so im just looking for some opinions on what i should do. i want to keep my max for another 2 years probably. After that i am not sure what im going to do with it seing as i dont think i will get alot of money back for it.

about my car
5 speed black on black 98 se, interior is perfect so i am not worried about it at all. The exterior on the other hand has been going down hill latley. the hood has a 2 minor dent from when my hood struts went and landed on a tool. Also, everyone at work loves to open the door of their POS into my car, resulting in about 4 dings on the passenger side of my car and one 1" scratch. the front bumper of my car is cracked in 3 diff places from 2 seperate hit and runs on it and my grill is missing. to fix the front end will cost me about 150 for bumper,50 bucks to paint it, free installation, i am thinking of meshing out my grill with a black mesh( 50$) and also have already ordered a pair of r34 i plan on adding projectors to. so basicaly it will cost me about 450 to redo my front end. which I have no problem doing, untill i saw my front 1/4 pannel today. i always knew there was some rust but now the paint had chipped and its noticeable. is there even a point to re do my front end up if rust is visible?

should i just put the headlights on be done with it. should i re do every front peice of my car which i will get no return from when i sell the car. is it even worth it. i just need some opinions on the issue and what i should do. keep in mind i am an apprentice right now so money isnt exactly on the high side.

other aftermarket parts include:
headerback exhaust
led tail lights
motegi mr7 rims
20%tint
PR CAI
fully redone sound system pushing 1200 watts rms
k sport coilovers
ps2 w/ 2 sunvisor tvs

 

well it seems like deep down you already know what you want to do and that you're just fishing for someone to validate it for you. the logic you're using with cost/benefit analysis goes for the ENTIRE car to begin with. I've already put 4k into mine and I haven't even scratched the surface. the point is you'll never get back what you've put in, and you've already put in a lot(that's what it looks like at least), so my advice is simple, if you enjoy driving the car and you enjoy the looks you get when you drive around and people see that you didn't just go to a dealer and pick up some eye candy; but that you put countless hours of hard work into this machine, then the answer is simple; throw all of your cash at it.

 

^+1 to Guryon's thoughts. I can't tell where you are, but summer's coming and a few bucks will bring your Max up good. The pic looks sharp, and you've got lots in it already, so unless you have serious doubts about the engine or something, I vote to fix and keep. I've got a 98XE with about 130k and its starting to show some rust ( we get about 6 months of snow and salt here), but it runs great and still gets looks 'round town - not too many Maxes out here. I plan to keep her as long as she lasts. Everything needs maint someday and you know your Max is worth it.

 

Nice looking car dude, you're not going to get back what you put into it so forget about that cash. Its gone. If you still enjoy the car put some more $$ into it and keep it till it blows up, just start saving for your next cash vaccum