Hey guys, I need your opinion on a project. Something in the back of my mind tells me that I'm gonna be grilled royally by you guys. But I don't mind giving it a shot anyways.

I've got a friend who runs a used car business and gets accidented cars. Lately he's gotten his hands on an 07 TL-S and he's willing to sell it to me for $14K. What do you think? Because of the nature of the damage, Is it worth fixing up?

WARNING!! those of you who are weak of heart, the pictures I'm about to show you will be disturbing. Especially since you all love your TLs.

 

Ouch..... It isn't a salvage right?

 

Yup, it's a salvage

 

Even spending 10 - 15k on that car, it would never drive the same. There's probably some major frame tweakage ... I'd just settle for a car that hasn't been in an accident .

 

Get it for a little less.. 14 k is too much considering it has a salvage title and you have to repair quite a bit.. New headlights, Bumper, Air bag... The upper side pannel. Probably a lot of electrical stuff..

A guy in black market is selling a 2004 s2000 14k miles on it for 15K?.. It is all repaired...

How many miles does this one have?

 

If it was just some fenders and things to replace, then I'd certainly say it was worth it. However, it looks like there's a fair amount of structural damage...can't tell if the suspension is a mess as well (it probably is). I'm not sure that car's ever going to be the same again. Pretty risky, if you ask me.

 

yes, if you can do the work yourself and keep car for life (resale will suck)

imo the only way it would be worth it is if you found one hit bad from the rear, and put each good side together. acura parts are pretty pricey (unless you work at dealer also). as you rebuild, you discover more broken parts; which start adding up, and its almost always expensive ones. even if fixed, car will never be the same. dam, it kinda looks like the engine is slammed into the firewall...

 

Save your money bro

 

in all honesty, I would pay at max 10k for it. If you wanted, I am sure that people would love to buy parts off the car from you, 600 for rims, 200 for tail lights, 200 for suspension, etc. and you might make some money off it.

 

Yeah, I was thinking the damage was a lil too much, but considering how I've seen some cars brough back to life. I figure maybe this one could turn out as well. My friend had rebuilt a Maxima, although that one was hit from behind. But you're right, considering it's a TYPE-S. The handling is definately not gonna be the same.

 

It's got 10k miles

 

I think the front end is pretty well crumpled.

I think NO! but have it checked by a professional body man. I think that if the front suspension got bent out of shape, it will be almost impossible to fix.

There is a reason it is a salvage job. (Parts only)

 

Frame, suspension and engine damage = it was totaled. The insurance company with all of their connections decided it's not worth fixing. That means car + repairs cost more than market value after repairs. Do you know something that they don't?

 

Hmm....maybe there's a misunderstanding on my end. Isn't a salvage job when the car is damaged but still roadworthy?

 

 

Whoever driven that TL-S better not be on this board. I'm sure lot of people want to kick his ass for being such a careless driver.

 

why presume it was the owner's fault? maybe there was an at-fault (other) driver that caused the accident?

 

+1

 

id buy the rear bumper and exhaust lol

 

I would not do it....

It looks like it could have push things way out of alignment.... look at first picture.. it took off the side 'splash' panel... and it looks like there is a dent at the back door in the fender... how did that get there?

It you could get it for less than half that price, then maybe...

BTW, if you really want it, just ask where it will be auctioned and go bid on it.. you will then find out the real price..

 

Hook me up with the tails

 

bro just save ur money dont do it

 

well that was easy enough. i won't bother doing anything then. i guess there was a lil part of me that was hoping I could make something good come out of that car

 

If you have skills or a contact that does and know what parts/repairs cost, it may be possible. A dose of luck and a carefree attitude along with disposable cash and lots of time would also help, otherwise

I would rather buy one without accident with high miles personally.

 

is he selling his wheels? lol

 

If you get it for $7K it might be worth the rebuild. All this talk about it won't drive the same is IF you get it done right at a reputable shop. Body shops these days can perform miracles with the latest equipment. I would have it looked at by a professional (or two) body shop and have them give you their opinion. (Note: DON'T USE YOUR FRIEND'S BODY SHOP) Most used car lots that buy wrecked cars and have them repaired to sell use body shops that cut corners left and right. THOSE kinds of cars never drive the same.

 

i say no. if wanting to get a TL-S for 14k and the cost for rebuild... i say just use that money and go out and get a new TL-S...

 

If you have all the equipment and tools, along with the knowledge to do the repair yourself, it's worth the effort, but it sounds as though you're looking to have someone else do the work. If that's the case, the small savings wouldn't be worth the effort. Check to see how much the estimate of repairs might be, then make a decision. Resale will be down the drain as the car will have a salvage title.

A friend of mine purchased a new Boxster, 1,200 miles with $27,000 worth of damage. As he has his own shop, did the job and the car is as good as new and now his brother uses the car.

 

I agree...Hey if you can get it for about 1/2 what he asked...you could make out ok in parts. The mirrors, seats, navi system, carpet mats, interior trim, spare tire, trunk trim, trunk lid, spoiler, rear bumper, possibly the doors, brembo brakes, steering wheel, side marker lights, etc could net you a decent profit. But you'd need a place to keep the carcass while you tear it apart, then you'd have to ship it all. Also it would probably take a year or more to unload all those parts, and when you're done you'd need to have what's left hauled away.

BIG, long term project!

 

NO, STAY AWAY... If you spend LOTS of $$$ on it, and it drives like shit, GOOD LUCK

selling it. RESALE will be DOGGY DOO DOO. ALL accidents are NOW ON RECORD....

 

 

what are you talking about the guy posted pics on the front page..

 

it's a wrap, RIP... Save you money...

 

Give it a year or two (or until the 09 comes out) and buy a used TLS......by then you should be able to score a good deal on one.

 

In a word, NO!!!

 

It does seem like the TL hit another car really hard, that's why there so much damage to it. So in order for that to happen, the car being hit must have slowed down a lot in order for the TL to be fast enough in order to cause that much damage. That means the driver of the TL did not react fast enough to slow down. So it's partially his fault too.

 

I apologize to the OP for going way OT here but....let me give you an accident scenario that I had about 1.5 years ago. I was travling southbound on a two lane road. There was two cars coming in the opposite direction i.e. oncoming traffic. I was traveling about 40mph. The first car approaching me suddenly made a right turn and the car behind the first car swerved right in front of me to avoid a rear end collision. Within seconds, I t-boned the car that swerved in front of me going 40mph. I had a 4Runner and the other driver had a minivan. The minivan's passenger side was pushed in. My SUV was totalled, the front end was gone. The LEO rightfully gave the minivan driver the ticket.
Taking your logic, does that mean that because my SUV was totalled that I didn't react in time ( within seconds) when I hit him at 40mph? That I am partially at fault because I t-boned someone that recklessly swerved in my lane of traffic?

I ask again- without knowing the true facts and circumstances, why presume it was the TL owner's fault?

Sorry for the rant people.

 

It really has nothing to do who was at fault... but honestly... Look at the chassis arms... jesus christ... not worth it, if you've got 14k why not go to Lotus dealer and pickout a nice Exige or Elise and drive off the lot paying $450 a month

ps. these days cars are like springs to protect the driver... safe car equals major damage to the front...

15mph crash into the door pillar of a mercedes suv (no engine damage, the only thing was the chassis arms - total loss)

 

take the 14k and go make a downpayment on a new TLS =)
that means u have 60% left to pay

 

+1....dont spend 14k on a salvaged car..even if you spent money fixing it, it will always end up having some type of problems, dont buy someone else's headache its not worth it. take that 14k and spend it wisely. If i were you id prob put a down payment of lets say 5k on a brand new 08/09 TL-S and use the other 9k to pay off the monthly payments