Rubbish paint and rustproofing

[Flip Martian]

I've posted about my 2007 Mk 3's paintwork before. A lovely black - until sprayed by a gritter lorry, which resulted in white bits where the paint came off. And it seems when I use my pressure washer (on a soft setting, from an appropriate distance), more specks of white appear. The paintwork seems like a Friday afternoon job. And the rust...the vertical strut on the driver's window has bubbling top and bottom. I noticed while washing yesterday the area around the side repeater light on the driver's side also has rust around it now. Not sure I even dare investigate the usual trouble spots. This is a car that's kept under cover, too. Not out on the street in all weathers.

Why make such a good car to drive and then skimp on the bodywork?! Really seems like they don't car. I've never had a problem with any other car - except a 3 year old Mazda 3 which had wafer thin paint too. I've already been told a full respray would be the best option as there are so many flecks and scratches but spending 4 figures on a respray isn't really do-able at the moment.

Lovely car to drive - just spent a lovely few days hooning about the Cotswolds in it - but I doubt I'd buy a Mazda again.

[VladD]

I suppose the problem you've got, assuming you want to have a sports car as a second car, is what would you buy instead? BMW Z3 or Z4? Parts and servicing will be more expensive. Merc SLK, similar story. Who else makes an affordable sports car (and by that I mean 2 seats and a soft top)?

[Flip Martian]

VladD said:

I suppose the problem you've got, assuming you want to have a sports car as a second car, is what would you buy instead? BMW Z3 or Z4? Parts and servicing will be more expensive. Merc SLK, similar story. Who else makes an affordable sports car (and by that I mean 2 seats and a soft top)?

Yeah it is a problem. I did look into SLKs before I decided on the MX5. And I wouldn't want one now, having done the research on costs etc. The MX5 is cheap (at least with age) - I guess they're cheap for a reason.

[VladD]

Flip Martian said:

VladD said:

I suppose the problem you've got, assuming you want to have a sports car as a second car, is what would you buy instead? BMW Z3 or Z4? Parts and servicing will be more expensive. Merc SLK, similar story. Who else makes an affordable sports car (and by that I mean 2 seats and a soft top)?

Yeah it is a problem. I did look into SLKs before I decided on the MX5. And I wouldn't want one now, having done the research on costs etc. The MX5 is cheap (at least with age) - I guess they're cheap for a reason.

You could always p/x for a Mk3.5 and spend a bit getting some anti-chip coating put on. Better than getting a respray which won't really add any value to your current car.

I suppose technically you could claim against your insurance for the respray, but that would probably end up costing you more in the long run because of increased premiums.

[Flip Martian]

VladD said:

You could always p/x for a Mk3.5 and spend a bit getting some anti-chip coating put on. Better than getting a respray which won't really add any value to your current car.

I suppose technically you could claim against your insurance for the respray, but that would probably end up costing you more in the long run because of increased premiums.

Yeah, I was leaving the insurance out of it. I do have no claims protection but they still bump the price up - as I found a couple of years ago. Although swapping insurers got me a cheaper deal again. Strange one. Maybe p/x is the answer, although its prob not worth too much as is "generally tidy except for the bits mentioned"