FYI, Honda makes replacement parts too. This wouldn't solve the problem - he'd just start modifying the Honda. I'm skeptical of this theory that repair methodology - first class versus compromise - should be based on the original price of the car. A car that has no market value has no market value and should be treated accordingly. What it cost originally isn't really relevant. Of course some of us just think building a wiring harness would be great fun - Mercedes or Honda.