Is a crashed NSX = a definite deal off?

[Ash]

I was going to buy a NSX from a dealer in Germany, but when I asked him about it, he told me it had been in an accident.
I don't know much about the accident yet, the only thing I know is that both airbags had been blown.
The car has been repaired at Honda for about $20.000.
I don't know if this was to bring the car back in shape or if it simply became that much money because the car was in really bad shape.
I'm going to get a list of the repairs made to the car in a day or two, but I want to hear what you guys think about this.

Normally it's a bad idea to buy a crashed car, but it has been repaired at a honda dealer that is used to the NSX and as far as I've figured out they're also used to Honda related F1-cars. But I'not really sure about that yet.

 

[Trond]

Hi, Ash.

With 2 airbags blown, we can presuppose some kind of front crash.
$ 20.000.- is really not that much for a NSX repair in Germany. 2 front fenders alone equals close to $ 5.000.- Complete front bumper close to $ 2.000.- Hood ?? 2 airbags ??$$ and so on...

This car comes from Autohaus Fugel, or ??

I have imported 3 NSX's to Norway, and I guess 50% of the cars we've called on in Germany, have been in some kind of crash.

Check out the documentation on the repair. What parts are changed etc. Then inspect the car visually to check that everything lines up perfectly in the damaged/repaired area.
Accept nothing less than a 100% successful repair.

Trond.

------------------
92 Honda NSX, Style Auto body kit (fully repainted incl. roof), Bilstein/Comptech suspension, RH AL 8x18/10x19'' rims with 225/40 & 275/30 Yokohama AVS Sport, RM Racing air inlet/exhaust/gearknob, Comptech cat. pipes, Cantrell CF engine cover, Taitec CF mirrors, AP Racing 330mm brake kit (f&r), SoS sway bars, Taitec hub, SoS CF brake air ducts, Momo steering wheel, DC Sports headers.

 

[Ash]

Hi Trond

Yes, the car has been front crashed.
The total amount of money for the repairs is 23.000 Euro, but I know parts to the NSX is expensive so that really doesn't tell much.

The car is from Autohaus Fugel, do you know anything about them? Reliability etc...

It's a yellow NSX Coupe-97, 53.000km and the price is about 47-48.000 Euro.
The car has been modified with Mugen Exhaust, Final muffler and Thread Chassis (I guess that's the suspension..?)
So it offers a great deal, but it all depends on how badly damaged the car was, and how good it's been repaired.

The main fear I have is if the car will handle differently due to some twisting in the chassi, don't know if I got that right, but I hope you understand what I mean.

 

[Gerard van Santen]

Originally posted by Ash:
Hi Trond

Yes, the car has been front crashed.
The total amount of money for the repairs is 23.000 Euro, but I know parts to the NSX is expensive so that really doesn't tell much.

The car is from Autohaus Fugel, do you know anything about them? Reliability etc...

It's a yellow NSX Coupe-97, 53.000km and the price is about 47-48.000 Euro.
The car has been modified with Mugen Exhaust, Final muffler and Thread Chassis (I guess that's the suspension..?)
So it offers a great deal, but it all depends on how badly damaged the car was, and how good it's been repaired.

The main fear I have is if the car will handle differently due to some twisting in the chassi, don't know if I got that right, but I hope you understand what I mean.

I think I know this car. It is probably the former NSX of Jean-Claude Zucker (president of the NSX Sportcars Club). I has, if it is the right car, been repainted from original red to yellow. I know Jean-Claude had an accident in the wet in Swiss last year.

Gerard

 

[Ash]

Hi Gerard

Thanks for the info.
The car doesn't have german plates, and it has been completely repainted.

If this is the car, witch should be pretty easy to check, do you know anything else about it..?

/Christoffer

 

[Ash]

lol, it should've been which... =)

 

[Gerard van Santen]

Originally posted by Ash:
Hi Gerard

Thanks for the info.
The car doesn't have german plates, and it has been completely repainted.

If this is the car, witch should be pretty easy to check, do you know anything else about it..?

/Christoffer

Hi Christoffer,

If it is the car I know, it is a Swiss NSX and maintained by Honda Zwitzerland. It is also used in the NSX Trophy in the Modified Leage.
As far as I know the car was alright and well maintained before the accident.
If I were you I should check if there is more than front damage only.

Gerard

 

[the nsxnut]

colleagues, FYI, I drive an NSX that had front end damage 2 years ago. It was perfectly restored by a Honda dealer also, and it has no residual problems. Runs like new, I am very glad I got it fixed. If done carefully, it is very possible to restore a wrecked NSX to 'like new' condition, esp. if by a Honda dealer.

 

[Ash]

Thanks for the info Gerard, I'm still waiting on the details of the damage on the car though, hopefully I'll get the info I need from there.

And NSXnut, thanks for the info on your car.
Hopefully this one have been repaired just as thoroughly.

/Christoffer

 

[Ash]

Gerard

Could you fill me in on a few details about how the painting were done, what parts where new and so on..?

/Christoffer

 

[Trond]

Hi, Ash.

Sorry for not posting in a couple of days.

Autohaus Fugel is one of the biggest Honda dealers in Germany to my knowledge. They are one of very few dealers that normally stocks cars like NSX & Integra's. They often buy crashed NSX's and make the repair before selling. If that's what happened to this car, I would not be afraid of buying it, because they should be one of the most qualified dealers in Germany to do such work.

I've imported one NSX repainted from red to black. It was not the quality you're looking for. Repainting to another colour requires a LOT of work and skill, and most who do this, take shortcuts.

I suggest you check out that the car is 100% yellow (not 99,9%), and that the neccessary time/money was put into the cars repaint.

If both repair and repaint are a 100%, I would seriously consider the car. If not, walk away from the deal.

Trond.

 

[Gerard van Santen]

Originally posted by Ash:
Gerard

Could you fill me in on a few details about how the painting were done, what parts where new and so on..?

/Christoffer

Hi Christoffer,

I have seen the car in Monza 2 months ago. The car seemed to be alright. Fugel himself drove the car to Italy.

I don't know which parts are new.

I myself had a big collision with my standard NSX two years ago. I had a lot of front damage for a total cost of 37000 EURO. The car is perfectly repaired and completely repainted with the original color formula. It looked like new.

I have driven more then 15000 miles without any problems since the accident.

So if it is a good repair and it looks like it, there should't be any problem. But you have to look for yourself and at least drive with the car before you decide.

Gerard

 

[Ash]

Thank you Trond and Gerard for your help in this matter.

I've spoken with Jean-Claude today and it is his old car, the car suffered no twisting of the body in the accident, but both front and rear body parts had to be replaced.
The accident happened on a very bad road under wet conditions and the car rotated hitting both front and back in the barrier.
The sides of the car were not damaged though

Because of the high price to replace the bodyparts, the insurance company determined it was beyond repair, and so let him buy back the car and sell it to a honda dealer, in this case Fugle. They repaired the car to a much lower cost since they are a certified Honda dealer.

Jean-Claude also assured me that the car is in great condition and at the price they ask, it's a sure deal.

/Christoffer