Wrecked 08 ACR on ebay - how much to fix?

[austeo23]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221369128634?forcerRptr=true&item=221369128634&viewitem=


Looks like a decent deal, but viper experts, how much cash would it get this thing back up to par? Only 49 miles on the clock...

 

[ViperNM]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221369128634?forcerRptr=true&item=221369128634&viewitem=


Looks like a decent deal, but viper experts, how much cash would it get this thing back up to par? Only 49 miles on the clock...

BLUF (Bottomline up front). I wouldn't touch it. Assuming that there is no frame damage (more on that later) the parts alone are in the $8500 - $10,000 range. My best guess on labor is about 40-60 hours of work at $100/hr so about $4000-$6000 for labor. So it looks like $12,500 - $16,000 total. But I may be low someone else can chime in.

Now I call your attention to the passenger side door seam. It is much too large plus the hood is cockeyed and I would conclude that there is structural (frame) damage. Stay away!

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Green viper 1]

That car looks like an easy fix to me but I can do slot of the work my self, if you could do some labor your self you could do fine with this car, as long as there is no frame damage

 

[denniskgb]

No frame damage is big question. you need someone look it over for you. i would not buy on their word. it can get ugly really quick$$$$$

 

[Drew]

Looks like a low speed impact (sub 60mph), pretty sure under the carpet you will find the driver side floor and rear bulkhead rippled. Concerned the passenger side pics dont show the door closed (to see body lines)
States no suspension damage, but that driver rear 1/4 should be inspected.
I think a realistic salvage value is 30-35K
Repairs 16-25K but once you start removing panels you will find more damage and can get out of hand quick.
Would make an awesome "track only" car for 50-65K if the numbers fell into place, and you shopped for parts.
I have personal experience with a similar hit but a little worse and im into it for 65-70K and colours don't match

 

[ROCKET62]

Just about every Viper that gets in a wreck is going to have some degree of frame damage. The rear horns that support the rear bumper can get tweaked very easily - and would have little effect in drivability and structural stability. In the front, you have two sets of frame horns, those that support the bumper and those that support the radiator on the bottom. Again, both would have little effect in drivability and structural stability - in my opinion. The Viper has a very stout frame between the wheels.

To get a real feeling for the cost to repair I would need to see better pictures and would want to see in person if possible. It is amazing how much damage can be hidden with a good cleaning and taking pictures from an angle that hides the damage. My biggest concern with this Viper - How come no pictures from underneath? There is a substantial frame support right where the damage looks worst near the side exhaust/right in front of rear wheel. If that area took a good hit, the frame area between the wheels may be off - which would definitely affect driveability/structural stability. Why is the passenger door off and is the front hood out of alignment? Is there any damage to the top or rear glass?

Just my two cents .... and my disclaimer .... I have rebuilt a Gen 3 and a Gen 4.

Send me a pm if you have any specific questions as I can give you real world information.

 

[Wiretech]

The ACR 08 with only 49 miles had been sitting a while or had traded hands after realizing the expensive damage, if it was a quick fix it would have been done by now.

 

[FrankBarba]

I know no one else cares..but the value of mine just went up $ 1.00

 

[Allan]

I know no one else cares..but the value of mine just went up $ 1.00

I think the same thing whenever I see a wrecked Viper.

My car is now worth about 8 dollars.

 

[TheOldViperMan]

With only 49 miles on the car, wouldn't the engine, transmission and dif be worth around 30-K?
BillyC

 

[Green viper 1]

I just looked at this car closer on my iPad it's jacked the hatch is out of alignment I'm pretty sure the frame is bent

 

[Drew]

Worth - only what the market will bare

 

[ACRucrazy]

With only 49 miles on the car, wouldn't the engine, transmission and dif be worth around 30-K?
BillyC

Never seen one for 20k or more.

 

[slysnake]

Yeah, really looks like frame damage from the pics. It's a parts car.

 

[NO HEMI]

Buy it cheap, buy a new frame from VPA and build a new car !!!

 

[austeo23]

Thanks for all the feedback guys--here is his response to my ebay message asking about a parts list and pricing:

"Just got the parts quote back this morning, $5300 in parts and they are the correct color. It will need to be put on a frame machine to straighten out as well."

Hmm would like to see where he is getting that pricing from... Anyway, I'm dying to get back in an ACR (or gen V TA someday) after I sold my '09 a little over a year ago, so I'm definitely bargain hunting. If this guy's reserve is anywhere in the 30's I might take a shot.

 

[Nine Ball]

Any time people complain about not getting test drives on new Vipers, someone should post a link to this thread. 49 miles and totaled? Ouch.

 

[ROCKET62]

$14k for the frame, $10k parts & paint, $40k for the Viper and just your parts cost is $64k for basically a brand new '08 ACR - before you even consider your time cost. Would be a long, fun project.

Buy it cheap, buy a new frame from VPA and build a new car !!!

 

[TheOldViperMan]

The seller canceled the item?
BillyC

 

[AZTVR]

The seller canceled the item?
BillyC

Looks like he found a buyer !

 

[IndyRon]

I offered $22k for the car as is because I think that's all it's worth sight unseen. I figured it would need a new frame as mentioned above (~$14k) plus misc panels at another $6-8k. So parts plus roller you are in it for $42-44k before labor time and paint. The car with a salvaged title can never be worth more than about $50-55k repaired so $22k on the roller is all it's worth and still be able to break even on it if I ever sold it. Apparently someone was willing to pay more. When the auction is ended like it was, it means the seller found a buyer outside of ebay for much closer to his asking amount.

 

[TheOldViperMan]

The ad on Ebay did not mention the need for a new frame, or even straightening. I think when he started getting questions about the frame from bidders (me and others) doing due dil, he stopped the sale. It'll show up on other sites.
BillyC

 

[AZTVR]

The ad on Ebay did not mention the need for a new frame, or even straightening. I think when he started getting questions about the frame from bidders (me and others) doing due dil, he stopped the sale. It'll show up on other sites.
BillyC

Well, in any case, if it is OK, lets post the VIN here so that a future buyer knows what was discussed about this car 1B3JZ69Z48V201303 . If not OK, moderators just remove my post. I'd suggest linking to some of the photos; but, they will go away in a few months when the auction eventually gets removed.

 

[viper k]

YOU would have over 30 k in fixing that viper !!!!

 

[LeadfootRT10]

Well, in any case, if it is OK, lets post the VIN here so that a future buyer knows what was discussed about this car 1B3JZ69Z48V201303 . If not OK, moderators just remove my post. I'd suggest linking to some of the photos; but, they will go away in a few months when the auction eventually gets removed.

Wouldn't a general thread with this purpose bee a good idea? Anytime someone sees a wrecked Viper, we post some basic specs with the VIN, maybe some pictures. That way an prospective buyers search the thread for the VIN they're looking for? It would be more effective than Carfax.....just a thought.......

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Chrysler is extremely diligent on what they will even allow on repairs to frames, as we have seen a couple of cars that no minor section ( on appearance) would be sold, only answer was a new frame. This is especially true on what look like small support bracing,etc, or parts that get crimped. These kinds of cars , to me, should be purchased by those wanting to turn them into dedicated track cars and
the general driving public should walk away. Fixing a Snake with this kind of damage almost always finds a consumer putting too much into it, and then when it is time to sell, it is still a salvage Snake - value super diminished.

Agree with many, believe there was frame issues, especially viewing where hit, explanation and picture near rear tire.

Walk away, unless buying for parts car , super cheap.

 

[PeterMJ]

Chrysler is extremely diligent on what they will even allow on repairs to frames, as we have seen a couple of cars that no minor section ( on appearance) would be sold, only answer was a new frame. This is especially true on what look like small support bracing,etc, or parts that get crimped. These kinds of cars , to me, should be purchased by those wanting to turn them into dedicated track cars and
the general driving public should walk away. Fixing a Snake with this kind of damage almost always finds a consumer putting too much into it, and then when it is time to sell, it is still a salvage Snake - value super diminished.

Agree with many, believe there was frame issues, especially viewing where hit, explanation and picture near rear tire.

Walk away, unless buying for parts car , super cheap.

Wouldn't frame issues be more important to a track car? Unlike with a street car that would need this OEM rigidity during an accident, a track car would need it all the time, any failure would be way more serious during a track event than on a street. I honestly cannot understand this logic that patched up wreck would be OK on a track. IF the frame replacement is the only option, then it would not matter if this is a street or track car. Again, a rigged wreck sounds to me like a track death trap and not just to the owner but others as well.

 

[mbccenter]

Wouldn't frame issues be more important to a track car? Unlike with a street car that would need this OEM rigidity during an accident, a track car would need it all the time, any failure would be way more serious during a track event than on a street. I honestly cannot understand this logic that patched up wreck would be OK on a track. IF the frame replacement is the only option, then it would not matter if this is a street or track car. Again, a rigged wreck sounds to me like a track death trap and not just to the owner but others as well.

I laugh every time I see someone say it would make a good track car. Lets take a car that is structurally unsafe and drive it as fast as it can go. Most people posting here have no clue on how to repair a Viper. The pics of that car are bad and make it hard to tell what is really going on. I would want to see more pics to make a determination on what to do.

 

[PeterMJ]

I laugh every time I see someone say it would make a good track car. Lets take a car that is structurally unsafe and drive it as fast as it can go. Most people posting here have no clue on how to repair a Viper. The pics of that car are bad and make it hard to tell what is really going on. I would want to see more pics to make a determination on what to do.

Exactly. I do not think I would trust this seller a bit. I think the least he could do was to put this car on alignment machine and post the results. Last thing anyone should wish for is a hard side impact with the steel alloy in the frame approaching or exceeding its yield strength and learning the hard way, on the track. This car could be ok on track-in a demolition derby. From what I have seen, Viper frame has a pretty low torsion and bending rigidity, a pretty good indicator a side impact may have some serious consequences.