The vehicle is a 2001 Chrysler Neon with 176,000 kilometers / 110,000 miles on it.
It has been driven since new in an area where the roads get plastered with salt during the winter.
It is in good shape mechanically with excellent oil analysis results.
The body is in pretty good shape considering it is a daily driver.
The issue now is that at the driver side rear fender area where the bumper attaches to the fender about 3 - 4 paint bubbles have appeared this spring. One of the bubbles appears to have a small perforation in the paint with a tiny streak of rust to it. Before this there has always been one tiny spot there but I always thought it was a paint defect... well now we know it was more than that.
My dilemma and questions...
-I plan on keeping the car at least 2 - 3 more years.
-There is one other small visible area of rust developing along the outside lower driver's door... very small spot.
-Should I get that fender bubble sport repaired or at this stage should I leave the cosmetic alone and take care of only the mechanical?
That is what I'm wrestling with at this stage... I see other areas of small rust... such as that spot on the lower driver's door... also spots on the inside of the doors. Nothing has developed too serious yet... except for those bubbles on the fender.
I suspect at this stage fighting the rust is a losing battle but I hate the idea of running around with holes in that rear fender if I don't do anything with it.
Any words of wisdom on this?
It has been driven since new in an area where the roads get plastered with salt during the winter.
It is in good shape mechanically with excellent oil analysis results.
The body is in pretty good shape considering it is a daily driver.
The issue now is that at the driver side rear fender area where the bumper attaches to the fender about 3 - 4 paint bubbles have appeared this spring. One of the bubbles appears to have a small perforation in the paint with a tiny streak of rust to it. Before this there has always been one tiny spot there but I always thought it was a paint defect... well now we know it was more than that.
My dilemma and questions...
-I plan on keeping the car at least 2 - 3 more years.
-There is one other small visible area of rust developing along the outside lower driver's door... very small spot.
-Should I get that fender bubble sport repaired or at this stage should I leave the cosmetic alone and take care of only the mechanical?
That is what I'm wrestling with at this stage... I see other areas of small rust... such as that spot on the lower driver's door... also spots on the inside of the doors. Nothing has developed too serious yet... except for those bubbles on the fender.
I suspect at this stage fighting the rust is a losing battle but I hate the idea of running around with holes in that rear fender if I don't do anything with it.
Any words of wisdom on this?