crashed Miata- how bad?

So, there is a bent Miata a couple hours from me for not that much money. The seller states that the bumper cover has rolled over the headlights, so they don't work.

I know without inspecting the car there is no way to be sure how bad the damage is, but I wanted to solicit opinions from the GRM Brain Trust regarding how bad the damage might be and if it is worth driving 2 hours with my socket set to disassemble the front to inspect it.

The car looks like it suffered a pretty bad uppercut in the picture. I have asked the seller to send some more pictures of the radiator supports and engine bay.

This will be a rallycross and "learning how to drive stick" car, so if it is repairable with a sledgehammer and junkyard parts, I'd still be interested. He is asking over $1000, I was thinking of offering $750?

Looks like it could well be a total loss depending g on how far up the structure-chain that damage goes.

$500

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/4173580580.htmlThis is what a $1200 Miata looks like around here

nicksta43 wrote: http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/4173580580.htmlThis is what a $1200 Miata looks like around here

That is because East Tennessee is full of idiots. I know, I am from there and an idiot myself.

That being said it does have the hard top.

In reply to Flight Service:

You missed the hard top sold separately bit

Brett_Murphy wrote: He is asking over $100, I was thinking of offering $750?

If he is asking for over $100 why not offer $101?

Assuming you meant $1000 in which case I would say $500.

nicksta43 wrote: In reply to Flight Service: You missed the hard top sold separately bit

I told you I was an idiot.

after actually reading the post, the car rolled down the hill and then hit the tree.

Yeah $250 would be big money. Probably not a straight panel on it and the top is probably crack as well.

I think Exocets are driving up the cost of pranged Miatas everywhere.

Unless it had hooptee stance before it looks like it has serious structural damage...looks like a good Exocet donor.

The upper core support is easy to reposition so look at it and see if the damage does down to the "frame rails". If it is just the top of the core support then just bend it back in place. I've done a few times with a chain and a tree and worked perfectly eash time

I'm currently trying to convince him to let me take off the bumper cover and fenders while I'm there.

RandyS wrote: The upper core support is easy to reposition so look at it and see if the damage does down to the "frame rails". If it is just the top of the core support then just bend it back in place. I've done a few times with a chain and a tree and worked perfectly eash time

Hold my beer, and watch this!!

I paid 750 for a 90 with damaged down the right side (whole right side) and with the #3 spark plug blown out of the head. The selling point for the car for me was some extras on it (carbon fiber trunk, after market steering wheel) plus having brand new performance front brakes and brand new tires.

This car doesn't look too bad. Obviously replace the damaged body parts you see. I straightened a radiator support on a 95 protege with a tow truck chain and a pick up. The radiator may be damaged under there too. Never a bad idea to just replace it after a decent impact so you don't overheat the motor.

I'd want to know things like how many miles, what packages are on it, how healthy the engine and tranny are. If the top doesn't leak thats a plus too. I had to replace mine and it was some good work.

You're going to need to go look at it. As long as there are no wrinkles in the chassis aft of the sway bar brackets it will be a fine rally-x car.

If the hood opens, look at the frame rails back to the shock mounts. They're intended to fold right at the mounts. But I have to say, it's not looking too bad. It went under something, the fenders don't look to be deformed.