sounds like YOU want to buy it.....

i wouldnt....would shop more and wait...look outside your area, etc. its really easy (at least it was for me) to get caught up in the excitement of purchasing one of these, especially if all else is perfect with the car.... but dont you think you will always have this imperfection in the back of your mind?

unless it was just a fender bender (sounds like it wasnt) i would wait....

and by the way, unless you were standing there when they fixed it, probably hard to know just how perfect, OEM, specialist, etc... everyone says that about their repair work you know...

 

I bought a damaged 97 993 Cab last year. I had the front tub replaced, the front left suspension replaced, the front bumper replaced, the front left fender replaced and the driver’s door replaced. The car has a salvaged title. I have used the body shop for other projects and their work is first class. When done I saved in the area of 33 to 40 percent. I believe that the resale value of the car is a least 40 percent less than that of a non salvaged car and only to the right buyer. Most folks would not want a salvage titled 993. This fact does not concern me as I plan on keeping the car for many years. If you plan on selling the car in a few years, don't do it. If you don't know the body shop, don't do it. If you have reservations, don't do. I am glad I did it.

 

I'd never buy a damaged car like that but that's just me. Damaged cars are never the same again, period.

 

Agree with the above caveats, UNLESS I were trying to buy a track-only car. You could use the accident repair to leverage the price down, well below market value, and get a real gem of a track car, assuming you trust the bodywork, of course. Barring that, I'd never buy a car in which damage went beyond the cosmetic stage.

Edward

 

I wouldn't buy it at all...

 

im certified in autobody and appraisal...

an accident vehicle typically goes for at least 10-20% below similar non accident vehicles. as we approach more expensive vehicles that number increases. if your going to buy a 993 why try to cut corners on initail investment. trust me, unless you know what you're doing and doing it yourself...

this is from a guy who would buy accident vehicles all day long. the hit you describe is the BIG NO-NO for me. its exponentiially more difficult to pull that than any other hit.

look at it like this, if the metal tacos (to any degree) and you pull it,its already shrunk. its not gonna pull to 100% its original length, at best off by a few mm. if you resretch it, you've stressed the metal. the 'right way' (if i would even bother) is to cut out the entire damage section and replace it...

AND! the entire unibody is one unit (obviously) an inward impact from the drivers door can bend things from the outter corners of the passenger side.

if it were a frontal hit. i'd get it. if it were a rear hit, i'd want to look at it first. if it were 't' side impacts. i'd pass....

but thats just me

EDIT: oh, and unless the body shop guy is like a brother to you 'repaired just like factory' can take on so many loose meanings....it probably wont get special treatment from a typical bodyshop in it for money.

all cars are out on a 'frame machine' do the pull, undercoat and fill the seams. paint and polish it 'just like factory'...oh, but so what if it was just a few mm off, whats the big deal? its an accident vehicle, those nuts know what theyre buying...

DONT BE A NUT!

 

A good body shop and a good welder can do wonders. This is a 2002 Passat GLX I am rebuilding for one of my daughters. The work I had done on my 993 was not as extensive.

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I brought up the question since my 993 was hit in the front by a van (during a police chase). The accident only "hit" the front left fender, bumper, and touched the hood while missing the front wheel, but hitting hard enough to cause the right front fender to bend near the passenger door. The insurance company is still working the estimate since it needs to be torn down to determine the full extent of the damage. My guess is that it is not totaled unless I press for the insurance company for the reality that I am left with - a car that is worth substantially less than it was pre-accident.

Any additional thoughts or advice?

 

Because of your concerns I would push for the insurance company to total it.

 

The term you want to use with the insurance company is "Diminished Value". Truly the value of your car is now greatly diminished. This will put them on notice that you are seeking monetary compensation beyond the actual repairs. They may, at this point, offer you a cash settlement.
Keep in mind, the car you had, pre-accident, no longer exists!

Best of luck.

 

I wouldn't buy it.

 

The day you buy you become a future seller !

Pass on it.

 

If it were a track car only would I buy it. The uncertainty of the repair/ damage would make me crazy wondering what actually happened if it were to be a driver.

just my .02

mike

 

Ok, this has me wondering since I had a good crash on Sat. I took it to Euro Pros, who I hear are just miracle workers and second to none. I have no doubt my car will look better after the accident than before, and it was almost concourse before. I don't think I will ever want to sell my 993, but I do wonder about loss in value. I have track insurance to $45k with a $6k deductible. So I'm definitely $6k out of pocket on this one. At what point would the track insur. decide to total the car, cut me a check for $39k and part the car out?

 

Hmm.. I've always bought on condition - and if a repair is done correctly then I don't see any reason not to trust it.

Value would only be marginally affected for me.