Slightly damaged NSX. Can it be fixed easily? (encl. Image.)

[BITeR]

Doesn't look too bad. Assuming the frame is not bent, is this a possible dream car for me if I fix it? It will sell for about 10-12 000 dollars less than normal. Price for parts?
I should be able to do most of the work myself except for the painting.

 

[Bobby C 01TA]

new fender/possibly new hood..new bumper..maybe new headlight lid.. ouch lol.. I would say atleast around 6k-10k for a good job

 

[NetViper]

The fender is $1000 bucks, the hood is like $1300. I don't know about the bumper. I would thinkg about this one. With a good paint job on there, I don't think you will come out too much ahead.

 

[Joel]

Assuming that there are no parts dented in the interior, new fender and a new bumper + paint. Hood looks okay from that angle.

Easy fix. And Bob's estimate is about right.

Just be glad it wasn't the rear.

 

[Jimbo]

With all the people putting on body-headlight kits you might even be able to find a red painted fender and bumper cover for sale.

-Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
1976 Honda Accord 5 spd, 3 door Blue/Blue
1977 Honda Accord - Custom - Under Construction
1986 Chevy Suburban
http://homepage.mac.com/jimanders/PhotoAlbum1.html

 

[ak]

I would check out the front right suspension components also since the impact probably hit the wheel also.

 

[MYNSX]

Originally posted by NetViper:
The fender is $1000 bucks, the hood is like $1300. I don't know about the bumper. I would thinkg about this one. With a good paint job on there, I don't think you will come out too much ahead.

Unless of course you find any of these parts pre-owned.I just sold a hood 500.00
and front fender for 475.00
Both were perfect condition.
I'd search that way and then reshoot(paint )the entire front clip.This will also help uniformity of color match/blending.Being that will eliminate all rock chips on the nose and 3m stone guard the entire front end and you'll never have to mess w/ stone chips ect.for the life of the car.The stone guard comes w/ a 1200.00 guarentee against future damage.
Assuming you dont hit a semi.... WWW.MYNSX.COM

 

[tunapie]

If your take yout time you can find the front end parts for a good price (might even find red). But do not skimp on the paint. Try to find a good painter that can color match otherwise they will end up BLENDING the whole front end just to match the fender and bumper. The real test for a paint match is under bright lighting at night. Like at the gas station. The bumper looks like it can be re-worked, about $350. Good luck!

 

[LJSB]

Looks like a easy fix if you are familiar with collision repair.
Since there is no frame on this car you must be referring to the alignment of the unibody control points and it looks like there maybe some sway/sag but not very much, at least not from this angle.
For me the repair cost plus vehicle cost would have to come to no more than 75-80% of retail to make it worth the effort.
You're in Europe I see. Does this accident affect the paper work on this vehicle? Is it branded in any way that would diminish it's resale value ie. "salvage papers" as we call them in the states?
Joe

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by pbassjo:
For me the repair cost plus vehicle cost would have to come to no more than 75-80% of retail to make it worth the effort.

I agree. Because if it's going to cost you closer than that to market value, then it's not worth the risks of fixing a damaged car; you'd be better off getting one that isn't in this condition.

And, if the above estimates are correct, you are only going to save perhaps $2-4K once you pay for the repair. Which doesn't put you into that 75-80 percent range. I wouldn't do it...

(Keep in mind too that the current owner has probably already concluded that it's not worth repairing, and is hoping to find a buyer who is not as good at math as he is.)

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 24 October 2002).]

 

[BostonNSX]

I dun think buying a damaged car to fix it is a good idea. you will never know what the future of it will be like. maybe some more related parts are damaged? making noises? its gonna take time a money to do a good job again.

I think for NSX you should get the perfect car ( or closest to ) as possbile.

To be able to own an NSX I dont think you should hestitate a 4-12k to get a damaged NSX. Get a perfect one, or at least a REPAIRED. There must be a reason that the last owner didnt repair it.

And NSX for me is more than a car. Its like my wife, you dont want to get a ugly wife and pay 12k to do a perfect job plastic surgery to make her a pretty wife right? same thing..on NSX

------------------
the art of chasing down my friend's white 3000gt at com. ave


NSXCA # 1690 "Sabrina"

 

[PHOEN$X]

Originally posted by MYNSX:
and 3m stone guard the entire front end and you'll never have to mess w/ stone chips ect.for the life of the car.The stone guard comes w/ a 1200.00 guarentee against future damage.

Bill, who did the stone guard installation for you? I'm looking into this, and want to talk to a local shop/detailer about it. Thanks.

 

[SCS2k]

Originally posted by PHOEN$X:
Bill, who did the stone guard installation for you? I'm looking into this, and want to talk to a local shop/detailer about it. Thanks.

Don't count on that warranty. I had that garbage on my headlights. When they were ruined (with Ston Gard in place) they refused to repair or replace them. The product is as worthless as their warranty and they won't stand behind either one.



[This message has been edited by SCS2k (edited 24 October 2002).]

 

[ChopsJazz]

I did almost this exact fix on my '91 after I tagged a car. The total bill came to $4K.

 

[BITeR]

Yes I'm in Europe.
No frame?? I thought I had read everything about the NSX, but this is news to me. So what holds the car together then? The body panels? If the unibody control points at off alignment, is that possible to fix. Salvage papers will not be an issue I think as I will import to another country. An besides that, this damage probably would not be considered "salvage" here because of the relatively small damage.

 

[BITeR]

There seemes to be arguments both for and against fixing it.

I agree that the best thing would be to get one in perfect condition, but a low milage car like this one (34 000 miles) in perfect condition would be a lot more expensive.
I would not have considered fixing this car if it was a 90 000 mile car and otherwise in ok condition, but this car appears to be in great condition except for that damage.

What worries me is if it will/can be fixed to perfect condition?

I have a fair idea now how much it costs now, thanks for all the input. Used parts would be the way to go, and people have offered me parts already.

If it can be put together to be 100%, then it's all a money question. Maybe I can get a bargin and negotiate a fe grand. Then I'd get this car for around 15-16000 dollars, add 5k for repairs and I'd have a 34 000 miles NSX for 20-21k!! Isn't that tempting??

 

[gheba_nsx]

20-21k$? Go for it...

Come on people, it is a small damage (if the structure is ok) so where is the issue?

 

[LJSB]

Originally posted by BITeR:
Yes I'm in Europe.
Q. No frame?? So what holds the car together then?

Ans. The inner structure of the vehicle, floor,rails,apron,sidemembers, non bolted items, are welded/bonded together and makes a unit,hence the term unibody. Even the front windshield is part of the unibody.
A frame is a different construction method. It's like a steel ladder laying on the ground that you bolt all the parts to.
There are hardly any cars being made today that have traditional frames. Trucks,SUV etc. have frames but the bodies bolted to them are mostly of unit construction.

Q. If the unibody control points at off alignment, is that possible to fix.

ANS:Yes. Sometimes it includes replacement of sections of the inner structure but judging from the photo of the car in question it is doubtful that you will need that.
Joe

 

[MvM]

BITeR

You found the car in Germany (www.mobile.de)?
Other than the damage car you would have to take a good look at the state of the car in general. Fast cars in Germany tend to have been driven fast. In de FAQ there is a check-list of items you should check before buying the car. Ask for the service manuals, ask for the timing belt etc. I find it a bit surprising that someone puts an add for this car and then only leaves a telephone-number. If the car is still privately owned (looks like it), ask him how long he's had it. If you can, go over there and take a look. If possible, bring someone along who's knows the NSX. I bought my NSX from Germany as well (at a Honda dealer) and had it checked by the Tuv.
Also, don't forget to check for transport and taxes.
One more thing, the car is an Acura NSX, so it's an import from the US. Ask for the VIN and post it here on prime. Maybe someone else can tell you about it's history.

Good luck !

 

[MvM]

One more thing.
You might want to post in the Europe-forum as well. You never know who will read the post.

 

[BITeR]

Man I hate buying an NSX, seemes I'll never find my car...

I saw that the car was a "US -Acura NSX" (on mobile.de) but it doesn't look like one becaue he has the headlight washer thing on the bumper. A trip would be nice, but it will also be very costly to fly down to Germany once a month. Germans drive it hard, maybe, but a little 200 km/h ++ doesn't hust the car as much as puddeling around town.

F%&¤k it, I'll just get a new civic or something and be miserable for the rest of my life.
(5 years an still waiting.....aaaahhhhhrrrggg, have all the money in cash and everything...)

 

[BITeR]

How do you "repost" in another forum without just putting a link there?

 

[MvM]

BITeR

Why not just post a link to this thread in the other forum. Make it something like 'searching a NSX - help needed'. Maybe you can find another NSX-owner in that neighbourhood who can check the car for you.

And don't give up on your NSX.
Many people have searched for months to find the car they wanted (4/5 in my case). Especially on older cars it's better to double check.
As the price goes down some people buy an older exotic sportscar just to show off, then find out the maintenance is still the same price and is something they cannot afford. So they wind up selling a car they could buy but not drive&maintain and the new owner winds up with things that should have been replaced a long time ago.

I don't know how much you're able to spend but just take your time. If you make the right choice you will have the drive of your life. I know I do.
Take another look at www.mobile.de. There are some other NSX-es there within the 20K-35K Euro range which look pretty good. At least you know immediately what you buy instead of having to repair the car without knowing exactly how much it will cost.

 

[MvM]

BITeR

Sorry, but I keep forgetting things.
As far as milage is concerned, don't look too much at it. The NSX is a strong car with a loooong lifetime. I bought my car with 41000km, now, six months later, it's already over 60000km. For my it might hurt a little to see the milage go up, but it doesn't make any difference to the engine.
It's better to have a good-maintained car with a high milage than a low-milage car which has been abused.
For a NSX, 60000-100000 km is nothing.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by BITeR:
Man I hate buying an NSX, seemes I'll never find my car...

I guess it's not just this side of the Atlantic where kids expect to find a $30,000 car for $20,000...