Hi guys,

I recently lost my 2001 CL in an accident, and am in the market for a new car. I've been looking at a 2004 TSX NHBP and went to take a look at it today. It's a great car, but I do have one thing bothering me:

The car has a rebuilt title. According to AutoCheck or something like that, it was salvaged back in 2004 with only 7,700 miles, but was obviously fixed. Also it looks like it was in an accident in 2008. I'm going to balls-out and buy a CarFax for the car just get all the information in detail. I feel that if the car was rebuilt about 90,000 miles ago, then it should be okay, without anything major wrong with it.

The car has 100,000 miles on it and seems to be in great shape. Only a couple scratches and one door ding on the outside, but otherwise seems to check out. I drove it, and it seemed in pretty good shape. If I decide to buy it (or highly consider it), I am going to have it inspected by an auto shop. Also, he is selling it for 9,900, but I've heard you should get like 50% the KBB value of a car with a rebuilt title.

So what do you guys think about this car?? I'm an 18 year old kid so if i bought this car, it would last me through college and I don't plan on selling it soon anyway. It's a beautiful car and seems in good shape, but I don't want to get played and have it break down on me right away.

Thanks in advance!

 

If possible, I would pass on this car. You don't know how well the repairs were done and how the car would react in another accident should you be involved in one (hopefully not, though). Plus a lot of times rebuilt cars will not handle the way they did originally. It may look like the same duck, but it might not act like the same duck.

See if you can find another TSX for sale in your price range. If not, try looking for an RSX? For $9900 and 100K miles, you should be able to find another '04 TSX out there... Maybe with a few more miles, but I would definitely get one with a clean title.

 

9,900 for a TSX with 100K miles and a salvage title? That is absolutely ridiculous!
I sold a 2003 TL Type s with nav with 80K miles on it for 7500 a little over a year ago.

KBB on an 04 TSX in Good condition is 9,900 - a salvage title should immediately drop at least 3 grand off the price. Plus check with your insurance - they may not even insure the car. Dude, walk a way. There are lots of TSXs out there.

 

+1

If you really want the car, you should be able to get it for much less.

If you want to spend that somewhere near that amount, you should be able get a car of that age and mileage with a clean title.

 

Run away. You will probably have trouble registering and insuring a rebuilt car. Not worth the hassle when there are many more out there in better condition.

 

as said run away from it


and there WAS a reason for the insurance company to be totaling it, if it was in that bad of an accident

and who knows how many sets of tires that car will be going through also (bent frame a good possibility too), with being a salvage car

 

Okay that's what I thought people would say. I'll try and find another TSX or another car to get.

Thanks a lot for the input!!

 

Hi everyone, I have the same question regarding buuying salvaged... I was offered a 2009 tsx automatic for $13,500... it has 37K miles... worth it?

 

Salvaged is often a flood damage car...especially in the last few years. Run away.

 

The key point in the posts above is the inability to insure a car with a salvage title. It's either impossible, or the insurance company will offer considerably reduced value.

 

You can insure a car with a salvaged title, just not full coverage! I would look for a clean title unless the car is being sold for way under blue book value!

 

I agree the price is high for a 2004 TSX with 100k & a rebuilt title. The Rebuilt title means the car has completed & passed a salvage inspection and was issued a rebuilt title in the state where the inspection was done.The question is how bad the accident was and how well the car was repaired. You can save on the carfax & try googling the Vin and if it was sold on one of the online dealer auctions you can bring up the pictures of the car when it was sold(by the insurance company) with the salvage title and maybe see what price the car was purchased @.you will also have to check your local DMV office for the requirements for registering a car with a rebuilt title.Most insurance company will sell you liability insurance but only some will allow you to purchase full coverage because of salvage history.

 

I think most insurance will cover is 80-90% value on salvaged vehicles. Just depends on the company. I use to be dead against salvaged titles, but shit seems like. half the used cars out there are now! I actually just bought an 04 tsx with a rebuilt title, has 142xxx but the engine was also swapped out with an 80xxx mile engine. I paid $6600, drives good, runs good! It all just depends on how extensive the damage was & how good the work was done.

 

Not only that, but lenders will often refuse to loan money on a salvage titled vehicle. They rely on the vehicle as collateral on the loan, and they see the salvaged collateral as a big risk.

My general rule of thumb is to take a minimum 30% off of the price of the vehicle in KBB "fair" condition before considering purchase of a salvaged vehicle. This is assuming no major issues with the car. Expect to pay cash.