im really throwing around the idea of just fixing my rusty car. there is extensive rust in the rear frame rails and most of the rear of the car. the trunk floor is still solid but has corrosion on the seams. the rear bumper support is rotted as is the absorbers it bolts to. should i have the frame rails cut and rewelded or just buy a new body?

 

Year? any pics? Notch Hatch?

 

Is the rust all the way through or is it surface rust? If its a hatch I would just start over.. they are abundant and easy to find.. if its a notch, you might want to cut/weld and try to keep it.. those are really, REALLY hard to come by right now and fetch a pretty high price when you do find one.

 

its just a hatch. 88 lx. was a 4cyl car. it has rot all the way through on the p/s quarter panel and in front of the wheel is rusting. but the frame rails are surface then on the inside theyre flaking apart. im at work so i cant get pics up but if i can get the chance i will post some pics.

 

im working on fixing mine right now. p/s and d/s quarters are rusted below the moulding. im fiberglassing right now to fix it.....hope it works out! i just cleaned my underbody and frame rails and paint it. metal has pits but not rusted even close to all the way through just on the surface. i suggest trying to clean it and worst case its a lost cause and buy a new hatch

 

my car jumped in 3k value, just by replacing the floors and rear quarters according to my body man. but thats a vert.

 

Ditch the body and start over. Good rust free hatch bodies are all over the place around here for under $1000. Check the classifieds on here.

 

no offense but going from zero value to some value isn't really a jump. you just got the car back to working order.

 

I wouldnt trust a car with rusty frame rails like that.
Just buy another car and start over, especially since this one is just a 4 cylinder conversion anyway (not worth as much as an original v8 car).

 

Start over with an original v8. PJB is right about the value, people are not willing to pay much for a conversion if you ever decided to sell it.