Hi,

I'm new to the forums, and I found a used rx8 for sale. It is a 2005 Mazda RX8 GT with 18k miles with leather interior. As you can see it has damage on the passenger side.

Heres a picture.


I found a used silver colored passenger side door from a junkyard for $850. All I need to buy is a passenger side fender, and maybe few other minor things.

Let me know,
Moe

 

well, you should check for frame and suspension damage. might be why it was at the junk yard.

and ill say it before anyone else... it's the silver curse! lol

 

^................damn you

 

This car is actually owned by a dealer. (salvage reseller). He just bought the car today from an auction and will be in his posession this Friday. The car's airbags are good, and so far it doesnt really seem that bad. He will send me more pictures on Friday and more info about the car.

 

That screams salvage title, which means the insurance company totaled it out. Based on that pic I'd have to guess it was totaled due to frame damage. Unless you know what you're doing you should not buy a salvaged title car. Especially a sports car.

Carfax (or just go and ask the junkyard) to find out if that's the case.


Add windshield, front bumper (looks like something hanging by the front tire), headlight, hood, and probably a few more parts for the passenger side interior and maybe your list of "need to buy" to be safe. Then consider all that cost vs. just getting something that hasn't been totaled to decide what's best.


edit: ok, you beat me to the post - but the point still remains: Unless you know what you're doing w/cars (body work, and more) stay away.

 

^^ yea that looks like alot of damage! I dont know if I would take on that headache when you could get a 2004 6spd that hasnt been wrecked with 40k-100k miles for 10,000-15000 out the door. Im a salesman, trust me

 

^^ agree

 

Yeah, an insurance company would never total a car if all it needed was $850 worth of work. Stay away!

 

If the airbags did not deploy during the accident, I wouldn't buy that car...

 

the suspensions part are damaged, you can tell by having so much positive camber in the front!

 

Thanks for all your help.

I'm not saying it has $850 damage. Thats how much it costs to replace the door. I will ask him about the frame damage. Right now, he said that he can negotiate the price, but will try to bring him down to $6.5k.

 

Dont buy it out of impulse bc its so cheap.....Ask yourself, why is this guy selling me a wrecked RX8 for 6.5K. Just give this alot of thought and buy tylenol for the headaches.

 

IMO 8k is to much for that car unless you have connections with some local body shops.

 

Dont buy it. Only good for parts and for an extra 13b to toy with.

 

I want those rims for winter tires...

 

I dont think having connections at body shops makes 8k for that car any less rediculous.

 

I just called him right now. He confirmed that the airbags are still intact, and he also gave me the vin#. He is getting the car tomorrow, so I will be getting more details tomorrow.

If anybody can do me a favor and check the vin# for me, that would be great.

Vin#: JM1FE173450147141

Thanks,
Moe

 

Ill take the front lip -

 

I repeat: Do Not Buy That Car if the airbags did not deploy during the accident. The side impact should have set off the passenger side airbags. I would hate to see what happens if you got into another accident in it and the airbags decided again to not deploy.

 

It may have not been that bad as you all think. I will post more pictures as I get them thursday-friday. My dad knows an owner of an autobody shop, and is very good friends with them. The bodyshop owner says he can find almost all the parts used, so he said that it will probably cost him around $2,300 to repair the entire car.

If anybody can find the Carfax for the car, please let me know.
Vin#: JM1FE173450147141


Thanks

 

has the guy at the body shop seen the car in person? been under it? Or at least seen detailed pics? I dont think an insurance company would total a car over 2300$ in damage.

Look closely at the A pillar and see how badly its damaged - it may require a cut from a salvage yard.

I would agree it has suspension damage - althoug the positive camber may be an optical illusion from the fender being peeled back.

 

He just told me an estimate of how it looks from this one picture. If I wanted to repair it at a different body shop where the person is going to replace the parts with new ones, the estimate probably will be 3 times the estimate of $2300. My dads freind is doing me a favor, and can find all the parts from a local junkyard.

I will look at the A pillar after he sends me clear pictures of the damage.

You might be right about the suspension. I will tell him to take better pictures so I can see if the suspension is ok.

Thanks for your help!

 

As an insurance claims adjuster who has a lot of experience repairing vehicles, let me give you some feedback:

1. Significant pillar damage. B pillar would need replacement on a regular car, not sure what to do on an RX8. On a normal car, it would cost $1000 - $1200 for pillar replacement (they have to cut....lot of labor time), on the RX8 since the pillar is integrated into the door I'm not sure if anything more will have to be done than replace the door.

2. Rocker is repairable from the pic, but will need some repair time to it. $150 for rocker repair.

3. Obviously, r/h front door and fender need replacement. Not a good shot of the rear door, from the looks of the picture it might be repairable. Any damage to the rear door that bends at great than 90 degrees needs replacement. You will never be able to repair a bend that bad . $300 for used front door, $300 for used rear door with integrated B Pillar, $150 for used fender. 6 hours for labor, 7 hours for paint time = $800. gotta blend into the quarter, which is going to add an additional $100 bux. $1650 total.

4. From an impact that significant, there will be frame damage. Not a big deal on a unibody frame (which the rx8 is). Get it on a frame machine, and from my calculations you're looking at approximately 5 - 6 hours of frame pull. Should straighten the vehicle out well. Looking at $500 for pull.

5. There will be damage to the apron / strut tower. You need to pop open the hood to view, take a pic if possible and post it. You might be able to repair both, but it is a possibility that replacement of one or both will be required. $1000 for replacement due to welding, $300 for repair

6. The hood might need replacement as well. From the pics, it doesn't look like it's in terrible shape, but it looks like one part is pushed up. If that is in the crush zone on the hood, it's a safety issue. would need replacement. $400 new. Not going to be able to find used.

7. Suspension damage is a definite. As mentioned previously, the wheel is positive camber. That means that the strut will need replacement, as well as most likely the knuckle. Needs a new tire as well. $400 for strut, $400 for knuckle, $200 for labor. $1000 total.

8. Front bumper cover needs replacement, according to the picture. Looks like part of it is peeled back. Not repairable. $200 aftermarket, if available. Call Keystone, they're the best and guarantee fitment.

9. New Windshield: $400 from Safe-Lite.

That's what can be seen.

No way in the world this is only going to cost you $2300. How much is this guy going to charge you for hourly labor rates? My calculation, this will cost you between $5,000 - $6,000 or more if you were going with insurance hourly rates ($45 - $50 per hour). If he's going to charge you the usual $80 / hour that regular people pay, you're looking at around $8,000

Gotta remember, too, that if an insurance company totalled it out there has to be a ton of hidden damage that can't be seen. My calculations equal about $5,000, no way in the world an insurance company would total an RX8 for that much, as they are worth no less than $15,000. Must be much more that can't be seen with the picture you've taken.

 

Plus, since it was salvaged, the vehicle could end up being worth as much or less than you paid for it, seeing as it has been in a very significant accident.

 

IMO to repair that much damage properly, it will cost at least 10 grand at a good body shop.