Why is nothing ever simple!

[stustag]

Hi All

During the last few months I have notice certain parts of my car that need attention which I am slowly trying to rectify.

Firstly there's the front suspension and brake project which highlighted an area of corrosion cost so far without fitting the new splash panel £320.

I have been quoted by E J Ward £250 to fit the splash panel and have also asked my local paint guy to quote who thinks it will be more as paint will be necessary.

I was going to fit the panel myself but stopped when my paint guy said paint was needed.

I then have the rear wheel arch to move onto afterwards and have been told by E J Ward that the best (only) way to repair this 3-6" of inner arch to outer arch (this outer is solid)corrosion is to fit a new inner arch and 3/4 outer wing repair:shock:to do both sides ( I asked for both to be quoted as I believe if one side is bad the other will not be far behind!) it will cost £1800 -£2000 to repair.

Why is nothing ever easy on a Stag? Why do you have to rip off what look like solid outer panels to repair the inners?

Is it the case that this is the only way or are the specialists out to rip me off?:?

At this rate I have got to budget at least another £3500 to get the car top notch with new Soft top and seat re trim so it will last another 20 years.

I am seriously considering is this really worth the expense!:?

NOTE: Repairs to bodywork only necessary due to poor workmanship carried out during the previous owners time!:X

I know I am really critical of my car but is it only me who is paranoid about what is going on under the paint and under seal?



Stuart

[Phil]

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I couldn't say because I don't dare to look:shock:

Phil

[grahamb]

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Stuart,

I have never met you but I suspect you are older than our cars? These cars, like me and possibly you, are past their prime.

I could do more to be healthy but I like my food and I like my booze - had some lovely wine with dinner! I could do something about the wrinkles (moisturise/botox/surgery), wear sharper clothes, lose a bit of weight, worry about this and that or just get on with whats in front of me.

Our cars, like us will not be in optimum condition again without a lot of sacrifice and money spent. Personally, I just like to enjoy, focus on comfort and safety and be pleased with what it is, rather than what it isnt.

If nothing else, you will be 3 grand better off!!!

Graham

[Ian F]

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Stu - You've hit the right target - its the crap workmanship and make do approach that causes the continuing problems - but I suspect we are nearly all guilty of it.

Stag's are old cars, no different than an MGB, TR6 or whatever, probably a little better than a Ferrari or an Alfa but maybe more costly than a Ford. Corrosion will bite no matter what we do, although I wonder if anyone could galvanise a Stag shell?

I'll probably end up needing new repair panels for my front wings in time and even with what I have spent on mine recently - I have not touched the engine or the gearbox. So what happens if they cause trouble?

My Honda Accord Tourer did 45000 miles in 2.5 years, cost nothing other than standard servicing - but it cost me £8k in depreciation!! The Stag, probably going to cost me circa £2-£3k per year to keep it on the road, but usually little or no depreciation? (OK recent events mean that it may be worth a lot less than I paid but that my fault)

You pays your money and takes your choice - EuroJapbox v Stag? I know where I'll try and stay!

Ian

[Stagdad]

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Stu ,

If the outer arches are good i would be tempted to do something myself to the inners until the outershave rusted if you've got to rip them off anyway to get to the inners.

As for what lies beneath, I'mgiving mine a cavity wax every year and topping upthedinitrol,complete kit costs about £75 which is cheap against bodywork repairs.

Cheers Steve

[marshman]

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Hi Stuart,

There is one easy job on a Stag - retorquing the head bolts everything else I have come across is a real pain:X.

As to the cost of seemingly "minor" repairs I don't think the specialists are ripping you off - they are just charging the going rate to do a proper job. If it was straight forward and easy then I guess you would be doing it yourself. Remember the design is approaching 40 years old. Also compare it with the cost of repairs to modern cars - there are lots of horror stories about Dual Mass Flywheels on modern diesels costing £100's to repair. Ford Mondeos requiring new injection systems at around £1300:shock: a throw. Even a "simple" cambelt change can be £300 upwards.:shock: It all needs to be put into perspective. My personal experience of "just" replacing the heads on my Stag over the last few weeks has taken twice as long as I expected as I keep uncovering hidden horrors and unexpected problems - the specialist knows this will happen and makes allowances and charges accordingly.

I wouldn't loose heart with the car as when it is running it does sound glorious - which was the reason I let my heart rule my head and bought mine.

I think its wise tosit back and assess what you want to spend and what really needs doing as oppsed to looking for things to do. A golden rule with classic cars is to buy a good one to start with, (hindsight is a wonderful thing), as the cost of restoration and repair will never be recouped. I must admit personally half the fun of a classic car is the constant battle to keep it on the road.

Chin up

Roger

[Ian F]

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Graham

I'm 53 and Stuart could lose probably 20 years of that!

He is knowledgeable on Stags and has been very helpful to me since owning mine - however I suspect he may be a perfectionist. Thats fine if you can afford it but with a family and other priorities - it will always be a balancing act?

Keep it but can't afford to have it how we would really like, or lower the principles and enjoy it for what it is? Tough decision either way.

Ian F

[Gresley]

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Hi Stuart

no, it isn't only you who is paranoid about what is under the underseal! I put my 'Summer' wheels on today and have spent the rest of the day worrying about any rust which may be under my underseal!!I plan to try and run it for a couple more years and then bare metal the entire car.I'm scared stiff of what I might find:shock:I don't think it will ever be in the condition I would like as a) this would cost too much, and b) driving it everyday through a salty Winter doesn't help!Still rather have it than a modern car thoughStick with it!!

Brian

[Guest]

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Hi Stuart, I think we all understand, and sympathise, it hits us all to some degree or other. The Stag is different to other classiccars though, it has modern levels of performance and equipment, and comfort, in the most beautifully styled body there ever was, with a top that comes off, they are VERY special. I'm not telling you this - just reminding you. I think mine would have to be very bad indeed for me to pass it to someone else. Cheer up mate, have a beer, and do what's needed in your own time. Martin.

[Guest]

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Stu, you have a nice car, i've seen it up close! If anything needs doing underneath, patch repairs my boy, patch repairs!! i, like you, would love my stag to be pristine, but, while in my possesion it will never be (unless i win the lottery)

I am about to start taking the rear suspension out and scraping all the underseal off that area, i'm scared stiff because i know there's gonna be something there thats going to depress me!! If something does come up, i will just have localised patch repairs done on it, so long as its safe and doesnt look like a pile of cr%p, then i'll be happy(ish)

And yes, you are really critical of your car:P:dude:

Chin up, summers' comming and enjoy your Stag

Jason

[grahamb]

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Ian F wrote:

Keep it but can't afford to have it how we would really like, or lower the principles and enjoy it for what it is? Tough decision either way.

interesting point. Last year I met a bloke who had run an e-type for a few years. Then he saw the top gear programme where they had an up-graded e-type against an up-graded DB5. He spent a considerably sum of money (enough for several perfect stags) doing-up the e-type and it looked awesome. The upshot was he didnt enjoy the car and became paranoid about it and wished he had kept it "lived-in".

[STAG1973]

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I suppose that when the stag was new like any other car of the time it had a life span of maybeless than 10 years.......... 30+ years on your keeping that same car alive and still enjoying it, i know how easy it may be to through the towel in but keep thinking positive

Adrian

[Tdm]

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grahamb wrote:

Stuart,

I have never met you but I suspect you are older than our cars? These cars, like me and possibly you, are past their prime.

I could do more to be healthy but I like my food and I like my booze - had some lovely wine with dinner! I could do something about the wrinkles (moisturise/botox/surgery), wear sharper clothes, lose a bit of weight, worry about this and that or just get on with whats in front of me.

Our cars, like us will not be in optimum condition again without a lot of sacrifice and money spent. Personally, I just like to enjoy, focus on comfort and safety and be pleased with what it is, rather than what it isnt.

If nothing else, you will be 3 grand better off!!!

Graham

Graham - have to say that I agree almost entirely with what you say. I know my car has faults and needs some attention (like me), but I prefer to just jump in the car and drive and enjoy it. It sounds O.K. when I'm driving it, feels good, and makes me feel happy.
The only real worry I have at the moment is that the ITV (MOT) runs out next month and I just hope it passes O.K. If it does then I'll maybe have another look at some of the jobs that need doing. Difficult not to be an optimist when the Sun is always shining (well..nearlly always).

[Kevin Garrod]

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I've got to agree with the sentiments already expressed. We live in an imperfect world and unless you have unlimited funds (surely none of us) you will have an imperfect Stag, but you will love it and enjoy it as best you can anyway.

If the fairies broke into my garage and completely restored my Stag overnight I would probably be scared to use it in case it picked up a stone chip or something.



If the world was perfect nobs would taste of chocolate apparently.

[Rubce]

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Stu

Hang in there. I think you need to get your head round the fact that your car will never be perfect because you keep it outside, you like to drive it all year round and its getting old. Once you come to terms with that, you will see the setbacks not so much as problems but as opportunities

Regards

Bruce