My focus although mechanically it's perfect, cosmettically is ruined.

I'm thinking of buying another 2002 5 door focus in the same colour and swapping all the bodyparts around and then selling it again.

Theres a few on autotrader right now for ~£800-£900 on an 02/52 plate with 100+ miles on them.

If I sell it for £500 - £600 then I've got the majority of the bodywork sorted for a fraction of the price.

Now I know UV can cause slight fade etc but the only podypanels that will be original will be the roof and the rear quaters?

Anyone see any flaws in my plan? or any advice?

Bailes.

 

swaste of time imo if you put shit pannels ect on it it wont sell for much

 

swapping what.. i cant understand what your trying to do.

 

Seems like a lot of work and if you go ahead you would surely be better to swap the known-good mechanicals into the new, better body.

Apart from anything else, the new boot, bonnet, doors and bumpers aren't going to match your exisiting roof and quarters. (Don't know if Focus front wings are bolt-on or welded)

 

Sounds like a lot of arseache for not a lot of gain.

Money would be better spent getting the car detailed and any issues sorted.

 

Seems alot of work for buggar all gains all really. Just sell it for whatever you can then buy a 3dr one if you want to stay with the focus.

 

what are the wings etc like to remove? are you confident you can remove the good condition stuff without damaging it?

i've not got much experience, but the last wing i removed was bolted and sealed on, it was a nightmare and really wouldn't fancy fitting it to another car afterwards

the bolt on stuff like the doors and stuff may be ok, if you can get the exact same colour. the two cars might look the same, but there can be slight differences in the paint mix. you might bolt them on and it'll stick out a mile.

 

I personally wouldn't bother, what's your car worth anyway? £1500?

 

whats your definition of "cosmetically ruined", get some pics up

 

Right...
N/S
Back doors caved in (Orr errr...)
Couple of deep scratches down the side.

Front...
Bumper is caved in slightly in the middle
Couple of nasty scratches in the bonnet
Nasty scuff on the bottom right of the bumper

O/S
Lots of little dents in wing
Big dent between the rear wing and rear door
Lots of deep keys

Back end...
Big patches of paint missing where the bikerack has rubbed it away
Rear boot handle isn't great for the same reason above
and just lots of little dents and scratches.

Interior
Surround around the gear gaitor has broken (Fecking mechanic)
Center console needs a respray
Drivers seat is a little worn where your theigh goes
And the supports for the rear parcel shelf have been eaten by my dog.

I can't change the car,
Long story short when admiral (company i'm with) give you a form to fill in for a quote they ask how long has the current keeper had the car. Well it's really my Mum's car and shes had it since new although the insurance is in my name.
They seem to give me a MASSIVE discount because it's had the same owner a long time/since the car was new.
If I was to change my car for another car IDENTICLE they want an extra £490.
Which is bloody annoying as I wanted a Mondeo next year, but now I'm stuck.

 

I say it would be better and cheaper to either fix your car or keep it as a shed and don't worry about parking dinks etc,

You won't save any money buying another car and swapping bits around.

Or get an insurance quote elsewhere.

 

Cheapest on money supermarket is £2500 for a the same car as mine that I'd just bought.

I paid £1400 for mine simply cause of the one owner thing.

It's annoying me quite allot actually.

 

you want to buy a car to tiidy your up??


well that sa good idea if you can find one with a bust engine or mot fail at 2-300 quid but taking good car to tidy up your ok car seems daft

look on ebay for breaking focus in your colour or a shitter you can rape

but paint match is alway an issue, even if its not been painted it could look off if the car sat in the sun its whole life or in the wind and grit and if its been thru a dealer or 2 it would have its fair share of touch ins and blow ins too complicate things