Biting the rusty bullet.

[charlie84rum]

I recently bought a 2003 Svt Mk 2.5 for £1600 with a hardtop and mazdaspeed bodykit in supreme blue with 89,000 on it. Although I was rather taken with it I did some rust hunting and couldn't find anything obvious to my amateur eye. A week or so later I removed the body kit and plastic guards from the arches aiming to treat and rust proof as best I could. Turns out the rear sills/box section were pretty rot.Gareth the Mx5 restorer says its probably the worst hes seen! Its currently with him being properly sorted out and Im getting the chassis rails done while he has it as they need doing too. Once hes sorted it I just need to finish the rustproofing etc and then replace discs and pads and get the body kits bits back on. Obviously I brought the thing to enjoy it so have no intention of selling as I havent been able to enjoy it yet. Was wondering what those of you in the know think the extensive repair work and sorted bodykit should do to the value of the car as although I already love it it would be nice too know its holding a bit of value. Your opinions would be much appreciated! Ill also try and get some photos up so you can see what I wandered into and also the work Gareth has done.

[Flip Martian]

Well I was only looking at Mk2.5s last Autumn and judging from the prices being asked (and depending on condition etc) if you had it all sorted and it was A1, you could advertise it (in the Spring perhaps) for double what you paid for it. Whether you'd get that is another matter of course - but I was seeing a wide range of prices when looking.

[charlie84rum]

Cheers for your opinion, It does seem if the cars in good health will all rust attended to it will do okay. I reckon once the cars all sorted a good early morning traffic free run with the roof off should make everything right again.

[Flip Martian]

Must admit I can't ever imagine selling mine.