Ok, now that its summertime and I've been spending a lot of time with my car, I've been thinking (never good) about how I want to tackle the body work, and if I should do things in stages or try to do it all at once (not me exactly, but its my check that gets written). I figured I should ask some people that I trust (those here) what they'd do and if they would do it in steps or not. Here is my GS Its a decent 20ft car and I'm ok with that since its a driver, and I wouldn't need a paint job any better than that, as long as it will be durable, quality, and last a long time. The problems that always stick out at me and really are all I can see in the car (masachistic?) when I look at it. There is hail damage... basically all over the hood, some on the tops of the fenders, and not much on the back of the car. I'll try to get a photo of it tonight, but I can say that if I were to have the hood fixed it may cost more than to get a new hood. At least thats my understanding of the damage. I knew about the damage before I bought the car, and its extent, but I didn't realize that it'd bug me so much. also, the top needs to be replaced - its ratty and stained. There is some minor rust associated with the vinyl top (just under the vinyl top trim), maybe a few pinholes through it and the paint is bubbling slightly), as well as a very very minor bubbling in front of the passenger wheel well. All underneith the car is solid, floors, trunk, and frame, and even the inner fenders. No Bondo that we can tell anywhere in the car. Now, my questions. Not sure if you'll be able to answer these without photos but I'll get some later (especially helpful if you can request what exactly to take). Should I just replace the top without concern for the rust other than whats under the top and under the top trim? If I do that, will a good body shop be able to match the paint and fade it together with whats already there? The car appears to be base/clear but I'm no paint expert. The paint is roughly 5 years old. What should I do about the hail damage? Can it be fixed in places where the dents are lesser (i.e. the front fenders, trunklid)? Should I hold off on the top until I can afford to do the paint and everything all at once? I guess they're probably vague and maybe even a little unanswerable but I appreciate the help and taking the time to read this. Just FYI, the problems with the body DO NOT prevent me from enjoying the car, its just like a kick in the nuts every time I see those "problems" on such an otherwise great car. Thanks, Eric
