Side swiped mx5 - what to do?

harrytav · Postby **harrytav** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:08 pm

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Some hottie side swiped my sons parked mx5 in Le Hunte street prospect, SA and didn't even stop.

He's a student so he only had fire and theft, excess would have been too much.

So how do we repair it on a limited budget?

Change the door so he can drive it?

Buy a rear panel and weld it in or panel beat it?

Any help or suggestions?

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:44 pm

Any CCTV footage available?

harrytav · Postby **harrytav** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:48 pm

No it was a quiet side street

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:49 pm

A secondhand door will be the most cost effective repair for that.

And the rear quarter, you're correct, buying a replacement and welding it in will be the cheapest (assuming you can weld at home, if a workshop needs to do it the cost will add up quickly)

how is the rear wheel/diff etc? if the suspension arms have been bent it may be easier to sell and buy another mx5

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:55 pm

Ouch

A new door hopefully fits on, looks like you need a mirror too.

Be sure to check the guard too, almost looks like it'll cut into the tyre.
You could "flare" it back out with a guard roller.

Fixing that guard will be very difficult, cutting and welding and bogging and painting.
If you don't end up doing that at least cover the bare metal in primer/paint.

speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:00 am

Cut and weld on a replacement rear quarter or sell the bits and move on.

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MattR · Postby **MattR** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:30 am

Look for a light blue car with damage and go postal on them.......

I would report to the police anyways, as you never know your luck, and keep an eye out for a car with damage, even a bull bar will have some damage done to it, and if it is a quiet side street that isn't used for a rat run, odds on the car is local or frequents the area.

harrytav · Postby **harrytav** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:53 am

He only had the car for 2 months, at only 20yr he could only afford fire and theft.

I'll try and make it drivable with a new door to start with. Anyone have one? :-)

Then long term look at a new rear qtr panel, undercoat for now. It will only be worth while if we do the work ourselves.

Harry

mattyredlocks · Postby **mattyredlocks** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:33 am

Ouch! So unfortunate.

Same thing happened to my first car - also only a couple months after I got it. though mine was brand new and got repaired. Ruined that "no claim bonus" though.

Depending what the condition of the rest of it is like, it may be cheaper to just get a new one, and flip that one for as much as you can get.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 1:15 pm

Before you spend a cent, make sure it drives properly (make sure it's still square, doesn't crab, etc). A lot of cars get written off due to that sort of damage. Maybe get a wheel alignment (that will tell you lots)?
If all OK, just spend the minimum. MXs aren't worth that much and to repair all that is not worth it.

harrytav · Postby **harrytav** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:28 pm

bruce wrote:Before you spend a cent, make sure it drives properly (make sure it's still square, doesn't crab, etc). A lot of cars get written off due to that sort of damage. Maybe get a wheel alignment (that will tell you lots)?
If all OK, just spend the minimum. MXs aren't worth that much and to repair all that is not worth it.

good point

ndragun · Postby **ndragun** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:43 pm

Yea that's some pretty hefty damage. You can't just replace a rear quarter panel unfortunately.
You might consider breaking it down and selling parts, and buying a replacement car. It would probably work out cheaper than fixing the damage!

Apu · Postby **Apu** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:09 pm

Buy an Exocet frame!

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:18 pm

There's a RHR genuine Mazda panel at Wingfield. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wingfield/auto-body-parts/brand-new-mx5-rhr-quater/1064398943

Might be worth parting out & selling the parts, it could take a while to re-coup back enough money to buy something else. Currently there's a cheap MX-5 on Gumtree at the moment that had a replacement engine & clutch.

harrytav · Postby **harrytav** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:13 pm

SuperMazdaKart wrote:There's a RHR genuine Mazda panel at Wingfield. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wingfield/auto-body-parts/brand-new-mx5-rhr-quater/1064398943

Might be worth parting out & selling the parts, it could take a while to re-coup back enough money to buy something else. Currently there's a cheap MX-5 on Gumtree at the moment that had a replacement engine & clutch.

yep saw that one, picked it up for $220. Now for a cheap door.