Alright, well, I have an 85 MR2 NA, with minor work done, but minor scratches... worth about 1200 or so I'd say. Well, I was offered a trade, for a 1990 240sx Fastback. It has power windows, mirrors, seatbelts, and everything, a sunroof thats non power, and a custom alarm and keyless entry system thats not hooked up. Well... this car has some damage... one, the driver said retractor is stuck up.. he said it needs a new belt where it attaches to the motor. Now to the major damage...

The front headlight covers are warped and will need to be replaced, and the front bumper is pushed to the left a half an inch, and causes the headlights to rub... so the bumper, headlights, and hood are all kinda shifted... I can replace the headlights, and I was gonna get an aftermarket bumper and carbon fiber hood anyways... So, is this a good excuse for aftermarket parts, or can my frame be bent? How do I tell? If it is bent, can that be easily fixed?

Also, the car has a cracked front windshield, which I was quoted at 194 dollar to replace, labor and all.

Car is in great mechanical shape however, it runs like a dream and has 140k on it.

I also live in Alabama, where nobody wants to sell their 240s, and if they do, they want 3k or so for them.

Thanks guys.

 

1)It sounds like the frame is tweaked, you will have to take off the front bumper and possibly the fenders to see if there is any frame damage.
2)That is way to much for a windshield, it should be around 100, 120 max including labor.
3) Frame damage can be fixed with a frame puller, but a good body shop will have to do it...and it might be a little pricey.

 

I'd say forget that deal. U can find better 240's out where u live. Patience is the key.

 

How much if the frame is messed up?

Im just glad to have found somebody that wants to trade me... if I can get away with only having to spend 200 on the frame, and 150 on the windshield, then the minor things, I will be more than happy.

After all, his does bluebook for 1k more than mine, and there are few 240s in my area.

 

I think it will cost more then 200 bucks to straighten the frame...but then again I don't know how bad the damage is, or if it's even fixiable.

 

Ummm. How about you get under the car & check the bumper supports. You should even be able to se them by looking down though the headlight area.
That is the easiest way to tell.
You also need to look at things like tension rod brackets( as they are easily bent).
Check the steering rack, ect...
As for the windshield. I know that here in Fl. You first windshield on every vehicle you buy is free & doesnt go on your insurance. SO if it ever gets cracked. It's completely free( remember only the 1st time).
You may want to check that in your state. I know places like KY have it also.

 

I did get under the car and check, and peeked through when the lights were up, and nothing looked noticeably bent...

Is it possible the front bumper is just bent? If so, what bracket or whatnot might be needed to fix it? Hmm, Im gonna see if anywhere around here has free estimates.

Thanks for the info about the free windshield Project, I dont think we have anything like that though, although I will ask the glass place, thanks.

 

Not to take over your thread or anything but i got a question. How can i check the rear bumper support? I am wondering because im also buying a 240sx but it has some rear bumper damage and i am hoping the frame is not bent.

Thanks

 

SPdElemts, Pull up the carpet & look at the floor. There is 4 plugs. 2 on each side that cover up the attachment bolts. take a look at those if the metal is distorted in any way. I would advise NOT getting the car. Also yo ucan look underneathe the car, where the bumper bolt to the body. Also. Right behind the tag. There is suposed to be a good size gap. If the bumper frame was damaged it will be pushed back & may be making contact with the body of the car...which isnt good. Trust me on this. Take a look at my pics here ( I havent updated this in a while) http://www.picturetrail.com/projectcheap13
my 240 had rear bumper damage. But as it turns out the actual hatch area ( here the hatch closes against the seal) is bent. It is almost impossible to fix. SO that is something to take into consideration.