So my friend got in an accident in his '08 Z and offered to sell it to me for $5,000. Visually the damage doesn't look too bad, but i'm afraid it may have some interior damage that can't be seen, and i'd rather not spend a fortune fixing it up. Here are the pictures:

http://imgur.com/a/tCwrp [1]

What concerns me the most is how the front left tire is straight but the front right is turned to the right. Any insight about the damage and repair cost would be much appreciated. Keep in mind this is the only real issue with the car. I'm not looking to spend over 10k total (car+repair), and the only reason i'm really considering it is because he's offering it so cheap. It's an '08 MT with about 38k miles. What do you guys think, worth the buy?

 

the things you are mention are not frame damage...that's all suspension which are easy to replace...any pics of the hulk smash in the rear? That's where my concern would be!

At 5k it would be a nice project and would not take much to get rolling!

get more pics!

 

It's pretty clean in the back for the most part, here's some more pics:
http://imgur.com/a/DXZjQ

Also, thanks for your input, i greatly appreciate it. As you can probably tell, i have zero experience whatsoever dealing with car repairs so every bit of information really helps!

 

It isn’t possible to determine the extent of damage from the photo. The panels are bent and misaligned which could indicate that a full repair is difficult.

Notice in the picture that the right front wheel appears more displaced than you would expect from the viewing the body damage. That could be that the bumper is plastic and flexible. I wouldn't buy the car.

--Spike

 

^^^

+1

In the end you'd need a body guy to really tell you what's up...it has more than 5k in damage, but to make it drive able maybe 5k can cover it if you source out used parts!

That's just replacing the front suspension pieces with new ones...

if possible I'd go get a better look at a few things...

oil pan
crash bar and it's mounting point
sway bar and it's mounting point
front under brace and it's mounts ensure the frame is still flush to it

looking again at it seems it jumped a curb and those things I mention would of taken the most damage...

 

I would jack it up and measure from some weld points from back to the suspension points on the good side and compare to the other side. If the are the same then you are good to go down below. Just suspension damage. then look over the strut tower for any flaking paint/ damage. Usually it will be fine up there unless something kills the fender. I would think it needs a knuckle, compression arm, and upper a-arm. The transverse arm should be ok might need bushings. Do all the work by yourself new bumper, used fender and door and side I would say $1000 in parts then what ever you want to spend on paint. I would say a minimum of $3000 (if quote is less than that I would turn and run). If the air bags is blown you are looking at another $1000 easily. So, if the bottom line how much work you want to do and what you want in the end. I would think it is just suspension damage. I think you could have a really clean low mileage car for around $12,000 (I really do not believe in a $3000 paint job I am to picky)

 

You got a deal.