I have a 97 Civic CX Hatchback that has some previous damage from an accident, and was given a 99-00 facelift with a new core support, however after looking at the damage, I noticed the frame rail was slightly bent towards the front of it... Before I have estimates done on it, i'm just curious if the frame rail can be pulled back into position so the panels will line up better... Any round about cost just to have it put on a straightening rack?

 

Price? depends its different front shop to shop. Your going to need a new radiator support or remove it before the pull and re-install.

 

Cant really say, a pic would be nice.

But i have heard anywhere from around 60$ to 90$ an hour (and granted an hour to assess the damage and get a game plan, again depending on damage)

Sooooo maybe 400$ for MILD damage

 

got a quote for $60 an hour on the frame machine and he said it would be 3.5-4 hours for the laser guided machine plus time to do a final alignment of the panels... The damage is very minor and is at almost the very tip of the frame rail.

 

shop around... some shops in my area (so cali) are $50/hr... smaller shops $40-45/hr. i figure so.cali tends to have higher prices. but it all depends on the region you're in.

 

I would just buy a clean titles shell, and swap everything over. Ive owned a corrola that had been in a head on crash, it was professionaly repaired, but it never felt right while behind the wheel. I would drive my brother corrola thats was just a year older, and it felt normal. I learned my lesson when perchasing a vehicle thats been into a wreck. Sorry no expert advice, but just a personal experience

 

I know the feeling... Every single car i've owned has been in an accident... It's almost impossible to find an older car that is reasonably priced where the seller says "it's great" and it looks good,runs good, until you notice all the hidden damage...

 

Thats not a bad price he quoted you esp. with the time he gave to do it. I just picked up a 97 civic 4 door and after taking the fenders off, someone did a hatchet repair on the drivers side. Luckily the fenders look fine when bolted up. BUT something I'll have to fix if I decide to keep the car for a while. Drives fine though. I guess I got lucky in that respect. GL with your repair!!

 

Thats the thing... The honda world today is full of neglected, half assed cars... And if they are well taken care of and not wrecked, you're going to pay out the *** for one. And "clean" titles dont mean ****... When a car is this old and you wreck it, you take it home and let it sit for 6 months until you get the cash for parts and beer and hit it hard with your buddy. All of my past cars we're "clean" title, but have had accidents. and were all done by amateurs. If it were a newer car, insurance would have to pay for it and the damage would be considered on the title.