[fallstar01]

There is an 89 CRX si that averages 40 mpg (owner had the 5th gear redone in the tranny for optimum gas milage). It's pretty cheap but it has some rust at both wheel wells, both doors and the sunroof (not the roof around it fortunately). I was interested in getting it for a back-and-forth-to-work car. What kinda money would I have to fork out to fix it? I could try to bondo it myself but it might be a little beyond that point, especially the drivers side door and wheel well.

[mdvaldosta]

bondo-ing rust won't fix it, it's like a cancer you have to remove all of it or it will spread. Usually you cut it out, and replace the damaged areas. Their are some chemicals that are supposed to "convert" rust to some sort of primer and stop it from spreading but I don't know if they really work.

Remember, the rust will continue to spread if left unchecked. Whether you should fix it or not is up to you. If your looking for a throw-away car or something then maybe just spend a few bucks and patch it up.

PS - usually you'll have 10x more rust that what appears by first looking at it.

[2000Si]

Pretty much what Joe said. Rust usually forms from the inside out.

Take it to a body shop, have them estimate it. If not, buy the car and drive it until it falls apart.

[fakesaleen]

fiberglass resin is air tight it will stop rust...no oxgen=no rust
just get the chunks off then glass it
bondo is corosive never put it on bare metal you have to primer it first

[99mustang232]

prp-porstore.com free catalog, this stuff works good on the other applications.

[vnmous]

Originally Posted by fallstar01 There is an 89 CRX si that averages 40 mpg (owner had the 5th gear redone in the tranny for optimum gas milage). It's pretty cheap but it has some rust at both wheel wells, both doors and the sunroof (not the roof around it fortunately). I was interested in getting it for a back-and-forth-to-work car. What kinda money would I have to fork out to fix it? I could try to bondo it myself but it might be a little beyond that point, especially the drivers side door and wheel well.

Your going to be into it for alot of hours/money etc grinding out all of the rust and then replacing or reshaoing the panels...if you went with a 99-00 honda civic si you are looking at 30-40 miles per gallon range, they are a dime a dozen, and they have the b16 engine in them so they actually have a little kick to them for when you get the urge

From cars.com
Fuel economy city 35 mpg
Fuel economy highway 43 mpg