I need some opinions from more seasoned car vets...

[formula]

Alright, so as most of you know I lost a tire and ditched my car over thanksgiving...the damage was pretty much a fried clutch (not sure why, just know it toasted out...i would presume it wasn't in the best of shape before the accident), popped tire (obviously), and then a 2" slit/hole in the front bumper, 3" or so gash to the metal on the hood, and lots of small scuffs and scratches over the front end, some to the metal, most not.

I've replaced the clutch with a mcleod 12", popped on two new radial t/a's, and am now at a decision point--I can either redirect my plans towards body work and paint now, or continue with my current plan, which involves finishing out my brakes, rear gears, wheels, and then saving up for an engine swap, THEN paint and body.

Now I know what y'all are thinking, and yes, nothing else I do is going to look as nice with scars all over the front end. And i agree with you. But the rest of the body is still in very nice shape, with very minimal rust and only a few dents here and there. And I'm also thinking that it'd be rather silly to spend the money to get everything repaired and then continue DDing the car to college and leaving it (covered) in an on-campus parking lot every night, and then probably having to get plenty more dents and dings pulled out after that when I finally have my own garage to keep it in. Then again, the damage will (presumably) be a lot less and a lot easier/cheaper to have repaired if everything else is cleaned up and worked out.

What would you guys do? Go ahead and fix the body, or wait two years minimum, continue modding, and then get everything cleaned up?

[BonzoHansen]

I found it tough to spend money on cars in college. Debt is extra bad at that age. Plus they stole nice cars from my school - my roomate lost a 71 Z28 that way.

[formula]

stealing's less of an issue than vandalism, but I feel the same way. I've already lost a window here.

I wouldn't let myself go into debt, I'd just save up until I could afford it either way....I'm already working a lot because I only have classes a couple days a week, so I'll have the money within 6 months to fix it if I want to.

[nancejd]

I'd work on the mechanical stuff first. Parking your car in a lot 24 / 7 is tough on a car body. Besides, the mechanical stuff you enjoy when you are in the car, the paint is something other people appreciate as you drive by.

[BonzoHansen]

stealing's less of an issue than vandalism, but I feel the same way. I've already lost a window here.

I wouldn't let myself go into debt, I'd just save up until I could afford it either way....I'm already working a lot because I only have classes a couple days a week, so I'll have the money within 6 months to fix it if I want to.
Then your question is answered. Paint comes later. Like a nice graduation gift to yourself. Finish school, get a good job, so you can buy shinier parts....

:)

[ACEFOOTER]

Get the mechanics done first. Keep it reliable while it's at school. Saw too many cars towed by bitchy apartment managers cause they sat in the same spot for too long.

[TPI Monte SS]

Besides, the mechanical stuff you enjoy when you are in the car, the paint is something other people appreciate as you drive by.

Amen! I know I'm much happier behind the wheel beating the snot out of it, than staring at sitting it in a parking lot. :)

[6'9"Witha69]

Get it working, then worry about how pretty she is.

[formula]

I should have made clear that she's up and working either way I go....this is my primary driver, so it only goes down for short little breaks here and there when i can spare the time.

Thanks a lot for the advice, though, guys. you're really helpin'

[Boulder69]

I say get the mechanicals done. My Marquez tails were the last looky-loo item I'm doing until my car has 18s and all the other parts I already bought. Probably an LS/T56 swap will come before any body/paint.

Think of how sweet that white bird is gonna look with all the brakes, etc. done behind a new set of wheels. You won't even notice the little stuff when the bags are dropped or you are driving it hard.

[jaybee]

Mechanicals first. Really nice cars seem to attract vandalism, especially in places like school parking lots. Of course, getting a girl in the passenger seat of a good-looking car is easier. :)

[BonzoHansen]

Mechanicals first. Really nice cars seem to attract vandalism, especially in places like school parking lots. Of course, getting a girl in the passenger seat of a good-looking car is easier. :)
He’s in college. All he needs is a pizza & a sixer!:git:

[formula]

Haha man a pizza and a sixer? I wish it were that easy... times must have changed!

Now it's cheesecake and smirnoff. :headbang:

[zbugger]

Mechanicals first. Really nice cars seem to attract vandalism, especially in places like school parking lots. Of course, getting a girl in the passenger seat of a good-looking car is easier. :)

I agree with doing the mechanicals first, but I got more looks when my Camaro had a major rumble underneath it than I do in my Sentra. And now the Camaro sits under a car cover in my driveway....:guilty: