EDIT: Deleted. PM for info if you need it.

 

8-9 grand into the car to make it safe? Hmm i would definitely not do that. If it's safe to drive now and you got it for a steal then just drive it but keep in mind its history. Esp for resale. I would not personally sink 8-9 grand EVER on that car. You can get a car in good condition with similar miles for around 11-12k. Also why would an old lady have it lowered and put a test pipe on it? Maybe it was in her name but someone else like her son was using it and wrecked it?

This is what I would: check the most crucial things. put it on stands and check all the suspension conponents and make sure they are not bent. It doesnt look like the suspension was affected and the bumper beam in the rear seems fine so I think it might be ok but never a bad idea to look.
Then check the engine tick you're talking about. The tick could be the timing tensionser that s2000s require to be changed, very easy fix. Or a valve adjustment. But if it was a misfire or something you would get a CEL.

Also if you haven't done this already, get a code reader and read the codes on the car and make sure the only code is for the O2 sensor on the test pipe and nothing else. Cars that have been wrecked will never line up properly really (the body panels). but you can try to unbolt the fenders and move it around a little bit. That's not a big issue.

The engine, suspension and steering are important. Once you check all 3 of these things, get the alignment next.
Once you do that, make sure you drive it and it drives true with hands off the wheel. Dont mess with the tires just yet. If it drives straight without massive pulling to one side, then and only then would I consider it safe to drive. Especially a car with such sensitive steering like the S2000.

Then you can start spending money on the other stuff, tires, grille, etc. But start with the essentials and "ante" up to see the damage. Don't go all in and start fixing useless crap from the get go or you might find yourself in a bigger hole than necessary should you want to get rid of it.

 

EDIT: Deleted. PM for info if you need it.

 

Wondering if the op meant $9,000 total including purchase of the car?
Edit: Nevermind, yep, badger beat me to it.

Hmm, from the before pictures showing the extent of the damage, I would very much question the structural integrity of the car. If it was involved in yet another accident, I would be worried that it would not hold up as well as it did the first time around.

It seems unlikely that the car was properly repaired, especially when they did not even use the same color on the dash display, which looks rather tacky to me.

If you can get most of your money back for the car by selling it, and picking up a nicer one for a little over $10,000, I would consider going that route.

However, for safety reasons, if you do end up keeping the car, I would consider strictly using it as a track car, and be extra vigilant as one would be on a motorcycle when driving on the street.

 

EDIT: Deleted. PM for info if you need it.

 

that is one hell of a wreck, I would sell that in a heartbeat

 

After the repair was made to that car, it would have had an alignment. I doubt it would already need another after only 2000 miles by a "old lady". Take it for an alignment before you spend any more money. If it won't come back to factory spec then get rid of it. If it will align correctly and not be maxed out in one of the adjustments to get it to do so, get a set of used OEM shocks and springs, a full set of tires, and drive it for a while. You can always sell it later.

 

I thought you meant 8-9k on top. If it's just the additional $1000 then that's not so bad. But as I suggested, I would check the suspension components one more time, read the engine codes, and make sure the car drives true. Check the alignments specs. If they are good, then I would personally proceed and keep the car, doesn't seem all that unsafe. Just get the 2 rear tires. If you get stock sizes in 16", it'll be less than $200.

 

EDIT: Deleted. PM for info if you need it.

 

The before pics don't seem that bad, the one exception being that crease above the wheel on the passenger fender. That implies a buckling underneath. Surprised they fixed that fender instead of replacing.

But it wasn't a salvage, that says something. If it was repaired properly it should be fine. The only worry is it sounds like maybe it wasn't. The iffy welds and the hood alignment sound suspect. Get us pics of those. Maybe its not really that bad, but we need pics.