The Clock is Ticking

[GK]

Had to get a new windscreen today.

They found that the last repair, from when I bought the car 10 years ago, wasn't done right.

Today they found rust so as not to give me the lifetime guarantee etc, etc, and that I should have it towed to a panel beaters. That was a little dramatic!

Now the rust wasn't holy, and it didn't look absolutely wretched, but they had to give me the speech so that they could cover their buts for if and when it decides to leak. I understand their position.

I'm just a little peeved that someone's decision 10 years ago is affecting me now, when it didn't need to.

So I guess I have a few options.

1. Get the car repaired. Get the roof resprayed too. No idea what that would cost.

2. Sell the car, explaining the problem. Get another car.

3. Give the car to my brother for a song and see if he'll get it fixed and get myself another car.

4. Part it out and get another.

5. Keep it and wait for the end! LOL!

Funny thing. Just seeing the rust and knowing now that it's there, really, really left me feeling gutted. I just love my AU wagon!

Options 1-3 seem to make the best sense, but I just can't bear to part with it at the moment. Crazy huh!

Anyone else had this sort of experience?

Cheers,

GK

In my grief, I'm off to carsales.com! LOL!

[Whoosha]

Thems the Breaks George Sad but true of most things that live out in the weather primarily, just hang on and wait for the end or repair and live in hope, Imagine how the XA owners felt when there pride and joy filled with water to sill level from the factory every time it rained only to fix that problem to have them dissolve from rust 6 years on

[Whoosha]

P.S and whats with that headlining glue FFS all was good till 10 years and 2 month then it all lets go at once

[KR1STO]

Keep it and wait for the end...!!!! hahahah

[robbyj]

Yea keep it and wait for the end. Then part it out

[AUFanboy]

Keep it till the end, then patch it up with windscreen sealant and drive till the wheels fall off.

[speedzter]

Where exactly is the rust ? Any pics ?

[FGII-XR6]

fix it and keep it if it's an otherwise decent AU. many people have regreted selling their AU

[GK]

Originally Posted by AUFanboy

Keep it till the end, then patch it up with windscreen sealant and drive till the wheels fall off.

I'm tempted to do just that.

Originally Posted by speedzter

Where exactly is the rust ? Any pics ?

Top of the windscreeen, where the glass seats with the body. Sorry no pics.

Originally Posted by au3xr6

fix it and keep it if it's an otherwise decent AU. many people have regreted selling their AU

I would love to sink money into a full respray and 200kw Windsor transplant, using the existing LPG gear where possible and front and rear end bush refresh. Just can't justify the money though.

We'll see how long it lasts though. God willing, it'll be a long time.

GK

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by GK

Top of the windscreeen, where the glass seats with the body. Sorry no pics.

Hey GK,

I had rust in 6 different spots (still have 2 rust bits left for later..), one of which was an iPhone sized bubble which when touched turned into a big hole. I payed $1200 to fix all this, this car is not going to part with me, so its justified . To fix your problem i think it should not cost more than $400 plus paint depending on the extent of the rust.

Why would you not fix it?!!!!

[Dezza]

My EA's had rust in the same spot since before I even bought it! Nearly 11 years later it still isn't really an issue. A thicker windscreen rubber strip at the top covers it nicely!

[Uncle_Ken]

GK hasten slowly my friend ... you are correct there are lots of options. If money is not an issue then get it fixed, if it is then ...ummm.. let me think on it a bit.

UK

What does JC say?

[SantoAU]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

What does JC say?

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

[mik]

Another vote for fixer up.

[SSVPom]

Fix it up, and keep the car.

You have invested so much time and money over the years, it would be a shame to let her go because of some minor rust -especially if the mechanical side of things are still perfect ?

[Maka]

Ive been thinking about your au GK, if you really cherish the au & its like a family member i would be keeping it mate till the end

cheers, Maka

[GK]

Originally Posted by Maka

Ive been thinking about your au GK, if you really cherish the au & its like a family member i would be keeping it mate till the end
cheers, Maka

It certainly is a member of the family Maka. Every family holiday since 2003 bar one in 2011 when we flew to QLD, has been enjoyed in this car!

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ken

GK hasten slowly my friend ... you are correct there are lots of options. If money is not an issue then get it fixed, if it is then ...ummm.. let me think on it a bit.
UK

What does JC say?

True, there's lots of time. JC usually turns over cars like I change jocks! Well certainly wheel and tyre combos anyway! LOL!

Originally Posted by SantoAU

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Wise words from a wise man.

Originally Posted by SSVPom

Fix it up, and keep the car.

You have invested so much time and money over the years, it would be a shame to let her go because of some minor rust -especially if the mechanical side of things are still perfect ?

Hi Andy, great to hear from you. I trust you are well.

Mechanically they are not perfect, but certainly far from bad! I love driving my wagon. The roof needs a respray so that's a consideration.

Originally Posted by Casper

I had to make that decision 6 months ago (not rust but wear and tear/maintenance). Sold the XR6 to the wrecker, went and got another AU... with a V8... and have not regretted it one bit. Sometimes its just right to move on.

That could be the case for me when the time comes Shane, but thankfully I'm not there yet. Like your case, if I am meant to sell it and go another, I'll surely know it.

Cheers,

GK

[EL.50]

You know what caused the rust, so chances are there are no other rusty spots in the car. If you like the car, fix it right, and enjoy it for many years to come.

[Casper]

I had to make that decision 6 months ago (not rust but wear and tear/maintenance). Sold the XR6 to the wrecker, went and got another AU... with a V8... and have not regretted it one bit. Sometimes its just right to move on.

[Mr Hardware]

It's a simple question to me GK, and it goes like this
1. Do you want to keep the car for seemingly forever? Then plow as much cash into it as you need to to ensure its longevity (usually not a very wise use of money)
2. Or do you keep the car for as long as is practical? In this instance, you only fix what breaks. And i don't mean rust or a cracked speaker cover or a chipped door card. I mean let it rot and only fix show-stoppers and safety items. This is by far the most pragmatic way to do things.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

It's a simple question to me GK, and it goes like this
1. Do you want to keep the car for seemingly forever? Then plow as much cash into it as you need to to ensure its longevity (usually not a very wise use of money)
2. Or do you keep the car for as long as is practical? In this instance, you only fix what breaks. And i don't mean rust or a cracked speaker cover or a chipped door card. I mean let it rot and only fix show-stoppers and safety items. This is by far the most pragmatic way to do things.

You know, I'd actually love to repaint it, go new suspension bushes all round, get a V8, put a 3.45 diff in and enjoy it for eons!

Originally Posted by EL.50

You know what caused the rust, so chances are there are no other rusty spots in the car. If you like the car, fix it right, and enjoy it for many years to come.

There are a few other very minor spots, a few under the bonnet and one or two under the rear tailgate. Nothing to really worry about though.

GK

[GK]

Gee it's great being part of a community of people who absolutely love the AU.

Great stuff!

Cheers all!

GK

[GK]

GOOD NEWS! Unto you a Saviour is born....... Ok, so that good news is for Christmas! LOL!

The good news on the AU front, is that I got the roof and tailgate resprayed, plus a few little bits touched up here and there. The clear on the roof and top of the tailgate was cactus.

It came up very nice and therefore I'm keeping the old girl as my round town bus, and the SR will go (to the neighbours next door - LOL)!

I will most likely wait a few more years before needing to make a decision on whether or not to keep it. The extractors on the SR will be going on the wagon soon, so that will make it just a little bit more fun to drive.

So as the title of the thread says "The clock is ticking", albeit somewhat more slowly! LOL!

Cheers,

GK

[neptune blue]

As woosha has already stated what about us X series owners

It is annoying when you inherit someone else's bad worksmanship
No offence but I have to have a chuckle when I read a thread about discovering isolated rust in later model falcons

Take a look at some of the X series build threads and you will then be able to define what a rust problem really is

Most guys would give up their left knacker to have an XB coupe with some rust under the windscreen in stead of having rust in the sills, doors, bonnet, floor , plenum , chassis rails, fuel tank , wheel arches , roof gutters, boot floor, blah blah bla......

[GasoLane]

At least Whoosha can't comment for a while. He's over in Seppoland

[GK]

Well folks!

2 and a 1/2 years later and the old girl is gone!

She was taken away on a flatbed this morning, not because she was cactus, but because she had no rego. I turned in the plates and donated her to a charity call Kids Under Cover. They help youth that are at risk of becoming homeless. Address below.

www.kuc.org.au

In any case I bought a new family car (not blue oval) so no more AU. At least my old SR sedan is still in the neighbour's driveway less than 5 metres from my driveway. I still hear her start every morning at 6:30.

I do still of course have the Mondeo which is an awesome car.

I will miss the old girl though, she served us without a hitch for 12 years, did 210,000 kays with us (292,000 in total), took us on many a holiday (many interstate), was modded plenty and yet was almost stock when she left us today.

She was the car that brought me to this forum.

Cheers all,

GK

[ronwest]

Sad day, eh?

Oddly enough I was going over my AU today. Needs a couple of things (muffler and windscreen) and then I'll advertise it and all of the AU stuff I've got. That should give me half the shed back

I doubt you'll get as good a run out of the Kia but they are pretty nice vehicles. All the best with it

[mik]

Thats a shame GK , all those kilometres of good memories, but we have to let go eventually(thinking of myself now ... sob ).
hopefully your newer cars give you more good memories .

[GK]

Thanks All!

Appreciate your thoughts, sentiments/kind words etc! 👍🏻

[Uncle_Ken]

Well GK, JC has made many returns to the AU clan, so fingers crossed you'll come across a bargain that you can't say no to.
BUT will all your AU knowledge please hang around and comment when you can !
UK