supraken

iTrader: (1)

My friend is selling this car for $17k. It's a 2004 with about 7k miles on it. It had a side impact on the passenger's side, frame was ok, but they didn't do a very good job of fixing it, so the bumpers and the passenger's side door isn't fitting perfectly. I saw pics of the car before it was fixed up, and the impact doesn't seem to be too bad.

Mechanically the car is like new, I drove it and it felt amazing.

Is this a good deal? Or am I going to have headaches dealing with insurance (can I even get full coverage?) and when/if I decide to sell it down the road?

Also a little concerned about using it as my primary car in NY... but I'm in love with the car already!

civic2000

Personally, I would only get a salvage car is if they do not make them anymore (ie. Supra, RX7, NSX,.....). if they still make them than no one will buy your salvage car. Like any car guy, you'll get bored of the S2000.

BEETROOT

I wouldn't touch a salvage car, personally. It will be a bitch for insurance, and a bitch to sell when you are done with it.

and I'd give some serious thought to the s2k as primary car in NY, its not going to do too well in snow.

Palayah8ta

Salvage cars u most likely cannot finance.. and the tires, brakes, suspension parts usually need to replaced A LOT..

fast-tl

Wouldn't touch it at all, even if I'd witnessed the accident and been there when he inspected the repair. You say yourself it's still not right. Why pay 17K for something you KNOW isn't right? As was alluded to earlier, what happens when YOU try to sell it? You'll have a lot of 'splaining to do...

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

How much damage was done? You said it didn't look that bad. How did it wind up with a salvaged title?

SakiGT

I agree. For $17k you can get a whole lot of car with nothing wrong with it... 2001-02s go for that amount often.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

I guess the overall condition, mileage, it's after the model refresh, and the price is tempting...

As for why it was considered totaled, I'm guessing it's due to expensive parts... I should've mentioned this, but my friend (the one who's selling the car) had his mechanic fixed it up at his shop, and they had to replace the front and rear fenders, door, taillamp, windshield, as well as fixing the panels that these things mount onto, and repainting that whole side of the car. Just the parts cost him about $4000. The labor would probably cost an arm and a leg if taken to a local body shop. I also pretty much saw the (slow) progress as the car was fixed in his shop.

So sounds like I shouldn't even consider it huh?

As a side note, some of you mentioned about problems with financing and insurance....something I've always wondered about salvage cars... What are the problems specifically?

Crazy Bimmer

Theres gotta be more to the story, even at 4k in parts without labor, that car shouldnt have been totaled out.

Maybe theres somthing hes not telling you.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

This is a trusted friend that I've know for many many years actually, so lying/hiding is not a question. He was pretty upfront about the car and told me what wasn't fixed perfectly, and the condition of the car inside out...

but I understand your point... and I really have no idea why it was considered total previously. I was just guessing if you did the repair at any body shop, the price might've been more than half of what the car is worth (keep in mind the $4k he spent was getting parts at dealer's cost).

I don't think he knows why the car was considered total either, as he bought the car from a dealer auction, and then fixed it up.... (he runs a car salvage/repair business)

Moog-Type-S

That's not a good price for a salvaged S2000.

SSMTL01

get some pics so everybody can see. Check under the car for any shift/discrepencies with the frame. As we have seen in the 2g TL forum- buying salvage is not always bad, you just have to REALLY do your homework.

brianlin87

iTrader: (1)

salvage? no.

unless you plan on driving the s2000 to the ground.

GreenMonster

No... I'd never buy a salvaged vehicle...

You can get a 50K mile s2k for like $18-19K so why bother...

iamhomin

It'll bug ya sooner or later buying a salvaged car, and I know how it feels to want the S2000 (I've been in your situation) but waiting for a better deal or looking for an older MY would be your best bet.

Also, the S2000 can be your daily driver, but you definitely need a sedan/suv/minivan on the side because the car isn't practical in any angle. You won't be able to carry no more than a golf bag in the trunk.

Driving in the snow wouldn't be as bad as people state, but snow tires are a MUST, so expect carrying two sets of tires, one for spring/summer/fall, and one for the long winters we get in the metro area.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

x 3

F900

no i'd pass,....

Doc Holiday

Like how others have said.... First go talk to your insurance company, and see if they would even INSURE it, since quite a few companies wont insure salvaged cars. What kinda problems were you wondering when it came to salvaged cars, i.e. insuring and financing? Or problems with the car down the road?

If you plan on keeping it around, even then, I'd offer something less then 17...

wndrlst

Raheel

Dont S2000's normally go for that much, or a little more, unless you were getting a 2004 S2000 for around $12k or under, I wouldnt even consider it, Pay $2-4k more and get the same car with no salvage, you dont know what could be wrong, and the resale value will never be there

SiGGy

pass! You can find a used 2003 for $18k+

www.autotrader.com
www.cars.com

supraken

iTrader: (1)

hmmm.... ok..

So I guess the question becomes, at what price will it be wroth it for this salvage title 2004 Suzuka blue S2000 with 7,000 miles on it (and worth the trouble of buying a salvage title car)??

Thanks for the responses, btw...

Slimey

$8.72

fast-tl

^^ THAT much? Seriously, let it be someone else's *potential* headache. If it becomes yours, the friendship will suffer.

jts1207

No

joedokes28

Run!

Yumcha

Not a good price...I'd pass.

Shoofin

Edr0e

Why would you want to buy a salvaged car? Race car?

Sun Diego CL-S

it's unanimous. i know you must have enjoyed the drive and decided to taking this car in to take it off of your friend's hands but, there are better deals to be had.

joedokes28

Good call.

No ins. No registration.

Trailer it to the track. Race the wheels of of it. Trailer home.

Repeat

supraken

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I guess it was that drive that got me into the impulse of getting the car. The driving experience was very very good.

But now that it's a week after the drive, and after reading all these posts about salvage cars, I guess I won't be getting it... but might look into a used one in the future...

Right now looking into possibly a new car to replace the old Civic in the family....