I know this topic has been discussed numerous times, and i have searched for about 30 mins...but i think this one may be a little different.


I'm looking at a 05 Touring Roadster with 20,000 miles. It has a salvage title. The auto dealer purchased it from the insurance company with absolutely no damage...and they have pictures and records to prove this. They "believe" that is it a Theft recovery. I have asked them to take it to Nissan and have them perform a full mechanical/body inspection, and that i would be glad to fork over a couple hundered bucks for this (seeing how i need to fly down to buy the car).

My question is...would the insurance company repair the vehicle before selling it? Would Nissan be reputable in inspecting for accidents?

The car is listed for $22k firm and it is in Mint condition according to the 20+ pictures i have received.


Thanks all

 

I bought a fully loaded 03 touring a year ago with 19,000 miles for $21k mint condition. I would not touch a salvage title, especially for that price. Shop around you can find a non salvage title for the same price.

 

dont bother with a salvage title unless its like 14k, sounds like more trouble than anything.

 

I bought a mint 03 tiburon for my now ex girlfriend. had it checked out, put on a lift and all that garbage. Ended up having frame damage that the shop missed, one door doesnt open and its window doesnt work. Tires wear funny. hell even the windshield cracked. Its not worth it.

The tiburon was worth it because all the problems happened after I broke up with that hobag.

 

If you're talking $22K U.S. dollars that does sound high. Plus, as I understand it, that "Salvage Title" always stays with the car which could seriously affect your ability to sell or trade it later.
If you plan on driving a car until the wheels fall off, then a salvage titled car may not be a bad deal.

 

for that price i would shop around and find something with a better resale value. The bluebook on a salvage title drops terribly so to have payments on a 22k vehicle that is only worth 15k is somewhat disturbing when your making 60 $500 payments.

Shop around, you can do better. I bought my '03 in the winter of '04 with 12k miles on it for $21,000. You can do better i promise.

 

Yea I wouldn't mess with a salvage title either..the price is kinda high as well...I bought my 06 brand new for 25....spend another few thousand and be satisfied..but if u wanted to check it out get the vin number and go to carfax..that will tell u everything the car has been thru...

 

Not to be nosey, but i'm assuming she took over payments when she left right? Hopefully you didn't buy it outright. That's why i never will buy anything big like that for chicks unless we are married.

 

M Z has a salvage title and only the driver door was replaced. The car drives and looks like its brand new. Get a mechanic and have them check it out if its clear then go for it. If you feel its to expensive for the salvage title then drop them a low number and let them work you to 19 or 20 grand.

 

Wow, here i thought this was a good deal for a 2005 Touring Convertible. Sticker price on this car was close to $40,000. I have yet to see a clean title one for less than $28,000 usd.

I guess, if the shop does miss something, i'm screwed..

Carfax indicated that it was a total loss and it has a salvage title. Odometer and stuff is correct...It doesn't indicate why it was a total loss.

Here is a link to the car:

http://www.autoreposales.com/ebay/05...c/2005350z.htm


Thanks for your help

 

A few things:

I know the price is tempting, but it is high. You can do better with a non-salvage vehicle a year or two older.

The words "Mint Condition" and "salvage" can never be used in the same sentence. That is an oxymoron, like "Honest Politician."

Never buy a salvage title car unless you plan on keeping it forever, throwing a ton of money towards repairs, and never expect to sell it for a reasonable price. Period.

 

that sounds sketchy already just because they can't tell you what it was salvaged for. It shouldn't be a hard question to answer. Just tell me what the hell was wrong with the car when the cops found it! driver seat missing? steering wheel missing? Sittin' on bricks? those are OK. but motor pissed on and dirt thrown into it? or crashed into the center divider on a freeway? Then NO WAY that I would buy.
Trust comes a long way, and building it is very simple. Just answer questions and provide evidence. If they can't do something as simple as that, there's a good chance that there is something sinister.

 

Looks clean. But peace of mind is worth more than a couple grand.

 

Just say no to salvage title.

The piece of mind in knowing your ride's integrity is 100% as you dive into your favorite chicane or 100mph sweeper = priceless. :-)

 

no way never buy a salvage title. the car can never be the same. u can find a 2003 or 2004 for 22,000 (not salvage)

 

There's just too much stigma associated with a "branded title". Resale is certain to be more difficult and the structural integrity of the car is unknown. Have you ever bent a credit card repeatedly to weaken it to the point you can tear it into pieces? That's what I think of when I think about buying a car that may have been repaired. Even when you're buying a used car with a clear title, there's an element of risk. I've owned a lot of cars over the years, and I got stung on a couple with carefully hidden issues. My vote is to keep looking. Just my .02.
Bruce

 

+10000
And as someone else already stated, reselling it for a decent price wouldn't be easy.
You can find a nice used Z with a clean title in your price range.

 

I bought an '06 enthusiast coupe for US$24K -- in my driveway with duties, inspectons, taxes, etc. paid it was less than C$34K
You can definitely do better than "salvage" for that price.

FYI... The car has to pass both Federal and Provincial inspections here in BC. If they find a problem with it, you'll need to repair it before you can get full insurance.

 

Again, i appreciate the reply's as this info is usefull. The dealer has sent me a link to the insurance auction it was purchased from, with pics dated Dec/06. The car was in the same shape...I wonder if was "fixed" and then auctioned. If it wasn't and it is a true theft receovery, this seems like a great deal (only if it was theft receovery)...


I just wished i lived in LA to check this out in person... anybody wanna go for me :P


I guess ill look for a different 2005 drop top.... I have yet to see one for $25k that is touring and with low miles....

Thanks for all your help.

 

i always thought salvage title meant that the car had more damage than it was worth...