Help with Wrecked SC430

[vh_supra26]

How much do y'all think this will cost to repair. Not looking to go to the dealer or use new parts. Wouldn't mind used old or aftermarket parts. Am I just better off taking it to Maaco or a whole in the wall place lol? Thanks

[strat61caster]

That kind of damage looks like it might've taken out something structural, odds are if you took it to insurance it'd be totaled which is why you're trying to figure out how to avoid that. It would be super **** move if you hit and ran otherwise you'd already have insurance involved.

Looking at it, I'd say $5k bare minimum for a passable job. Probably $10k to do it proper, but I don't know jack about body work other than what I've heard. Sounds like you're looking for a "hole in the wall", not sure what's "whole in the wall", which those guys if you get lucky could produce amazing results, some of them can be really talented. Best of luck.

[vh_supra26]

Lol hole in the wall yes, my bad.

Its a car for my buddy. Someone is trying to sell it too him for cheap. So just trying to get some input and advice.

Yeah just looking for a cheap patch job if you will. Its a old car so no need to bring it back anywhere near showroom condition.




On a sidenote, my MK4 was hit worse than this and it cost me about $2k to get her back up and running.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by vh_supra26

On a sidenote, my MK4 was hit worse than this and it cost me about $2k to get her back up and running.

Had an F150 that looked better off, no noticeable damage past the front tires, but it had frame damage, >$10k repair estimate, totaled. I'm no expert but like I said, my guess is >$5k to go get it done. You're looking at a bumper, hood, left and right fenders and at least one door need full replacement, and it's not a civic with thousands of bretheren, if it was just those panels alone I'd say $2k (i.e. vandalism). Maybe his standards are lower and he doesn't mind wonky fitment and mismatched paint.

Now consider the alignment looks whacked, headlight assemblies, impact sensors, basically everything in front of the motor looks effed, new airbags and whatever else isn't shown (I would guess a new radiator as well), I would be extremely surprised if it came in under $5k.

The fact that he didn't get insurance to fix it is indicative of something else shady going on as well, or maybe the guy bought it to flip (auction), got in over his head and is getting out.

Edit: hell maybe the back end is fucked too and he already fixed it half assed and is getting out while he's ahead.

[LSxJunkie]

Find an aluminum 5.3 GM truck motor, a cheap eBay turbo, and a junkyard T56 and build a drift car.

Pull it straight, cage it, call it a day.

[vh_supra26]

Maybe its the area as well. Labor is pretty cheap here in TX. I had frame work, new core support, glass headlights, hood and front bumper done for two grand. She drives pretty straight with no pulling or shaking.But back to the SC430. We acutally found used parts for a lot less. But he wants to wait and see how low the seller will go. Hoping for around $2k.