the answer is 42. a drivabeater thread

so....

this is another accidental drivabeater. started out as a flipper, them I fell in love.

so, to start at the beginning...

I bought a 2005 Passat TDI for a grand. spent about 100 on getting CEL stuff off, and got it cleaned up a little. hadn't really got around to the full detailing and craigslist/selling phase of the flip. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/20161010_181155_zpsvpeffl1k.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/20161010_181211_zpsosa3xcuy.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/20161010_181028_zpsvxhc4ikv.jpg.html][/URL]

every time I turned around, I found it was going to need more. wanted to cut bait on it pretty quick, and hopefully break even.

while getting a set of spec miata takeoffs for testing on the challenge car, I got to talking to the guy about spec miatas, and how I always liked the looks of the NB. his girlfriend had one, and was wanting a larger car. I made a smart ass comment about how I had a TDI when she was ready, loaded the tires, and took off.

he called me a few days later and asked to come see the TDI.

we worked out a deal on 42. its an 01 miata 6 speed, leather, bilstein, 160k, salvage title car. rough all over. hardtop didn't come with it, but good used top and good black seats did. the deal was struck for his car and $500 cash for the TDI. so, that puts my investment in 42 at $600. so, lets get to the before pictures. oh, and he kept the hardtop.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161029_173350_zpsp6fak3wf.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161029_173401_zps0zsk92z5.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161101_113944_zpsmjeddozv.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161102_073813_zpsuw5ejz6a.jpg.html][/URL]

+1 for Hitchhiker's Guide reference.

so when I got it home, I took stock of what a $600 miata looks like, and what it would need. first order of business was using it to take my daughter trick-or-treating. she loved it from first blush. so, now that we have munchkin approval and lots of candy, we can start poling at it. all I really did was a thorough driveway inspection at first.

every panel has some damage. front bumper cover is toast, headlights are dim, windows are slow, brakes are not great, top has a huge hole, driver seat is torn, deck lid is rotted through, bose head unit is on its way out, and the car is filthy. oh, and the coating on all the wheels are bubbling/peeling

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074026_zpsmti7q499.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074035_zpskv9rnjhj.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074104_zps01iogylw.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074111_zpsy8bkgrps.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074129_zpsilvx23jr.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074134_zpsdjhoizju.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074141_zps1y1hmnem.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074145_zpsx5kavfhd.jpg.html][/URL]

apparently, this car spent a bit of time up north. found some rust on the deck lid, and all the fasteners are pretty crusty. also, found some golds gym stuff crammed in nooks and crannies of the car from 2014 in Alexandria Virginia. so, its seem some salt....

anyway, didn't know if it leaked from anywhere in the engine. thought I smelled oil and coolant, but couldn't tell. so, a bit of superclean, and a garden hose, and we get here: [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161103_074224_zpscu91wxyh.jpg.html][/URL]

best way to find a leak is to drive it. so I did. this is the point where everything went wrong. I put a plate on a flipper, and insurance.

every time I do that, I wind up keeping the damn thing for a while.

well, I drove the car 800 miles this week. 26.2, 29.13, and 32.3 mpg. and love. lots and lots of joyously fantastic love. no wonder these things are called the answer. and, we know the other answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, is 42. so that's its name.

anyway, today was planned to give it a better once over. and start soaking all the bolts I can reach in penetrating oil for eventual maintenance. (using the ATF/acetone solution I read about here, loaded in a spray bottle)

to start the day, I seafoamed the top end through the PCV port. dumped a couple of ounces down in the engine oil as well. drove the 30 miles to dads lift, and pulled the plug. the oil was blacker than coal dust. car was already running better than before, so were on the right track.

4 quarts of penzoil, wix filter, and done. also changed the rear end fluid and transmission fluid. 2 quarts MTL, 1 quart mobil 1 75/90. all the fluids were black, magnets had a good amount of metal paste but no chunks. so, yay!!!

then went to check out the brakes. got some funky stuff going on. first, the rears need a brake job. one rotor has some very strange wear, which makes me think that the caliper may be seized. I will need to figure out how to do the rear brakes on this one, as I'm sure that its different from the proteges I'm used to.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161105_120934_zpsscn4q3aa.jpg.html][/URL]

front brakes, it looks like the pads are wrong. they really don't fit properly in the carriers. but, again, never messed with one of these. heres a really close up picture of what I'm looking at. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161105_120343_zpsiswv4jai.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161105_120410_zpspdn6oqce.jpg.html][/URL]

last thing for the day was to swap in my xentec 55 watt 5k hids in the factory projectors. there were two different bulbs here, and the lights SUCKED. their better now, but I need to polish the headlights. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161105_131950_zpspu87sdiy.jpg.html][/URL]

I also have done some shopping. those of you that are familiar with the drivabeater series know that I tend to use the same body guy, as unreliable as he is, to bring these back from the brink on a budget. this one is no different. in the last few days, I have gotten a decklid with a factory spoiler (50), the side skirts (50) and a front bumper with mazdaspeed lip (200) I forgot to take pictures of these when I dropped them off. car goes in sunday the 13th for paint and body. hes chargine me 275 for it. so, the grand total investment to this point is 1225 in the car.

stay tuned. were just getting warmed up. when it comes back from body, we will work on a brake system overhaul, interior overhaul, top replacement, and stereo work.

I'm finally starting to understand why these things are always the answer around here.

I also need to find a way to get a towel as a permanent addition to the car....

You got it right that is for sure. congrats

A mildly hoggy NB is definitely a project worthy of your talents. I can't wait to see where this one goes.

I haven't read your project threads for awhile: clearly your garage got an upgrade. Congrats!

The shop in the pictures is dads place. Since his fall, we have been spending more time down there helping him and mom out. The lift is just a fringe benefit.

I'm also watching this closely. Your ability to clean and sort cars and come out the other end smelling like roses is enviable.

Thanks! Ive lost some, too. And honestly, some of them look better on the Internet. But i enjoy the challenge of bringing them back from the brink.

Anyone have anything about the brakes?

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Yes, the rear caliper is not sliding properly. Might need blue tip wrench to get the pins out. E36 M3ty weather protection on factory design. Fortunately new pins are about $6.

Those calipers have piston retraction screw behind a plug in the back of the housing. Don't berkeley it up by forcing the piston back with a c-clamp.

Well bought, definitely a lot of fun per dollar.

Ok. Thanks, angry.

What about the front pad fit? Seems wrong to me.

Also, whats the likelihood of the rear calipers being junk? I know on tue protege5 with that same rear caliper arrangement, the chances are 50/50 of the adjuster/piston being seized. Don't know if the miata is different.

I've had 4 cars with those rear calipers (2 Miata, 2 probe GT) and I never had a piston problem. But I had guide pin corrosion on all four, and more than once on the PGT I drove for 7 years.

I've had sticking e-brakes on those rear calipers before. Just replace them. They are C H E A P !

Also if you haven't messed with them before there are adjustment screws hidden behind what at first appear to be useless bolts. I'd actually try lubing and adjusting them first.

[URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11/20161115_153541_zpswlfxjl99.jpg.html][/URL]

Geeze, 10 days from acquisition to paint? You're not messing around.

That's an impressive rate of progress!

15.....

But whose counting?

Dirt floor paint booth?

so, things escalated quickly.

15 days after taking ownership, I have already become a miata guy. never thought id be one, but....

anyway, 32mpg. blows my mind. I'm really liking the driving experience, though the brakes are funky (we knew it needed pads, but needs further investigation), it has some very odd handling characteristics when pushed in the twisties (from the rear. I noticed the whole center section moved a bit when I was breaking the axle drain plug loose. so maybe the carrier bushings, and I think the struts are original at 162k, and the tires have some buldges and broken belts), and when cold, and you hit 3 grand, its like hitting a nitrous button (have NO idea) with extra power. goes away when it warms up.

so, knowing that it has some mechanical issues, with no real diagnostics or even hard inspection past wheel bearings/tie rod ends and visual, I went to the miata club tech meeting 60 miles away. nice group of folks. liked hanging out with them, and think I will be joining the club.

on the way back from the club meeting, my painter called and said he had a job fall through and was ready for the car. well ahead of schedule. I had already dropped off the side skirts, decklid, and bumper at his shop, but hadn't even washed the car since buing it. but what the hell. lets get it in paint!

so, 5:30 PM Saturday night, I started with a miata that I had driven about 200 miles that day. by 7:30, I had the following: [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161112_192137_zpsy3wurmze.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161112_192501_zpsfry7fpwd.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161113_094925_zps2ir8wjch.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161113_094938_zpsvcwxleiq.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161113_094947_zpsrtz21xsn.jpg.html][/URL]

drove it the 10 miles like this to the painters place. have to say, that much added lightness was definitely noticible in the acceleration and handling. and we had a snow flurry. fun!!!

so, my painter has never been known to be quick. or on budget. or reliable, or....

I dropped it off sunday at lunch. by Monday afternoon, he had already begin working the bondo and dents, as well as working the jambs and such. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161114_182928_zpsy0koprqb.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161114_182935_zpszp9ywxnq.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161114_182953_zpshoaj9wql.jpg.html][/URL]

today about lunch, since I had the day off, I stopped by. he put me to work prepping and masking, and....

but anyway, this happened. [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_151319_zpshgelilr1.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_151336_zpst0hubyiz.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_153541_zpswlfxjl99.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_155303_zps1q2vrcnn.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_155325_zpsjyq7iu29.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_155333_zpspfjkznsg.jpg.html][/URL]

and we finished up here: [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_160905_zps0xx1ib6q.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_170246_zpsjdljg7ss.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_170253_zpsjen54txa.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_170309_zpsexmzbiyg.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_170309_zpsexmzbiyg.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_170540_zpsxlusaekk.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/dusterbd13/media/miata/20161115_171222_zpsphkd6jfq.jpg.html][/URL]

all told, I did almost all the prepwork. he filled the dents and sprayed it. I have 182 in materials, and 100 in paying him for his labor and supplies.

now, the question is, can I put it all back together by Friday night so we can take it to dinner?

In reply to Scooter:

Yup. Same kind ofbooth hes shot the last 4 hes done for me.

Not exactly a high dollar operation over here.

You crazy.

Look carefully at the two arms that the diff hangs on. One of them is notched from the factory to create a break point to control what happens in an impact, if it's broken then the diff is only attached in two places and it can flop around.

Damaged diffs look like this (random photo I found with google, not mine). If damaged, the diff case really needs to be replaced.

Ok. Thanks. Ill take a look for that when I get it on the lift. I dud notice that the movement seemed to be coming from the passengers side rubber mount.

I was all excited I had my project running in two weeks and here you are in paint.
Clearly I need to up my game.
I am encouraged by your paint guy's 'booth'. Maybe I can spray a car someday.

What paint did you use? Your material cost surprised me.

I've painted a few cars - 2 in a garage with the plastic sheet paintbooth system (mostly to keep overspray out of the rest of the garage). At some point my dad and I drywalled in one of the 4 banks in his barn for cleaner/drier car storage and to serve as a paint booth. Not fancy but worked well, and better as we added more light. We've painted at least 4 cars and a trailer in there. Although I cannot see how your guy keeps dust out of the paint with a dirt floor. We always vacuumed the wood floor and misted it down a bit with water.

I see your guy doesn't have a respirator on, and given my painting experience, I can't imagine painting without one.

It looks great so far - looking forward to pictures in the daylight.

Napa base, matrix euro clear, rage body filler, epoxy, and sandpaper. Thats what you get fot 182.....

And yep. Dirt floor, poor lighting, no respirator, no filters on the air, pretty much nothing of what you are supposed to have or use. And yet he gets good results. Dont ask me how. I think there is some sort of relationship between not giving a berkeley, and it looking like you did. Probably a seriously inverse relationship.