Advice on buying this salvage/repair? Anyone with repair experience?

Jim87 · 08-05-2012, 12:09 AM

Hello there. Not sure where this post should go so I decided on the general area. I'm pretty handy and I feel rather confident that I could make these body repairs in this car. Im just wondering if you think the price is fair for the amount of damage? I'm also a little afraid of unknown damage, and I can't see the car in person as I'm on the other side of the country.

Anyone have experience repairing these cars? Are the parts crazy expensive? I can't really afford more than 20,000 for a car and this is a chance for me to get into a good low mileage one for what seems to be very cheap.

Anyway, I appreciate any advice I get, thanks so much!!

Nissan : 370Z Coupe in Nissan | eBay Motors

daisuke149 · 08-05-2012, 12:13 AM

No. by the time you are done fixing it, you will be in the mid 20's perhaps. And for a base 370z with no touring sport etc, you can find those for the same price without damage.

frost · 08-05-2012, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

No. by the time you are done fixing it, you will be in the mid 20's perhaps. And for a base 370z with no touring sport etc, you can find those for the same price without damage.

After doing some searching on autotrader, I second this. I see ones with sport packages or touring models going for low 20s. And we still don't even know what's not visible. They have a "make offer" button ... maybe 12k I'd do.

Jim87 · 08-05-2012, 12:24 AM

Well hard to argue with that. I think I'll spend more time looking, I've read a bit more and it does seem like I'll end up near 20,000 or more by the time I have it shipped and I get all the parts. Ahhh looks like I'll continue to wait ;p

whoady4shoady · 08-05-2012, 02:50 AM

For not much more than 20 you can find a low 09 if you keep looking.

Baer383 · 08-05-2012, 09:50 AM

The front end is swung over to the right,which will require a frame rack (it doesn't look like it) ,but my best advise is if you are not in the body business and can repair it yourself to save money,it will cost too much to pay someone like me to repair it.

Mt Tam I am · 08-05-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

After doing some searching on autotrader, I second this. I see ones with sport packages or touring models going for low 20s. And we still don't even know what's not visible. They have a "make offer" button ... maybe 12k I'd do.

The car is not totaled for sure but $3500 difference is enough you think? I have not a clue, but gambling over a sure thing* is why they make chocolate and vanilla.

* undamaged 370Z not really a sure thing but...

onzedge · 08-05-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

No. by the time you are done fixing it, you will be in the mid 20's perhaps. And for a base 370z with no touring sport etc, you can find those for the same price without damage.

-- plus it is an automatic.

dirtrat · 08-05-2012, 12:57 PM

So thats a good thing right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

-- plus it is an automatic.

onzedge · 08-05-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtrat

So thats a good thing right?

It is a preference thing and for me, a sports car needs a manual. This is my opinion.

raymondo510 · 08-06-2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

It is a preference thing and for me, a sports car needs a manual. This is my opinion.

, be patient and keep lookin, I wouldn't wanna spend that kind of money, just to have to put more money into fixing it

frost · 08-06-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

The car is not totaled for sure but $3500 difference is enough you think? I have not a clue, but gambling over a sure thing* is why they make chocolate and vanilla.

* undamaged 370Z not really a sure thing but...

If it were not running, no. But $12k tops would be doable if I thought I could do the work myself like the OP claims. Even if you got the car and decided it was way more work/damage than you expected, you could part it out at $12k and recoup most of the money.

Jim87 · 08-06-2012, 03:07 AM

Yeah, while I do feel confident I could do most of the work on it, I think the final nail in this coffin is not being able to go and physically inspect it. I had another friend with more frame experience as well suggest that there could be some frame issue there, and that would def be outside of my workscope. Ahh I just wish it wasn't on the opposite side of the country, may have went for it.

Thanks so much for all the input everyone.

Zenki370 · 08-06-2012, 09:25 AM

Even if you can fix it, you have to consider the dimenished value when you go to sell it in the future and any unforseen problems. My last car was rear ended. Ended up being about 500 bucks from totaled. After they fixed all the work, I saw the Y pipe was still bent. Then they replaced it, that would have totaled it. Well the Y pipe smacked the differential in the accident. 6 months later the diff went. Replaced it, 1 year later it went again... This is obviously unforseen damages. This is why Im driving a Z today. Save up, keep shopping. Its a questionable move but the fact you cant expect it is the nail in the coffin. When I see these cars, I figure if it was an easy fix, theyd do it themselves.

elmz · 08-06-2012, 10:22 AM

Save a little more and buy a proper Z. BTW, don't be afraid of buying one with higher mileage, these things are pretty reliable.

08-05-2012, 12:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jim87 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4 Drives: Notyet Rep Power: 13	Advice on buying this salvage/repair? Anyone with repair experience? Hello there. Not sure where this post should go so I decided on the general area. I'm pretty handy and I feel rather confident that I could make these body repairs in this car. Im just wondering if you think the price is fair for the amount of damage? I'm also a little afraid of unknown damage, and I can't see the car in person as I'm on the other side of the country. Anyone have experience repairing these cars? Are the parts crazy expensive? I can't really afford more than 20,000 for a car and this is a chance for me to get into a good low mileage one for what seems to be very cheap. Anyway, I appreciate any advice I get, thanks so much!! Nissan : 370Z Coupe in Nissan \| eBay Motors

08-05-2012, 12:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jim87 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4 Drives: Notyet Rep Power: 13	Well hard to argue with that. I think I'll spend more time looking, I've read a bit more and it does seem like I'll end up near 20,000 or more by the time I have it shipped and I get all the parts. Ahhh looks like I'll continue to wait ;p Last edited by Jim87; 08-05-2012 at 12:32 AM.

08-05-2012, 09:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 30	The front end is swung over to the right,which will require a frame rack (it doesn't look like it) ,but my best advise is if you are not in the body business and can repair it yourself to save money,it will cost too much to pay someone like me to repair it. __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

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08-05-2012, 12:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	No. by the time you are done fixing it, you will be in the mid 20's perhaps. And for a base 370z with no touring sport etc, you can find those for the same price without damage.

08-06-2012, 03:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jim87 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4 Drives: Notyet Rep Power: 13	Yeah, while I do feel confident I could do most of the work on it, I think the final nail in this coffin is not being able to go and physically inspect it. I had another friend with more frame experience as well suggest that there could be some frame issue there, and that would def be outside of my workscope. Ahh I just wish it wasn't on the opposite side of the country, may have went for it. Thanks so much for all the input everyone.

08-06-2012, 09:25 AM	#14 (permalink)
Zenki370 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: CT Posts: 226 Drives: 98 Civic, 09 370z Rep Power: 13	Even if you can fix it, you have to consider the dimenished value when you go to sell it in the future and any unforseen problems. My last car was rear ended. Ended up being about 500 bucks from totaled. After they fixed all the work, I saw the Y pipe was still bent. Then they replaced it, that would have totaled it. Well the Y pipe smacked the differential in the accident. 6 months later the diff went. Replaced it, 1 year later it went again... This is obviously unforseen damages. This is why Im driving a Z today. Save up, keep shopping. Its a questionable move but the fact you cant expect it is the nail in the coffin. When I see these cars, I figure if it was an easy fix, theyd do it themselves.

08-06-2012, 10:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 17	Save a little more and buy a proper Z. BTW, don't be afraid of buying one with higher mileage, these things are pretty reliable.