lakersgo

Hi there,
I came across an 08 TL w 6K miles. The carfax report shows an accident and is now for sale at a well known dealership in my area. Car is also priced aggressively.

Carfax report reads: Accident reported involving right front impact. Airbags did not deploy and title is not branded as salvage or total loss.

From the pics on the site looks like the damage has been repaired. I plan to see the car this wknd.

My q then is: Is there a service avail online that I can use to find out the exact damage to the vehicle? I have the VIN so am wondering if something is out there for me to learn more about damage sustained by the vehicle.

I have tried do a search but have come up empty..

Thanks in advance for your guidance...

e5c4p3artist

I don't know of anything that will give you the exact details. The CarFax is as good as I have ever gotten on paper. But often you can get access to the contact information for the former owner. I have had salesmen at dealership actually encourage me to contact the former owner in the past. If you can get the info, you can give them a call to find out about the damage.

It is interesting that you posted this, because I just did the same thing with an '04 TL, except the the dealership's price was not aggressive at all. In fact, it was very low because of the unclean CarFax. They were honest about it, had it priced to sell, and after inspecting the car I couldn't pass it up.

On my CarFax, it was a left-front impact and it did note that the front bumper cover, left-side wheel, and left headlight had been replaced.

Good luck with your research and purchase!

ohsixMTee

iTrader: (2)

I know it seems like a good deal and all but rarely is an accident repaired 100% back to how it was. It would surely blow to get the car and find shady traces of repairs. Even worse have it track sideways or wear tires stupid, etc...

Personally I would treat it as if it were a salvage title and keep on looking.

BigPZ

Drive it...if the history is right as well as the price...go for it....

lakersgo

Thx for the feedback. I know there's always some risk w cars that have been in accidents. Agree that driving and inspection will be key...

lakersgo

Would also be helpful if the owner of 04 TL shared more abt the inspection: can you elaborate what was done once you explained the car was in an accident? Also did you have the car inspected at an Acura dealer or independent shop?

Kinetic

i drove a salvage g35 for a year and a half before i totaled it and came to acurazine with my tls
my g35 had no problems what so ever but luckly the dealer i brought it from had the photos of when the car was in the accident so i could tell if there was any engine rebuilt or anyhting like that.
if the price is right is a steall

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Certainly is dependent on the severity of the accident. Our '04 has an accident listed on the CarFax report as a fellow scratched the right front fender and bumper when exiting a toll booth when the wife was driving. It was $1200 to fix, just a sand and repaint and now it's better than new. The front bumper is now the same color (WDP) as the body and the repair comes with a lifetime guarantee. Just need to inspect the repaired area or take it to someone that is knowledgeable for an inspection.

nj2pa2nc

Is the factory warranty still in effect. If so and you have the car checked out and the price you want to pay-go for it. My 06 tsx was rear-ended at a redlight causing $1,700.00 worth of damage. It was repaired-paid for by the other driver's insurance. I also had it checked out by a acura dealer. They said nothing was wrong with it.

e5c4p3artist

You won't want to use my experience as a template for what to do.

I was in the market for a used car for around $10K when I noticed a 2004 TL with 68K miles at a local Toyota dealership listed for $11,400.

It had an accident on the CarFax and a few other issues, so it was being sold "As Is." I'm actually surprised they didn't just send it to auction.

I looked it over myself and also took it to an independent mechanic who told me that the body and powertrain all seemed in excellent condition, but he couldn't speak to the electrical system. His bottom line was "you pays your money, you takes your chances." He actually sort of discouraged me from buying it.

I bought it anyway.

The dealership came down to around $10,800 and I had a trade-in for which they actually gave me a decent price considering the shape it was in.

My bottom line was this. Have you seen what you can get in a used car for around $10K lately? Not junk, but nothing that is anywhere near as much car as an Acura TL.

So I paid my money and took my chances. There are no major issues or damage on the car. I am fixing the minor issues myself. And for $10K, instead of a Pontiac G6 or 4-cyl base model Camry or Ford Focus, I have an Acura TL.

eaglegreen48

http://sgs-ebay.sgsauto.com/vehicle_inspection.htm

OR

https://www.carchex.com/car-inspections