I am currently feeling the waters for an S2000. I am selling my Range Rover then, moving on to another S2000. As I look, I have found many with "Rebuilt" titles. I was wondering if anyone had any "Rebuilt" vehicles and what your experiences were. As I can imagine, there are many that it would not be wise to mess with, but is there any possibility that some might be ok? Im not looking for resale value because if I get another it will never leave my garage. IF rebuilt titles are worth looking into, what are the negitives and the things to be careful of? Any input would be appreciated!

 

The key is to find one that was correctly rebuilt. I had an 89' M3 that was rebuilt flawlessly and had no problems with it. I bought it from a BMW fanatic that had the rebuild done with all new parts at a BMW dealership. I'd be wary of backyard rebuilds and some of the shady ones that have the title "cleaned" after the rebuild. Also, check the parts receipts to make sure you aren't buying a lot of stolen parts. I found a "too good to be true" deal on a 97' twin turbo 911 about 2 years ago that I was strongly considering. I knew the car was rebuilt, the seller told me that on the phone. When I went to look at the car I got the vin number off several of the parts that were replaced and ran a carfax on them. Turns out the parts were from a stolen 911 TT. Not sure what happened with the car, but for the price it was still hard to turn down. Just be careful and make sure you get a smoking deal if you decide on a rebuilt car.

 

Anyone else?

 

Nope, but good luck man! I remember what happend to your S

 

It's just so tempting to get one for so cheap. Plus my girlfriend's dad is a body shop owner

 

well i guess that relationship is guaranteed until the S2000 is done

just kidding, good luck finding one.

 

lol, I was already thinking if I get an Amuse front lip, I can get him to mold it on

 

Update! The one I was tempted by is sold. It was a white/red 02 with 7k miles rebuilt by Honda, and sold for $15,500 (private party). Needed it sold FAST.

 

The only thing I'd be worried about is that things can get pretty shady on rebuilt cars. Someone might wanna post that link of the guy that tried to buy that older M3 and got taken for a long long agrivating ride by a con-artist. Turns out it was a total butcher job and having a rebuilt title is what allowed this guy to get away with a lot of what happend. It was like a rebuilt title in some state, but then he registered it in another state which didn't require the title to say rebuilt. Also I think there are certain states you aren't allowed to register rebuilt vehicles in. If I knew I could get body work done for next to nothing, I probably wouldn't mind having a project car, but I'd have someone qulaified to judge the quality of the rebuild with me when I take a look at the car. I don't know, after readint that story, I'm pretty reluctant to try anything like that. Interested to hear the results if you do end up getting one though!

 

I'm up in Canada and a rebuilt , usually means the car that was repaired, was written off because it was too costly to fix it so it is in pre accident condition (is more than the value of the car).Bodyshops buy them at auctions and repair them with used parts and repairs that are unacceptable to you as a consumer(if you knew what they had done but not told you about).The car may be unsafe to drive.I have worked in autobody.I once witnessed a sub standard repair carried out on a car.The unibody frame was sectioned and welded.Unfortunately this kind of repair was inproper according to the manufacturer of the car.The car started to fall apart at the rear strut tower.The shop was made to replace the car for the customer by the insurance company.Anyway my boss sold the car to someone else in the classified pages.Also some wrecks are purchased by chop shops so they can have the VIN # .