Buying a 911 from a dealer that was in a minor accident
10-11-2014, 12:36 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
As tempting as it may be to get what seems like a good value, I would pass on it. A friend of mine has a 997.2 Carrera S. He bought the car CPO with low miles, and got a good deal on it. Enjoyed it for three years or so, and now wants to sell it. Should be able to get most of his money back during the resale. Unfortunately, someone hit him a couple of years ago, requiring a decent amount of front-end repair work. Now with the Carfax history, the car is like a leper. He can't get rid of it.
Ironically, he was in his almost-new daily driver BMW 335i recently when he got caught in a deluge on the way to work. He pulled off of the highway into a parking lot to let the heavy rain pass (conditions were terrible), and drove right into a huge puddle, causing hydrolock and blowing the engine. BMW was declared a total loss. His first thought? "Why couldn't I have been in the 911 now?" Although the 911 would have probably required electrical system flooding/damage to be considered a total loss...
Ironically, he was in his almost-new daily driver BMW 335i recently when he got caught in a deluge on the way to work. He pulled off of the highway into a parking lot to let the heavy rain pass (conditions were terrible), and drove right into a huge puddle, causing hydrolock and blowing the engine. BMW was declared a total loss. His first thought? "Why couldn't I have been in the 911 now?" Although the 911 would have probably required electrical system flooding/damage to be considered a total loss...
10-11-2014, 03:02 PM
#17
I'm with this. I totally believe crash damage can be fixed to like new or better than new condition by a quality body shop BUT most buyers later will be freaked out by any past history.
If the price is right and you're not worried about if or when you'll resell it, go for it.
PS: Although not in the market for one at the time, a local used dealer had a 997GT3 a couple of years ago priced $20K lower than any other similar cars around. It had been in a front end collision, everything was well documented and the work was impeccable....but that poor car sat for months before finding the right buyer who could appreciate the bargain he was getting.
If the price is right and you're not worried about if or when you'll resell it, go for it.
PS: Although not in the market for one at the time, a local used dealer had a 997GT3 a couple of years ago priced $20K lower than any other similar cars around. It had been in a front end collision, everything was well documented and the work was impeccable....but that poor car sat for months before finding the right buyer who could appreciate the bargain he was getting.
So to me the target buyer would be someone who has to have a GT3 but doesn't have the funds to buy one in pristine condition.
10-11-2014, 03:54 PM
#18
Drifting
Front fender, wheel, and strut replaced doesn't sound minor to me.
