Posting for a friend - Viper Wreck Est.

[Bonkers]

Hello all,

A friend of mine (Jim) asked my advice on a Viper he may purchase. Here are the pics:

Now he has the option to buy this car from a friend for $16k. (For those looking to make better offer please don't ask. If he decides to offer to the public I will be happy to post his email addy) Now his intention is to buy this car, repair it and then sell it later, but was wondering if it could be done without losing money. Here are the stats -

- 1996 RT Unknown miles

- Damage from slow rollover and submergence in fresh water creek.

There is no frame damage. Hood shows stress, gauge cluster submerged, engine submerged (unknown if it took water), headlights filled with h2o. Paint and interior as shown in pics.

He is interested to know the repair value and possible resale value if everything is done properly. I gave him my estimates and he is interested in second opinions. Please ask any questions and I'll refer them over. I think he is interested in suggestions on how to make this happen.

Anybody up for the challenge?

 

[joe117]

How about $10k for the body work, paint and windshield. All the other things that might be water damaged, headlights, instruments, engine/underhood pieces, I don't have a clue. Will the interior clean up? Is there a catfish in the glove compartment? Are the seats ruined? Is the windshield frame bent? The engine is probably ok unless it ran for awhile while upside down, no oil. Or if it died from breathing water, sitting afterwards for weeks with water inside. Take your chances.
The way I look at it, if the car was in good average shape it might bring $39k. If it has been a fix up car with a salvage title, say $32k or so. That means if he paid $16k he would have $16k more to fix it up. I think it would be a close run thing. I wouldn't do it.
edit, Was the whole car under water? If so, that's worse than I thought at first reading.

 

[Eddie N]

as fas as i know there arent any solid black 96 rt10's.. has this car been repainted once already? or are the stripes does decals that may have peeled off?

sounds risky.. water damage can do funny things to the electrical system that wont crop up until sometime down the road.. plus from the extent of the damage it might be hard resell later as a salvage.. the interior looks like the bottom of the hudson river sans the dirty needles... i know i wouldnt buy it after it was repaired, and normally salvage titles dont bother me...

- eddie -

 

[dansauto]

yep, flood cars are only good for body parts. I NEVER buy a flood car to rebuild. They are always plagied with problems afterwords. I had a friend that rebuilt a 98 vette convertable that was found in a creek (stolen recovery, light body damage) He had problems with lights going on and off, motor cutting out, ect.. He ended up parting the car out. If they could verify the water did not go into the motor or wiring harness, maybe it could be fixed to drive, but I would really want to make sure.

 

[Jason-Middle Tennessee]

Just by looking at the pictures it does have the 96' stripes or interior. You sure he said 96'?

 

[Jerry Dobson]

I would pass on the car unless you part it out. Vipers like this are worth parts.

You can see from the fog light and the drivers speaker that the car was in water. Look at all the dried dirt in the interior dash and side panels. The computer and fuse box most likely got wet.

I hate to say it, but most likely this car will end up on Ebay as "Perfect low mileage Viper".

 

[jcaspar1]

Although it could easily be done cheaper, click here to see what a 25,000$ repair looks like!

 

[NDW]

I would run from a flood car like a plague. Nothing but electrical problems from now on. Why buy a lifetime of problems?

 

[George Murray]

It's a great deal if it can be had for $10K or so. $16K is fine if you have a parts car, and are good with the inevitable electrical challenges that will arise, as everyone has pointed out.

If your amigo is a serious hobbyist and has hours and hours to spare tweaking and repairing the car, and this particular car is what he MUST have, buy it. Paint isn't necessary for just driving the car, if you don't mind a ghetto ****** Viper. That might be neat...no worries about door ding paint chips, and it's already been in the mud, so it's a natural for dirt burnouts!

Otherwise, he should save a few more bucks and buy a fresher car. With $16K down, if he has established credit, he should be able to obtain a bank loan on pretty much any Viper in the $30K - 60K price range (which is where 95% of used Vipers are priced anyway).

I'd be interested in the thing for $10K or so. The drivetrain would be neat in one of my old ****** Mopar C bodies!

 

[picflight]

From my experience being in the salvage auto industry, I would stay away from a flood damage car, like Eddie and Joe put it. Water damage does funny things to the electrical system, water and charge don't mix well, and these problems would show up years later at the most unexpected places.

I wouldn't mind buying a salvage title car unless the frame had no damage, but salvage and water damage or just water damage, I wouldn't consider it. I might think about it if it was being offered for 60% of wholesale when completely fixed, meaning looks and runs like a viper lover’s car, everything working perfectly.

If water has entered the engine or other areas, there is definitely corrosion in the engine and possibly etching.

My 2 cents.

Good luck