It's a 2003 touring with 45k miles (buddy got it with 10k miles on it)

Well my buddy got rear ended a few years ago in his Z and ended up having it declared totaled due to some slight frame damage and cosmetic damage (some buckling in each rear quarter panel, and rear bumper should be replaced realistically). He ended up getting a more winter friendly vehicle and planned on fixing the Z up as his finances allowed... which they never did. His loss = my gain.

So my short term goal is to get it to pass inspection and sticker'd/rebuilt title.... long term goal is to make it look perfect. (Due to funds I can't realistically make it 100% brand new right off the bat)

I took some photos of it today with the damage... any guesses on what it'll cost to fix? I figure to pass inspection it will need a frame pull and the passenger rear quarter panel fixed/replaced. (And possibly rear bumper). Hoping I can get it inspectable for ~$3-3500. Then in another 2 months i should be able to finish the job and make it look new.

Photos from today showing the damage:

 

get ready to spend some money, i got rear ended and it wasnt near that bad and it was about $3800 to repair it. i had a small buckle on the driver rear quarter. when you pull off the panels and cut the factory welds it is going to go down in value even more. i guarantee that there is alot more damage that is not visible that you will find when you tear into it

 

Not really worried about it going down in value honestly. i intend to keep it for a long time. It was more so bought as a 'toy' (to go along with my kawi zx10r). I bought it with the thought that it was money I don't intend on getting back (ie: down the road if i decided to sell). My daily driver is a Lexus ls460L.

I just dont want to put TOO much money into a 'toy'... hence the short term goal of getting it rebuilt, and long term goal of making it 'perfect' again. If i put too much into it all at once i'm NEVER gonna hear the end of it with the lady. Hah.

 

What I've learned is when frame damage is involved it will cost a lot to fix. Plus if you have the rear quarters done right they will need go cut the panels and replace. Who knows what else it needs.

Can't see what state you're in because im on mobile. But in ny at least it's hard as hell to have it pass the rebuilt inspection, you need receipts abd paperwork for everything. Not sure if you're doing the work yourself but could be anywhere from $4,000-8,000. This depends on how bad the damage underneath is and what else has to be replaced.

 

Welcome to the forum, I hope you know someone in the trade or can do the work yourself because don't think its going to be cheap.

 

Welcome to MY350Z.

 

Welcome to the forum. There have been some amazing salvage-write off repair projects on here, usually the person has the skills and access to cheap parts to fix. Keep us posted on progress.

 

Don't be too hard on yourself. Ask me how I bought an old ford fairlaine and the tranny blew in about 200 miles when i was a student with no $ and no recourse against the as-is seller. Your lesson will cost you 3 grand less parts you may sell.
Don't think you should throw good $ after bad, in my experience. Good luck.