Ok, I know how some of you feel about salvaged Zs. I found this one on ebay from I hope is a reputable place. Basically it's a 2003 Touring Z with 75K miles. Everything looks ok on the outside, except the rear rim is cracked which can mean lower control arm damage or even axle damage. The guy says the frame is good, his word, not mine. All airbags good. The body needs a new rear bumper, and some panels to be painted. Below is the link so you can see the car yourselfs. It's going for 7,950. I don't think that's a bad deal (if everything this guy says is true about the car). My only concern is I did some KBB research and the car should go for around 11-13K, so why would the insurance company salvage the car?

Thoughts/Suggestions/Comments are all welcome.

Thanks guys.

- Steven

Ebay Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

sounds like a really good deal. definately get the carfax before you buy. if all is true than thats a hell of an oppurtunity. maybe try to call the company/seller directly to see if you can get the car from them and avoid dealing w/ ebay? if at all possible.

gl w/ your decision

 

Doesn't look too bad, actually, but no ashtray/coin holder?

Salvage, in NJ at least, means the damage was 80% of the cars value - so likely ~$10k to fix it. Maybe there is suspension damage from the rear wheel hit that we can't see. A fair salvage value is half of retail, so if you found $11-13 on KBB, you should double check that value at Edmunds.com, then take half of the lowest retail you found and call that fair value. Your call if you want to pay more than that, but typically when a vehicle is salvaged, the "buy back" from the insurance company is $1,000-1,500 depending on the vehicle.

 

Does the car look the way it is in the picture?. I am asking because it is hard to see why it needs a rear bumper cover. If not, why are they not showing the car as it is now with the possible bumper dammage?. Sorry if I am missing anything. (Never mind, should have scrolled down more. lol)

 

There's pictures of the rear bumper.

Overall, I would say you're looking at 4-5k in repairs. I would only buy this car if you plan on fixing all the damage yourself. Otherwise, buy a car that doesn't have a salvaged title.

 

This comes up a lot. Here is my simple minded advice.

Find out how much the same car would be worth if it was fixed, running well, and had clean title. A car with a salvage title is worth about 1/2 to 2/3 of that. Factor in the costs of repair as well.

So using your example: the value of a 2003 Touring Z w/ 75k miles is about $11,000 in average condition. If the cost of repairs is $3,000 (just an example, not an estimate), then I would come up with my offer this way:

$11,000/2 - $3,000 = $2,500 So I would say that $8k is a terrible price for this car. Even if you didn't have to repair a thing, my starting price would be $5,500.

Let's say you were an optimist and thought that a 2003 touring w/ 75k miles was worth $13k and you were going to use the 2/3 value figure, then the car (fully repaired) is still only worth:

$13,000 x 2/3 = $8,700

And that doesn't even factor in the costs of repair.

Run away.

 

Also, remember that a car almost always looks better in pictures. That being said if you zoom in the Side Skirt is bamaged, Front Fender is not ligned up correctly and is missing the emblem. Oh and the hood is not in allignment. I would bet the entire car is not straight.

Regards,

 

Hmm...

 

i got the carfax and that car was in 2 accidents. the second one is the one that totalled it.

07/29/2009 Oklahoma
Police Report
Case #102753597 Accident reported
in Oklahoma County
Involving right front impact
It hit a concrete barrier
Vehicle disabled

08/27/2009 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept. TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE
Title or registration issued
to insurance company

 

if thats your means of calculation, what about a car that has a rebuilt title and has had the repairs already made?

 

50% of market. 60% TOPS.

 

Holy Crap! ... Thanks for the info. I think I'll be running away now like dhays said

 

Just what Scotts said. 1/2 to 2/3 (at the outside) of market value if all the repairs have been made.

 

Originally Posted by jeremyh007
i got the carfax and that car was in 2 accidents. the second one is the one that totalled it.

07/29/2009 Oklahoma
Police Report
Case #102753597 Accident reported
in Oklahoma County
Involving right front impact
It hit a concrete barrier
Vehicle disabled

08/27/2009 Oklahoma
Motor Vehicle Dept. TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE
Title or registration issued
to insurance company

good looking out "never buy w/out carfax"

 

Doesnt look like a good deal at all.. you're going to put thousands into repairing it and its still going to have a salvage title and it may even have more probs you cant see right now.. DO NOT DO IT.. theres Zs out there that have been VERY well taken care of for around $12k and the same mileage(maybe less), no wrecks, and a CLEAR title. Just be patient til you find a good deal on a clear title car, itll be worth it in the long run.. Im sure there will be some with the colder weather moving in. Just my 2 cents.

 

 

that reply was b4 jeremyh007 posted the carfax history. ive had friends who were lucky enough to find cars less than 1/2 the price w/ slight damage, oh and they repair damage for a living. if you read my reply you will see i wrote "definately get the carfax before you buy"

any who im sure the op wil pass on the sale

 

all my cars i've ever owned came from copart, salvage cars are perfectly fine aslong as you know what was wrong with it.

I had a TSX and now drive a 35th anniversary Z, btw if you wanna buy it im open to offers (27k, black on black all stock)

but this one is a "doll" theres alot more damage to it in the front. You see the aftermarket bumper with the paint not matching? means they just put on whatever they had to cover the damage. It could have undercarriage damage and you wont know until you bring it home.

Plus an 04 enthusiast model with almost 80k on it should cost you around 7-8k if you fix it yourself. You could easily get one already fixed with a pretty good history for about 10k...