Buying a salvaged title Z

Joe1561

Found another z with a salvaged title, it had damaged to the driver side front wheel (that was repaired) and the airbags went off. I've heard that Zs get a salvaged title fairly easy. True or not? And opinions on if I should get it? 2009 370z 72k miles $10k

TerribleONE

The criteria for a salvaged title is the same for the Z as any other car. As I am sure you know usually after extensive damage like that the car will never be the same and considering used 09s with similar miles are dipping into the high teens anways I would pass.

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edk370

If it has frame damage, I would avoid. If it's theft, water, damage, something non structural, I'd go with as long as I could fix it for cheap. For example, I would buy it if I could get it for a song and dance, and rebuild cheaply; body shop owners usually do that, and resell the car short afterwards.

Duc_Z09

I wouldn't do it unless it's going to be a track car.

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Chuck33079

Never buy a salvage title car.

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SouthArk370Z

Do not buy any salvage title vehicle unless:
1) You have the knowledge/training/experience to evaluate the vehicle and make a good estimate of what repairs will cost and how much it will be worth when you are finished.
2) You have the knowledge and resources to repair the vehicle yourself. There will likely be lots of "little" problems that crop up that will nickle and dime you to death. Farming out repairs will run the bill up in a hurry.

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ZHighlander

Most often, the criteria for Salvaged title is when the vehicle sustained damages worth 75% or more of its value. So this could be pretty much anything, and applies to any car, not just the Z.

This may seem relatively reasonable now, but it runs the risk of being way more expensive, especially if you don't know the precise details of the damage, and how it was repaired (ie: any shortcuts done to fix it for the cheap).

Personally, I would pay more for something more reliable. But as others have said, if you're planning this to be a project car and you are knowledged enough to identify the issues and don't mind the "hidden" fees, then it's your call.

But if you plan for this to be a reliable DD, no... just no.

Felix 808

As many have said, there is no money to be saved in buying a salvaged title car, but there is plenty of money to be lost. This is usually a head ache as a buyer & a nightmare as a seller. Unless you are going to track & just beat the snot out of it then part it out, or part it out first avoid buying it.

$.02

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barncobob

could be a floater from all the floods, corrosion sets in and the wiring is shot..

SouthArk370Z

That pretty well sums it up. IF you get lucky, you can save a little money. More than likely, you'll lose you butt.

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Meulen

I'm going to be a bit of an outlier here. But I've been involved in collision work, and restoration work for a large part of my life. One of my friends makes his living flipping salvaged cars and doing collision work.

That said I'd be REALLY careful. Have a professional check it out. Find out what the car is worth with a salvage title when fixed. Then get an estimate on the damage, ad in some for surprises and a little margin for your trouble. If the number don't ad up don't do it!

I don't buy the "it will never be the same". I here this a lot, but Most anything can be fixed right with the proper time, knowledge and money.

If you're going to mod the heck out the car, it might be a great way to start. I've seen lots of salvage cars become reliable daily drivers too.

do your homework, and bring in a pro. If the price is right....go for it!

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Spooler

If you know nothing about the repair work. Stay away from it. Any car can be fixed, but did the person who did it take any short cuts. If they are trying to make money, more than likely they did.

SouthArk370Z

All excellent advice in your post, but, since the OP had to ask, I'm betting that s/he is a bit short on the last two items. YMMV

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Ghostvette

Autocheck and CarFax are good places to start. Given that the airbags deployed, indicates that the car took a pretty significant hit. There are better cars out there in that year range. Take the advice given, unless YOU are a very experienced car guy...



RUN AWAY FROM THIS CAR!!!!!!

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Spooler

Don't buy my old one....LOL the airbags didn't deploy either. When all was said and done the car needed about 24K worth of repairs. May not look like it, but it did. The frame (Uni-body) was badly damaged.