Is This The Rustiest Car We've Ever Owned?

Summary

The script describes an old and very rusty Honda SMX that was bought as a Christmas gift. It is brought to an auto shop where the mechanics inspect it, pointing out many issues like missing badges, rust holes, broken clips, worn brakes, exhaust leaks, and more. They determine it needs about £500 of mechanical work but extensive welding and fabrication that will cost much more to restore. The recipient acts ungrateful, saying this is the worst car he's received. They agree to fix the major mechanical issues first before considering bodywork repairs to get the rare Honda back on the road.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ethan received a rare and old Honda SMX as a Christmas gift from his parents
• 😟 The car is very worn down and in poor condition externally
• 🤔 The Honda SMX was made for sleeping/camping in Japan apparently
• 😨 The interior is dirty but actually in decent shape compared to the exterior
• 😱 The underside of the car is badly rusted with holes in many places
• 😥 Parts for the Honda SMX are hard to find and expensive
• 😀 Mechanically the car is not too bad and mainly needs gaskets, seals etc replaced
• 👷‍♂️ Extensive fabrication work is needed to repair the bodywork rust and corrosion
• 💸 Total repair costs will likely exceed what the car is worth
• 😅 Despite its incredibly rough condition, the car has lasting appeal

Q & A

What model and year Honda did they buy for Ethan?

They bought Ethan a Honda SMX, likely from around the 1990s based on the references in the transcript.

What was the condition of the SMX when they first saw it?

The SMX was in very poor condition. It had a lot of rust, flat tires, missing parts, and many mechanical issues.

How rare are Honda SMX cars in the UK?

According to Lee, there are less than 30 Honda SMX cars total on UK roads.

What is the main challenge in repairing and restoring the SMX?

The main challenge is finding replacement parts. Many parts like seals are discontinued by Honda and would need custom fabrication.

What is the expected cost range for mechanical repairs?

Lee estimates the mechanical repairs to cost around £500.

What additional repairs might be needed beyond mechanical work?

The car needs extensive rust repair and welding work which does not yet have a cost estimate. It may also need new wheels, windshield, spoiler etc.

What is the history and background of the SMX model?

There are urban myths about the SMX being designed for sleeping, but the real details are unclear. Honda enthusiasts in Japan may know more about the intended purpose.

What condition was the interior of the SMX in?

The interior was given a score of 7-8/10 by Lee. Overall intact but with some wear and missing pieces.

Did the SMX have any valuable or rare parts?

No, overall it was very run down and neglected without any highly desirable components.

What ideas did they suggest for restoring the SMX?

They suggested the first priority should be to make the body solid and rust-free. Beyond that, no definite plans were made.