Ideas for a rusty 2005 Mazda 3 that deserves better than the wrecker

[duane_steel]

Hi All,

It looks like my wife and I are going to be buying a new Mazda this week. Because of rust issues (which I'm sure all the other Canadians are familiar with) the trade-in on my 2005 mazda 3 GS is essentially worthless. I'm trying to figure out the best thing to do with our old car. We really love it, but the body is definitely succumbing to rust. Not really understanding how bad the rust would get, we had replaced the suspension, tires, brakes, etc etc to keep the car long term.

All that said, we now have a car we love, that we'd rather not just drop at the dealership and we don't really have anyone who's looking to buy a car. Other than the rust, it's mechanically in good shape, but ya, rust.

Any ideas?

Thanks guys

 

[concept]

Many years ago, I worked with a guy who wished to sell his Toyota Corona. I was in great condition as far as the powertrain was concerned. However, when my mother took it to the required safety inspection, (which all 10 years or older vehicles must pass before being sold) she was told that it was unsafe due to excessive rust. If your Mazda is safe and there are no interested buyers out there, you might want to consider keeping it as a bad weather, city, hauler for stuff you don't want in a new car, or for visitors who can save money by not renting a car. I've had a second car for such circumstances since 1980. I now have a Mazda 3 and an MX5. Insurance for each is lower, since the total mileage is spread out between the two cars.
I would find it very difficult to get next to nothing unless my car were very unsafe. My guess is that yours is just "cosmetically-challenged".

 

[kms1990]

can you give us some pictures? that can help us to better determine the extent of the damage the rust has done and what steps you should take, being in texas and living here my whole life rust is a non factor but many on this forum should be able to weigh in. granted we still have to watch used cars for rust as they come from all over. i test drove a 2006 civic si that looked to be in great shape and drove fantastically but i took it over to my shop that i use when i need a lift for work i cannot do on the ramps and jack in my driveway. and had them put it in the air and it was riddled with rust all over the rear of the underside looked like it had either been up north or partially underwater like in hurricane katrina (which alot of those cars are around my area) so i passed on it, because i did not know its complete history how well it had been maintained and did not want rust and a crappy car mechanically (which many times here go hand in hand) but if your 3 still runs well and you just did all that work to it patch the rust and keep it for a back up car like the guy above me said, if you get in a fender bender you dont have to get a rental, you have one!