|
General Volvo and Motoring Discussions This forum is for messages of a general nature about Volvos that are not covered by other forums and other motoring related matters of interest. Users will need to register to post/reply. |
Information |
|
To repair, or not to repair?Views : 1172 Replies : 17Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
Jan 14th, 2018, 14:13 | #1 |
VOC Member since 1986
Last Online: Today 22:44
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Leicestershire
|
To repair, or not to repair?
Reading a recent thread regarding the repair of minor bodywork damage got me thinking.
While I can understand someone spending several (many) thousands of pounds on a motor car both wanting it to look it's best and also being prepared to spend not inconsiderable sums on keeping it that way, I take a different view. As someone who spends hundreds rather than thousands on a car, I tend to shrug off minor damage - stone chips, car park 'dings', bumper scuffs, minor vandal damage and such like. If it neither affects the way the car drives nor significantly detracts from it's resale value I don't worry about it. To me, bodywork damage falls into one of two categories - structural or cosmetic. Cars have improved massively in the last 40 years to the extent that structural - unless as the result of an accident - has virtually disappeared. I bought a Mini new in 1978 and, despite paying extra for an 'Endrust' treatment, it required major 'surgery' after only four years. Similarly, we bought a year old Maxi in 1983 and 18 months later it needed a complete bottom half respray because of advanced rust. When the Mini was a year old, someone nicked the badges off the boot and bonnet whist it was parked at work. Because I did not want to replace them only to have someone nick the replacements, and because it did not affect the way the car ran, I left it that way until I sold it five years later. Perhaps this has influenced my thinking, but minor cosmetic damage does not bother me. £150 pays for three fill-ups or will buy two new tyres. You would need to get my arm very far up my back to persuade me to spend that amount on removing a scratch or a bumper scuff! Another consideration would be how long I needed to work to earn the amount being spent, and then convince myself that it was a reasonable exchange. I'm not saying that is the right approach for everyone, just my personal philosophy! Does anyone feel the same? Regards, John.
__________________
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana ..... |
Jan 14th, 2018, 15:58 | #2 |
The truth is out there...
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2021 08:43
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Barnstaple
|
My car has a nice patina of scratches and dings, most there when I bought it and a couple more in the last couple of years.
If the car I buy is significantly cheaper because of minor cosmetic damage that's a plus for me! As long as it's mostly tidy and mechanically sound and safe that's all I need. I also like the 185bhp when it's running well!
__________________
It's a dogs life! XC70 D5 2006 244K Still chugging! CRV 2.2 2006 216K Reactivated. |
Jan 14th, 2018, 16:03 | #3 |
Aka MadBabs
Last Online: Nov 11th, 2022 15:29
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: London
|
A bit, yes. And again, a bit for no..
Like you, I don't pay muchattention to cosmetic damage, but this is caused by the age/value of my car. Years back I would spend better part of £100 just buying waxes, shiners etc. Now I can't see the point. Its not like I'm planning to hang to her for much longer. Then again- if I will manage to get what I think I want as her replacement.. I'd quite seriously consider taking it abroad to certain country, and fund a ceramic coating. For myself I call it laziness- no weekly wash+wax+polish+wax hardener+polish again.. |
Jan 14th, 2018, 22:18 | #4 |
Non VOC Member
Last Online: Today 18:53
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Milton Keynes
|
^ Most definitely this ^
Mines not a rust bucket, it is a Volvo after all, but with the laquer peel on the bonnet and the scuffs on the bumpers, it's certainly not polished.
__________________
David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg |
Jan 14th, 2018, 22:27 | #5 | |
Non Fragile
Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chadderton, Oldham
|
Quote:
To me, a car is a tool. Of course I like it to look clean and presentable, but not to the extent of the "Toucha ma car, I smasha ya face" extent some people go to. I prefer it to be all one colour if I can. But then, I'm not the kind of guy who spends 50k on a car. More like £50. If I had spent 50k on a car, I'd certainly want to keep it looking it's best. It'd wrankle me though. I'd never risk it out in public! I also wouldn't be laying a tarpaulin in the boot, and shovelling in rubble, soil and debris. Nor would I be loading it with logs. Or dogs. And I certainly wouldn't be heaving an old washing machine I've found into it, and then stacking around about 15 bricks because they look nice and will do for a garden project I've had in mind. I should buy a pick-up really. Why don't Volvo make pick-ups? |
|
Jan 15th, 2018, 06:06 | #6 | |
I've Been Banned
Last Online: Aug 10th, 2018 09:22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Lincolnshire Wolds & West Sussex Coast
|
Quote:
doesn't matter how old the car I'm driving is, I don't want it to look like a banger. I'm currently having my 1986 745 restored, financial sense ? No, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on that decision. Jon. Last edited by Prufrock; Jan 15th, 2018 at 06:09. |
|
Jan 15th, 2018, 06:24 | #7 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ffos y Ffin
|
I found years ago if it looked clean and tidy you were less of a target for the traffic police.
It's stayed with me. Paul. |
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to green van man For This Useful Post: |
Jan 15th, 2018, 09:43 | #8 |
VOC Member since 1986
Last Online: Today 22:44
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Leicestershire
|
Thank you, everyone, for your insightful responses.
Like 'luggsey' and 'DaveNP', I feel that my V70 is nicely patinated too, and does not in the least resemble a 'banger'. I therefore very much agree with Jon ('Prufrock') that I don't want it to look like one either! I agree with 'canis' in that I prefer mine to be clean and presentable and all one colour as well, and with Paul ('GVM') that a clean car is less likely to attract unwanted attention by the Police. If my car sustains damage which I can reverse with a touch-up stick or the application of a little 'T-Cut', I will do so, and it also gets washed once in a while, too. Having said that, I find that a little road grime can actually improve it's appearance by masking the odd imperfection! Our 'D' reg 745 still looked decent at 28 years old - owned by us for 18 - and was only retired due to terminal structural corrosion underneath leading to a failed MOT. We paid £550 for it's replacement - our 'V' reg V70. It too looks decent - Linda would refuse to be seen in it if it didn't - but unsurprisingly it does have the odd mark and bumper scuff. To spend £150 on it's repair would represent more than a quarter of the purchase price and increase it's value little if at all. Had I spent £5500 on a motor car, I might think differently, but I would also have been more exacting in my search for a used car in the first place. I guess if one is going to show one's car that would take the discussion to another level; one where one could justify the cost as with any other 'hobby' expenditure, but for everyday motoring I really an not overly concerned by the presence of the odd blemish on an 18 year old car. Regards. John.
__________________
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana ..... |
Jan 15th, 2018, 10:32 | #9 |
Volvo S40
Last Online: Today 23:15
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Chichester
|
Sorry have to disagree. regardless of the age of the car all mine I like to look after and fix up where I can so it looks as presentable as possible.
Just feels nice keeping the car looking good. Regardless of what it is. All down to opinion obviously
__________________
----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D |
Jan 15th, 2018, 10:50 | #10 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Market Harborough
|
The problem I have seen is that if you did opt for a respray down one panel or the whole side due to a key scratch or whatever then the "finished job" is very often far worse than the damage was.
Water-based paints and lacking skills I guess but I've seen some shocking 'new' paint finishes which totally ruin the car.
__________________
2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|