Thought I'd give an update. There needs to be scarce details in some areas due to ongoing discussions. Here's the journey of trying to make the booked registration appointment (again).
Sent a complaint to Car Inspect outlining the concerns and made some demands.
Went to a service center in Geelong, got assaulted with bullshit items on the RWC, as you know. Tried to quote $2.5k AND wanted a structural report
Only seemed to be one place around Geelong that does them, they demand $495 just to end up telling me it's f**ked, at least $11k to fix and tried to sell me his own Skyline in the process (bro, wtf?)
Started stressing about what I'm supposed to do with this possible pile of steel.
Awaiting that, I was sent an angel friend who works in Melbourne and knows real mechanics and body shops.
They laughed at the reported quotes (don't get work done in Geelong)
Car underwent some front surgery and brought back better
They then sent it to the mechanics for RWC
Registration appointment is two days away at this point.
Mechanics pointed out two issues: driver's seat and shocks - that's it.
He offered couple options and I chose coilovers.
Frantically I scoured the jungle realm that is Facebook Marketplace (again).
Found what looks to be a decent Series 1 seat actually - $100
Guy is friendly, offers to bring the seat with a colleague who's heading to Geelong (thanks man, that was cool)
Seat arrived, looks good. Throw it in my car and drive to Melbourne and drop it to mechanic
T-1 day, mechanic reckons job will be done for the fronts only, gets it done by 4PM
Mechanic heads to get the coil-overs that night as a favour to help me make the appointment
Get driven to Melbourne, drove the car back - RWC Unlocked! ✅
VicRoads tomorrow, the goal is close now. 🙂