What to look out for when buying a 'new' but salvaged title car (1 Viewer)

[skycriesmary]

So, I'm thinking about buying this, which has less than 2k miles on it, but a salvaged title for getting into a wreck. Doing a VIN search, I found photos of the vehicle before repair. Retail on this is about 34k new, and I can get this for 20k plus shipping. Assuming there is no frame damage, and the work has been done by a professional shop, what else should I be looking at? 

TIA (and for all the 'why are you buying a women's car' jokes)

 

[fruity pebbles]

Id pay a few thousand more and get a non wrecked car with a few more miles. Gonna hold its value a lot better over the long haul.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c26326&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c26326&zip=03870&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&trimNames=RF+Club+RWD&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true#listing=211862172_isFeatured

 

[Sullie]

There's a black one near you w/3k miles, grand touring, RF, pretty well loaded - asking price is 29k - I'll wager you could knock that down a bit but I agree with FP - you're better off getting one without a salvage title.

https://listingallcars.com/vdp/262488570994372903/Used-2017-Mazda-Miata-Grand-Touring-for-sale-in-Edmonds-WA-98026-by-Dougs-Lynnwood-Mazda

 

[Courtjester]

Id pay a few thousand more and get a non wrecked car with a few more miles. Gonna hold its value a lot better over the long haul.

I have to agree with this.

As I mentioned in another thread, I am actively looking for a car and I have run into many cars with salvaged titles. I can tell you my insurance company has said they would insure a salvaged vehicle, but it could be at a higher rate and I bet all you could get is basic coverage. Further, my agent said if there ever was a claim filed on the vehicle, there is a good chance they would really look at the claim and question paying it. 

 

[skycriesmary]

I have to agree with this.

As I mentioned in another thread, I am actively looking for a car and I have run into many cars with salvaged titles. I can tell you my insurance company has said they would insure a salvaged vehicle, but it could be at a higher rate and I bet all you could get is basic coverage. Further, my agent said if there ever was a claim filed on the vehicle, there is a good chance they would really look at the claim and question paying it. 

That's a really good point, and one that I hadn't considered.

 

[skycriesmary]

Id pay a few thousand more and get a non wrecked car with a few more miles. Gonna hold its value a lot better over the long haul.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=untrackedExternal_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c26326&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c26326&zip=03870&distance=50000&searchChanged=true&trimNames=RF+Club+RWD&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true#listing=211862172_isFeatured

Yeah, I get that from a value standpoint. My counter is that I'm not planning on selling it, period. 

 

[fruity pebbles]

Yeah, I get that from a value standpoint. My counter is that I'm not planning on selling it, period. 

Thats what evryone says when they get their “dream” car. Three years later..........

 

[Dickies]

I have a salvage title Honda Accord that I bought with over 100k miles on it, but it was a theft recovery and had nothing wrong with it. I’m not concerned about the title status because I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off. I’d be hesitant to buy a brand new car that was a total loss though. Seems like the exact opposite circumstance that would make me consider buying a salvage

 

[skycriesmary]

Thats what evryone says when they get their “dream” car. Three years later..........

 Well, the only reason I'm getting this is to give my girlfriend something else to ride around in besides my 'dogmobile' (2007 Mazda 3), which I transport my 100# beastie. I think she's tired of always taking her car out when we actually want to go out.

 

[nightmare]

So, I'm thinking about buying this, which has less than 2k miles on it, but a salvaged title for getting into a wreck. Doing a VIN search, I found photos of the vehicle before repair. Retail on this is about 34k new, and I can get this for 20k plus shipping. Assuming there is no frame damage, and the work has been done by a professional shop, what else should I be looking at? 

TIA (and for all the 'why are you buying a women's car' jokes)

Take a long, hard, look at the photo with the car face on. One wheel looks like it a good 3 inches behind the other..
NO Way you could keep a set of front tires on that car for long-that's with a "good" fix. $20,000+?-Pass.

 

[skycriesmary]

Take a long, hard, look at the photo with the car face on. One wheel looks like it a good 3 inches behind the other..
NO Way you could keep a set of front tires on that car for long-that's with a "good" fix. $20,000+?-Pass.

Much appreciated, are you referring to the ninth photo in the series? 

 

[nirad3]

What to look out for?  A different car.

Don't do it.  Been there, done that, got screwed over.

 

[nightmare]

Much appreciated, are you referring to the ninth photo in the series? 

Yes. You can't tell how bad it is with the fender pulled out.

 

[tjnc09]

There is no way a Mazda is worth that potential headache.

Plenty of decent new cars for that price range.  

 

[Joe Summer]

99% chance that this car has frame damage.

If you were buying an old sedan or a truck, it might not be a huge deal. But on a performance car? Get out of here.

 

[cosjobs]

I've bought a number of salvage titles and never had a problem. Get the VIN and see if the warranty is transferable and still valid. Probably not but possible.Get the info who did the repairs and if they are warranted. If so, get it in writing

Also, I always buy them at a location I can check them out and run them over to a frame shop or even someone who does alignments can usually tell if its problematic.

 

[nirad3]

Also, I always buy them at a location I can check them out and run them over to a frame shop or even someone who does alignments can usually tell if its problematic.

yeah, if you're hellbent on buying this hooptie, this is mission critical

 

[skycriesmary]

There is no way a Mazda is worth that potential headache.

Plenty of decent new cars for that price range.  

Eh, it's one of the funnest cars I've ever driven.  It handles amazingly well, and has great torque as well. I'm looking for a sports coupe under 25k, probably Asian at that price point.  I've looked at the following used models: BRZ, G35, G37, and RX8. 

 

[boots11234]

You’re risking right from the start 22.9k to save maybe 5-7k.  That’s a terrible bet. Plus it could bleed you dry in maintaining. I’d either go a few years older or more miles. New cars easily go 2-300k miles if taken care of.   

 

[skycriesmary]

You’re risking right from the start 22.9k to save maybe 5-7k.  That’s a terrible bet. Plus it could bleed you dry in maintaining. I’d either go a few years older or more miles. New cars easily go 2-300k miles if taken care of.   

Well, they already said they'd come down to 19,800. I was looking at the 2017 or 2018 as they have the hardtop which brings this car to a whole new level. I couldn't do the soft top. That being said, yes, I'd much rather go a few years old and save the 30%+ depreciation or so from a new car.

 

[Slider]

It sold for 6k at auction, is a manual 4cyl and has a salvage title? I couldn't run away fast enough.

 

[skycriesmary]

It sold for 6k at auction, is a manual 4cyl and has a salvage title? I couldn't run away fast enough.

It ended up selling for $8,100, but yeah, I get the point. What do you have against manuals though? I won't buy a auto with freaking paddle shifters.

 

[Slider]

Nothing really but I've driven 18,14,10,8 and 6 speed manuals. I'm done.

 

[Johnny Rock]

It ended up selling for $8,100, but yeah, I get the point. What do you have against manuals though? I won't buy a auto with freaking paddle shifters.

My father in law used to buy, fix and sell repairables. We’d take turns picking out vehicles we wanted him to bid on and fix up. Usually auction price + parts + about $2,000 for his time since we are family. Figure out the damage estimate and work from about what their break-even would be plus some profit.

Not sure what damage yours had but he wouldn’t touch major front end damage that got into mechanicals much.

We never had a problem insuring for full value as long as it was inspected by the state which is required to relicense.

For me I’d never buy a used car sight unseen and even crazier, undriven. Now buying a salvage vehicle that way from a repair guy/shop you don’t know, over the internet, is a flat no way. Gotta drive it and inspect it.

If it were me I’d ask to see his parts receipts in advance (can’t hurt to ask), visit in person and drive it, hopefully with a friend even more knowledgeable than me, have an inspection at a good shop set up in advance, and if it all checks out, offer a few thousand above “break-even.” Maybe $14,000 for example. What’s the worst that can happen? 

 

[playin4beer]

Every single car, truck, van I've owned was wrecked and/or had a salvage title. 

That being said, I bought them wrecked, inspected them myself and had people I trust, fix them. I never bought one fixed by someone else.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Don't ever buy a salvage title car unless you never really plan to sell it. And on this particular car, the savings are not nearly enough to make it worth it. Frame damage is no joke and there are other minor problems that can pop up later that you may never be able to fix. If you do insist on buying it, check the paint job too. Thats another place they will cut corners if it wasn't fixed properly after a wreck. And lastly drive it at high speed and make sure there are no vibrations and that the alignment is good.

 

[skycriesmary]

I appreciate all of the feedback, and will take a step back from considering this.  This is why I posted this question.  Talk me out of a stupid decision.

 

[AAABatteries]

Miata?  Your biggest concern should be all ##### you are going to slay in that thing, playa.

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Your biggest concern would be that places that repair vehicles with salvage titles have to keep the costs of the repairs down as low as possible by nature.  They are effectively trying to put a car back together that they know for sure will be worth significantly less than a car without a salvage title.  Because of this--you are most likely getting cars where the work wasn't done by top notch mechanics that actually charge for good quality work.  You're getting a car where there is a high likelihood that the work was done by people who do cheap work.   Read through horror stories of salvage title cars---bent/damaged frames, places that faked the installation of air bags--these are things that can absolutely compromise your safety.  By the time you factor the long term cumulative costs of the higher insureance rates that you are paying, and the lack of resale value that the car will maintain--it's a bad idea.   

 

[Slider]

I appreciate all of the feedback, and will take a step back from considering this.  This is why I posted this question.  Talk me out of a stupid decision.

Good idea. It's not a terrible thing but you could run into inspection places that see you as a target, alignment and tire issues forever and a catastrophic failure down the line that you'll surely blame on the salvage.

 

[cosjobs]

Good idea. It's not a terrible thing but you could run into inspection places that see you as a target, alignment and tire issues forever and a catastrophic failure down the line that you'll surely blame on the salvage.

Or you could drive a reliable vehicle for five years with no problem and have an extra $5000 to pend on coke and hors'douvers

 

[cosjobs]

Out of all salvage titles, hail damage is the best and flooded is the worst. Never buy a flooded car

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Out of all salvage titles, hail damage is the best and flooded is the worst. Never buy a flooded car

Did you see the “before” pics of the car?  This was far from hail damage. The fact that the car might have a vinyl wrap on it is also concerning. The back portion of the car seemed to be in decent condition. Seems strange that they would wrap the entire thing— unless they are hiding poor paint work.

 

[skycriesmary]

Did you see the “before” pics of the car?  This was far from hail damage. The fact that the car might have a vinyl wrap on it is also concerning. The back portion of the car seemed to be in decent condition. Seems strange that they would wrap the entire thing— unless they are hiding poor paint work.

Are you referencing the car I originally brought up, or another? 

 

[jvdesigns2002]

Are you referencing the car I originally brought up, or another? 

I'm referencing the pictures of the Mazda Miata in the before pics. It looks as though that car got in a pretty serious front end crash that most likely damaged the frame.  The entire front axle looks like it was pushed or shifted several inches.  If the control arms are mounted to the frame--when that happened there is a very high likelihood that the frame got twisted or cracked.  

In general--some cars have salvage titles because they may have been caught in hail storms--and those cars can be pretty good opportunities as one poster mentioned.   Those are vehicles where you are not looking at frame damage--and the majority of the damage can be of the cosmetic variety.  However, in this case--the damage is beyond extensive.   The fact that whoever restored the car thought it would be a good idea to give it a vinyl wrap also concerns me.  The paint on the back half to 3/4 of the car looks to be nice.  Why would anybody want to hide a nice paint job if it was done correctly?   I wouldn't touch the Mazda in the listing above unless it was an absolute steal--like $10k or less--and I'd still have an auto body specialist examine the frame and paint before pulling the trigger at that.