wrx quarter panel repair

[upjeeper]

any chance i could get some advice on repairing this car?
i've found it for sale and my wife has even approved the project! I've got a fair amount of mechanical experience (motor swaps and the like), but have done minimal body work. I realize this isn't a simple repair, but is it something that a competent person with some patience can do?

what do you guys think it would cost to have a pro do the work?

thanks!

[upjeeper]

and also, any ideas where i can read how to do the repair work? any places online have good how to's?
thanks again

[TimG]

Just by the pic,car needs a qtr,needs to be pulled back into shape by a shop.
If you've never done bodywork before,this car isn't the place to start!
See if you can get someone from a local shop to look at it before you commit to buying,maybe work a deal where you dissasemble/reassemble,they pull it, hang the panels,and paint it.

[Len]

If that car came into our shop we would pull on the damage then make a list of parts needed. After the parts were delivered we would remove the quarter and probably the rear body panel, straighten or replace any damaged surrounding sheet metal and install the new parts.

Since every model car is different and each hit can cause different damage it can be difficult to give accurate instructions on how to do the repair but there are some similarities in hits of this nature.

You'll want to look at the new metal to see what comes with it and what doesn't. Cut and fit accordingly.

After you place the new metal in position you want to clamp it and make sure that you can align the surrounding panels. In your case the trunk lid, the door and the bumper need to have the proper gaps and the seals at the lid and door need to be tight when they are closed.

You'll need a variety of vice grips to properly clamp the new metal in place.

Aftermarket sheet metal won't fit as well as OEM parts that are purchased from a Subaru dealer.

[Phil V]

A basic ball park estimate on that car to repair would be around $4,000.00 - $6,000.00. Could be more if there is left rear suspension damage and other unsuspected damage, could be a little less if you bought used parts. There is a reason why that car is not sitting in the owners driveway all repaired and looking new again ( I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, just stating the obvious).

[AutobodyCAD]

If you can get it for a song and a dance or three, it might be worth it. If the guy wants $8 g's or more, forget it.