gunnermaiden
Proven Member
- 72
- 1
- Jul 27, 2016
-
Phoenix Area,
Arizona
So I randomly decided to pick up my old gearhead habits after a 3 year hiatus now that I'm settled in after a cross country move to PHX (and thank goodness I've grown out of my "rice" phase now!). I went out and bought the first car under $1000 that runs and drives (and passes emissions) but I wanted something a lot different from my last project (formerly a CB7 Tuner). Well I think I really hit the nail on the head with a DSM being different from my CB7 and I also have no clue with what I'm doing on this car . I live at a complex with no garage access that is very against car repairs on the property so that's what's going to make it even more fun, which is also why the car really HAD to run and pass smog when I bought it.
The Cons:
So, the interior is scary as all Hell. Piles of wires and modules everywhere yet everything still works. Random floating wires that go who knows where all throughout the engine bay too. Improperly installed aftermarket headlights that is going to take a PHd in engineering to get and re install them properly. Doors don't open from the outside and the key tumblers are busted. No door panels, only pieces of carpet left (looks like they were cut out for no apparent reason). I'm pretty sure the driver's door is about to fall off the next time it gets closed a little too hard. Poor tint job, looks super ratchet. The front seats are broken. No A/C, not sure what's wrong yet, which is a big deal in AZ. IT SMELLS AWFUL and it sticks in my ridiculously long hair all day. What's remaining of the carpets and seats is questionably stain ridden, quite gross. The carbon fiber hood that's currently on it is in rough shape, lots of filled in cracks. Looks like the former owner had a fly-off incident with it. The paint job is bad, real bad, been painted over the original paint improperly twice. Window seals are all busted, so the interior leaks which probably contributes to the smell. Missing exhaust hanger, rattles like a mofo, mostly annoying I guess. It looks great in pictures on the outside, but do not let the picture fool you! It's completely different in person. (The picture provided was the day I brought it home right after purchase)
The Pros:
Engine is strong with no leaks! Passes emissions/smog! Transmission is smooth and strong! All the most major, expensive components are in good, strong shape. It starts and drives every time and has no issues during driving. No rust! I actually managed to find a project car that runs well for under $1k and I'm quite pleased with that since really that was the only thing I actually cared about the most.
So why am I here?
I'm here to learn anything I can. I want to restore this car to it's real beauty and make it comfortable to drive. This is an extremely fun car as I've already learned on the drive home with it, and I don't want to give up on this project out of frustration and lack of knowledge like I did with my last project. I am a total n00b when it comes to DSM's, and unfortunately, body work and wiring too. I plan on doing a complete body and interior restoration and I'm looking to harvest all the information I can find. I'm also looking for local garages around the valley in case I run into a problem with my property and finishing this project. I plan on doing a lot on my own for the sake of the learning and doing process but it's always good to be prepared, I think. And who knows, maybe others in a similar living situation can learn some workarounds through me
The Cons:
So, the interior is scary as all Hell. Piles of wires and modules everywhere yet everything still works. Random floating wires that go who knows where all throughout the engine bay too. Improperly installed aftermarket headlights that is going to take a PHd in engineering to get and re install them properly. Doors don't open from the outside and the key tumblers are busted. No door panels, only pieces of carpet left (looks like they were cut out for no apparent reason). I'm pretty sure the driver's door is about to fall off the next time it gets closed a little too hard. Poor tint job, looks super ratchet. The front seats are broken. No A/C, not sure what's wrong yet, which is a big deal in AZ. IT SMELLS AWFUL and it sticks in my ridiculously long hair all day. What's remaining of the carpets and seats is questionably stain ridden, quite gross. The carbon fiber hood that's currently on it is in rough shape, lots of filled in cracks. Looks like the former owner had a fly-off incident with it. The paint job is bad, real bad, been painted over the original paint improperly twice. Window seals are all busted, so the interior leaks which probably contributes to the smell. Missing exhaust hanger, rattles like a mofo, mostly annoying I guess. It looks great in pictures on the outside, but do not let the picture fool you! It's completely different in person. (The picture provided was the day I brought it home right after purchase)
The Pros:
Engine is strong with no leaks! Passes emissions/smog! Transmission is smooth and strong! All the most major, expensive components are in good, strong shape. It starts and drives every time and has no issues during driving. No rust! I actually managed to find a project car that runs well for under $1k and I'm quite pleased with that since really that was the only thing I actually cared about the most.
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So why am I here?
I'm here to learn anything I can. I want to restore this car to it's real beauty and make it comfortable to drive. This is an extremely fun car as I've already learned on the drive home with it, and I don't want to give up on this project out of frustration and lack of knowledge like I did with my last project. I am a total n00b when it comes to DSM's, and unfortunately, body work and wiring too. I plan on doing a complete body and interior restoration and I'm looking to harvest all the information I can find. I'm also looking for local garages around the valley in case I run into a problem with my property and finishing this project. I plan on doing a lot on my own for the sake of the learning and doing process but it's always good to be prepared, I think. And who knows, maybe others in a similar living situation can learn some workarounds through me