Today I discovered a rusted out spot under the frame by the passenger side door. I don't know how to do body work but would like to know if it's worth putting the money into repair and repainting the car. The engine is sound, I have ALL maintenance records, it hasn't missed any oil changes etc. I could use any t-bird owners advice.
I don't want to get another car, especially when I LOVE the one I have.
What are some easy mods a "girl" could do on a weekend?
I test drove a 97 bird yesterday, paint was in good condition and it had absolutely no rust but something just didn't feel right. I think I will keep my old man and just work on the rust.
I will update photos as the work progresses. (above photo is about 5 years old)
Cloudy Headlight
4/27/09, polished the headlights with a Meguiars kit. It did a great job (until I can save up to get new headlights and clear corners).
Cleared Headlight (kinda hard to tell from photo)
I am getting quotes on what it will cost to fix the rust and repaint the car. I plan on keeping him and making him a classic but I can't seem to get the bodyshops around here to take me seriously. I don't know if it's because I'm a woman or if they think the car isn't old enough to end up a classic. I say bull$@#%., it's my car, I know it will go another 100,000 miles easily. ( I have all my maintenance records since I bought the car in 96!) I want the rust fixed (not just painted over). I'm about to let the inner bitch free. Most are telling me that it's not worth fixing up because the rust will come back, well if that's the case, I will go to a junk yard and find a rust free (ha ha) or minor rust replacement part. I mean come on! work with me people. It's a T-Bird, it's already a classic as far as I'm concerned.
Sorry, needed to get that off my chest.
5/15/09
Checking into a K&N air filter. Been on a couple of t-bird websites and keep hearing that they improve performance. (Hey, a girls gotta go and I like to go fast). It looks like a mod that I can do (used to work on my old station wagon years ago). I also plan on hitting some junkyards in the coming week for misc. interior parts that have broken over the years (and a 97 shift console, I want those cupholders, the only gripe in my bird is always about those #@$% cupholders). Thanks for the info Tigerstar, splattered and all who post to help me out!
I'm getting excited about fixing my old man up!
5/20/09,
Talked to a VERY Nice gentleman about the possibility of repainting (and repairing) the rust on my baby. He gave me "grave" news. I have a somewhat large rust hole in my floorboard (running right beside the fuel line under the passenger side door, near the back seat area) that is actually rusted all the way through (I just replaced the fuel line in that area about 1 month ago after a leak caused by years of the fuel line rubbing against the body of the car). He didn't recommend repairing or repainting (surprise, that's what they all tell me) but I still disagree. I know this car can go for another 15 years with no major issues. He said that they cannot guarantee that the rust won't spread even if they cut out the area and replace the sheet metal. Now I don't know what to do. I don't really want a new car, nothing strikes my fancy, I still LOVE my bird but it's not sounding good.
Any advise on how to handle this would be great. Has anyone ever repaired the rust in the floorboards or do you just drop the engine in a better body and hope for the best?
5/22/08
Engine light came on today (what a craptastic week). Not a major big deal as I know the car is probably at about 100,000 miles (odometer broke at 88,433, 6 months ago) so I am assuming it's just the oxygen sensors (and time for a tuneup). Car still runs great, no misses etc so I am going to go with it on for a while until I save up the money to repair.
