Repair or scrap?

weekaizer

So bought a cheap 2004 Lexus is300 with the intention of breaking it for parts. Hasn’t been tested for 3 years, Auto gearbox is goosed and car was rear ended and poorly fixed before. But engine runs sweet and rest of car is actually in good condition and I’m toying with the idea of repairing it now. As I can’t drive the car around to get estimates does anyone know roughly how much to get rear end lookinh respectable? Boot doesn’t line up well with the quarter panel, there’s rust under the boot rubbers, water seeping into boot, rear drivers light not lined up well, boot takes 2 or 3 slams to close and the metal around the boot latch has seen better days, bumper and quarter have been very poorly resprayed also. I’m guessing car will need a new quarter panel welded in. Can anyone give me a rough estimate on what kind of price would I be looking at?
Will attach pics.

Alanstrainor

Unless this is a hobby project for yourself in your spare time then it is absolutely not worth it. It was never a common car on our roads, but I would image a well running one with no damage would cost peanuts to buy. Yours has extensive damage, which would be hugely expensive to repair with no way to earn your outlay back when selling.

It's scrap unfortunately.

weekaizer

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Unless this is a hobby project for yourself in your spare time then it is absolutely not worth it. It was never a common car on our roads, but I would image a well running one with no damage would cost peanuts to buy. Yours has extensive damage, which would be hugely expensive to repair with no way to earn your outlay back when selling.

It's scrap unfortunately.

I don’t mind if I don’t get my outlay back when selling. Just wondering how much roughly would it cost to put right?. It has an LSD, rear wheel drive and 215 bhp so would be a fun weekend car if sorted out. Owes me not a lot as she sits.

Toyotafanboi

There's an E46 330i in the today i saw a car for sale thread @ 2650 and people think the seller is coming off a bit strong and the car looks like you could eat your dinner off it, full main dealer history, 2 owners from new. That's a good benchmark for how worthless yours is IMO (unfortunately).

If your IS300 had a years test on it with good bodywork, you'd pass out from holding your breath to get €1250 for it. Pretty much worthless, unfortunately. This is compounded by the fact that you can get a clean-ish Altezza on donedeal for around 3k, all well spec'd, tax is 50% less and power output is pretty much the same.

weekaizer

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

There's an E46 330i in the today i saw a car for sale thread @ 2650 and people think the seller is coming off a bit strong and the car looks like you could eat your dinner off it, full main dealer history, 2 owners from new. That's a good benchmark for how worthless yours is IMO (unfortunately).

If your IS300 had a years test on it with good bodywork, you'd pass out from holding your breath to get €1250 for it. Pretty much worthless, unfortunately. This is compounded by the fact that you can get a clean-ish Altezza on donedeal for around 3k, all well spec'd, tax is 50% less and power output is pretty much the same.

I appreciate it’s not worth much fixed up but can anyone tell me how much roughly it would cost to get it fixed up? Would it be in the region of 1000 or 2500 or more?.

twin_beacon

If the gearbox is the main problem, try and find one in a breakers yard, unless your one can be reconditioned.
This guy is breaking one with the auto gear box https://www.donedeal.ie/damagedcars-for-sale/for-parts-04-lexus-is300-le-auto/20186410
His bumper is also in better condition than yours, just need to get the parking sensors fitted which isn't a big job.
For the rear end of the car, I'd try and find a panel beater that's willing to take the car on in his spare time for cash. Same for the gearbox, unless your willing to take it on yourself.


Its hard to put a price on it, but I'd say you're looking at 2k at least (assuming you are not doing the work) to get those jobs done. Bear in mind, thats before the car is put through an NCT which might find more issues. If it was my money, id scrap it this Lexus, and keep my eyes peeled for another sunday car, like this one https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lexus-gs-300-v6/21746235
shame the tax is so high

H3llR4iser

The beauty of boards Motors - ask a motoring question, get financial advice

Sorry guys, but sometimes people don't just look at the "how much money can I get back?" side of things when cars are involved, sometimes they (we...) are ready to pay a price to enjoy something for a set amount of time.

So, I've recently got some bodywork done on my 2006 Alfa 159 (same story - plenty of people I asked were "ah it's not worth it"), and got a few quotes before proceeding; Roughly, I found out that the average falls between 300 and 400 euro per panel - in your case, you'd need the bumper, wings and probably the tailgate worked on, so I would guesstimate no less than 1200 Euro, probably more like 1500, for that - provided there isn't any more damage to fix.

The gearbox is going to be a problem - I've paid 1200 Euro 6 years ago to get the infamous M32 'box reconditioned, but I have zero knowledge about the one in the Lexus, so it can be anyone's guess - maybe it could be a good bet to find a second hand one off a scrapper and hope for the best!

GeneHunt

Just wondering, if you did fix the car up, replace transmission etc and even get a NCT cert for it. As the car is now 15 years old, would it not be risky that you may not get a insurance for it, I've heard Insurance companies are quoting mad money or even not quoting some people at all, as the car is too old.

Del2005

The crumble zones in that are most likely gone. So you are looking for a complete rebuild of the rear of the car, done right that's expensive. If you want to do it then go ahead but you won't see any return if you want to sell it.

Tropheus

As above, I'd say the gearbox is your bigger issue. I paid €2k, three years ago to have an Audi Tiptronic reconditioned. A second hand box is a cheaper option, but you really have no idea what you're buying.

V8 Interceptor

H3llR4iser wrote: »

The beauty of boards Motors - ask a motoring question, get financial advice

Sorry guys, but sometimes people don't just look at the "how much money can I get back?" side of things when cars are involved, sometimes they (we...) are ready to pay a price to enjoy something for a set amount of time!

To be fair the title of the thread is "repair or scrap?"

Toyotafanboi

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

To be fair the title of the thread is "repair or scrap?"

That was my thinking too. If there was no financial bearing then there'd be no need for the thread, OP would just have to ask himself if he wants to fix it and then do it. Money no object, write off IS300 build thread commences.

That car is only fit to scrap.

weekaizer

I’ve been quoted €375 for the replacement second hand auto gearbox linked above, but I much prefer the idea of getting a manual conversion done. However this I believe would cost in the region of €1100 plus the added cost of €1200-1600 for body repairs means I think the car should probably be stripped for parts as the diff, engine, and leather interior can live on in something else. Just seems a shame!. Maximum I’d be willing to spend on car would be €2500-€2800. I could tackle the mechanical side but would have no experience to tackle the bodywork.

listermint

You won't insure it.


That's a field car tbh