VeroWing

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2005 V6/auto Mustang that has been(hard) hit in the driver side front. Firewall back appears to have no damage, hood is good, and engine and trans run and seem ok. Front nose, fenders, grill, radiator, ac parts, lower & upper subframe/support parts are all twisted, missing, or damaged. You can see bends in the frame, and front is kicked over towards passenger side by an inch or two. Lastly front windshield has crack from lower drivers side area, and both airbags popped.

Car has around 85000 miles, leather interior, after market wheels, and other than accident damage, looks to be in nice shape. Even paint from firewall back is nice. I am hands-on mechanical person, with decades of mechanical experience, tools, welder, compressor, etc, and just finshed replacing roof on my 1967 coupe, so I can handle most repairs. I like working on cars, and car is strictly hobby, and not for daily driver.

Guy will sell me car for $2000 cash, and I really would like to have an '05, although I would prefer a manual trans. I checked prices and it looks like this car in average condition would be between 8-10 grand.
My question is this, would I save substantial money buying this car and repairing myself, or do you think I would be better off just spending the money on one that isn't wrecked or damaged? I appreciate any learned opinions on this, because I can't seem to make up my mind, and guy is putting car on ebay tomorrow if I don't make a move today. Thanks, Mike.

MustangFirstCar

I would personally not buy any car that has been wrecked like that. Even if I had the ability to fix it/have it fixed, there will likely always be something wrong with it.

VeroWing

Thanks, and you're right. I'm going to pass on it. Thanks again, Mike.

emin

I wouldn't touch that. To be honest even if Ford themselves did all the repairs I wouldn't buy it. The lack of peace of mind would drive me crazy!

scottybaccus

It isn't worth what it will cost to repair it properly. Even if it was done, it will only ever be worth 75-80% of your average example.

If it was a V8, maybe worth more hassle, but not a V6.

alkemist

No matter the mechanic, it sounds like something for the scrap yard. A bent frame like that is too much of a headache and too high cost to repair for the type of car you are wanting.

pascal

You can fix anything, only the non pros think otherwise.

Having said that, hard hit become a guess game when it comes to how much money it would take to bring everything back to par.
Hits like you described require a front clip replacement to eliminate all the post accident glitches.
Usually not worth it on modern mass produced cars...

VeroWing

Thanks for the responses. Decided to pass on this one, and hold out for GT down the road.