Diminished Value
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 2,590
From: Northern VA, USA
I think the issue you'll have is that many people won't buy it all. Too many other options.
Also, details on the damage are important, and you don't list what specifically was damaged.
There will be some buyers at a slight discount I would imagine, I would wild-guess 1-2k less than the price otherwise, but much smaller pool of buyers.
Also, details on the damage are important, and you don't list what specifically was damaged.
There will be some buyers at a slight discount I would imagine, I would wild-guess 1-2k less than the price otherwise, but much smaller pool of buyers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,016
Likes: 171
From: Vancouver Island
As a rule of thumb, assuming no frame damage, and repaired properly with supporting documentation, knock 50% of the cost of the repairs off the fair price of the car if it were never damaged. $6K in your case.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 68
From: Waverly Tennessee
Passenger's side: Fixed fender, replaced wheel and tire
Bumper: Replaced bumper and emblem
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 20
From: Kingston WA
That seems like way to much damage to consider the car. At least I wouldn't buy it.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 512
Likes: 3
From: Stillwater MN
Repaired ride
I see no problems with buying a car that has been damaged and repaired professionally. Even if there is some frame damage, if it is repaired properly it will be a good car. Rustproofing of any frame damage and using factory panels brings the car back to original.
I have repaired C2's thru C6's and am very comfortable driving any of the cars that I have worked on. Lately, it's getting easier to buy original color matching panels so no painting is involved. While I am **** to get the right screws in the correct places and my panel lines are better than factory, some people do sloppy work. Check the car for workmanship.
Just for the fun if it, I would like to offer a challenge to other owners. Go out and measure the wheel base on the right side of your car and then on the left side. Even if you have not had damage, you will find that most Corvettes do not have the same wheel base on the right and left from the factory. When a good frame shop is done with a car the wheel base will not only be correct on the left and right, but will also be measured in the X dimension and be correct.
I have repaired C2's thru C6's and am very comfortable driving any of the cars that I have worked on. Lately, it's getting easier to buy original color matching panels so no painting is involved. While I am **** to get the right screws in the correct places and my panel lines are better than factory, some people do sloppy work. Check the car for workmanship.
Just for the fun if it, I would like to offer a challenge to other owners. Go out and measure the wheel base on the right side of your car and then on the left side. Even if you have not had damage, you will find that most Corvettes do not have the same wheel base on the right and left from the factory. When a good frame shop is done with a car the wheel base will not only be correct on the left and right, but will also be measured in the X dimension and be correct.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 5
From: Schererville Indiana
I would consider a car like that if I knew the owner and knew the repairs brought it back to like new condition, it was exactly what I was looking for as far as options and colors, and I planned to keep it for a very long time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
It would have to be substantially discounted for me to even consider it. I don't care who repaired it. Most people wouldn't consider $2-3k a break on a car that is around $30k. If the undamaged one is the same exact car then most people would pay $2-3k more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,773
Likes: 36
From: Tampa Florida
^yes...but I will play Devil's Advocate. The guy has ZERO structural damage to his car so as far as looks and does it shoot straight? Yes. To that extent, in this case, the difference is just not all the body panel numbers match. But now you are having new GM body panels painted to match. You will not notice a damn bit of difference and MA?Y?BE it drives just a bit better afterward, feels a little tighter maybe. Would I ever wanna buy a wrecked vette or any car? Of course not but here is my post from the perspective of a person who just would jump in and drive without hearing history.
To the OP how much diminished value?... I have no idea as I am not an adjuster. From a driver's perspective I offer you the hope she drives even better. cheers
To the OP how much diminished value?... I have no idea as I am not an adjuster. From a driver's perspective I offer you the hope she drives even better. cheers
Last edited by raspyc6; Jul 15, 2014 at 08:39 PM. Reason: for op sake
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 80
From: Hollister CA
My wife hit a cat in my 97 a while back and cracked the front fascia. I found a new replacement and had it painted to match.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
My wife hit a cat in my 97 a while back and cracked the front fascia. I found a new replacement and had it painted to match.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
With all the CORVETTES out here in pristine condition or close,why even bother considering a wreck of a car like this one? 12 grand in damage is a whole lot of parts and pieces and what's worse the stigma and having to explain to everybody when you might want to sell it what the damage was.I wouldn't even let this car on my block with that kind of damage,repaired or not!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
My wife hit a cat in my 97 a while back and cracked the front fascia. I found a new replacement and had it painted to match.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
The new fascia has zero rock chips, perfect paint and aligns with the adjoining fenders better that it did from the factory.
Is this a damaged car or an improvement? The point being, I wouldn't knee-jerk and run away. I'd get the facts of the particular circumstances and make an informed decision. If it was repaired properly, its likely in better shape than the rest of a car with any miles on it.
