Does anyone have any experience in this department? I've been talking to the owner of a salvage yard/repair shop and I found this on his site. It has some dings, but I think this is a pretty great deal. And I bet he'd go down lower if I paid in cash

Al's Auto, Inc. Late-Model Repairable Salvage Vehicles, Recovered Theft Vehicles, Repossessions, Rebuildable Flood Vehicles, Rebuildable Insurance Loss Vehicles, Repairable Wrecked Cars, Repairable Trucks, Repairable Minivans & Repairable SUV'


I looked up the VIN and it was purchased at a legit auction, so I don't THINK there should be any issues with inspections and registration.


I seriously have my heart set on this one. My Dad and I are probably gonna make the trip to see it on Saturday, and if everything checks out I'll buy it next week once I'm on spring break and have time to get used to it. But I just want any advice on questions I should ask and what to look out for inside the car.

I purchased a $7 VIN history report and this is what I got back, I hope you all can see it.

VinCarHistory Vehicle History Report # JHMGE8H52BC000483

So yeah...this may be the big purchase for me. I'd really appriciate any help anyone's willing to give!

Thanks!!

 

I'm not so sure that this car is a theft recovery. Be sure to check the undercarriage, and front frame for damage. Also smell the inside of the car to make sure it's not moldy (Hurricane Sandy flooded).

 

For the price I might consider this one, http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/3653811966.html (can always offer less) just because of the problem in the future of trade-in or selling it with a rebuilt title plus cost of body repairs.

 

^ go for that one.

 

@cjecpa I actually checked out that car when it was listed a few months ago. That one is also a salvage title. I like that with this one I'd be purchasing it already knowing what work needs to be done on it, if that makes sense.

@n1nj4 Would the history report have on it that it was stolen? Because the cheap one that I bought doesn't. Take a look at it if you haven't already. I think I'm gonna buy a Carfax just to be more thorough.

 

I looked up the VIN on NICB(National Insurance Crime Bureau) and it is indeed in the Theft Records.



I don't know if I feel good that it's not a Sandy car or bad because it really was stolen at some point...

 

Another one. 2011 Honda Fit sport 19k miles

 

Already looked at that one too. Followed the cookie crumbs and that's a flood title. Hurricane Sandy to be exact. I actually chewed the seller out for listing it saying there's nothing wrong with it.


Trust me I've been trolling Craigslist for months and months. I've checked out all the listings. I don't think I'll find a deal better than this...

 

Do you plan on keeping the car for many years? Salvage titles are going to be hard to sell later. But if you keep it a long time then the extra depreciation doesn't matter. Also insurance doesn't treat it as valued as much.

As always, get an independent mechanic to check it. If it were stolen, then wrecked, you'll want to know.

 

I think the key really is how long do you plan to keep it?

If you plan to keep it, for a long period of time, to which your potential resale or trade in value really won't matter much then it could be good deal for you.

If you believe you'll be wanting a new vehicle in 2 years? I wouldn't do it.

 

well people always say i drive it like i stole it so hope the tranny isnt messed up or the engine who knows what they did in it. how easy is it to steal a new car with the lazer cut keys.

 

look at the rust on the white ones rear wheel arch and door and cracked bumper and ask yourself how much would that all cost to put right

the silver one looks the best followed by the black and walk away from the white one

 

It's more the chipped fuel cutoff immobilizer that is somewhat hard to defeat. On the flip side, anyone with a towtruck can load up the car, and worry about the fancy electronic stuff later.

 

Honda Fits aren't very expensive relatively speaking. I bought my Fit for peace of mind. All in all, I'd say I spent maybe $1000 more for a non-salvage title fit. Buying a Fit for 5000 instead of 8500$ isn't a great deal if you get in a crash and your insurance company will only give you peanuts for your car. I'd much rather spend a bit more for a car with clean title that has some value rather than a rebuilt title that will end up having little to no value.

If you're a professional mechanic or bodyshop specialist, then maybe you can pick out a good salvage title vehicle and fix it up yourself. If that's not the case, I would err on the side of caution and get a vehicle you have 100% faith in.

 

Deja vu https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...-2010-fit.html

 

I do plan on keeping this car for a long time once I buy it. No trade ins for this chick. I already said, the silver Fit in Essington is a FLOOD TITLE. I jumped on it the second it was posted and once I got the VIN it was a no go. Are you all saying a flooded Sandy car is better than the one I'm looking at?

 

Are you going to pay cash or finance it?

 

Cash. It's easier

 

Why not put cash down on a new one? Clean and you are the only one to touch it. Warranty, if you finance any of it .9% apr, no need for body repairs and clean title. You can get exactly what you want and will technically be rightside up instead of upside down with the car value. If you want to spend as little as possible why not a GD? Just my thoughts.

 

Not sure about this one either....make sure it wasnt damaged during Sandy. Those light damages, plus dirty hatch area looks like it was in the area around that time.

plus 10k should get you a much better looking fit.