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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:36 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
So a dyno rod van slammed on its breaks, I must have been distracted, and I got frontalled. Everything at the front is caved in and pressing against the engine. At the very least I need a new wing, front bumper. Most lights. Probably a jig. Bonnet...

Am i looking at a write off? I want to save it - I've had my ST205 for 20 years, it's never had a bump or scratch. It's my baby.

I just dont know what to do. I'm incredibely upset! First thought is to buy a donor car.... but then how much will a mech charge to sort this mangled mess out? Would it just be better to give up the ghost?


Last edited by Yav69 on Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 2:38 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
And can anyone recommend a decent mech in essex who could help me without screwing me?


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:01 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:13 am
Posts: 220
Location: North East (Cullercoats)
Car Model: ST185 CS/RC
Sorry about your incident yav.
Do not give up the ghost.
Depending on how much damage there are parts available all over.
Can you do some work? Do you have a tame body shop?
Ooooohooo so much to consider????
Sorry but I'm up North so... keep asking

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS :)
Now...a 13/60 cv herald :( ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:18 pm 
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You could buy a front cut off a breaker. The front part is only spot welded on so shouldn't be too hard for someone to replace. As long as the chassis legs are okay you shouldn't have a problem although would most likely set you back a couple of grand to get it back right.

You could most likely get front wings, bumper, bonnet, lights for less than £500 all in. Front cut for a couple of hundred then the rest for labour and paint. Add more if other parts need replacing like power steering/gearbox coolers but they are general <£40 for a good used item.


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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 8:44 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:14 am
Posts: 3265
Location: Camberley, Surrey
Car Model: ST205
Everything is repairable really if you have the time, money and patience.

Probably worth getting a reputable bodyshop to have a look/take some measurements to see if and how much the chassis is damaged. That will probably give you an idea of what to do. As mentioned above - most of the bits can be sourced for not too much money.

There are lots of people breaking GT-Fours - it would be a shame for yours to go the same way especially if you are attached to it.

Hopefully you wern't badly injured either.

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PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:14 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:44 pm
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Location: drinking devil fuel
Car Model: ST205
Sounds like a cat c total loss from an insurance standpoint - hard to say without photographic evidence.

If you're involving insurance ask upfront if you will have a salvage buyback option and ask if the damage assessment could be made available (unless it's going to a garage you know/specify)

If not using insurance either
1) find a local repairer with a good rep and ask them for an estimate making sure to check for chassis damage

2) try and find a local vehicle assessor to give you a repair estimate and work from there with a local repairer

Come what may if you want it repaired to a decent level the panelwork and paint is best left to experienced folks, especially if chassis damage is evident. However you'll have to horsetrade over parts (bolt on panels,lights etc) supply as to make it economical you'll be needing to use salvage components not new OEM.

At the end of the day to keep it you'll need to want to keep the car, be good at the interwebfacebay for bits and find a good accommodating repairer. Being handy on the tools could also save lots, especially if you can do most of the fitters job (remove broken/in the way stuff before body repair, replace new/in the way parts after repair) leaving only paint and bodywork to the repairer

Good luck


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:08 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
Any advice please? Are there any specialist repairers? Maybe I should buy a cheap donor car..?


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:11 pm 
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Ahh sorry didnt see all the replies before I posted. I will post some pics. I'm tempted to cover it up an wait for a windfall. The car is so important to me. Anyway I'll sort out some pics.


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:20 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
And thanks again for the advice. I f it costs me 3 grand to sort out it's worth it. What other fantastic car would be worth it?


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:23 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
As for other comments - I am a total pleb at repairing / being a spanner boy. This would have to be a restore at cost. Still tring to work out how to post pics.... will prolly post dropbox links once downloaded.


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 4:31 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mfsdz276jib0ipn/2017-04-03%2008.16.32%20%281%29.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6rrqztgc8owy7n3/2017-04-03%2012.17.58.jpg?dl=0

Did that work?


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:57 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:13 am
Posts: 220
Location: North East (Cullercoats)
Car Model: ST185 CS/RC
Yes.
Oh dear!
Hard to tell what chassis damage may have occurred
Wait for insurance company statement and do a buy back.

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS :)
Now...a 13/60 cv herald :( ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica


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PostPosted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:01 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:14 am
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Location: Camberley, Surrey
Car Model: ST205
Poor car :(

Only advice I would say is - don't cover it up and wait - if you are going to fix start the process now - even if it is just collecting parts. Every moment it is 'off the road' reduces the chances it will ever go back on in my experience.

I am very attached to my car and when it was off the road for a long time for project work even I started to doubt myself and considered not bothering.

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PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:53 pm 
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Car Model: ST205
Thanks for all your time and energy in responding to my queries. It terms of all the bits and bobs I would require to do a restore - do you you think it might be best to start hunting down a donor car? I'm pretty sure all I need is front end bit (lights , bumper, bonnet for sure) I'm hoping someone here can point me towards a person who might have a mechanically dead GT4. I also know sometimes MR2 bits fit....


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PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:58 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:14 am
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Location: Camberley, Surrey
Car Model: ST205
I'd say no to the donor car - there are enough people breaking the cars for parts that you should be able to get everything you need without a whole donor car. MR2 bits are not that helpful unless they are the actual engine bits, the ancillaries are generally different. Join the various ST205 groups on facebook for access to the guys breaking the cars.

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