Dud Leone, Need advice

brumbyrunner · Post by **brumbyrunner** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:22 pm

Mate, you're starting to scare me.
How about you post up some pics of the rust so we can see if it's worth repairing.
If you don't fix the rust properly, everything else you spend on it will be a waste of money.
It's a shame you couldn't go car shopping with an enthusiast. I love car shopping.

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:33 pm

Well I took the car to a mechanic to get a quote so I can't give you any pics until I get it back. Besides there isn't alot of rust that is visible until I rub it back, just a small beed below the side back window and a patch near the door.

When I say a bit of paint & bog I actually meen I'll rub it back completely, grind out any really bad patches, spray it with rust killer, put on a good undercoat then paint it. Did I miss anything? Anyway the point I'll make sure I do a good job.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 5:50 pm

Too Many Rubes wrote:I still say the mechanic is being petty - trying to drum up business for himself...'free no obligation brake check'

equals the same thing!!

There is nothing 'free' when it comes to small bussiness...the time (min $55 / hr) for the 'obligation free quote' is structured back into his bussiness in some fashion - he has to to survive.

hsv88 - cut your losses!!

sven

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:27 pm

hsv88 - cut your losses!!

not givin up until I know exactly what its gunna cost me

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 6:45 pm

Where are you in Vic - I might be able to help with some parts.

1982 Leone - should have the chrome (not black plastic) bumpers, right ? Is the car silver ? Bog standard 13" steel rims and so on ?

I doubt we have any MY sedan owners on here...plenty of wagons and MV's, couple of coupes - luckily most parts interchange

Dean.

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:13 pm

Where are you in Melbourne? The mechanic may have seen aan inexperienced person, and took advantage of it.

I can pop around and take a squiz depending where you are.

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:38 pm

I can pop around and take a squiz depending where you are.

Mate that would great but I'm up in Bendigo, unless you really like drivin your subie that much;)

spot on dfoyl, its got one of those old chrome bumpers and a 13" rims. Some parts would be a big help thats if your willing to post em.

stamp_licker · Post by **stamp_licker** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:51 pm

Is it like this one?

Great little car when they're running right.

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:09 pm

yup sure is, 4 door 1800 GL-5. They are nice little cars thats why I really wanna get the baby on the road. They look alright when they're done up too, surprisingly.
This is a two model:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/259374

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:30 pm

Yeah... I'd like to own one as well and add AWD & Turbo on them then it'll do great...
That mechanic is thinking of you saving your life... think positive!
Cheers
AP

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:39 pm

Well, the GL-5 is a good sign - it's the higher spec model and not the base DL with the (shudder) 4-speed.

Rust is always the killer...if it IS as bad as the mechanic lists you can't just bog it up - it will need to have a plate welded in. You may also have structural issues. Rust = cancel for cars, you can fix mechanical problems but rust has killed many Subaru's - look on USMB for some real sad MY's and L's! Normal points on the MY is the front window corners. I think the bootlid is also bad on the sedans I see.

I know of at least 3 sedans in local wreckers atm, a silver one in decent knick in Dandenong (I took the "turbo" exhaust and the slanted console from that one

) - think it was an 82 also, a second silver one at the same wreckers but it's beat-up) and a ratty one I can't recall the color of (possibly silver also) in Nick-a-part in Campbellfield (they turn over cars a fair bit quicker, I haven't been there for a bit so it might be gone). I also know of an 82 wagon with nice front and rear chrome bumpers nearby (I took the slanted console for that one awhile back, it's now in a USMB members car somewhere in Tennessee (sp?),USA!). So we can find body parts no problem

I've got most of a spare front clip - lights, grille (83+ honeycomb style, they interchange readily), plastic bumper, indicators (single h/l style, you may want to go the dual headlight design based on pesonal preference), spare set of new front brake pads (might be worth moving across to the later vented discs, the 82's got unvented discs), and a few other bits and pieces (I bought a huge box of parts from a guy who turned an MY wagon into a dune buggy...cost me $10). I'm sure somebody here would have a set of decent rear drum pads (I turfed mine out when I went to rear discs...actually I know of a set of 2wd rear discs on a Vortex at a wreckers (Centre Road) that are dying to go on a 2wd MY!). Again, based on your mechanic's report you will need to replace most of the rear brakes so why not upgrade to discs at the same time.

Dean.

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:33 pm

Well heres hoping it hasn't gone further then that panel. There was some rust in the boot which I fixed up, apparently the seals were gone (fixed now) and there was water sitting in there.

Putting disks on the back sounds like a great idea(depending on what they're worth), it'll save me gettin the drums machined. Are there much modifications needed or is it just a bolt on job?
If you can hook me up with front pads and back disks and possibly a bumper bar, I'd be very greatful. That honey comb grille sounds good too but I'll do that stuff once its on the road.

btw mine a marone colour

dfoyl · Post by **dfoyl** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:07 am

Rear disc swapover...

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/sho ... hp?t=49975

Probably looking at around $100 for the rear discs, I'd have to check with the wreckers (and also check thickness so they're not undersize). Plus new pads (expensive, about twice the price of the fronts because they're only found on L-series RX's, Turbo's & Vortex's). Plus machining, about $30-40.

No prob's on the other...

Dean.

Post by **Alex** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:48 pm

nice cars, absolutely bulletproof! we use to have a red one

alex

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:43 pm

Well it looks like I got myself outta the sh1t, it turns out this mechanic I took the car to (who's been the family mechanic for quite some time) is after a leone to rally. So his offered to trade it for $500 on an 89 mitsubishi magna wagon . Its gunna cost me $2000 after trade with 10 months rego and RWC and I can pay it off. Its also got a reconditioned engine with just 10,000km on it.
It sounds a reasonable deal so Im very seriously considering it.

Thank you everyone, you've all been a very good help and given me some really good advice.

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:06 pm

dude 2500 for am 89 Magna is heaps.
magnas are definetely not one of the best cars. especially to hold their value
unless of course its MINT. and not jsut a reconned motor.

Post by **Alex** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:15 pm

your leone will be WAY more reliable..

alex

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:53 pm

I know Magnas arn't ideal but it is pretty much mint, got cruze control, electric everything, drives very smooth and an excellent service history seeing it was owned by a mechanic. I meen 10 months reg and 4 new tires, there $800 already. I no a guy who has had an 87 magna for about 6 years and he hasn't had too much trouble with it, just a fue perished hoses and the transmission is a bit dodgy(its auto) .
After seeing my Leone up on the hoist there is no way I'm gunna bother fixing the thing. The rust is alot worse then I thought, that whole panel probably needs replacing. I know its sad but its just not worth the time and money.

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:00 pm

maaaaate,

hook up with someone who knows about cars - a 20 year magna is no improvement - ask your mechanic how much the transmission will be to replace when (not if) it blows.

It is possiable to buy a reasonable car for $2000 - check the sherpa in the FS section for example - just have to know what you doing.

Not having a crack at you, but, just hope you don't get ripped again

hsv88 · Post by **hsv88** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:27 pm

See the problem is I don't have $2000 straight up, If I did I would have got a decent car to start with. I need a car asap coz I'm starting a apprenticeship next year and part of what makes this deal so attractive is I can pay it off and have the car now. If I don't take this then I'd probably end up takin the Leone to the wreckers, get maybe $150 and have to wait until half way through next year before I can afford something in half decent nick.