Rusting rock chips, Paint chips and Hail Damage

[coriolis]

Looking for a used MZ3 and I found one in pretty good mechanical condition, the only faults is, it has 74k KM as an 06' White Sport, therefore there wasprobrably alot of highway driving. And with that means that I see quite a few paint chips(the larger ones were barely touched up), as well as rock chips on the hood and bumper, and I can see that it is rusting(eg. A line about 1-2mm that is rusting). There is also hail damage on the hood and on the top of the vehicle, a few on the side but they are evident on the hood and top. Looking to see how much it would cost to get that fixed, or should I just leave it?

Now, since this is a used car, they're looking for $14k + tax, I want to see how much I can bargain it down to due to the exterior. I haven't bought it to a mechanic yet(lack of time), but I've looked around, inside and turned it on and it sounds great.

[Go_Habs_Go]

I'd be wary of any car that is 2 or 3 years old and already has rust damage. Where exactly is the rusting occuring on the vehicle? Is it on the hood?

I would also check the rear wheel wells very carefully for any sign of rust. Also check the bottom and edges of the door and the rear brake light on the trunk. Mazda's have been known to rust in those areas.

Get an appraisal on how much it would cost to repair all the body work but once rust has started appearing on a car...you will almost never be able to get rid of it completely. It WILL come back.

[coriolis]

I'd be wary of any car that is 2 or 3 years old and already has rust damage. Where exactly is the rusting occuring on the vehicle? Is it on the hood?

I would also check the rear wheel wells very carefully for any sign of rust. Also check the bottom and edges of the door and the rear brake light on the trunk. Mazda's have been known to rust in those areas.

Get an appraisal on how much it would cost to repair all the body work but once rust has started appearing on a car...you will almost never be able to get rid of it completely. It WILL come back.

It is just on the hood. I checked the wheel wells and they were very clean, as was the door area. The rust is mainly on the hood where rocks flew at it and scratched the paint off the hood, and the metal underneath started to rust. As for the rear brake light, where is it specifically?

I'll probrbaly be taking it to a mechanic this upcoming Tuseday, anywhere near southern Markham(Steeles/Warden) that there is a decent body shop? I heard about Paintless Dent Removal, how is that?

[Go_Habs_Go]

If the rust is limited to just the hood area then that isn't too bad but you still have to consider the cost of repainting the entire hood. I don't think a touch-up job will cut it if you really want to get rid of all the rust and make sure it does NOT come back later!

As for the rear brake light, never mind what I said, I was thinking about the 3rd brake light on sedan models LOL!

I'm not from the GTA but I'm sure someone here can recommend a good body shop.

Good luck!!!

[kaval]

I would not recommend touching them up. Spend the extra money and get it repainted. I know some shops will charge about $180-$250 to repaint a hood which isn't much if you're planning to keep this car for a while.

Paintless dent removal is one of the best things that has ever happened to automotive repairs. Lots of competent PDR guys it seems but very few know how to properly buff paint afterwards. I have a link on a PDR guy if you need.