Fix or replace rear apron, or body kit?

[Raven Tooth]

I'm starting to think about doing a full repaint on my car. It's mostly just old and dinged up, but I have a couple spots of rust. One is under the battery in the back on the lower valance.

Is this worth having a shop repair the rust? Should I just look for a rust free used apron? Is this a good chance to do a nice (OEM looking) body kit?

I think side skirts make a car look way better, but don't know how much a difference replacing the bumpers is going to make on my '89... they could look pretty good just freshened up.

Any thoughts? Thanks guys.

[ac3]

I'm in the same boat. I'm having the bodyshop smooth the rear valence before repaint, so I figure it can't be that big of deal to repair a little rust. I'm assuming cheaper than buying another one.

[Raven Tooth]

Ya, the undercoating is what gives it that orange peel texture. I think it needs to be removed for it to work right. My front valance had some bondo on it from the PO, to smooth it out, and it was all cracked.

[devon.818]

if you get a body kit, they need to be "forced" to fit.
yeah you can bolt it on, but it might not look right. most body kits online are fiber glass, one piece bumper types.
i say get the evoII kit, roll the fenders, paint it.
im gonna buy a car with a body kit already on it, gonna replace the front piece with a fiberglass mtechII bumper, then take all the body kit off and over to paint with the hood and any other parts i can manage to bring them, then give them the car, yes it will likely go to MAACO.

as for cost, cheap maaco paint job is 250-300. by cheap i mean they light sand it and spray it and thats all. of course they can do more, or you can do more prep, prep as in fixing dents/scratches/rust.
hope i helped.
also check technical highschools, they often have autoshops that ggive killer rates, just might take a lil while.