Repaint or Replace?

[SusieWRX]

I have a 2002 WRX wagon, Subaru Blue color. The paint on the hood on what I think is called the air intake (the part in the middle of the hood that rises above the rest) is bubbling and chipping off. I went to a body shop and they were going to charge $300 to repaint it to match the rest of the hood. A friend suggested that I just replace this with a used air intake and said that it shouldn't be that hard.

How much would it cost to buy a replacement? How hard is it to replace (I'm a girl with not much car experience but somewhat mechanically minded Where should I buy it?

Thanks for any input and suggestions.
SusieWRX

[SD_GR]

Call around your local wrecking yards. Many cars are owned by elite, highly skilled drivers and as a result get driven into trees, so spares should not be hard to find. See if you can find a replacement in better shape than what you've got.

Also, shop around body shops because prices vary dramatically.

Incidentally, I doubt the nose of the car is in great shape, right? If the hood scoop is hurting the nose must be chipped too. You may want to ask around friends/relatives/etc. for a good place and if you are going to keep the car, see what it needs as far as paint -- it's cheaper to do it all at once rather than piecemeal. It's not inexpensive, mind you, but it's less.

[BenS]

Many cars are owned by elite, highly skilled drivers and as a result get driven into trees, so spares should not be hard to find.

[poly_poly-man]

I have a 2002 WRX wagon, Subaru Blue color. The paint on the hood on what I think is called the air intake (the part in the middle of the hood that rises above the rest) is bubbling and chipping off. I went to a body shop and they were going to charge $300 to repaint it to match the rest of the hood. A friend suggested that I just replace this with a used air intake and said that it shouldn't be that hard.

How much would it cost to buy a replacement? How hard is it to replace (I'm a girl with not much car experience but somewhat mechanically minded Where should I buy it?

Thanks for any input and suggestions.
SusieWRX

Welcome!

The color is officially called World Rally Blue (WRB for short). The air intake is actually a thing inside the engine compartment, near the front and on the passenger side - to what you're referring is the hood scoop - takes in air and pushes it through the intercooler.

You have a couple of options regarding your hood scoop.

#1: paint it yourself. You can buy the official paint online, and it's just a simple, three-part spray paint job - the hardest part is taking off the old paint, which should be free (but not necessarily easy - ask someone who knows bodywork).

#2: buy an unpainted scoop, paint it yourself or get the guy to paint it - will be easier, and probably cheaper because it requires no paint removal.

#3: buy a painted scoop. Harder to find and more expensive, but nice, easy solution.

Looks like you'll probably find a solution with some searching for around $250 (painting yourself - a LOT cheaper. Ask around to see if you want to try it - again, not a bodywork expert )

Plus, solutions 2 and 3 give you the chance to get more airflow and a better look with the jdm sti scoop - a bit more aggressive looking.

Anyway, good luck fixing this - those little things can be the most annoying!