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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dahlonega , Georgia
Posts: 14,562
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Advice on purchase of repaired salvage title
Hey guys need advice regarding the possible purchase of a vehicle that has a salvage title . It is a low mileage 2011 Cayenne S that was hit in drivers door and passenger door on driver's side . The seller has sent me pics of the damage before repairs .
He managed a body shop 4 years ago and he told me the bent sills/pillars etc were cut out and used OEM parts welded in . Used doors were installed and all painted to match . He has been driving it for almost 4 years since repair and says no issues . He stated no issues with alignment or tire wear . Price is attractive and competitive in my opinion . Is this an instant red flag and run away ? Or a possible diamond ? The price is under 15k with approx 75000 miles. This would be our potential daily driver but we only put about 4-5k per year being retired . Fire away with suggestions and thanks in advance . |
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02-05-2023, 05:39 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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If it was sectioned correctly, no frame damage, good gaps, and good paint blend. I would say go for it.
Post the damage pics before and after..!
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02-05-2023, 05:42 AM
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If you plan on reselling it at some point - make sure what you pay accounts for the probably 50% loss in price due to the "salvage" label. The car could be bent. I'd ask the guy to get it up and show me the measurements that the "frame" was square for sure.
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Chris ---------------------------------------------- 1996 993 RS Replica 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R 1971 Norton 750 Commando Alcon Brake Kits |
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02-05-2023, 05:44 AM
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Here are some pics . Three of the damage and one of the repaired . To my untrained eyes the damage doesn't look too bad . But I'm not a body guy .
   
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02-05-2023, 06:40 AM
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Registered ConfUser
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Any idea about the event that caused all the damage? The quality of the workmanship? The honesty and integrity of the seller? See Buying the Seller thread.
The insurance company apparently totaled it. That alone would be a concern. Having a miserable time reselling would be another. Don’t buy the price tag, buy the vehicle. Better to pay more for a clean, straight, no-stories car. Last edited by Chocaholic; 02-05-2023 at 08:45 AM.. |
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02-05-2023, 07:07 AM
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Would not bother me. I have rebuilt and driven a few totals, no issues.
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Keep talking, Im gonna put you in the trunk. |
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02-05-2023, 07:20 AM
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I don't think that's a proper sectioning procedure
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02-05-2023, 07:20 AM
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Is the green tape an indicator of where the damage would have been cut ?
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02-05-2023, 08:21 AM
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
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I'm leery of guys who fix totals for a quick flip.
Not concerned when somebody repairs a car for their own use. Four years is a pretty thorough test drive. |
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02-05-2023, 08:32 AM
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Cars and Cappuccino
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So that looks like pretty good ding. The rail and pan definitely got pushed in under the driver's door. An easy thing to help check if it was repaired correctly mgiht be to take it to a good alignment shop and see if it can be aligned correctly. I would also put it up on a lift as well and get a good look under the car to see how straight everything looks. Compare it to the passenger side. Good luck.
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02-05-2023, 08:35 AM
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How much would the same car cost with a clean title?
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02-05-2023, 09:17 AM
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Quote:
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02-05-2023, 09:25 AM
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Appreciate the advice . I have an email into the seller asking follow up questions . The car is 3.5 hours away but my brother in law is about an hour away . So I can get eyes on it before I take any steps forward .
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02-05-2023, 10:30 AM
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02-05-2023, 10:32 AM
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Get a PPI. Worth a couple of hundred $s. Need to look over the entire vehicle, not just the red herring.
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02-05-2023, 10:58 AM
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Me and a friend fixed a lot of cars, included totals, when we were at University. The Porsche took a pretty good lick, but if it was done right it should be OK.
I’d like to see pictures of the sectioned parts being welded in. Is it me or is the B pillar dented/bent above the section line? If that is where they sectioned it. 
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02-05-2023, 12:06 PM
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Quote:
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02-05-2023, 12:20 PM
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Is the door gap in the first picture still evident after the repair? Could just be a shadow - but that doesn't look like it would meet factory spec.
 
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02-05-2023, 02:56 PM
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Back in the saddle again
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I feel like buying a salvage title car is like taking a car to the track. You've got to be OK with totalling the car and walking away from it. If you aren't OK with that, then you probably shouldn't.
There are so many things that could be wrong with a salvage title car. If I could spend $14k on a gamble, and if I lost, I wouldn't be too upset, then fine, check it out and go for it. If I gambled and rolled snake eyes how would I feel? Yeah, I'm not prepared to take that gamble when there's no recourse other than "suck it up buttercup."
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02-05-2023, 04:26 PM
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
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Only thing I have to add, is check with your insurance company and see if they will fully insure a salvage title vehicle.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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02-05-2023, 04:51 PM
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1970 Porsche 911 S 
Black Betty
