I face a difficult decision. Local to me there is a 2005 Touring Z with only 28k on it for $18,000. The pricing is firm on the vehicle, and they do not accept trades. I car faxed the Z and it was in an accident in which the airbags deployed. Car fax says left side impact, which leads me to think it was T boned. I plan on going to see / drive it tomorrow. So my question to you all is knowing it was hit pretty good, would you still buy it at this low price? Car has a clean title. If the body work is ****, then I wont consider it. But if I cant tell, then I don't know what to do. Should I chance it?

Need some input guys!! HELP!!

 

Get a third party independent evaluation of the car. If you suspect accident damage make sure the frame is checked to confirm it is straight. There are laser guided alignment machines with very close tolerances that should identify any deviations from stock specs.

If there is no identifiable damage then you have to decide if this is the Z for you. If the price is not negotiable you either buy it or walk!!! DO NOT GET EMOTIONALLY HOOKED. Be willing to walk away if you don't feel comfortable.

If damage is found especially frame damage you have to determine if the damage was repaired properly. If so, again you have to decide if you can live with the car. Obviously the price would have to reflect this.

The most important thing IMO is NOT to get emotionally caught up in a car. This clouds your decision making process. Best of luck...let us know how it turns out!!!

 

FYI. I just picked up a base 2005 with 29k miles and a clean carfax for $16,500 this week. I'd show them the carfax and offer <15k. Think to the future. Will you sell it private party or trade it in? Either way they will pull a carfax and see the accident and will low ball you to no end. Why pay more for a damaged product that will be nearly worthless to trade or resell?

 

thanks for your input z350boy. i didnt know that body shops had equipment like that.as far as the emotionally hooked part, shouldnt be a problem. i sell cars for a living. i can take the heat. i will get back to you with my findings.

 

most dealers do not car fax a vehicle before it is traded, unless they suspect it was in a wreck. Ive sold cars for 2 dealers now, and we never car fax until after it was traded. I would do it with every appraisal but whatever. So you personally would not get it, is what i'm gathering?

 

^^ No problem; do you plan to resell?? That should play a major role in your decision.

 

more then likely id trade it somewhere. typically i keep a car for 3 years or so. ive had my 05 rsx-s for 3 years now and im sick of it. its a good car, but tired of torque steer, and want something with some more *****! i work at an acura dealer so more then likely ill sell it to them if the number is reasonable. If its not, I cant afford 2 car payments, so this Z would be out of the question. the dealer with the Z does not accept trades.

 

didnt get a chance to go today. maybe next week.

 

Would I take it? Nope. I'd much rather buy an undamaged car than a damaged car for the same price. I would keep looking.

If nothing else, it'll make it easier to sell later on. If you go private party to sell it, you can assume your average joe will probably pull the carfax and low ball you. IF the dealer pulls the carfax on the trade, they'd lowball you.

You might as well go in there carfax in hand and lowball them. They will probably end up telling you the KBB is $25,500 retail and you're already getting a great deal and they accounted for that in the price. If you believe them, and the car looks and runs great, it checks out and your okay knowing it was previously wrecked, great. Go for it. It is a good price according to KBB and Edmunds TMV.

I just pulled KBB on the car I bought this week (2005 Base 6MT w/ 29,000 miles and a clean carfax) and it was $23,105 (Edmunds TMV 18,500) and they sold it to me for $16,500. They had it listed on Autotrader for $18,000. I barely even had to talk about the price. The manager asked me what the sticker was on it and I told him 17,000. He told me he'd sell it for 16,500 and asked me if I wanted it.

That's all I'm saing .

 

I wouldnt buy it. Even if you do get the car checked out and the frame does check good there is always a chance that the frame might have some hire line crack in it that might one day lead to worse damage over time from hitting bumps in the road. If I were you I look else where and find a different one. You might pay more and you might not. There are always deals out there, you just have to put the time in and find it. Im sure if you put sometime in youll be able to find pretty much the same kind of Z, but one without the damage. But in the end its all what you want. I wish you luck.

 

makes sense. i will not buy it for resale alone. thanks for your input guys.

 

Stay away! It's bad enough checking them out and seeing they've been dogged much less in an actual wreck.

And the price doesn't seem to reflect damage compared to what they're selling for from dealers here ('undamaged clean title').