Assessment of Damage, I need your help...

I just got some bad news about the Maverick that I purchased from eBay last week. The owners son had the car out to his girlfriends house, and the girlfriends sister back into it, causing a lot of damage. It just makes me sick to see the photos. I have not sent a deposit yet, and at this point I'm not sure I even want the car. I need your opinion. I know it "can be fixed", however I'm sure it will require body filler (bondo), which I'm not happy about. Also, it looks like perhaps the rear fender and bumper trim in the corner is messed up as well. What do you think, should I bail and just wait to find another one, or should I offer them something less than the purchase price of $1,250.00? Any idea what a reputable body shop would charge to fix something like that? I'm just sick about this and I'm not sure what I should do. I would appreciate your input!

Thanks everyone!

 

Well, I would DEFINITELY offer significanly less than the purchase price considering the extent of the damage. Doors are easily replaceable, but if you can't knock that quarter out, you have alot of work ahead of you. Was it a sideswipe or a broadside? Can't tell if the bumper has any damage or has been pushed in or not, and potentially frame damage depending on how it was hit.

 

Matt,

Thanks for your input. I did not get many details, but I assume a side swipe. I asked the mother if ther bumper was damaged, no reply yet. Yes, I would of course offer less money, but would you have any idea or suggestions as to how much should discount for this damage? I know, only seeing photos is tough, which is why I feel a knot in my stomach and I'm wondering what I should do. Again, thanks for your help!

Art

 

I would bail.

It is more than what you paid for it in damage.

 

i had a minor incident with my car and it was over $750.......yours is easily $1250 or more.....so it would be a total.....thats just how the insurance company does it..... i am sure you could do it all yourself....

but how willing are you to fixing it all....yeah it can be done...but it will be a task to do....and a lot of heart ache....i would walk away.....but only becuase i hate body work....

offer them $800 max for the car and see what they do....

 

Tell them a new 1/4 panel and Door is gonna cost $700 + Labor .... I'd offer them $400 ... What idiot keeps driving a car that has been sold? If they don't take $400 I would bail ... straight rust free 76's aren't that hard to find .

 

I'm with Matt I'd offer half the purchase price, get another door and fix the quarter myself, thats a rust free car, not easy to come by in your neck of the woods.
It all depends on what your up for doin.

 

It's totaled!! Bail!! You don't need the headache.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. How hard is it to find a new door? I did run up town here and checked with a couple of body shops (I live in a very rural area, so I'm sure the prices are somewhat conservative) and one guy said $800, the other said $1,000 to $1,500.

I have not seen this car in person, but I felt it "was" a solid body and I also thought I got it for a good price ($1,250). It seems like every Maverick I get close to I somehow manage to lose, what's up with that? It was mentioned that good '76 Mavericks are easy to come by, do you guys really think that's true? I just don't want to let another one slip through my fingers, but then again, maybe this is an omen, lol. If I could get it for $400 to $600, would you guys do it?

Again, thanks so much for your comments and help!

 

$400 or bail...

you were bidding on a straight car . the car will not be the same without a lot of work . then you will have to paint it...frank...

 

You're right, it was a straight car, except it did have a dent in the front drivers fender, but it was well documented and I figured that would not be too bad to fix. Now we are talking a whole new ball game, and I realize I'm not obligated to go through with the purchase. On another note, I also found out that the son lost the keys, but said he ordered a new ignition switch to replace it.

Anyway, I think all you guys know what my intention for this Maverick is, a Black & Silver Stallion clone. Now that this has happened, is there a silver lining somewhere? Perhaps I can get it cheap enough to make it worth my time? I don’t know, and I’m heading out for a family vacation on Saturday, so I’m not going to make any decision till I get back on the 19th.

Here is a question, if you saw this Maverick on eBay (as it looks today with the door, rear fender and front fender damaged) how high would you bid on it?

Thanks guys!
The original eBay link:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6057&item=4558120692&rd=1

 

I would offer $400.00 if they won't take back off. Thats a lot of work to repair. If you are a body man. A whole lot if you are not.

 

I say 300 to 400 tops it would make a good parts car .

 

i'd give him $400 and tell him to get the rest from his son.

 

Well, I used to do body work some 20 years ago, but I was not planning on something like this, and I would not feel qualified to fix it myself. So, I would be taking it to a body shop and perhaps just having them fix the damage and only prime it till I'm ready to do the final conversion. I have been seeing $400 a lot, you guys think that is a fair price for what's left to the car? Anybody have a rust free drivers door they want to sell so I can get a dollar idea of bringing this thing back to at least where it "was" before the accident?

Hey, you guys are great, thanks for the input, I really appreciate it!

Art