Buy another 4th gen for a body?

[HondaFan81]

My 90 EX (252K miles) has rust spots on hood, rear fenders, below fuel door, low part of doors, small ding on one door.

We had one bodyshop quote ~ $2900 for bodywork on the car (no change of color, back to like new conditions only). I'm not paying this much for this work. I will still have another $1500-2000 to change the color to silver on top of this.

Anyhow, past few days I've been pondering the idea of buying another 90-93 Accord, hopefully in a color I like, but not necessary. I'm planning to swap most suspension/brake parts from my 90 EX (most are new). The following must be in good condition:

entire body (outside, inside & underneath), power side mirrors, all doors work properly, door & trunk keylocks, power door locks, hood latch, inside trunk & fuel door latches, steering wheel & horn, rear defrost, windshield wiper assy, all interior switches/buttons function.

[HondaFan81]

1) Would it be cheaper to buy another 90-93 Accord for body use, rather than spend $2000-2900 for bodywork, plus another $1500-2000 to change color.

2) How much will a 90-93 with above mentioned in good condition run?

3) If anyone has one, please post ur price & where u located (I'd like peeps close to MI).

[akkordlayinkit]

Thats a good idea....and you can use your current car as the parts car But here in TN a car like that, around 150-200k miles will run about $3000. Dont know about where your at.
Jay

[aero]

thats what im gonna do also! Check ebay right now, theres a nice white 92 or 93 ex with a bad transmission. Thats what you gotta look for, either blown engine or bad transmission, then you can get it for cheap.

[HondaFan81]

so u all think it's the way to go then...yea it does seem like a $2000 cheaper option....if I can find a body-shell for $1000 or so. If not, just have a spend a little more...still cheaper than fixing the 90 EX body, then changing bodycolor completely

[HondaFan81]

so u all think it's the way to go then...yea it does seem like a $2000 cheaper option....if I can find a body-shell for $1000 or so. If not, just have a spend a little more...still cheaper than fixing the 90 EX body, then changing bodycolor completely

just checked autotrader...there are a couple cars i'm interested within 100 miles of my area.....but they are both between $1500-2000

[deevergote]

A good body is hard to find... I say sell your 90, and look to buy a whole car in good condition. A 92-93 EX would have more power than your car (A6>A4) and you'd have the cool stuff that comes in the later models (like a driver's side armrest...)

My friend got his 93 LX with 68k miles on it for $3000... e got a deal though... The thing has minor damage on just abourt every plastic part (bumpers and stuff) but not a bit of the sheet metal is damaged. No rust, no dings, nothing (well, maybe one tiny ding, i think).

For a 90 EX in fair-to-poor condition, with over 200k miles, you probably couldn't get much. $1000 would be a highball figure, I would say. Still, you'd probably be better off working with a better starting point.


OR, going on the same idea, in a different direction.... You could sell your shell, or scrap it, and keep the engine. Build up that engine like you're planning (a total rebuild like you have planned will negate the 252K on it, I would think). Get a 92-93 EX with low mileage (if you can find one) and drive that till you have your built engine ready. Then sell the engine with the fairly low miles on it to make some of your money back!

[ChIoVnIdCa]

Originally posted by Deevergote
A good body is hard to find... I say sell your 90, and look to buy a whole car in good condition. A 92-93 EX would have more power than your car (A6>A4) and you'd have the cool stuff that comes in the later models (like a driver's side armrest...)

My friend got his 93 LX with 68k miles on it for $3000... e got a deal though... The thing has minor damage on just abourt every plastic part (bumpers and stuff) but not a bit of the sheet metal is damaged. No rust, no dings, nothing (well, maybe one tiny ding, i think).

For a 90 EX in fair-to-poor condition, with over 200k miles, you probably couldn't get much. $1000 would be a highball figure, I would say. Still, you'd probably be better off working with a better starting point.


OR, going on the same idea, in a different direction.... You could sell your shell, or scrap it, and keep the engine. Build up that engine like you're planning (a total rebuild like you have planned will negate the 252K on it, I would think). Get a 92-93 EX with low mileage (if you can find one) and drive that till you have your built engine ready. Then sell the engine with the fairly low miles on it to make some of your money back!

I have an armrest in my LX

[ChIoVnIdCa]

Originally posted by Deevergote
A good body is hard to find... I say sell your 90, and look to buy a whole car in good condition. A 92-93 EX would have more power than your car (A6>A4) and you'd have the cool stuff that comes in the later models (like a driver's side armrest...)

My friend got his 93 LX with 68k miles on it for $3000... e got a deal though... The thing has minor damage on just abourt every plastic part (bumpers and stuff) but not a bit of the sheet metal is damaged. No rust, no dings, nothing (well, maybe one tiny ding, i think).

For a 90 EX in fair-to-poor condition, with over 200k miles, you probably couldn't get much. $1000 would be a highball figure, I would say. Still, you'd probably be better off working with a better starting point.


OR, going on the same idea, in a different direction.... You could sell your shell, or scrap it, and keep the engine. Build up that engine like you're planning (a total rebuild like you have planned will negate the 252K on it, I would think). Get a 92-93 EX with low mileage (if you can find one) and drive that till you have your built engine ready. Then sell the engine with the fairly low miles on it to make some of your money back!

I have an armrest in my LX

[deevergote]

yup... you have a 93, don't you? It's the 90-91s that don't have an armrest... It may have been optional, but I've never seen one.