Hi guys.
Friend of mine is selling his s2000. And wanted to hear your advice because it's a salvage title and KBB does not give a value for such.

So here it is. It's a 2008 chicane silver salvage title.
friend bought it in 2013 from a body shop with 30k miles. It was side swiped and the right side was replaced. the passenger door lock does not work with the key because the donor door, they did not swap key cylinders. But the key fob opens it fine. It was flawless at the time only needing a battery.
At the moment it has 80k, dent in the trunk, chip in the rear bumper, bald tires, front bumper and front lip are scraped up, crack in the dash, curbed wheels, skunk2 springs and tinted headlights are peeling(How do I remove this?). It also has an alarm that's disconnected,I'd like to remove it) and the driver seat might be peeling
Its had oil changes and brakes done but nothing else. Just sits outside all day in the sun.
I think the reason he's selling it is he doesn't like loud uncomfortable cars (It's stock)
Here's some pics I took with my phone.
Thanks.

 

What is he selling it for? Price?

 

Oh sorry, he want's 9,500 for it. I feel it's a bit high but don't really know. He got it for 12k.
Forgot to take side pics but it looks pretty good from the sides with only a few dings . It's a California car so no rust.
It has these wheels
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/official...-552102/page7/

 

How good of a friend is he really?

 

I mean, we we're gonna put "Gift" on the bill of sale. He's a good friend but you know how things go with money.

OH!
I forgot, this is actually funny, first he offered it to me for 8k, but he told me his wife said 9500...
I was late responding to his text. And he said 8500 right after. LOL

 

I wouldn't buy it.

Not to rag on your buddy but its obvious he didn't put too much care into maintaining the vehicle and it may have other issues you and he may not know about.

He's also a good friend and with the history and issues the car has, issues may develop that may make you question your friendship.

Furthermore, it may be a strain on your friendship with him and/or your relationship with his wife. He and his wife are already giving conflicting numbers. Like you said money has a way of complicating things.

The price, $9500, is too high for a salvaged model with that mileage and those issues anyways. The pandemic gives you a good excuse to gracefully decline to buy the car (saving your cash just in case etc).

 

8500 is really cheap for an s2000, especially an 06+ s2000. I'd like to know more about the salvage damage and what the repairs were. It looks and sounds rough but also really cheap for what it is. If you can get some backstory on the salvage damage, are ok with the results, and have no delusions that this is going to be a super clean, stock s2000, you might have something worth buying. I'd suggest a compression and leakdown test on the engine. If that checks out, the engine/trans alone make this probably worth buying in that you could make more parting it out than what you're paying. If you just want a driving s2000 that has a strong drivetrain, you probably can't do cheaper than this (assuming good compression/leakdown numbers). If you are planning to do a full restoration thinking you're going to get a bargain that will be worth the same as a matching VIN, clean title car, you're not thinking straight.

If you're ok with all of those things, you can get a really cheap entry fee to get into the seat of an s2000. As long as the frame is straight, damage was purely cosmetic, and the engine numbers check out you will have an awesome driving car.

 

I wouldn't buy it...even for $8k. Keep that $8k in your pocket (invest or something) and save up a little more for a better one. Time is on your side...be patient.

 

@acmoc According to your profile you already own a 2007 S2000 so you should be able to cope with any issues in this one. Condition is, of course, very poor so it will take a bit lot of money to correct that. A project car?

Don't think you're fooling the DMV with a "gift" title transfer. Even salvaged cars have some residual value and this one is titled and, I assume, licensed for the road.

-- Chuck

 

Everything has a fair value. I would say the value of this car is very very low. But, I have no clue what it actually is. I think it will be hard to sell, whether your friend is selling or you are selling. So, low value.
My two cents: I would never buy a car from a friend. Cars can be found anywhere. Friends? Not so easy.