Buying a salvaged title Z
 

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

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.

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.

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

Never buy a salvage title car.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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!!!!!! :eekdance:

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.

I bought my Grand Cherokee WJ as a salvage title because I wanted a winter beater (I'm sure you remember me from that thread). Since I have access to a frame machine, welding supplies, painting equipment, machine shop, etc etc I could get away with it. I now have a custom painted, bedliner-coated Jeep with a 4" long arm lift, 32" tires, 3.73 gearing, towing package, auxiliary lighting, custom 2.5" stainless exhaust into a Flowmaster 40, and fully built motor (0.030 overbore, planed deck, stage 2 head, CAI, comp cam, forged 9.5:1 pistons) for about $9k. I wasn't originally planning to get this financially involved in the project but issues came up... they always do.

I'd stay well clear of a salvage title Z if you don't have the resources/knowledge I do.:ugh2:

Duc, if I had your resources, I'd do the same. I've got all the tools, just not near enough space. :ugh2:

We drove it around and it was pretty nice, no frame damage. Would you recommend it if I took it to an Nissan dealership and got that 1xx point check of the car, corrosion from salt doesn't happen much here, it's snows but only for a day then it's hot so the roads don't get salted very often. Still dealership and if they approve it should I get it? (Obviously I'll talk down the price) it runs and drives, sounds nice and handles well

Go for it. What could possibly go wrong? I mean, everyone here told you the exact opposite of "you should get it", but you seem to know better. :rolleyes:

Why did you even bother to ask the question in the first place? I could understand if the responses were close to 50/50, but ... :nutswinger:

"Yeah, Mom, she's a beautiful girl, nice upbringing, not too old, and she is "tight and drives well." So, you get married and find out she has AIDS...now how good is she????

It may be a little dramatic, but there are so many things that can go wrong that are not seen now, it is in most peoples opinion (who may be older and wiser) that this one should be left alone. While we understand your passion and excitement in getting a Z, it is "probably too good to be true" and we all know all about that statement.

So, you can do what you want, but it is most likely a better choice to get one without a salvaged title...

Good luck with your decision @Joe1561

See this way to often. Make a thread asking for advise and then do the complete opposite :confused:

Around here we call that the "Minsu Manuever". :rofl2:

Don't be scared off by these ninnies. Salvaged cars can be very good deals, depending on the seller and the state.

I drove a salvaged car for 150,000 miles with no issues. Bought it from a legitimate salvage specialist who offered a warranty, and in CA salvage titled cars are required to be inspected by the CHP.

However, please appreciate that most auto lenders have restrictions for lending on cars will salvaged titles (usually 50% of non-salvaged value); and you probably wont be able to find a third party to warranty the car.

Do your homework and due diligence, and if the price is right go for it.

Forums. What are they good for?

Absolutely nothin'.... :rolleyes:



'to the tune of "War"....by Morris 'whatshisname'.... :roflpuke2:

Not to mention that most insurance companies will only offer liability insurance only. You won't be able to get collision or comprehensive coverage... :eekdance:

Say it again

I imagine it would be in Nissan's best interest to approve it as future repairs/service could potentially bring in large profits.

In California you can get full coverage for salvaged cars.

I wouldn't do it on a nice car like a 370. Ditto for something you're going to expect to perform flawlessly at high speeds and under high stress (lateral G's, hard braking, etc). My frankenstein Jeep is one thing; I don't care that all the panels aren't aligned perfectly, or that some of the gaps will never be quite right, or there are still wrinkles in the transmission tunnel, or that I had to replace the front right quarter with the under-structure from another Jeep. On my Z that would drive me nuts.

On a track car I wouldn't care though, since chances are I'd be replacing most of the suspension and repairing the body multiple times anyway.:happydance:

Save up some money and look for a great deal on a clean used 370 sport/touring that was maintained well. Budget another $2-3k for a beat up Corolla or something to haul people and $h*t around in, and to drive in crappy weather when you don't want to mess up your Z. You'll enjoy your Z more if you aren't forced to drive it every day.

I used to make a lot of money on salvaged cars. Navy guys bought the hell out of them because "They looked and felt good" and allowed them to get into a car they really couldn't afford. Then the little stuff would start popping up. Shorted wires that ended in replacing headlight ballast, a trailing arm that was never replaced, but should have been and now tires and bearing are wearing out well before they should, water leaks in the first rain because the frame was straightened, but the door gasket wasn't replaced because it looked okay. Honestly if it's not a track car I'd stay away from it. We aren't talking about a 1 of 1 Ferrari that you'll only have a chance to purchase with a salvaged title. Wait a little bit let your pennies rub together and make more pennies that grow into dimes and get one with a clean title.

:roflpuke2::roflpuke2::roflpuke2: