Well, this is partially true about the price. But I once had an S2k with LOW MILES. (Yes, I understand it's no Viper, it's just my personal comparison.)
What I do know is this:
It was purchased in early 01 and it was an 01 model. It was totaled less than 6 months after it was purchased. The damage was ONLY to the LF headlight, wheel and headlight. Because of the cost of these things at that time it was totaled, purchased by someone and taken out of state. The title was "washed" and when I got it years later it was a clean title. Only a car fax revealed otherwise. I did not believe it because I had been under the car and it was clean and nothing was even close to looking like it wasn't factory. I took it to a dealership (Roush Honda) and they said it was fine and they doubted it was totaled. When we got to talking about what was replaced and the replacement costs it quickly added up.
My suggestions is to have him take you on a high speed ride to determine how it tracks down the road. If it's straight and true, then it's good to go.
Also, some insurance companies will total a car depending on the insured's contract with them, etc. There are a lot of variables, but I am not scared of a totaled car personally unless I either want to sell it for cash or I find the repairs to be unfit.