Accident = Don't Buy It?

[Strugs]

I looked at a VERY nice SC Targa today. Only trouble is - no records prior to 2000, and it has definitely been involved in at least one accident. The front right fender has been replaced judging by the sparkly new rivets on the inside of the front trunk. Also the entire car has been painted within the past year or two.

The price is right, as it is well below other cars I have seen with similar mileage and no accidents. I am of course getting a PPI done, but I guess I need to know if front end damage is a real show-stopper.

Anyone been bitten by a damaged car?

[john walker's workshop]

rivets? pass.

[nostatic]

run screaming. A "bargain" isn't always a bargain...

[Strugs]

Well, maybe rivets wasn't the best term. I was referring to the fastners that join the front fender to the body that you can see on the inside edge of the trunk. They were on both sides, but one set looked original, and the right hand side were not painted and looked like they had recently been installed.

If this car was not otherwise ideal, an accident would put me off. However, it seems to have everything I was looking for including H4 lights, carrera tensioners, air box pop off valve, and 7x9x16 Fuchs. Other than the accident, the car gives off a well-cared for image (compared to some of the other neglected cars I have seen).

The asking price is $18 Canadian = approx $11.5 US.. Most SC's I have seen in the last year have gone for over $22k ($14US), and yes, that included the neglected ones.

[BYantzer]

Wait til you get the PPI back. 150 to even 450 is a better deal to make sure it is in good condition all over. Most places will also have a body guy that can help on the quaility of the fender work.

[efhughes3]

$11.5K might be high considering. It's not your fault if the owner had to put some serious $ in it recently: repairs, paint, etc. He can't expect to recoup the $.

[s_wilwerding]

I bought a good condition 81 SC, records from day one, for $11K. A car that's been in an accident (which bothers me some) with no history (which bothers me much more) - no more than $9K, and even that might be high.

IF the car was in an accident and IF the owner had documents as to what happened, who fixed it, etc., it might be worthwhile. But my feeling on this one is run like hell.

[Bobboloo]

Depends on the seriousness of the accident and if it was repaired properly or not. As you can see from some of the replies here how damage is a real show stopper, should you ever decide to sell it down the road.

Bobby

[Dantilla]

If you're going to use the car as a daily driver, maybe. If you plan on any track events... Well, would you trust it at triple digit speeds?

[Botman]

I wonder what percentage of our cars have been in an accident, and what percentage of the owners are aware of that accident.

It's easy to tell Strugs to run away, since he knows, but if he did not point out the fact that this car was in a wreck, it sounds like a great car, at a good price. I think everyone would have been on the "get a PPI, and buy it" bandwagon.

Just my 2¢.

[diverdan]

triple digit speeds and hard cornering---and a little contact with the opposition--- seems to happen to a bunch of real race cars and they get hammered out and go back for more. Does that cause them to shy away hammer down situations. Too many prima donnas out there. In the rack, or on the track, virginity is not the qualifier.

Diverdan

[RANDY P]

Take it to a good frame and alignment shop and get it checked. Do this before the PPI if you like it that much. Get a body pro to check it out.

What about shopping Seattle? Maybe the math won't be too bad for the exchange rate, seeing those all the time in the Seattle Times around that price or less. There's a few today price - wise, but most of these guys listed have been there for months..



rjp


TODAYS LISTINGS

[ChrisBennet]

I've never seen any bodywork where the fasteners weren't painted. IMO accidents causes temporary damage but poor autobody work produces permanent damage.
-Chris

[Strugs]

Yikes - I just spent the best $20 I have ever spent. Had a claims report done on the car - 7 accidents totalling over $27,000 (one accident was over $15k alone) since 1990. Also had five incidents of vandalism!

Looks like I'll be cancelling the PPI asap.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[BYantzer]

That settles all that in a hurry.
Note to self, When buying new car get claims checked out on car before posting on pelican. LOL!

[Wayne 962]

On a second thought, you can bring the report to him, and offer to buy the car for $6K. Heck, most of the car must be new by now!

-Wayne