Thanks all for the replies so far.

As far as the cause, he was using an on-ramp getting on to the highway, which is a big loop. From what he says he hit the gas as soon as he got out of the loop and lost control immidiately. The car ended up about 100ft away facing the opposite direction.

Some primary contributors to the accident were: 1. It had just rained, so the roads were somewhat slick. 2. Rear tires had nearly no tread left on them (maybe about 3/8in).

I also think the whole fact that he was used to his FWD car with not nearly as much power compared to this sc.

 

That's what I'm kind of feeling, but in all hope it would be nice to get up and running again, I know he'd be really happy with that.

Just from the looks of it, what would you ballpark the figures at?

 

I would estimate probably 8 grand for everything back to normal

And thats not including other things that I cannot see, such as the frame/axle/driveshaft etc etc

 

What's the difference?

 

I wouldnt fix it, part it out. But shipping from hawaii sux. And not many SC fans here. Sorry about your friends lost, that looks painful.

 

Sorry to hear about your friends lost of this car. It sure looked like a nice car. If you guys do decide to part it give me a PM as I'm in Hawaii (Oahu) and would be interested in looking at some parts you guys have. Thanks.

As far as repairing it I wouldn't. I have a spare wrecked 93 SC400 with just rear 1/4 panel damage that is a little deeper than this one, and it is already over $4000 to fix. It is now only a parts car. This car not only has rear 1/4 panel damage that probably will cost just as much to fix since they will just replace the 1/4 panel, but rear windshield, door, suspension and everything else you can't see. Like someone mentioned, it probably is an easy $8000+ to fix.

 

Youre talking to the guy that managed to fix a car with 16,000+ dollars of body damage (car ran and drove fine.) For 1,800. Its all depends on how you go about it. Granted I didnt have any drive train damage just mostly rear trunk and right rear fender damage. I paid about 1,400 of those 1800 in labor, and touch up paint, and about 400 of those in parts. I left the little things that I could fix for myself to fix for myself. Now seeing how he needs a rear axle thats probably the trickiest part. How much it cost to repair depends on how lucky you get throughout the whole ordeal.

The key to this is finding and hiring a body shop person not an entire body shop but a individual with tools and place that you trust. And will give you a hook up. ANd sourcing and finding every part youre going to replace yourself.

Granted your car is more tricky since you have drivability issues where as mine had None.

 

Its something to learn on, a 140 hp sohc 240sx is a little easier to control then the SC300, one it has less power and less weight, not to mention if he wrecks it, its a much more managable car to replace/fix. How can you expect someone to learn to drive a rwd car withouth.. driving a rwd car?

A miata wouldnt be a bad idea either but that car is even less forgiving then the 240sx.

But from what I hear on the tires like I said those cars can be a real handful if theres not adequate thread left.