I'm looking to buy this 95' 5 speed SE, but the guy got in an accident. It needs a new bumper, fender and some other little stuff. It would cost about $2,000. But it also said on the estimate "re-align unibody right-front," and the guy at this auto body shop said this means it has frame damage. I've seen the car, and it doesn't look that bad. But it kind of worries me... isn't it harder to sell a car if it has frame damage? Just wondering what you all think about this frame damage stuff. I'm thinking I should ask for even less because of this.

 

Honestly you should stay away form the car.

bent cars ar just no fun.

First of all who sais that the rear parts of the car are no longer straight? if this guy had a side hit then the fram is most likely out of square. (think of the frame as a rectangle if you squash one conrer, all the corners are deformed).

Re-alignment is never done right, it would take too much time and some would argue that due to quantum mechanics is impossible.

With body alignment problems you are looking at premature wear on tires and other suspention parts. Then when you want to sell the car and you tell the guy it was in a smash then you get the risk of selling him that problem.

Don't touch it. Wait for a straight one.

 

Bent frames are seriously bad news, you'd be best of waiting.

 

I agree, re-aligning a frame is almost impossible and besides the wear on the car, none of the seams will ever look right.

 

Thanks for the feedback. The only thing why I am pursuing this at all is because I can get it a lot cheaper. I really want a 95 5 speed SE with decent miles, but around Orlando they don't have any in my price range (which is about 8,000). I will take it to a body shop that I know, and I'll ask their opinion too. That sound good?

 

That good enough?

You have 3 people who said 'don't touch the car' and you still want to get it.

I completely understand the desire to get a car, especially one you WANT. Trust us, wait!