New addition to our family but it's not a FORD

[Perry]

Here is our new (to us) vehicle we bought a few months ago. It's a 2003 Kia Sorento EX and this weekend was the first we were able to drive it and so far I am really impressed with it. For our daily driver it is nice and it DOES HAVE 4 WHEEL LOW!!! solid rear axle, heated seats, sun roof, leather seats, 6 disc CD changer, and a lot more. We were looking at a Ford Escape since I am a Ford man, but this was cheaper and had more options. It really rides nice and Teri is planning a 1400 mile trip this weekend so we will see what she has to say.
This is what it looked like when we bought it.

This is after I got the new rear end under it and it was ready to go to the frame shop to get the quarter panel put on.

This is at the frame shop and he is replacing the quarter panel. At first we thought it would be the whole quarter panel but it ended up being just the skin and a new door.

This is with the new door and quarter panel on and ready for paint.

did I mention we had to replace the dash cover because the air bags went off. It took about 3 hours to take it out but only 45 minutes to put the new one back in. Patrick was really good help and I hope he learned something.

after we got the new dash pad back into the vehicle.

This is what it looks like as of today. We were able to drive it around this weekend and so far everything is working fine. Hope it will be a good vehicle for us.

 

[Alec]

Damn, looks great!

Patrick is really growing up, ain't he?

 

[IAmTodd]

Wow, that looks great. You do awsome work. Whats the Sorento like? Is it another cheazy SUV or is it something worth while?

 

[frickea86]

wow guy, todd just sent me this thread, all i gotta say is wow, u put a lot of time, work, and money into. you did an outstanding job, hope u like the vehicle.

 

[Robb]

HOLY COW!!! That looks GREAT Perry!!!

Without talking actual numbers, unless you want to, what percentage of retail value do you have in that thing? And can you get a absolute clean title on it?

 

[Perry]

HOLY COW!!! That looks GREAT Perry!!!

Without talking actual numbers, unless you want to, what percentage of retail value do you have in that thing? And can you get a absolute clean title on it?

Rob, I don't have the exact figures but we have about $13,000.00 at the high end. I think loan value is around $17,000.00 and it books out around $25,000.00. The way I can get it cheaper is by doing the work myself, we changed out the rear end, replaced the dash pad, and in the end we had to replace the transmission because I think I screwed up but that is how you save.
I'll know more Weds. when we settle up with my dad since he was the one that bought the SUV along with a few parts. We get it inspected Weds. so then we can put it in our name.
Yes it has what they call a "salvage title", which if you ask me is a bunch of B.S. because it has been fixed just as good as it was before. I know you used to be able to go out of state and wash titles, but since this is going to be for us I don't care if it has a salvage title. They are starting to have more cars go thru the auction with good titles, which in my opionion is a good thing. It's not any different then someone getting in a wreck and having it fixed. At least I know what was wrong with this vehicle and we fixed it. Like I said we have only put 200 miles on it but so far I really like this vehicle. It rides nice, has lots of options and if you ask me looks really nice. I hope I answered your questions.

 

[Perry]

Patrick is really growing up, ain't he?

Alec, not to change the subject but last Friday we had to replace the front wheel-bearings on the "PURPLE" Explorer so I had Patrick pack the bearings for me. He did a good job and said it was fun and wanted to do the other side but we had just done it not to long ago.

 

[Stephen]

Wow, you'd never know it was even wrecked! Great work guys.

 

[jgilbs]

all i gotta say is good work!

 

[Crankcase]

Wouldn't even know it had been damaged....Way to go!

 

[Bashman]

Excellent work guys (Perry and Patrick)!

 

[bmxking5]

Awesome job, can't even tell it was ever wrecked.