I've had a few F-body's between third gens and my last was a 96 TA vert, but have been out of the game for about 10 years. I've been looking for a while now for a WS6, including a post just the other day here on the classifieds section. I've got about a $10k budget and obviously would like to get as nice of a car as I can for the money. My hope is that with my budget I'm not looking at 150K plus cars or ones with heavy mods done to it, or someone else's unfinished project/neglect. I want something to drive when the weather is nice and put a few thousand miles a year on. No track time or racing planned.

I found one on online that seems pretty decent. It's an 02 coupe with M6 and only about 50k miles and other than a catback exhaust it's all stock. It's a few hours drive away so not around the corner but certainly doable for the right car. Pictures of the outside and inside of the car look very clean. I did get one pic of the underside that looks like surface rust but am not sure if this is more than normal and wanted some feedback.


Does the rust look normal in this pic?

Now for the other news. I ran a carfax on it and the car was involved in an accident in 2003. The report classified it as "Moderate" on the damage severity scale. Looks like it was rear ended and it says "structural damage reported" with damage to rear and front. So my guess is the car was rear ended and driven into the car in front of it. Given that it was still fairly new the insurance company repaired it and it still has a clear title. Assuming everything else with the car checks out, what are your thoughts on buying something with this on the report? I'm thinking a discount on price is a given, and believe it could be had in the $10-11k range...but am curious if it is better to just bail out and keep looking. It's not like it's hard to find a car, but it's not easy either. Anything that seems like it's worth looking at is several hours/states away and I have a family and can't just hop on planes or take long road trips to look at every car. I would really appreciate everyone's opinion, even if I might get a lot of different ones

 

That type of rust on a 50k mile example indicates that it has seen its fair share of winter driving, so this is certainly not a top tier example for the mileage but it's also not abnormal for a northern climate car that was used as a year-round daily driver during some period in its life. The accident damage/repair quality is something you'll really need to assess in person, but I wouldn't expect any huge discount for this as the car still has a clean title (unless the repairs were poorly done - but then I'd say to take a pass even if the price is good).

Overall, if it were me and I was looking for a good weather only weekend cruiser, I would look for an example that hasn't been used in winter conditions. Of course, that comes at a premium and garage queen WS6s aren't exactly cheap. Are you absolutely set on the car having to be a WS6 model? Personally, I'd rather have a lower trim level in nicer condition for the same money, but if you are set on this specific model and your budget is fixed then you'll have to compromise on either condition or mileage or both.

 

This is the guide for Florida. Other areas will be different.

A high mileage car (150k plus) you're looking at about 3k to 5k depending on condition and upgrades. For $7,500 you're looking at 150k miles in great shape or 125k with a little work needed. For $10k you're looking at 100k miles in great shape or under 100k with cracked panels and sail panel bubbles.

 

I'd pass on it due the accident and underside pics. Don't rush the purchase. You'll be much happier if you find something you don't even have to ask about it.

 

Thanks everyone. My expectation for a 10k budget on a ws6 was actually that I’d be looking at relatively clean cars at or a little under 100k miles. The low miles on this one almost seemed too good to be true, and perhaps it is. I think I’ll pass and keep looking.

 

Down here in Houston, TX a $10,000 WS6 will be real nice. I bought one and has a $19k in the drivetrain. LS3 with head and cam, PerformaBuilt trans, FTI 3600 stall, MWC 9in rear end, and ect. for $11k.

 

383Z that car looks CLEAN! I still think the factory 5 star speedlines are beautiful wheels. Nice purchase for sure. One thing that I would really like is the M6 and it sure seems like they command a decent amount more than the autos. I'll keep looking. Maybe as we enter winter there will be some guys looking to unload and be able to get a better deal since it's "off season" for selling sports cars.

 

Thats what I am hoping for as well.

 

I think I found one. They sent me pics of the underside and this looks much better to me. Looks like it had some undercoating originally.

 

Are you dead set on a WS6? I realize it does look better with the ram air hood. But honestly, there's barely any difference between a regular Trans Am and a WS6. Hood, 17 inch wheels as opposed to 16 inch wheels, maybe a slightly taller gear, and that's really about it. Performance wise it's no different. I just think you could get a much cleaner and lower mile Trans Am for 10k. You could always change the tire size down the road and put the ram air hood on.

 

I wasn't dead set on a WS6, I actually almost got an 01 vert M6 but didn't get to it in time. But I definitely would want to put the WS6 hood and wheels on it. Doing that costs money. Doing the math I just started looking at WS6 cars since they already have those options and I don't have to be bothered with getting the work done, and honestly for a few grand more figured might as well go for the real thing. I realize the powertrain is the same, it's just aesthetics for me. I am buying the second car I found and for the money feel like I did really well.