K_Squared

Hi everyone. Brand new member here and I don't even own an Acura. However I'm in the market to own one very soon, particularly a 3rd gen Type-S. The thing is they are so hard to find for sale. The one's that I've found that look promising are all salvaged. Which brings me to this, would you buy this car here.
http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...l&cardist=7772

I have the pictures of the damage that the dealer received from the insurance company when they repaired it. The dealer claims no paint work was performed just replacement of factory parts from Acura (driver door, left side skirt, and front left fender). It has very low mileage at 56k. Dealer said bottom price is $16k. I tried bringing up the fact that it's salvaged and it should be cheaper, but they are coming up with a whole slew of comebacks of how it's hard to determine the value of a salvaged car and that the damage was minor, insurance wanted to take care of customer and decided to buy the car from them instead of performing repair, etc. Are the playing the sleazy car dealer selling game with me? Is my offer for $12k just plain out ridiculous? Would like opinions of experience Acura owners. Thanks guys.

Here is the email from the dealer with their response to my $12k offer:

The value of a salvage car is something extremely dynamic.

It can be anywhere from half to almost 75% of the clean title value.

It all depends on how the vehicle was damaged.

A rolled over ACURA TL type -S that was repaired incorrectly at a sub-par repair shop might be worthy of your offer.

However, this vehicle is worth what we listed it for.

You will not find another one in this condition clean title for less than $22K

This vehicle had minor damage, some clean title ACURA's which have been involved in accidents have sustained even greater damage and remained clean title.

Like I mentioned before some of these vehicles are not totaled due to the extent of the damages but rather because of the owners personal preference.
( insurance companies like to keep loyal customers happy )

You offer of 12K including all fees would be like offering us $10500 for this vehicle.

You have to keep in mind that at the auction many dealers pay top dollar for these vehicles with minor damage.

We paid top dollar and did not skip out on proper repair work or aftermarket parts.

This vehicle was repaired properly and comes with a free 6month/6000mile premium warranty which you cant even find with a 22K clean title ACURA TL.

Our bottom line price for this vehicle would be $16000 for the car which would total to about $17700 out the door.

Keep in mind a clean title ACURA in this condition with a warranty would cost you about $25000 out the door.

If your keeping the car for over 3 years this would be a better investment because the resale value of both will converge closer with depreciation over the years.

4 years from now with about 100K miles the clean title one will be worth $10-12K and this salvage one can be sold for $8-10K

I can email the pics from the insurance before the car was repaired to anyone who is interested. I can't seem to post pictures yet.

erdoc48

My advice:

Keep looking for a non salvage car- the seller has obviously rejected your offer, and if you pay the $16K, you're getting a salvage car that in the future will be worth quite a bit less, plus the fact that you'll always be concerned about how it was repaired. I'd stay clear of this one.

Also, there's the potential issue of registering and insuring a salvage car in your home state, so check your state's laws regarding this.

If in an accident, will it's salvage title status make the car worth substantially less, and the insurance company will declare it a total loss more easily? Just some questions for thought.

K_Squared

Never mind here are the photos:
http://s470.beta.photobucket.com/use...hoto1.png.html











Thanks for the response.

Shoot2Thrill

Be smart and tell the jerk dealer to keep it. So many negatives to buying a salvage car.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

There are plenty of TL-s around under 14k that have either a salvaged title or really high miles. You can get a better deal. I paid 17.5k out the door for my TLs clean title no accidents with 74k miles. That's cheaper than your salvaged title TL-s. anyways, 12k is kinda a lowball offer though considering they do want 16, I wouldn't even bother when they ask that high

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

Keep looking. I didn't, and bought an 04 base with no navi, and two days later an 06 with navi and aspec showed up on craigslist for 500 bucks more than i paid, and about 10000 less miles.

K_Squared

Wow you a great deal. This was at a dealer? Should I look at dealers then?Because there are not a lot for sale privately. Craigslist is pretty barren now along with Autotrader, Ebay, Cars.com.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

i don't know where your location is but heres a good deal in the east coast.


https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/2007-acura-tl-type-s-6mt-nj-ny-857748/

erdoc48

This is a non Type S on the East Coast that might interest you:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/i-think-time-has-come-871441/

This is a very nice, well kept, non salvage vehicle owned by a forum member here.

K_Squared

I'm in Southern California. But yeah that is a good deal. Thanks for the link.

By the way I am located in Southern California. Thanks everyone for your input so far.

Wow that is clean. Thanks for the info.

Noel Persaud

I feel your pain, bought a base with nav 08 CPO from Acura, one week later they had WDP type s for almost the same amount I paid, after taxes and warranty my base 08 with nav came 25k. I put 0 down and got 2.9% APR

ez12a

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/spec-abp-tl-6mt-navi-w-relatively-low-miles-872227/

not a type S, but seems to be in good condition. plus it's a 6MT with a seemingly complete A-Spec package..

K_Squared

Hate to be picky but I'm not a fan of what he did with the turn signals making it white.

Ideal car is a 07-08 White Diamond Pearl TL Type-S.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

^^^ideal car for many of us here. Good luck, that is a tough find for sure. I wanted the same, but when I found mine last year with only 17k on it, I couldn't pass it up. Good luck with the hunt.

K_Squared

How much did you pay for it? Was this at a dealer? It's crazy what happened to the used car market. The prices have skyrocketed! Dealers are selling them for a lot even with high mileage.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

K Squared-you have 15 minutes to go back into a post and make additions or corrections. Please don't spread them out like that.

1black_seven

iTrader: (2)

When it comes to a luxury car like the TL, don't skimp. Just be patient and the right one will come.

K_Squared

Sorry about that. Now I know. Thanks.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

dude ima try my best to help you out theres some on the members cars for sale have you check that??but most of them are cash.
heres 1 with low miles and its kbp https://acurazine.com/forums/member-cars-sale-49/2008-acura-tl-type-s-kbp-san-diego-ca-871736/

UA6

Good luck with the search

K_Squared

Thanks. I really appreciate your help. I found one here as well from Craigslist:
http://www.canyoncarco.com/2007_Acur..._154153050.veh

Might check this out today if I can. Super rare combo. Yet to see one like this in person.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

I know there's a dealer that HAD a black one in Costa Mesa, can't seem to remember the name.... South Coast Acura maybe? The salesman was a total dick though, kept trying to get me to sign papers when I was just looking. Told him I was just there to meet someone (bought my progress RSB ) and he still kept bugging me. :/ anyway, check there just in case! It was in nice condition when I saw it.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

Nevermind, I lied. They sold it! But don't rule out craigslist, there's some good finds on there.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

dude thats what i have cbp tl-s/black interior tho..you should check it out ima be at my inlaws smog shop tom if you just wanna check it out. its in riverside its called auto stop smog and repair il be there till 2.il be doing my oil change and adding some spacers.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

anyways are you financing? or cash?

K_Squared

Sweet dude. Yeah I was originally looking only for a Type-S with the Ebony/Silver interior but the Taupe is really growing on me quick. It looks really classy with the black interior dash, door trim, and carpets/mats. I'm gonna try to go for the kill on this one. Wish me luck.

K_Squared

Cash it. Can I get a better deal if I tell the dealer I'll pay all in cash? This is my first car purchase ever and will be the first time I negotiate for anything in this price range.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

cool bro yeah try and talk them down you can get them in a pretty good price if you have cash. i can even sell you your first mod lol. i have a cbp roof spoiler for sale!!!

k1x

iTrader: (1)

i think you can getaway with 15 or 16k with that if your paying cash

truonghthe

ah no, don't tell dealer how you gona pay for the car until you guy agree with the price and sit down to sign off on the paper work then you tell them how you will pay for the car. Other wise if you tell them earlier that you paying cash then sale man mind goes "hum I will push for the higher price to make better commission" and if you say finance they might give a hella good deal but will screw you over with the interest.

K_Squared

I'm gonna go for $17k cash OTD.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

lower bro 15k its cash!!! give him all $1.00 bills

K_Squared

$15k OTD? I'll try but seems low ball to me; they might get pissed. lol. Keep in mind this is a dealer.

K_Squared

Dude I don't know if I want to buy from them anymore. Reviews are not great with previous customers. If I decide to go, it gives me a reason to low ball them. I'll try $15k OTD.

Mrtastygoody

iTrader: (1)

Totally threadjacking, but why don't we ever have Socal TL meets? there's three of us right here, and I know there's more. It'd be cool to just get together and all share ideas and stuff, when you get your TL of course, k_squared

K_Squared

I thought socal would have the most meets out of all the other areas? But anyways yeah I'm still looking guys. I went to look at the one that I posted couple posts back. It was not as it was described. Seller didn't seem honest at all about the car. It had a clean carfax but the front end was not lining up correctly. There was damage to the front end that went unreported. That turned me off. But the biggest turn off was when I wanted to test drive the car, it wouldn't start because the battery was dead. They didn't even have the car ready to sell. Got out of there as fast as I could, not wasting my time there.

k1x

iTrader: (1)

Yah thats what i thought too. I thought cali region is more active. Theres a lot of members here in socal. I guess they are just too busy. I went to one meet since i just moved here from nevada it was ok theres like 6 of us and im the only 3g. I left early tho coz my girl had plans. Anyways good luck looking man il keep an eye out too just lete know when you guys want to meet up.

connork53

iTrader: (1)

He said that was minor damage? Looks pretty bad to me airbags had to have gone off, check for broken motor mounts and work from there.

XJ00fan

My advice, run don't walk away from any salvage title vehicle. Too many issues with insurance, future claims. Almost like having a disposable car.

losiglow

iTrader: (1)

I had an almost identical experience that I wish I would have turned down. '93 Accord with T-bone damage just like that. It never drove right. No matter how many alignments and frame work I had done it still wore tires weird and shimmied all over the place at any speed over 50mph.

What he said. That's a really nasty side impact. T-bone's usually result in frame damage. I wouldn't touch it with a 39 1/2 foot pole.