Need advice - damaged '93 Convert

[kyson]

Hello everyone.I've spent the morning reading through the forum searching for advice which has answered many of my questions, but I have a few more for people who own and maintain these cars daily.

My wife found a wrecked red '93 LE convert for sale in the neighborhood yesterday while out and about and commented that she thought it may be an interesting project.

We're huge car enthusiasts, but primarily focus on BMWs or late 60s American cars. While we've owned a few Nissans through the years, I know very little about 240SXs beyond thinking they were kinda cool back in the day.

This specimen is a red/black LE with 88k miles. It took a hard hit in the right front about 6 months ago and looks like its had some repair work done to the left rear quarter as well at some point. The interior is a little rough - looks like it will need new dash cover, door panels, seat covers (leather is dry), steering wheel (sun dried) and carpet. The top is relatively new. The front end will need a hood, right front fender, front bumper cover, right front headlight assembly and likely all the attendant bits underneath.

Are interior trim pieces still available? Are body parts likely still available? And what is something like that worth? I realize there is no way of telling outright, but I imagine repair work to the front is a minimum of 4-6k which likely is more than the car is worth. It runs well and actually looks great. Paint is shiny and compared to others I've seen online, panel fit is good and overall condition is not bad considering its age and use.

Its an ambiguous set of questions, but if someone responded - "interiors aren't available anymore and its a 3500.00 car when done", then its pretty clear to avoid. If it makes sense to offer the owner 500.00 and take it as a long term project, then maybe I'll consider it. I know it will be gutless and never really appreciate, but it is a good looking car that might make a decent car for the kids or economical run around on weekends car for the fam. It is too nice to just see delivered to a college as a project or sent to a wrecking yard to be picked apart.

Thanks for your thoughts. Apologies for the length of the post.

[ni7enichi]

Sounds interesting. I'm not sure that you can source interior parts from factory for the convertibles anymore, but I do know that many people sell their interior parts here on nico and on other car forums. All in all it depends on how much you want to spend, and how you decide to buy your parts. I got a whole fresh carpet and rear seats for 100 bucks locally in my area. front seats will cost you a little more if they're in good shape, or if you are going for brand new aftermarket seats. dash, quarter panels, door panels, etc. are usually available through private sellers, unless you are going to go out and buy custom carbon fiber parts.

All in all, it really just depends on the extent of the damage to the car and just how much work you're willing ot put into it. Kinda like any other car. 9 times out of 10, there's always going to be a way to make it work.

Hope this helped a bit.

[kyson]

Thanks for the comments.

I think I'm going to pass as I really want another E36 M3 for track and fun, and this would just distract from that.

I am happy to share information about this car to anyone who is in Central Tx and needs a a parts car or rebuildable convertible. The owner hasn't yet advertised it and decided this weekend that it needs to go asap so simply stuck a poster on it in his driveway.

[Eikon]

Good choice to pass on it.

I wouldn't buy a 'vert that was in a front end collision... unless it was simply to part it out.

[ni7enichi]

You should tell that dude to post pics of the interior and exterior of the car on here and try to make as much money off of it as he can!