Painting advice

[JaretR1 at aol.com]

Once again, I have come to another crossroads with my beloved 91  SE-R.  Like 
I mentioned, the next door neighbor decided to test the front  end stiffness 
of his Skyline on the back bumper of my car.  Estimates are  in the $700 range 
to fix it.  Of course if I get it fixed, then I have a  shiny new back bumper 
and the rest of the car still looks like crap (which is  the case of my dad's 
Escort that he already fixed).  15 years of Florida  sunshine and all the 
waxing in the world couldn't save my paint.
 
I have an estimate from Maaco to paint the car for $150.  I cant even  
imagine what they would do for $150 (that was in addition to getting the bumper  
fixed).  Another body shop gave me an estimate of $1200 to do everything  which 
puts me out of pocket about $500-600.  I am not sure of their work  though.  
Lastly, a body shop I know does high quality work gave me an  estimate of $1650 
for everything, which puts me out of pocket $950.
 
I have already spent $2k in the last year rebuilding the front end axles,  
new clutch, hoses etc... I need to shore up the squeaking which I think is the  
rear calipers being frozen and hopefully not the wheel bearings.  Then  there 
is the headliner, and no AC.  I cant get rid of this car.  It  sits on the 
side of my house under a car cover and I tool around with it on the  weekends.  
It seems like spending $1650 to paint a car that's barely worth  that seems a 
little ridiculous.  At the same time, how many Classic SE-Rs  are there still 
on the streets that look good and original?  Should I risk  this other body 
shop for $1200?  Or get this car looking the way it was  when I bought it new for 
$1650.  Like I said, it sits under a car cover and  I just cant get rid of 
it.  The interior of the car is also in good  shape.  Its more fun to drive than 
my RSX...and I am just one of those  sentimental people who keep everything.  
The only problem is the more money  I spend on this, the further away I will 
be from buying a new Corvette (my other  dream).
 
That's enough rambling....I just need some advice and only the people on  
this list might possibly be able to understand my dilemna, as mundane as it  is.
 
Thanks
 
Jaret
 
 



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