would you try to fix this wrecked s14?

[fiznat]

http://community.webshots.com/user/kitahara8

known problems:-blown airbags-front end collision which got it a salvage title, bent frame "well in front of the front wheels," below the radiator (since been straightened and all factory frame datum points were checked and aligned. Much of the front end has been reconstitued since the crash too - OEM hood, fenders, and core support.-also got rear ended (as you can see), messed the right side of the rear light up, some trunk lid, bumper, fender too. -It will need repainting on a bunch of areas (probably just do the whole car to make it uniform)-he says the wheels squeak when he ****s the steering all the way or when he goes backward- some (small?) bearing problem (not breaks).

Everything else looks decent though. Naturally I'd have the whole thing checked out by a specialist, but what do you think of it assuming those above are all the damages. Keep in mind the car has only 28,000 miles on it.

My questions are:

1. what do you think would be a good price for it?2. what do you estimate cost on repairs? (assuming I do the work myself - just parts)3. is the above listed damage just too much to bother with?4. anybody have any idea how to go about fixing the salvage title in CT?

anything else you could put in would be helpful as well. thanks guys!

[n00b240]

i would go first 750, then 1000, thats a ****load of work, and there is frame damage, I dunno if I would pay 1000 for frame damage, but you said only 28k miles, thats a plus. But with frame damage you are gonna be paying alot, my ex-car got rear ended with some nasty frame damage, cost to fix = 8k without labor

[Repo Man]

I wouldn't personally, but that's me. You could have a competent body shop give you an estimate and then go from there.

[fiznat]

why wouldnt ya man, if you got a good price? it's got almost no miles, and apparantly the frame damage isnt anything that major. true it would probably require around $2000-$3000 of parts/work to fix it, but who cares if it's cheap? It's still a 96 with 28k miles, and you'd be able to pick your own custom color!

[APEXi240]

It's not worth it. How much is he asking?

[fiznat]

well he WANTS like $2500, but I planned to offer WAY below that if I did.

[DonDonati88]

Don't do it unless you can get it for 1000.

[s14sr20det]

I wouldnt buy ANY car that has been into ANY kinda accident.

[Daunttless]

He'd have to have a pretty daughter or sister ( dependant upon age ) that I was shagging hard in order to pay 1000 dollars for a car that messed up. I wouldn't pay more than 750, it's basically scrap, especially with infamous rear end damage. They almost never drive right again after rear end damage.

[fiznat]

they never drive right even after minor rear end damage? there was no damage to the frame at all he says. Does a small accident like this one had totally make the car "scrap?" I'm not saying that you dont know what you're talking about- but maybe you read the post wrong or something. No frame damage except under the radiator, and that's been fixed. Repairs would include body peices/foam/paint/dash w/airbags. Does that really render the car useless?

Even parting the car out would be worth a good 1500-2000, dontcha think?

[bodyman240]

For those who don't know what they are getting into, I would say to stay away from something like that. But I have had salvages built and it can go smoothly as long as you have someone behind that knows whats up. My 240 was a salvage and I built it myself aside from having a new quarter panel put on. It was hit down the side. I also have a 94 corolla that was a salvage- didn't build that one though. The point is is my family owns a body shop and has a excellent frame guy. Thats who looks at my cars and tells me what I need and what I'm looking at cost wise. There are a lot of things that can be wrong with a car that you can't always see right away. It sounds like with a good guy fixing the car it would be no big deal, but if you really don't know anything about salvages or how to fix them- you'll probably pay out the ***.

[fiznat]

well, I know about cars- I'm not too sure about salvage projects. I've never done one before, so I guess I have to say I dont know what I'm getting myself into in this respect, even though I do know my way pretty well around a garage. I do have some mechanic/body friends though who could help me with it- I guess it'll just come down to what they say.

But I'm still interested in the reasoning behind Daunt's comment-- how is it scrap? Please convince me out of this if you honestly think it's a bad idea!

[Daunttless]

Blown Airbags, Salvage Title, Unibody Frame and Rear Damage. In most states, you can't drive it without airbags, a the dash isn't repairable and new airbags and dash usually cost thousands of dollars unless you can get it used. The rear end collision may not look like much, but I"ve seen ones with less damage that have significant frame damage. I can only guess from the pictures, I haven't actually seen it, but I would be surprised if there wasn't frame damage to the rear. That's my reasoning, just a two second guess. : ) Take it for whatever you want.

[johnpoppy]

the rear behind the wheel and front in front of the side wall are designed to collapse when hit..... right? so basically a tap from the rear or front could cause the crumple to occur from the inside out?

[Structure240sx]

not worth to fix. doubtful but maybe u can find a cheap S14 shell or one with a blown motor. then swap engines

[fiznat]

hmmm thanks for the help guys-- and thanks for the clarification, daunt. I donno, I still might go for it if I can find a used airbag/dash assembly first for a decent price, AND I have a good body guy look at the whole thing (especially the frame). With such low miles, it might turn out to be a fun project- who knows.

Anyone else have any opinions?

[darkeagle]

Well I just seen the pics...inside except for dash look pretty good. Under the hood looks good too. Well, my plymouth was bought off sort of like a car lot but the guy had wrecked vehicles as well there makes me think of the car I have. http://members.cardomain.com/darkeagle19 2nd page will show you list of what I done for that car. Still have lil things I'm doing to it. I still have a slight pull in my right wheel but anyways...for a car like that 2500 no way...lol Mine was 1600 and it wasnt even worth that. :pface Go at least 1000 b/c your going to be doing a lot of work to that car. I could have paid off my car by now for what I put into it and could have already had me a nissan by now. I lack about $1500 left to getting my car paid off so I can move on and get me one.