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There are people here in Houston who purchase cars at auction with relatively minor body damage, do the body work, and resell the cars not hiding the “salvage title”. They will usually have pictures showing the body damage before it was repaired, allowing you to judge for yourself how severe the damage was.
I have twice bought cars (one car, one truck, actually) that had salvage titles, but I saw proof of why they were “totaled” by the insurance company, so I knew exactly what I was getting into.
If there were no insurance on one of those cars in your picture, then it would not be “totaled”, and the title would not change to “salvage”. Those are the ones you have to worry about. One trick I was told about: pull off the inside door panel, and look for water marks inside the door.
When I was younger, back in the Paleolithic era, I had a couple of cars that were submerged in flood waters. These were beaters, no insurance, I dried them out and kept driving with no serious ill effects. But those cars had minimum electronics. No power windows, no power door locks, no power seats, no electronic ignition, no electronic fuel injection, no … Looking back now, I think the battery was just there for the starter and the headlights!
First thing: it still showed the old Forums login page, which from everything I understand is a non-starter. Why is that still being offered up? We should never see that again, ever.
I refused to fall into that trap, so I went to Edmunds main page. Logged in there to my Insider account, which apparently I had already done at some time in the past on that machine as it remembered me. Went to the link on that page for Research and clicked on Car Forums. Nope, got the "Howdy, Stranger" page.
Then I remembered that computer has an ad blocker running. No joy there again when I disabled it, refreshed and re-tried.
Finally I went into Firefox and cleared all cookies related to Edmunds. When I went back I got a different log-in page. Did so again, and only then would it let me into the Forums. I can see why people struggle with this transition.
Oh, and last time I checked, still no fix to allow Safari on the iPhone to log in here.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Now I just need to convince the company to offer a similar retrofit for E36 cassette radios.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
True, but that makes the $10000 even more important it isn't wasted on a lemon. I would really try to buy from a trusted dealer, even if it costs more.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I hear that scammers will register such cars in non-title states like Vermont so that the branded status disappears.
I'd be very wary of a car like that unless it was dirt cheap. Especially a flood car.
You might find an older car that was totaled because of cosmetic damage like a sideswipe. If you could see before and after pictures it might reassure you. You'd still expect a discount over a compareable non accident car.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Trusted dealer? Isn't that an oxymoron?
BTW, getting a warranty from a dealer doesn't guarantee a clean title. Google some of the dealer horror stories on line.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When I was going to school when I was in the Navy back in 1960/1961 it was in Jacksonville FL. A very large Naval air station and training center. There was a used car lot, the type that has cars pulling up one after another with the screamer guy giving the cost of each. It was more than obvious that this lot was directing these commercials to the young sailors. The guy would sign-off with, "and you can trust Christian Bob". This was not the name of his shyster lot, just his sign-off line. I still laugh when I think back on that guy.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Anything over 5k and I would get an independent inspection. Doing that doesn't guarantee perfection though. Way back in the day I bought a three yearold used Chevy from a new car dealer, had it inspected and negotiated fixes on what my mechanic found. Still, one day after the 30 day warranty expired, the AC condenser blew.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The blue pickup doesn't seem to be faring too badly.
If you're looking at a 12 year old pickup truck that was totaled by the insurance company because it needed a new front bumper, grille, and hood (with no structural damage), and the clean value was $7,500, then the salvage value with the damage nicely repaired would probably be no more than 20% less.
A fairly new car, with a clean value of $25k, nicely repaired, would probably drop closer to 40%. YMMV
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
As far as religion goes, a lot of false preachers **cough**cough** like Catholics **cough**cough** have not followed the word of God, yet they claim to be authorities on the word of God. There will be double the punishment for them. Know that is true. I trust in my faith and I trust in the living God. I know that what I believe, he also believes. Enough so that I trust this guy selling the Focus ST. Besides, I would get the car checked out first. And his used car dealership has a great reputation in town. He's been in the business 26 years.
Having said all that, the car could have a failure of an expensive part at any time after I buy it. Just a part of the car business.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Driver, the comment you made about not trusting individuals as much as you would trust buying a used car from a dealer can be said for a dealer, as well. I can't tell you the numbers of people I have dealt with when I was in the car business who bought cars from dealers and had awful experiences. Just because a dealer sells you a used car doesn't mean you are getting a better deal or price and/or a better, safer and cleaner car.
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
When I was on a dealer trade ride at another dealership, I was waiting in the showroom for the new car manager to give me the keys, manuals, etc., of a car I was picking up for a customer. I overheard a customer who was screaming at the top of his lungs at the used car manager because of a "lemon" he bought that morning from one of the used car salesmen. It was a 5 year old Lexus RX300 (I believe this took place in 2005 IIRC). He said that when he got his car home and parked it in his driveway, the radiator exploded under the hood and poured all over his concrete drive. When he lifted the hood, he also noticed brake fluid all over the inside left wheel well. The dealer refused to pick up the RX300 so the guy had to have it towed to the dealership. The used car manager kept reminding the customer that he bought the car "AS IS". They were refusing the do anything for the poor guy who had just spent $17,500 on the used Lexus.
I did not hang around long enough to find out the end result - but I used the above as an example of what dealers are capable of doing. There are lots of unscrupulous dealerships out there - probably not as many today as there were years ago, but still there are crooks, cheats, slight-of-hand salesmen, etc., who are as bad if not worse than private party sales
A few comments Mike;
I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It had the 2.7 V6(4th engine on the horsepower list).
0-60 5.7 seconds, quarter mile 14.3 @99 mph. Wow!
Seeing it has a gross weight of about 3 tons I tend to find Edmund's more believable.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I think your chances are better of getting a good used car if it is bought from a new car dealer. New car dealers want to stay in business, want to have a good reputation, want to sell you a new car one day....and they have a lot invested and want to maintain their reputation.
*No car is 100% guaranteed from having problems. But a certified car has been gone over and checked, if the dealer is good questionable cars will go to auction or to an indie dealer. Seems dealers work with independents, makes dealing with an indie a bit more dicey since they are farther down the food chain.
The fellow who bought the Lexus bought it "As Is". He is a moron if he expected the dealer to fix the car. "As is" means NO WARRANTY - YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. He probably got it for a good price, then expects a warranty too? :@
Agree with all of the above. I’ve had really good experiences buying used cars from a dealers lot. I still get them checked out, though! I remember buying a very used Mazda 626 hatch MT for my college son, and finding out upon inspection that the CV boots were leaking and needed replacing. The dealer did so and honored the price we had agreed on. Glad I had that checked out first though, because it ways definitely an AS IS car. Turned out to be a great buy and he drove it for several years.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
and gross weight only matters when you max the payload, which isn't how they make 0-60 runs usually. The curb weight is 4500 lbs. Less than even my wife's minivan.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Our first 50" we bought about 15 years ago, Sony part projection, about $8000.
Next year your TCL will be $169!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Stick to slamming their car choices.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
That Motorweek episode was even kind tothe Mitsu Outlander hybrid.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
X2 on the religion. Although these days I think politics has been made more polarized them religion topics with a couple exceptions.
I'm waiting to see if the 2019 Malibu remake will have all the safety features available with the normal engine. I don't want to have to buy the 2.0T to get automatic highway front braking, e.g..
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
They're the same ones always running stories about how much better the parochial schools were in the area than the public schools. Many of their employees came from -- guess which schools... LOL
And then all the grammer and spelling errors.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I want to strangle people who put "sent from my iPhone. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors." at the bottom of their emails.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Due to a typo in the Vatican's communication Father Tim got the demons possessing Sue's body to drop 10 pounds.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D