I posted a about a week ago that my brother was looking to purchase and build a cheap track car. Thanks for the great responses. Well, after some looking around we came across a 1996 Nissan 200sx SE-R. The car has a salvaged title with 64K miles. The damgage is on the right side of the car. To be more specific, the passenger side door and rear quarter panel were hit and pushed in pretty far. However, the frame and rocker panel were not damaged. Everything else of the car is in excellent condition (I went through the entire car + drove it). A girl owned the car and it has not been driven hard or been modded. A new door is included if we purchase the car. A body shop estimated that to fix the damage so it looks presentable would be under $1,000. The guy is asking $3,750 for the car. What do you guys think. What should we offer him?

 

How do you know the frame is straight? Did you put it on a jig? Why would the insurance write off a $6000 car if the damage is only $1000? Makes me think the damage is worse than it looks, even if it does still drive ok. Will the car be raced, or just used for track days? Does it need to be streetable again, or can you tow it? Getting a salvage car back on the street can be tough in some areas (so I hear, better check with DMV).

Are you sure the $1000 estimate will be close? What defines "presentable" to them (and more importantly, to you)? Did that include paint work, or just the body repair?

If you can answer all the above, then make an offer. My guess would be $2500 - that would mean with reapir and a rollcage, you've got $5000 in the car, which seems reasonable for a track-only car.

As for your choice in vehicles - the SE-R is pretty quick. Should make a nice car assuming you can it repaired.

 

Good points. No I did not put the car on a jig ... just making an assumption based on drivability and body shops opinion. The estimate of $1,000 is to install the new door, fix the current panel, including paint and labor. Body shop is a friend of mine. "Presentable" means not perfect, perhaps a few wrinkles. The car would be fitted with a 6 point cage. Initally track days, and in the future ... raced.

 

I have a friend with a salvage titled 200SX SE-R. RacerJon knows him too. It's not worth anything over $1000, imo. You'll need to straighten out the frame, or at least check it $500, fix quarter panels, etc. I'd say it's worth $1500 TOPS. Remember, more than likely, you are not gonna be able to re-title it for the street, ESPECIALLY in NY. It's a pain up there.

Warren

 

Oh yeah, my friend bout their SE-R for $900 for the first one, which is the one that actually runs as the race car, and bought a second parts car for $800.

Warren

 

SE-Rs are great track cars. But $3750 is entirely too much for a 5 yr old wrecked SE-R. There's a perfect '94 for sale 2 minutes from my house for less than that. And I know 2 other Sr20 powered cars for sale around me for not much more than that and they already have cages and lots of go-faster parts. I'd say get them under 2K, or keep looking.

 

Damn near perfect? What, did you lose that list? LOL!

I wonder if that white one is still available for this guy.....

Matt

 

Did Nissan make a special Lightweight? Like an M3 Lightweight, or just a zero option car? I've got no power sunroof, no ABS. Is that a Lightweight?

 

"Lightweight" is just a glorified way of saying "no options." No AC, no cruise, no sunroof, no ABS.

------------------------
Pat
'93 SE-R, sunroof, cruise, AC
'91 SE-R, AC, ABS

 

Yes, it did have a/c, and it worked pretty nicely actually... If memory serve me correctly, it didn't have any of those other things that Jon mentioned.

Matt

 

You guys don't know about the 1991 Nissan Sentra LT-WESER? I hear they are, like, faster than them Pontiac Azteks...

 

So I've got a Lightweight + cruise (which I'll never delete unless it becomes a trailer queen).

But seriously, $3750 will get you a good older SE-R and you won't have to spend a grand on it to make it presentable. Plus the older Sentras have 4 wheel independant suspension. The 95+ SE-Rs do not. That by itself would make me keep looking.

 

Update:

I called about the 91 White Sentra SE-R ... it was sold on Monday. I decided not to make an offer on the 96 damaged 200sx SE-R. Just want to thank RacerJon and Speedracer33 for the photos and advice. The search continues ...