any more info would be greatly appreciated and help me make a decision. thanks

 

ok... here goes... if it is just the rocker and nothing beneath that touched the unibody, there is no structural damage... but really, you have to look under the floor and see how rusted it is... now, be wary... rust colored sheet metal and really dmaged metal is not the same.. look if it is "eaten".. not just colored... to bring it back perfect? I'd say about 5 grands... if the floor is damaged, which I am sure it is... just that is a good 2000... the mechanical side of the car must be A1 otherwise... I'm being very honest with you.. it is not worth it... unless you have it for 50 bucks...

P.S.: those numbers are in CND.. I am from Quebec.. so I don't know.. it might vary... if other ppl have things to add please do

 

I would forget about that Rustbird and keep looking for one in better shape. They are out there.

 

Definitely start with a nicer car. You'll be money ahead if you go internet hunting and find one in a southern/western state that's never seen salt. It's a lot cheaper to pay a transport company to deliver your rust-free car than to repair your rustbucket. Plus, you can be driving your clean car for the 8 months that the bucket would be in the bodyshop.

I just saw a sharp looking early thirdgen T/A from Phoenix, AZ in our TGO classifieds for $1200...