Salvaged Jaguar F Type Turns Out to Be a Killer Deal
Salvage vehicles can present huge risks. But as was the case with this Jaguar, they can also offer up massive rewards.
Thanks in part to a number of specialized YouTube channels, interest in rebuilding salvaged cars has peaked in recent years. And for obvious reasons. Salvaged vehicles can be had at huge discounts, and sometimes fixing them is relatively easy and inexpensive. Notice we said sometimes. Buying a salvage car also comes with a huge risk, as hidden damages can often turn them into giant money pits instead. So, you can’t blame Jaguar Forums member Jose Torres for being a bit nervous after picking up this wrecked F-Type.
“I just placed the winning bid on this 2016 F-Type S. I’m excited and very nervous about it arriving. I paid around $17k and it only has 22k miles. Originally, I wanted an Evora, but the looks of this really swayed me. Let me know how I did and tell me if you guys have any parts for sale at an affordable price.”
On the surface, this Jaguar certainly didn’t look too bad. But the OP’s fellow members were a bit more skeptical about its potential for a rebuild.
“Ouch! I do hope there are no surprises once the fixing begins,” said sparky fuse. “This may possibly get ugly. When I was very young, my father did this quite often. He almost never turned a profit on any of the vehicles he bought/repaired/flipped. If you are doing this as a long-term purchase/owner it may turn out alright for you. Good luck with it.”
“You may do best by parting it out,” added Unhingd. “You’ve got some body straightening needed in back. Bent cross members up front and a lot of bits and pieces to replace. Without taking a very close look at the front end, it’s difficult to see how deep the damage has gone. The hood will never be right again without replacing it.”
Despite this skepticism, the OP wasn’t swayed. And honestly, so long as you proceed carefully and watch what you spend on a project like this, you’ll typically be fine. If the damage on this Jaguar F-Type proved to be superficial, we’re talking about a deep discount on a car that originally stickered for almost $90k, after all. Luckily, that turned out to be the case.
“The car just arrived! Happy to report way less damage than expected. The rear gap is just the trunk area lifting a little or ungluing the front. Only slight damage to the radiator support and a broken headlight.”
With some help from his fellow forum members, the OP was able to track down a replacement headlight. After a little time in the shop, the Jaguar was finished and looking great. Which proves once again that if you buy smart, a salvage vehicle can provide excellent value. So be sure and head over here to check out the entire process and what went into making it happen!
Photos: Jaguar Forums
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