Opinions on Salvage Buy

FrgMstr · Apr 20, 2012

I put my 05 off the road last year in Arkansas. Bent frame at the passenger rear, broken suspension arm, collapsed the barrel on the rim (same rims look to still be on the car and I did not pull those because I thought they would be dangerous), ripped the door latch points off the B pillar on the drivers side, moved the driver door forward a good bit. (Entered the woods backwards.) Tires down to the wear bars after that weekend of driving in the mountains too.

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X2 Builders bought this car from Geico at auction (I assume) and "rebuilt it" and sold it for $36K to a guy that tracked me down on this forum and asked me questions about it, AFTER he put $30K down on this car.

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Am I the only one that thinks this is nutty? The insurance adjuster started at the driver front and said he was up to $30K in repairs by the time he got done with the door.

bmw2nv2000 · Apr 20, 2012

That was totally fixable. The bent frame was $21000 before labor to swap everything over so theres your total lose right there. X2 is a stand up company and Id buy a previous from them any day. So is the buyer unhappy now?

bmw2nv2000 · Apr 20, 2012

And Im betting they fixed your car for under $4k parts and labor. Of course being the largest Viper parts dealer in the world doesnt hurt either.

stranger355 · Apr 20, 2012

Looks like they put back too much wheel gap.

Green Viper · Apr 20, 2012

I have dealt with Scott & Shannon @ X2 on many occasions both personally and have also experiences related back through other local owners and believe their access to a huge inventory of used parts combined with repair shop make repairing a car far more cost effective than a normal repair facility. If they repaired it, there are likely pictures and descriptions of the repairs including the frame sections available, from my experience they don't try to hide anything.

Voodoo Rob · Apr 20, 2012

Not uncommon in cars, motorcycles, and boats. The inventory of parts is what makes or breaks a profitable re-build. For average Joe to go out and buy a salvage anything, then acquire parts, and repair it usually comes close to the same vehicle cost to buy a clean title non-repair vehicle to begin with. There are always exceptions but this is the majority of the scenarios.

slysnake · Apr 20, 2012

If x2 did the repair I would guess it was done right. They have a pretty good reputation.

Notice that FGT in the background? Nice.

craig_g · Apr 20, 2012

Got my viper from x2 and fixed it. 100% happy with the whole experience.

2005 SRT-10 · Apr 21, 2012

What happened to the car in the first place, just curious.

Nader · Apr 21, 2012

That suspension is sitting awfully high....

CPPRHD265 · Apr 21, 2012

Nader said:
That suspension is sitting awfully high....

That's the "Trail Rated" Viper :smirk:

Sonoman · Apr 22, 2012

CPPRHD265 said:
That's the "Trail Rated" Viper

Yep, why do ya think these cars have that belly pan?? Rock crawling! :headbang:

FrgMstr · Apr 22, 2012

Nader said:
That suspension is sitting awfully high....

That is exactly where it made contact with the first tree I hit. Going in backwards, tree caught that tire, broke the control arm, pushed the tire around into the frame, bent the frame structure from the impact and also bent the frame upwards a good bit. The twist was evident looking at the car later. It had enough force that it actually bent the barrel of the wheel in the pinch. Same wheels on the car. The barrel has a big inward bulge to it. Opening the passenger door and it would drop off the latch more than an inch.

Sonoman · Apr 22, 2012

So you're saying it _wasn't_ difficult to walk away from any ideas of keeping this car? :crazy2:

I wish these evil trees would stop attacking our beautiful machines... Ever browsed the Viper section of Wrecked Exotics.com? Cripes.. whole lotta Snakes on there...

FrgMstr · Apr 22, 2012

Sonoman said:
So you're saying it _wasn't_ difficult to walk away from any ideas of keeping this car?

I wish these evil trees would stop attacking our beautiful machines... Ever browsed the Viper section of Wrecked Exotics.com? Cripes.. whole lotta Snakes on there...

Did not even has a first thought about buying it back from the insurance company except possibly for the power train. And yeah, I actually browse the Viper section on Wrecked Exotics often. Keeps me in line. When I put this car off, it was fully anticlimactic. Had started driving fairly reserved because I was out in the woods and running out of fuel. Went into a corner coasting, car loaded totally incorrect, back end got light, tried to put some power down, had it in OD, no power, gravel on the side of the road.....and WHOOOP! Into the woods. Totally driver error, but not really exciting.

ipetrov · Apr 24, 2012

I guess it's time for the "nutty" buyer of the car to weigh in. This is not exactly how I imagined my "new viper owner" first post, especially since I haven't yet taken delivery of the car. The only remaining privately communicated confidential information about this transaction that was not made public through this thread is my name, Ivan. I'm in Chicago, nice to meet you all.

It's good to hear more positive feedback on X2, as I personally have nothing but great things to say about Scott and Shannon. Scott actually took from his personal time to accomodate me with a test drive on a weekend, and has been extremely helpful and flexible throughout our communication. To me that actually matters a lot.

As to the car, it drove beautifully and won me easily [I wonder how many first-time Viper buyers actually test drive before buying]. Car was fixed by a professional, reputable shop specializing in Viper repairs, that's only 3 hours drive away from me, and happens to have an owner who cares for his customers. Maybe my decision was a bit emotional and hurried and just maybe I overpaid a little. So what? Any overpayment on this car pales in comparison to the things we are forced to overpay for on a daily basis. Taking it a little further down the road to Roanoke Motors for a full inspection (and additional peace of mind) will be my first item of business once I have the keys.

I also plan to be the last owner of this car, so I don't care at all about resale value and the stigma of the rebuilt title. Looking forward to the excitement of the Viper driving experience!

Sonoman · Apr 25, 2012

Ivan, welcome to the Viper forum; sorry your first post wasn't in a more upbeat thread! As far as over-paying for a car, join the gang-- most have us have done it now and again, and as you said, it's not the end of the world. Hell, I paid about $2k too much for my '05 and found a couple things I had to fix later on that the MaxCare warranty wouldn't cover (leaking front shock, bad battery, etc.). I've seen lots of salvaged-title Gen 3's selling in the low to mid 30's over the past year, so given the shop's reputation, the model year, and the fact that the car looks great in the photos, you can't be too far off.

I hope the inspection goes well and your ownership experience gets better from here! Obviously there's a certain amount of bashing in public forums, but in general there are good guys on here that can actually be helpful at times. Really, if all your posts are as even-tempered as this one, you are just the kind of person we need around this little group of car-nuts to help balance out the more frantic among us. Anyway, keep in touch and let us know how she goes, and sincere apologies for getting off to a bit of a rough start here.

Austin · Apr 25, 2012

All that matters is that YOU'RE happy with your purchase. Welcome, and enjoy your snake in good health. It's a great looking vert.

01sapphirebob · Apr 25, 2012

ipetrov said:
I guess it's time for the "nutty" buyer of the car to weigh in. This is not exactly how I imagined my "new viper owner" first post, especially since I haven't yet taken delivery of the car. The only remaining privately communicated confidential information about this transaction that was not made public through this thread is my name, Ivan. I'm in Chicago, nice to meet you all.

It's good to hear more positive feedback on X2, as I personally have nothing but great things to say about Scott and Shannon. Scott actually took from his personal time to accomodate me with a test drive on a weekend, and has been extremely helpful and flexible throughout our communication. To me that actually matters a lot.

As to the car, it drove beautifully and won me easily [I wonder how many first-time Viper buyers actually test drive before buying]. Car was fixed by a professional, reputable shop specializing in Viper repairs, that's only 3 hours drive away from me, and happens to have an owner who cares for his customers. Maybe my decision was a bit emotional and hurried and just maybe I overpaid a little. So what? Any overpayment on this car pales in comparison to the things we are forced to overpay for on a daily basis. Taking it a little further down the road to Roanoke Motors for a full inspection (and additional peace of mind) will be my first item of business once I have the keys.

I also plan to be the last owner of this car, so I don't care at all about resale value and the stigma of the rebuilt title. Looking forward to the excitement of the Viper driving experience!

Austin said:
All that matters is that YOU'RE happy with your purchase. Welcome, and enjoy your snake in good health. It's a great looking vert.

What Austin said. Congrats on the new to you purchase!!! Now....https://www.viperclub.org/join/ Time to join!!!

!

FrgMstr · Apr 25, 2012

There is no way in hell I would purchase that car. The rest of our can root him on like it is the right thing to do, but just look at the pictures. The damn frame is still bent on that car or the suspension is messed up, but something is not right, and that is the corner of the car that took the first tree. And for god's sake, check that rear rim for damage. I had the option of keeping those wheels and I chose not to. If a company will sell you a Viper with a compromised rim, no telling what else they would sell you.

I would say spend another $6k or so and get one without a salvage title.

MTGTS · Apr 25, 2012

FrgMstr said:
There is no way in hell I would purchase that car.

You didn't

Austin · Apr 25, 2012

Lower it ASAP.

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FrgMstr · Apr 25, 2012

MTGTS said:
You didn't

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And you might keep in mind that this guy buying this car CONTACTED ME asking questions and telling me what he was paying.

FrgMstr · Apr 25, 2012

Austin said:
Lower it ASAP.

Looks great, hates speedbumps and driveways.

MTGTS · Apr 25, 2012

FrgMstr said:
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Then why do you care so much? The new owner obviously wasn't lied to about previous history. It's like some other threads we've seen on here where past history was hidden from thenew owner. X2 is a very reputable shop that does quality work. Let the guy enjoy his new car the HE is happy with. Nobody really cares what you would or would not do. Are you mad that your old car was fixed and now back on the road with someone else enjoying it? You replaced it with something better so move on.

Austin · Apr 25, 2012

FrgMstr said:
Looks great, hates speedbumps and driveways.

True, but some things you gotta live with if you want your ride to look gooooood.

Austin · Apr 25, 2012

Also, paint the lower section of the rear fascia black. It gives it more of an aggressive look.

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Steve M · Apr 25, 2012

It sounds like you have some concerns about whether or not the car should have been rebuilt given its history (and I'd say you are a pretty good source of info since you were the one behind the wheel when it was wrecked), but is it something that needs to be aired in a public forum? I think the gentleman that is buying the car understands the risks, and seems willing to accept them...I just don't see a need to beat the guy down about it.

My $0.02.

Flexx91 · Apr 25, 2012

Hate to drag this on but I have to agree. Let it go!!! It's almost like finding out that someone is now dating your your ex. Except (for whatever reason) you don't have to voice her "flaws". You keep those things to yourself.........

FrgMstr · Apr 26, 2012

As for painting that fascia black on the rear, it looks good from angles, but directly behind the car on a Vert it does not look right to me.

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