by "ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
Published 05/05/2017 at 01:09
by "ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
Published 05/05/2017 at 01:09
No Tags
STARS: 22
I drove my car! So much fun. I will post more thoughts after spending time with it this weekend. Here it is under my carport lights.
Body and paint are stunning. He got to every imperfection that I ever saw, and made it look new. It drove great, sounding better amd feeling more torquey and powerful. Suspension work was definitely noticeable, and it felt really stable in the road. I really love this car.
The downside? He did some basic interior repairs to the plastic, but most of what we discussed for the interior did not happen.
So what do I think of the project and how I spent my money?
I think it worked out. I budgeted $10,000 to the Sunchaser restoration, and Nikon’s estimate was $7,000. I paid hin $6,400.
The suspension, cooling system, and engine seals (oil leaks) were not part of the original plan, as mechanical was planned as phase 2. But priorities changed, and Nikon promised to deliver on both phases within the $10k budget. So I went for it.
I got the body and paint, suspension, cooling, seals, convertible top seal, and some interior repair for less than the $7000 quote, so I think I came out ahead.
"random001" (random001)
05/05/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 1
That looks really great!
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
05/05/2017 at 01:22, STARS: 1
It’d be interesting to know what you were paying him per hour with that $6400.
"Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz)" (galileo-humpkins)
05/05/2017 at 01:23, STARS: 2
I mean, the interior is fugly, but it looks and runs great so I think you definitely
won
came out ahead.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
05/05/2017 at 01:37, STARS: 1
Price alone, that’s a fantastic deal assuming it’s a manufacturer grade paint job or better (which it certainly looks to be).
Congrats! It sucks going so long without that special car in your life. My first major project was a super light-weight brake kit, which due to terrible customer service, missing parts, broken parts, just plain wrong parts, shipping delays, and numerous other headaches ended up leaving me without my baby for almost three months. I feel your pain.
"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword)
05/05/2017 at 01:39, STARS: 2
I love that upholstery. Somehow more 90s than 80s.
"Whoms't" (sco0009)
05/05/2017 at 02:09, STARS: 0
And the matching steering wheel too!!
"vondon302" (vondon302)
05/05/2017 at 06:14, STARS: 1
Sweet. Money well spent. Even if it was a hassle.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
05/05/2017 at 07:16, STARS: 0
I’d say you got your money’s worth then.
"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44)
05/05/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 0
Yay! Huge fan of this car and t looks better than ever. When are you going to that classic Japanese car show?
"haveacarortwoorthree2" (haveacarortwoorthree2)
05/05/2017 at 09:03, STARS: 1
Are you happy? Then we’re happy! But seriously, it looks great. Have fun this weekend.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
05/05/2017 at 10:26, STARS: 0
Body shop labor around here is 70-80/hour. It’s probably a bit less where IM is, but a high quality full respray alone can easily run well past $7500 depending on the car and prep done by the owner, and this one doesn’t have a roof or painted pillars to prep and color sand. Show quality paint on a 4-door sedan or cars with complex bodywork can be a 20k proposition.
"InFierority Complex" (lanciere)
05/05/2017 at 10:43, STARS: 3
Congratulations on having the Sunchaser back! It’s a such a fun seeming little car and it looks like it has been well taken care of at the shop.
Thanks for posting the cost. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and redo the paint on the Scorpion pretty soon and that price doesn’t seem so unattainable.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/05/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 1
Under budget, too! That’s a win! Looks great - enjoy the ride today!
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
05/05/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 0
I gotta say that seems pretty reasonable and you still have some room in the budget for interior if you still feel it needs it.
"CaptDale - is secretly British" (captdale)
05/05/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 0
Awesome! I can’t wait to see it if I get to. Let me know what is going on, you’ve got my #