terrellda

I am looking at purchasing a 350z base model for $11,000. It has 25,000 miles a 6-speed transmission and has the side airbags and curtain airbags. I just found out that the vehicle has a salvage title. I have looked throughout the vehicle and it looks as though it has never been in a wreck and drives perfect. The thing I would like to know is since this vehicle was salvaged. Is this still a good price for a salvage vehicle in great shape? The CARFAX report says it was in a front end collision and was salvaged at 1300 miles. The only problem I have found is the airbag system will not perform the self test but all airbags have been replaced. I believe the air bag control module or seat belt tensioner may need to be replaced. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, what would be a good selling price for this vehicle? So that I might be able to talk them down.

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

Have a REALLY, REALLY good mechanic go through it with fine tooth comb.

Built2shredZ

My biggest concern would be a bent frame....

terrellda

I have had a certified mechanic look at the body of the vehicle to include the frame and he told me that if I had not told him the car was salvaged he would not have known that it had been in a wreck with the exception of the air bag system and he would need to hook it up to a diagnostic machine to check the air bag system at the nissan dealership.

edwin350z

iTrader: (23)

sounds good for 11k.

Ztalker

if it tracks and drives fine....runs without any vibrations at higher speeds, its worth 10 grand.

blown in nc

Flood car?

nothix

iTrader: (27)

oooo hope its not flood, but thats usually easy to detect.

Mewantbfp

Well overall i would say its a good deal i always get nervous when dealing with front impact vehicles, but if your mechanic approves then it should be ok. The only thing i would worry about is the fact that its an 03 and you dont have a warranty on it. You might end up spending more money later on replacing the tranny. But hey for $11,000 i would say you couldnt go wrong. Just remember to make sure all the airbags work properly and you should be set.

gtmule

iTrader: (1)

11K is REALLY cheap for that, I'd bet it's a flood, and thus will always have electrical issues. ONe with moderate front end damage that was obviously fixed well should be ~17 or 18, I'd think.

daveZ insanity

iTrader: (4)

There's some kind of a list that dealers can access to identify salvage vehicles. A friend bought an S430 that had a salvage title for "flood damage" and our local MB dealer wouldn't do any work on it because of this. I don't know if this was a general policy or only that place, but you should check if you plan to use a dealer. An '03's probably got no more warranty anyway, so it's a moot point except for recalls.

If there was extensive flood damage and insurance covered it, the claim should be available to your insurance company whether it was repaired or sold for salvage value. More likely in a car that was salvaged for "flood damage" but looks perfect, it was something like a hydrolocked cylinder that required an engine replacement. In combination with a new wiring harness, computer and a few other bits that could have been taken out by driving through deep water, you could reach enough retail repair cost to total it on paper. If the engine was replaced, the serial number on the block will tell you.

BTW - these are unit body cars. They have no frames.

Spideynw

I doubt it. You just can't sell a salvage title for more then half the blue book.

MustGoFastR

iTrader: (13)

Well, if it was salvaged at 1300 miles and now has 25,000, I'm sure it's just fine. If anything major was going to go wrong with it as a result of poor repair work, etc., it would have happened by now. I say go for it.

terrellda

I pulled the CARFAX information on the VIN number. In the reports it stated that the car was involved in a front end collision with 1341 miles on the odometer. It was repared at a dealership in New Jersey and then inspected and released for resale.
Then it changed ownership only one other time so the previous owner has driven the car for about 20,000 within the last 3 years. With no further accidents reported and no major repairs performed.
No flood damage has ever be reported and the unibody structure under the car is fine. I will be trying to get a full list of the repairs performed from the dealership in New Jersey. And I will be visiting the Nissan Dealership to run the Diagnostic on the Airbag System

BTW: I am looking at purchaing the car from the current owner not a Car Dealer.

wantsa350

I had a S14 that was salvage but looked PERFECT I had my friend who owns a body shop look at it and there was not visable damnage or overspray.. keep in mind no one will want to would buy it for much..

Sometimes it salvge because burucratic means.. repo etc..

stein

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like a deal to me!

mavtais

iTrader: (12)

Keep following up like that and you're sure to find yourself a decent ride for a decent price. 1/2 kbb is typical price for salvaged title. So 11K is about right. That should leave you plenty of money for suspension mods.

Salamander

I've been thinking of selling my Z lately, and the thing that has been making me not want to sell it(besides the love I have for the car) is that I'm going to get screwed on how much I sell it for, because I got into an accident in may.

So don't only think about how cheap your getting it for, also think about the future of how much you are going to sell it for. If you plan on selling it.

Spideynw

Or if you can even sell it.

Life Goes On

iTrader: (1)

are u buying this cash?