hey guys, im new here. i currently drive an acura integra 1993, and about to step up to a honda s2000. i did my research and chose this car because its an awesome machine and i jsut love it. i am still a student in college, so i cant afford a new one, at least not right now. however, i found someone that is selling one that i can afford, for about 9k. its a 2001 all black, with 23k miles. the downside? he is the second owner, and form carfax, the first owner got into an accident, and was salvaged, and then 2 months later, had a rebuilt title. the second owner, whom im talking to about the car currently, says that he was unaware of any damages, etc. he broguht it to a local honda shop and they checked out everything, and they said the frame was straight, no damages, etc. however, im still a bit iffy about the rebuilt title. do you guys think its worth my time to go up and take a look at it? thanks in advance for your suggestions/opinions.

 

Did the carfax actually say the car was in an accident?

One of the common ways the early cars get totalled is by having their seats stolen. The theif cuts the top to get to them. The cost to replace the seats and the top can come up to the threshold for totalling the car.

I would have no problem buying a car that was totalled for stolen seats.

But if it were actually totalled for collision damage...then that's a different story.

How long has the car had the salvage title? If it was recent, then the damage may not have been all that bad. If it's been a few years, then the damage must have been pretty significant for the car to get totalled.

 

thanks for the response. the first owner told the second owner that it was a theft recovery. however, on car fax, it said there was a colision with another vehicle on 2/18/2002, then obtainign a salvage title then rebuilt on 6/25/2002.

 

if your interested, i have the VIN number, and can also foward you an email from the carfax history itself, if it can work that way.

 

Wow...if it is an MY01 and it had a salvage title assigned in '02, it had to have been a hell of a wreck. Back then the cars were going for $30k used...so at least $25-27k in damage.

 

would it be possible that carfax listed it as an accident even if it was just stolen? the second owner said there were no signs of damage ( internally), just had to replace the bumpers and seats/steering wheel. also he had 3 shops check the car and there were no frame damages/structural damages, unless the first owner had one hell of a mechanic. still debatign tough, 9k for this car is tempting if there is no problems whatsoever, im not worrie about reselling value with rebuilt titles, as i most likley will stick with this car u ntil it blows up!!!

 

here are some pics fromt he owner:

 

Bumpers, seats and steering wheel wouldn't have been enough to total the car back in '02.

$9k is hella cheap...I wouldn't sink all my money into it...I'd have some cash reserve in case some of the bugs from the rebuild start showing up. If nothing comes up, then you have some savings for your next ride. If everything starts falling apart, you have some money to get it fixed.

 

[QUOTE=negcamber,Aug 21 2008, 10:49 AM] Bumpers, seats and steering wheel wouldn't have been enough to total the car back in '02.

$9k is hella cheap...I wouldn't sink all my money into it...I'd have some cash reserve in case some of the bugs from the rebuild start showing up.

 

Just remember that you won't be able to get a car loan on it, so unless your paying cash don't bother.

Loan companies won't lend money on a salvage.