how to tell serious damage? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

eastcoastS14 · 03-24-2007, 06:10 PM

since i totaled my last 240 ive been looking to find another, i found one for sale on here but the seller said that the car has a clean rebuilt title...price is good the only thing that i am worried about is damage that would not be apparent just from the outside supposedly the car was in a collinsion that damaged the front driver side...you cannot tell at all from looking at the exterior. My question is what should I look for for to tell serious damage? the car is in another state so i cant really get there just to look at it but would make the trip to buy...at this point i am thinking that i will have the seller take more pics...so what should i request pics of to make sure there is no serious damage? I am going to carfax the car as well just wanted to know what to look out for

nassin31spr · 03-24-2007, 07:59 PM

Request that he take off the fender in question and take pics off the inner wheel well. Also the inner side of the engine bay thats in question. Also ask him how the alignment is. If it all looked good I would go to buy it and take it to an alignment shop before buying it. That will tell if there is any major frame damage. Just some ideas though. Good luck with it.

projectRDM · 03-24-2007, 07:59 PM

Unless it was reported, Carfax is useless. And just so you know, only about 30% of rebuilders report to them.

Have him send a lot of detailed pictures under the hood of the core support, front aprons, and shock towers. Forward those to us in high res.

gotta240 · 03-25-2007, 08:00 AM

I don't think pictures will do it in this case. I've had a car that LOOKED fine from the engine bay, but upon closer inspection, one side was out about an inch(which is a LOT when talking suspension).

1st- I'm not sure i'd even waste time going to look at a "rebuilt" car that isn't close to you.
2nd- take it to an allignment shop BEFORE PAYING A PENNY. Tell them the situation, have them check it out.

03-24-2007, 06:10 PM	#1
eastcoastS14 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: the land of snow potholes and no tracks Posts: 3,984 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	how to tell serious damage? since i totaled my last 240 ive been looking to find another, i found one for sale on here but the seller said that the car has a clean rebuilt title...price is good the only thing that i am worried about is damage that would not be apparent just from the outside supposedly the car was in a collinsion that damaged the front driver side...you cannot tell at all from looking at the exterior. My question is what should I look for for to tell serious damage? the car is in another state so i cant really get there just to look at it but would make the trip to buy...at this point i am thinking that i will have the seller take more pics...so what should i request pics of to make sure there is no serious damage? I am going to carfax the car as well just wanted to know what to look out for

03-24-2007, 07:59 PM	#2
nassin31spr Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: clay town NC Age: 45 Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Request that he take off the fender in question and take pics off the inner wheel well. Also the inner side of the engine bay thats in question. Also ask him how the alignment is. If it all looked good I would go to buy it and take it to an alignment shop before buying it. That will tell if there is any major frame damage. Just some ideas though. Good luck with it.

03-24-2007, 07:59 PM	#3
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Unless it was reported, Carfax is useless. And just so you know, only about 30% of rebuilders report to them. Have him send a lot of detailed pictures under the hood of the core support, front aprons, and shock towers. Forward those to us in high res.

03-25-2007, 08:00 AM	#4
gotta240 Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: so cal Posts: 3,496 Trader Rating: (21) Feedback Score: 21 reviews	I don't think pictures will do it in this case. I've had a car that LOOKED fine from the engine bay, but upon closer inspection, one side was out about an inch(which is a LOT when talking suspension). 1st- I'm not sure i'd even waste time going to look at a "rebuilt" car that isn't close to you. 2nd- take it to an allignment shop BEFORE PAYING A PENNY. Tell them the situation, have them check it out.