Any autobody guys.....what's this repairable worth?

[BigAir]

I came across a wrecked car that I am interested in buying and am wondering if there is any autobody guys on here that can tell me what a fair price would be for it. I live in MT and the car is in SLC, so I have nothing to go on besides the pictures. The car can be viewed at:

http://www.getwwa.com/vehicle_details/3572/SUBARU/IMPREZA

The car was in a light rollover, but according to the seller suffered no mechanical or frame damage. It is suppose to still run and drive fine. I have a buddy that lives in SLC that was going to go check the car out for me, but he severely broke his leg over the weekend practicing motocross. I would likely not fix all the body damage. I am just looking for a good, cheap commuter car, to save putting miles on my truck. I would probably replace the front fender and maybe the rear quarter, so the car looked half decent. What do you guys think, is this car worth buying or am I just asking for trouble?

 

[SafetyBob]

Be careful, they didnt say anything about the transmission. If there isnt a lot of damage then why didnt the owner fix? Also the car is black, making it very difficult to see if the frame is tweaked. I wouldnt buy unless you could see the car in person, seems to good to be true. Used to own a Transmission Repair Business i have seen how dishonest people are when trying to sell a wrecked , or broken car.

 

[Gaz]

I'm not an autobody guy but here is a run down of numbers. Autobody guys feel free to correct me on the costs:

Car: $4995
Sheet Metal: $500 (est for 2 fenders)
Misc: $500 (radio, tires, head lamps, etc)
Total: $5995+

I'm all about finding a cheap commuter and getting your money out of it but I think that $6K is a little high. There are literally thousands of cars out there that run great and still have ALOT of miles left in them for less than half the cost of this one. Do some more checking on this one and look around at what you can get in your area for the same cost. I think you'll be surprised. Hope this helps.

 

[SafetyBob]

I'm not an autobody guy but here is a run down of numbers. Autobody guys feel free to correct me on the costs:

Car: $4995
Sheet Metal: $500 (est for 2 fenders)
Misc: $500 (radio, tires, head lamps, etc)
Total: $5995+

I'm all about finding a cheap commuter and getting your money out of it but I think that $6K is a little high. There are literally thousands of cars out there that run great and still have ALOT of miles left in them for less than half the cost of this one. Do some more checking on this one and look around at what you can get in your area for the same cost. I think you'll be surprised. Hope this helps.

What he said times two!!! Not to mention the car is in Utah right??? Is it driveable? IF not how much money in gas to get it to MT????

 

[BigAir]

Thanks for the input so far. I know that I could find a very nice car for less money, but I have two requirements for any car before I will consider it. It has to have AWD. I use to own an AWD Eagle Talon and know how well AWD works on snowy, icy roads. Maybe FWD wouldn't be bad, but I have never driven one. I also want the car to have a turbo, because I want a semi-fast car. Those requirements (AWD, turbo) narrow the field of potential cars a lot.

 

[SafetyBob]

Thanks for the input so far. I know that I could find a very nice car for less money, but I have two requirements for any car before I will consider it. It has to have AWD. I use to own an AWD Eagle Talon and know how well AWD works on snowy, icy roads. Maybe FWD wouldn't be bad, but I have never driven one. I also want the car to have a turbo, because I want a semi-fast car. Those requirements (AWD, turbo) narrow the field of potential cars a lot.

Hey ya coulda said that to begin with. And yes it does limit your choices, what is your price range? I will look around Idaho Falls, do believe i have seen a few for sale. Fun cars i have raced against a couple. If you would prefer pm me price info. Thanks.

 

[Gaz]

Sounds like you have a very specific idea of what you are after...which can be both good and bad. Good for the fact that you know exactly what you want...bad for the fact that what you are after is not really a 'commuter car' per say. The only difference with the car you are looking at is the breakeven is a little longer. I still say look at something that hasn't been wrecked.

~Gaz

 

[Himark]

Dont know the value of that car with no damage??? But I do or used to be a large rebuilder wholesale dealer. I have purchased and sold alot of cars and seen ALOT go through the sale.

Rule #1 In selling builders to people as a seller, NEVER "spoof" "pull" or otherwise change the original wreck.

This is a SURE sign of more extreme damage that on the outside may look repairable with new skins etc. but only to find collapsed innerstructure, floor kinks etc.
This car has had roof pushed back up, qtr has been pulled all this to disquise the real damage. I for one wouldnt trust that seller one bit and would want to lay a pair of eyes on that thing before proceeding.

 

[BigAir]

Himark, thanks for the experienced opinion. That's what I was looking for, since I have no experience with wrecked cars. There is a very similar (same year, and almost identical miles) car for sale locally for $15,000. KBB Suggested Retail Value Range: $10,200-$14,850. Sounds like I might be better off staying away from this car.

 

[sledneck84]

wouldn't be scared of it one bit. Door gaps are good,radiator support is straight from what i can see. Just by looking at the damage it didn't roll hard enough to do any structural damage. I buy builders off the net on private insurance auctions all the time so i kinda have an eye for it. Own a bodyshop that's why i buy em, fix em,sell em. Obviously i can't be 100%without inspecting upclose but as i said,i wouldn't be scared of it. The reason it's totaled is because pretty much every panel needs repaired and it's not a high dollar car. It would cost prolly 70% of value to bring back to pre-accident condition, insurance won't do it. If ya want an estimateon certain repairs PM me and i can help ya out.