How much did you pay for the burned car? Would be interesting to see what the full restoration cos you.

 

Yessis, everything is wired. It's weird too because the mirrors burnt off my 2013 and the front doors on the donor car were pretty much trash (although you cannot see the damage in pics), but the mirrors survived. I should be picking it up and driving it home mid next week.

 

Ok hopefully you guy's won't flame me too bad (yes my flame suit is strapped on). Look at what is next in line, should be starting this one around the beginning of February. Pretty much the same story I'm just hunting down a rear ended or side hit 2012-2014 sti sedan.

 

The burnt car is 2012, what year is the donor car?

I am putting 2015 side mirrors myself and it doesn't have wires for the signal lights just the heat.

 

Yes, boo on the subie, but...


Have you ever figured-out the cost of these burnt cars, and the cost of rebuilding them? Is there a true savings on doing this? Don't forget all your labor(!)...Please don't get me wrong, I think it is a great thing you are doing, saving these cars from being tossed as trash, I am just very curious. Do you resell these cars that you put together, or do you keep any of them for yourself? Keep up the fantastic work!

 

Good questions my friend. Yes there is a bit of savings to be had, mainly it is because of the labor the shop I use charges me. See the work is done on the side plus I chip in here and there (I sand blasted it and rented the blaster). It was not pennies on the dollar but it was definitely buddy buddy pricing. Another part of it is more less an interest or dare bringing them back to life (most people think I'm total nuts) until they see the final result.

I also buy the burn cars fairly cheap and will sell what is left over that was not used. You will be shocked how much you honestly save once it is all tallied up. What I typically do is buy, repair, drive for a while (until I'm tired or bored) then sell. I won't brag at all but I make a decent profit and never lost on any of my resales. On the other hand I am very honest and open with my perspective buyers (in fact most stay in touch with me and a few has bought a second from me). I show full pictures, videos of before and the rebuild process and they are there to see the after result.

I will honestly probably never buy a new car or used car off the lot again. I have been doing this for the past 5 years on the side and it has made me able to drive high end later model sports cars and suv's. 100% worth it no questions about it. I never had an issue selling any of my cars and don't really forsee issues in the future.

The true downside though is having to pick up miscellaneous parts here and there that didn't survive on neither car and having that part wrong, or damaged as well (yes it happens lol) etc. Lots of trailering cars and parts here and there that don't run, or won't steer (damaged suspension) etc.

Another plus is that it allows you to appreciate nearly all types of cars. I have rebuilt everything from Camaro ss's to Focus st's, to sti's, cts v's, Z06's, down to a genesis coupe and civic si. Funny thing is i end up loving each and every one and the whole brand loyalty thing goes out the window.

 

"on the side"? how else can you find time to do a regular job

 

Damn another one

 

Would you attemp a Porsche or Ferrari ?

 

That was awesome! Hopefully you keep this one!

 

Lets get pics on the new car already!!

 

Wow, you do amazing work. Looks good

 

Wow dude. AWESOME JOB!

 

I don't think anyone should begrudge you for turning your talent and time into money.

The transformation that this car has taken is just amazing - the photos of the installed engine, panels, and styrofoam pads in the front crash beam look factory fresh just like the rest of the car - totally unlike the burned out interior it started off with.