Would you guys buy a Salvage title P5?

[Tag1]

First off, I'm new to this forum, so thanks ahead of time for any help!

I've been looking to get a P5 for a couple weeks now and have found a good deal on one somewhat nearby. It's a salvage but the guy says the accident was in the rear right of the section of the car (as opposed the more crucial front end of the car) and that all damage was completely mechanically and visually repaired. It's the best deal I've found and I'm planning on having the car a long time so I'm not too worried about the resale value...I'm thinking to maybe get it checked out by a mechanic first and then go for it...what do you guys think?

 

[exNeon]

i would ask for before repair and after repair pics,
find out where the repairs were done, and have it inspected by a trusted mechanic.
if all that and the paperwork is good, and the price is right, then sure, i would consider that.

 

[Reitrof]

If it's salvage I would say no. When it's listed by the insurance as a salvage, the repairs would have been more expensive than the car was worth.

I would not take someones word that it was completely repaired. If you really want it, take it to another reputable body shop, and get them to look at it before you buy it. But still I would stay away. My life is worth more than a salvaged car.

If you want to keep it for a long time, keep shopping.

 

[tonybonekhang]

I still don't understand the whole "life is worth more than a salvaged car" idea. While it may apply given certain circumstances (flood damage (mildew), severe frame damage, etc) a few bumps here and there aren't going to impair anything. If it really was unsafe to drive then a repair wouldn't have been possible as there are inspections afterwards before the car is retitled.

Nowadays with body shop fees being very expensive on insurance claims and every car on the planet having a pearl paint job a single fender can be a couple grand. Apply that to a car worth less than 10 and it doesn't take much for it to be considered totalled. If the insured driver at the time requested OEM mazda repairs only (his legal right) the damages could have easily been over the value of the car. Imagine how much a rear quarter, tail light, bumper, and lift gate would be at the dealership to install and repaint.

Get a carfax on the vin and even the police report if you can for details on the accident. Ask thoroughly what was done to the vehicle and have it inspected by a mechanic/body shop. Make sure you have the alignment checked.

If you do your homework there is nothing wrong with a salvaged title. Just make sure you know exactly what you are buying.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Personally, probably not unless I knew Mazdas inside and out, and intended to never sell it.

Otherwise, it'll be a money pit and will likely cost as much as buying a comparable "clean" title car.

 

[aMaff]

It better be really, REALLY damn cheap.

 

[Reitrof]

I still don't understand the whole "life is worth more than a salvaged car" idea. While it may apply given certain circumstances (flood damage (mildew), severe frame damage, etc) a few bumps here and there aren't going to impair anything. If it really was unsafe to drive then a repair wouldn't have been possible as there are inspections afterwards before the car is retitled.

All relative I guess. My life is worth more than a salvage.

Since these cars don't have a separate frame, any body damage is suspect.

 

[autoxes]

Like they said above, have it checked out. My buddy had an early 90's Sentra Se-R, with a lot of work in it, someone backed into his car in the parking lot, cracked the bumper and tail light lense, and they totalled it. Have it checked out, and do some research.

 

[Riken]

Yep, they total everything now a days. I bought a 240sx with a salvage title, it was cause it was reposesed. In your case you know why the 5 has a salvage title, do a car fax too. Take it to the mechanic and a body shop place. They can check it out too.

 

[Tag1]

Yep, they total everything now a days. I bought a 240sx with a salvage title, it was cause it was reposesed. In your case you know why the 5 has a salvage title, do a car fax too. Take it to the mechanic and a body shop place. They can check it out too.

Alright, cool...seems the general consensus is either:

A. Get it checked out thoroughly

or

B. Never do it ever

Lol, thanks for the input though guys, I sure appreciate the perspective.

Here is the deal on the car, by the way: 2003 P5, 37K for $7500...I would try to get the guy down to $7000 though. What do you guys think?

Thanks again!

 

[ForceFed]

No way....You can get Clean title cars for that price..or a bit more...But if ts SUPER CLEAN..Than maybe like $5500 or so.

 

[Riken]

WOW too much. Good miles but on it but still. Yeah 5500-5900 would be a good price.

 

[Tag1]

No way....You can get Clean title cars for that price..or a bit more...

Hmmm, doesn't seem like it out here in California. That's why I'm interested in this salvage deal...but maybe I'll offer 6k and see what happens. Thanks very much for all the replies so far!

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

When I was looking at cars before I bought my P5 I looked at a few salvages. I don't know if you are buying it in cash or not, but you'll have a tough time getting a loan for it. When I talked to my car insurance company and asked them what a salvage was worth, they kind of scoffed and said that no one really knows, but they wouldn't recommend buying one for more than half of Blue Book. So if the car is worth 9 grand in excellent shape, you'll only get 4.5k if it's totaled and was a salvage title. They often sell for more than they are worth, IMO.

 

[tonybonekhang]

I had problems financing mine at first as well. Banks wouldn't even consider it since I was a first time borrower and have no alternate collateral. Since the car is salvage it's collateral value is only half of it's blue blue or nada value. Fortunately for me the owner was asking exactly half of what it was worth so I got the loan and the car.

2003.5 P5 with 33k. Front end damage that caused air bag deployement but all damage was cosmetic.

 

[dwpeek]

Alright, cool...seems the general consensus is either:

A. Get it checked out thoroughly

or

B. Never do it ever

Lol, thanks for the input though guys, I sure appreciate the perspective.

Here is the deal on the car, by the way: 2003 P5, 37K for $7500...I would try to get the guy down to $7000 though. What do you guys think?

Thanks again!

Imagine the headaches you will go through getting that car titled. Trust me, it is a pain in the ass. I agree with the others, if you get him down in the low to mid 5's fine but not any higher than that.

 

[aMaff]

I was thinking less than 5k. 7500 is a buttload for a salvage title (let's face the music folks) Protege.

 

[triikster]

I would never buy a salvaged vehicle (again) unless it is half the price of what a non-salvaged vehicle is, because if you get in an accident and your insurance decides that the repairs are close or more than half of the non-salvage value, then they will give you a check for half of the non-salvage value and you just lost a lot of money. So if the price is half of the non-salvage value than it is a good deal, but it usually isnt that low so if you get in an accident you may get screwed.

 

[JWilson]

Here is the deal on the car, by the way: 2003 P5, 37K for $7500...I would try to get the guy down to $7000 though. What do you guys think?

Thanks again!

I'll sell you a clean-title, 1-owner 2003 w/ 42k for only a little more than that.

 

[dwpeek]

I'll sell you a clean-title, 1-owner 2003 w/ 42k for only a little more than that.

Not bad at all. I would think about it if I were you and wanted a P5.