Was briefly the proud new owner of an 03 Accord
runs like a top. Fast enough for my wifey to get into trouble. Felt like a decent car. Did not look close enough at the bottom side.

I dont know if i can consciously allow my wife and future children to be anywhere near it...

We went to clean the interior. Dirtiest car ive ever seen...
Bought an upholstery cleaner
Took out the seats
Pressure washed the door openings
Discovered that a lot more water got into the carpet than expected
Took out carpet and everything holding it down

Found a couple of rust holes in the floor. Figured i would hit them with the grinder brush, paint and glue down some plate...
Got under it to clean up the bottom side of the holes and found all 4 corners of the unibody frame channels to be all but Completely Gone. Huge chunks of rust tumbling out. What used to be heavy gauge major structure. Everything around them is crunchy and soft to the touch.

I considered grinding out everything thats not solid steel and refabbing... dont think theres honestly enough to attach anything to anywhere close to where it belongs

I have no idea how much structure is left or how far it will get before it deposits us in a ditch.

Has anybody successfully carved out the major structural channels and refabricated them? Something like warehouse shelving horizontal beams would fit the bill.
Surely its not worth it on a rotten car with 275k miles on it. Throwing money and time after a bad purchase. Should have found one in az.

Part of me is also thinking about hanging the shell and driveline on a tube chassis race frame sitting for sale down the road. Would be fun but also a poor choice i suspect.

Alternatively
does anybody need a parts car?
Despite 275 k on the clock. 4 cyl motor runs like a raped ape. No smoke or noises. No major oil leaks. All driveline equipment appears to be rust free (better steel obviously) manual transmission worked great, very solid clutch. Interior parts are now very clean. Wifey worked wonders with the upholstery cleaner.
now located in Alexandria Kentucky

 

If you like fab work and have the time and metal you can make it good to go with 40 hours.of work or so