2009 SXT Challenger: Door Rust

[Halifax_Challenger]

Hi All,

Two weeks ago I bought a dream car (by my standards) and traded in my ol' 2002 Civic Coupe for a 2009 Challenger.




However, today I noticed rust at the bottom of the door (in this photo). It's something I missed when I bought as it's in the area just above the black panel at the bottom. There is a dime sized spot a half inch up from the very bottom of the door. Car history has no accident to that door, perhaps just a case of it never having been rust proofed.

Will a Krown rust check help with this? It's going in on Tuesday anyway. My '02 Honda never had rust and hadn't seen a rust check in 7 years at least (had factory treatment first 4 years).

Kinda concerned and disappointed. Never thought this would appear on a '09 car.

I appreciate your input.

[GlennW]

You should probably have it looked at by a body shop (have the whole car checked). It really needs to be fixed properly so it doesn't grow. Hard to believe there is actually rust on a car from 09?? Good luck!!

[Halifax_Challenger]

Hi Glenn - thanks. I wish I saw it earlier. I haven't dealt with this before...so would this be a repair and at least a partial repaint?? What does a repair like this cost?

Not sure what the the dealer I bought it from would say, I missed it but it wasn't so obvious either...I only noticed it while I was low to the ground.

Does this sound a bit odd to be happening an '09? Even if it saw a couple of winters, I haven't seen a car get rust that fast.

[GlennW]

Lets start with "Welcome to CT from Minneapolis, and that's a sharp looking Challenger".

Then, what bothers me is that the car looks like it was "well" maintained, that begs the question of why would it have any rust on it? That's why I say to have it checked over by a shop because they'll know what to look for and where to look. If there is a problem they will be able to tell you why it's happening ie: the car was pounded with hail, or it was in a wreck and damage was done to here, here, and here. Taking it back to the dealer might be the best because if you find that it did have repair work they may help with the costs if you ask as a customer and future buyer also. It should be relatively inexpensive to repair because it should be just surface rust and then a repaint of the panel and done (maybe 250-300 total). The stripe may be a problem as you would need to buy a whole new one to get the center part only. Let us know what happens. Glenn

[Halifax_Challenger]

Thanks again, Glenn!! I'll update here when I find out. I wonder if the paint can't be done just below the stipe without removal?

Previous owner went for the R/T look, the other side has the chrome gas cap like the R/T.

[Halifax_Challenger]

$992 for rust repair, full door repaint and replacement stripes. Looks like spring time it is!!

[GlennW]

Sounds good, just be sure to get another quote or 2 from other shops that friends or relatives may recommend. Good Luck!!