Rust repair...too much?

[BaronKen]

Disclaimer: I know nothing about body work or how to use a welder, etc. (I can learn though if need be).

I came across this Fiat not far from me. The interior looks good, but the fenders are rusted badly. Is it possible to repair them, or would the fenders/sidepanels(?) have to be replaced, etc.? What would need to be done?

If I had the work done (my wife keeps saying take it to Maaco, maybe they can fix it), any idea of the costs (ballpark figures)? You can see that the rust is all the way through in places. And on both sides of the vehicle.





Thanks for any help,
Ken

[pope]

Why dont you take those pics to Maaco and let them give you a quote on repair and paint

[BaronKen]

Why dont you take those pics to Maaco and let them give you a quote on repair and paint

Already planned on doing that during lunch, but if someone had some insight that it would be impossible for Maaco or some astronomical price ranges, it would save me a trip.

[rlux4]

Looks like a car that has been around salty roads for a while. These fenders don't bolt on like a lot of others. They're spot welded, so you need to drill out them out and some of the spots are not that easy to get to. The exact figure to have a body shop do the work: $ a bundle $. There are replacement body parts available and parts cars around too. It would probably take more than one parts car to get what you would need. Either way, it's pretty expensive. Might be a better option to pay more money for one that doesn't need this much work. I'm pretty sure it would be less money in the long run.
Just one man's opinion, FWIW.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

I would also be concerned about the integrity of the metal behind the fenders. Maybe you should pass this one by and pay a little more for one in better shape.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd certainly look closely underneath the car too, and remove the rocker panel covers to see what's going on inside there

[BaronKen]

I would also be concerned about the integrity of the metal behind the fenders. Maybe you should pass this one by and pay a little more for one in better shape.

Even though I'm looking for a "cheap"er Fiat, I'm also thinking maybe I should pass on it. Paying less up front, then a lot more for repair sounds worse than paying a little more up front and not having to do that repair. Maaco did a quick look and said, go see the import body shop, should be around $3000-3500.

Thanks for the help everyone,
Ken

[mbouse]

we generally know where you can get a heck of a starter/everyday driver car for that kind of loot! geeze $3500 is more than lots of folks are puttering around in right now, and safely!

i'ts o.k. to buy low knowing you are gonna put more on the line year after year, but start up cash should be wisely spent so that the projects can be controlled, not explosive.