Tommy's awe-inspiring Ccoupe
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
So I should be picking up the car today. As I said, I was missing the pins on the underside of the sunroof deflector, so those will be put in, and the deflector reattached in total. They noticed rust in that area on the body, so I'll deal with that in the spring - don't really feel like tackling another rust issue on my car again, and don't have many open sunroof days left this year anyway, probably.
Also said that I need front wheel bearings; thought I had an issue with the rotors, but I guess I was wrong. Have a Dodge Avenger rental, btw (Enterprise keeps having no smaller cars, which is really annoying) - the car must be how driving American cars was like in 1985, seriously, this car is one POS. The Alfa influence in Dodge products can't come soon enough (Dart looks pretty decent, surprisingly).
Think I really need to prepare myself for buying something about this time next year; would love to drive this car for another 2-3 years, but not sure it's in the cards.
Also said that I need front wheel bearings; thought I had an issue with the rotors, but I guess I was wrong. Have a Dodge Avenger rental, btw (Enterprise keeps having no smaller cars, which is really annoying) - the car must be how driving American cars was like in 1985, seriously, this car is one POS. The Alfa influence in Dodge products can't come soon enough (Dart looks pretty decent, surprisingly).
Think I really need to prepare myself for buying something about this time next year; would love to drive this car for another 2-3 years, but not sure it's in the cards.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Maybe I didn't understand fully. The structure of the car around the pano roof is rusting? By "retire the roof" I meant don't open it anymore.. not chop it off or anything like that. You should be able to get 2-3 more years out of the thing easily.
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Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
On the coupe, there's a hinged front portion that tilts up when the sunroof is opened. Underneath there is where the metal is rusting.
If I couldn't open up the coupe's sunroof, that would ruin the most fun part of it! I'm sure I'll just get it fixed after winter next year, assuming nothing else goes wrong, but it's another thing to add to the fix list...
If I couldn't open up the coupe's sunroof, that would ruin the most fun part of it! I'm sure I'll just get it fixed after winter next year, assuming nothing else goes wrong, but it's another thing to add to the fix list...
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Looks like my hand is being forced on this issue. The rivets on the passenger's side popped out BECAUSE of the rust there. So either seal up the sunroof or properly deal with it. Guess which I'm going to be going with? Yep - more $$$$ out the window! 
Shop won't be able to get to it before early October, but current estimate is $1500, which includes dealing with the windshield as well. Since I've had other rust taken care of this past 12-month period, it's not surprising that this would need to be replaced as well (esp. knowing the sh*tty paint process in 2001-03), and since all of that other metal has been fixed, my current rationalization is that I might as well go for it.
So for those of you keeping track at home, that's
new front fenders, both sides
lower passenger's side door
both rear quarterpanels around wheelwells
lower metal portions right in front of rear wheels, both sides
respray of hood
and now, the sunroof area. That's a pretty impressive total of sheetmetal!
Shop won't be able to get to it before early October, but current estimate is $1500, which includes dealing with the windshield as well. Since I've had other rust taken care of this past 12-month period, it's not surprising that this would need to be replaced as well (esp. knowing the sh*tty paint process in 2001-03), and since all of that other metal has been fixed, my current rationalization is that I might as well go for it.
So for those of you keeping track at home, that's
new front fenders, both sides
lower passenger's side door
both rear quarterpanels around wheelwells
lower metal portions right in front of rear wheels, both sides
respray of hood
and now, the sunroof area. That's a pretty impressive total of sheetmetal!
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
You've just totally rebuilt it. I'd have sealed up the sunroof rather than pay $1500 repairing a $350 car, but that's just me. Hopefully you can get 200k+ out of it. Still cheaper than buying a new car.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
I really couldn't live with the car without the sunroof. And it's not like the cancer wouldn't continue growing underneath, meaning that the area just behind the windshield would decay, and it would grow back along the roof as well.
I'd say my car's worth at least $399, mister.
Edgar - all of the other rust except for the sunroof area has already been done, so they're sunk costs at this point, pun intended.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
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From: Toronto, NYC
2002 Mercedes Benz C230 Coupe
^^ LOL.
Tommy..I hear ya man! I have the same love-hate relationship with my coupe, although I think mine if holding up a little better than yours. I dont have rust in the sun-roof area, but I did have the infamous broken hinge on one of the side tracks that caused a stick of metal to project up and it wouldnt let me shut the roof. Macguyvered that isht myself with some chicken wire..coz Im bad like that!
I also got all the rust taken care off back in Oct 2010. There was tons in the usual spots - rear quarter panels along the wheel well, inside the side skirt, edges of front quarter panels etc. No rust has returned, except for a little bit starting to now in the quarter panels.
Ive been thinking about possible future options for my car. I could never get myself to sell it though...lol.
I considered converting it to a dedicated track car for a while, but considering its a 10 year old car, Ill probably get like 3 track days out of it. Then I considered making it my winter beater (considering the snowy, salty mess our roads are in for 6 months a year!). But seems like I might be going back to school for a year next year, so looks like my coupey will be my only care for a couple more years, and if its still running in like 2015, Ill retire it to winter only service.
You should think about options like that too....totally not worth selling our cars now. Besides if its your winter car or secondary car or track car etc., who cares if the sunroof has rust in it? LOL
Tommy..I hear ya man! I have the same love-hate relationship with my coupe, although I think mine if holding up a little better than yours. I dont have rust in the sun-roof area, but I did have the infamous broken hinge on one of the side tracks that caused a stick of metal to project up and it wouldnt let me shut the roof. Macguyvered that isht myself with some chicken wire..coz Im bad like that!
I also got all the rust taken care off back in Oct 2010. There was tons in the usual spots - rear quarter panels along the wheel well, inside the side skirt, edges of front quarter panels etc. No rust has returned, except for a little bit starting to now in the quarter panels.
Ive been thinking about possible future options for my car. I could never get myself to sell it though...lol.
I considered converting it to a dedicated track car for a while, but considering its a 10 year old car, Ill probably get like 3 track days out of it. Then I considered making it my winter beater (considering the snowy, salty mess our roads are in for 6 months a year!). But seems like I might be going back to school for a year next year, so looks like my coupey will be my only care for a couple more years, and if its still running in like 2015, Ill retire it to winter only service.
You should think about options like that too....totally not worth selling our cars now. Besides if its your winter car or secondary car or track car etc., who cares if the sunroof has rust in it? LOL
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Oh you kids today - no respect for your elders!
He's 7 years older than me, thanks. Wouldn't that still make him old enough to be my father in Georgia?
One good thing - found out the bearing replacement solved what I thought was the vibrations from worn rotors, so my brakes are fine. Hey, I'm grasping at straws here!
jcnash; if my crx weren't set up so well for tracking and so badly for daily driving, I would totally go with the ccoupe as winter car bit, but I'm still stuck with the ccoupe being my dd year-round car. Looked at the pics they took of the rust in front of the sunroof - very scary. So the appt to take care of the rust in early Oct will be set tomorrow; might ask them how much to redo the headliner while they're at it - the sagging in the rear (the hatch headliner, not me) has been an annoyance, and might kill two birds with one stone. Something to think about.
He's 7 years older than me, thanks. Wouldn't that still make him old enough to be my father in Georgia?
One good thing - found out the bearing replacement solved what I thought was the vibrations from worn rotors, so my brakes are fine. Hey, I'm grasping at straws here!
jcnash; if my crx weren't set up so well for tracking and so badly for daily driving, I would totally go with the ccoupe as winter car bit, but I'm still stuck with the ccoupe being my dd year-round car. Looked at the pics they took of the rust in front of the sunroof - very scary. So the appt to take care of the rust in early Oct will be set tomorrow; might ask them how much to redo the headliner while they're at it - the sagging in the rear (the hatch headliner, not me) has been an annoyance, and might kill two birds with one stone. Something to think about.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
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From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Looks like my hand is being forced on this issue. The rivets on the passenger's side popped out BECAUSE of the rust there. So either seal up the sunroof or properly deal with it. Guess which I'm going to be going with? Yep - more $$$$ out the window!
Shop won't be able to get to it before early October, but current estimate is $1500, which includes dealing with the windshield as well. Since I've had other rust taken care of this past 12-month period, it's not surprising that this would need to be replaced as well (esp. knowing the sh*tty paint process in 2001-03), and since all of that other metal has been fixed, my current rationalization is that I might as well go for it.
So for those of you keeping track at home, that's
new front fenders, both sides
lower passenger's side door
both rear quarterpanels around wheelwells
lower metal portions right in front of rear wheels, both sides
respray of hood
and now, the sunroof area. That's a pretty impressive total of sheetmetal!
Shop won't be able to get to it before early October, but current estimate is $1500, which includes dealing with the windshield as well. Since I've had other rust taken care of this past 12-month period, it's not surprising that this would need to be replaced as well (esp. knowing the sh*tty paint process in 2001-03), and since all of that other metal has been fixed, my current rationalization is that I might as well go for it.
So for those of you keeping track at home, that's
new front fenders, both sides
lower passenger's side door
both rear quarterpanels around wheelwells
lower metal portions right in front of rear wheels, both sides
respray of hood
and now, the sunroof area. That's a pretty impressive total of sheetmetal!
I've had three different body shop guys tell me to get it rust proofed with either KROWN or Rust Check. I am still debating if I want to bother as I am not convinced at the effectiveness of such treatments.
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Thanks Tommy - nice to see how other coupes are progressing over time. Looking forward to seeing some more photo's when you get a chance.
Curious about the mods4cars module - sounds almost like the feature already built into the key remote, no? Have to google that one...
Curious about the mods4cars module - sounds almost like the feature already built into the key remote, no? Have to google that one...
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Give you an example - (this is when the sunroof is working properly) when it's hot outside and I'm leaving work for the parking lot - hit unlock 3 times, sunroof goes up. Hit it again, and the sunroof goes all the way open, and the door windows go down, all well before I get even close to my car. Much simpler to do than stock. I really love the feature; the cost I guess is too high for some, but compare it to trying to fix your IR receivers, and it's a bargain.
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Thread Starter
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Monday, October 8th - car goes under the knife. 
Judging by the pic, there really is a ton of rust under the deflector; they took a pic for me. Very scary. Have the new rivets already, so just waiting for the 8th with some lovely tape at the top of the windshield. Good thing it's not winter.
EDIT: Also realized that my parking card slides in nicely into those grooves on the underside of the armrest, which I will now switch to thinking is not an overengineered piece of silliness.
Judging by the pic, there really is a ton of rust under the deflector; they took a pic for me. Very scary. Have the new rivets already, so just waiting for the 8th with some lovely tape at the top of the windshield. Good thing it's not winter.
EDIT: Also realized that my parking card slides in nicely into those grooves on the underside of the armrest, which I will now switch to thinking is not an overengineered piece of silliness.
