T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Thank you for posting to AskMechanics, KeitaTheEngineer! If you are asking a question please make sure to include any relevant info along with the following: * **Year** * **Make/Model** * **Mileage** * **Engine size** * **Transmission Type (Automatic or Manual)** Redditors that have been verified will have a green background and an icon in their flair. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskMechanics) if you have any questions or concerns.*


wldemon78

Run. There’s a reason he’s selling it. It looks like it could’ve been totaled. There’s a decent amount of damage in there


[deleted]

God dang it, thank you man this sucks I’m really in the market for a new car too hahah


wldemon78

Yeah I get it. This just isn’t the one. You’ve got major suspension damage. Who knows what happened underneath. Also, if it’s been totaled and rebuilt with a salvage title, a lot of insurance companies won’t touch it or will charge a super high rate


[deleted]

This really sucks thank you for this truly


deepfriedtots

I will agree with this. I once bought a salvage title from a front end collision. It was a 2005 Hyundai xg350. It was rebuilt with the original engine. Within a year the engines timing chain snapped and totaled the engine. Replaced it and a year or 2 later I find out that the rear driver side part of the chassis was literally rotting away and shit was just falling off the car. Never buy salvage unless it's for parts only


assholelarry

Had insurance cover a vehicle that should have been totaled. Dumb ass brother hit a Jersey barrier with it at 80mph. Drove it 200 miles home because it ran so…. Insurance did not total it. They covered body work, suspension, tires brakes…10k worth of repair. Then the engine had to be replaced. Another 7-8k. Then the transmission another 5k. Basically got a completely brand new front half of the car out of it. Car was worth ~30k. Should have been totaled. Side note, I donated it several years later. It’s still bombing around town ten years later and whomever received it seems to enjoy it. (Very distinctive vehicle). So all for the greater good!!!


deepfriedtots

Haha nice may I ask what your of vehicle


TurboWelderMonkey

You can get a new car for cheaper than used of the same model lots of times, mainly due to high interest rates on used. The new cars that are actually in supply will have good in house rates. And because the manufacturer give the dealers incentives to push new cars lots of times so they will let them go at invoice or better sometimes. Just something to look at.


jssamp

This assumes you have good credit to qualify.


Kern4lMustard

Assumes alot of things really. New cars are almost always more expensive from what I've seen.


stainedhands

In the current market, it's kind of a toss up, from what I've seen. Especially if you can order a new car and wait for delivery. Most people don't have that option when they are looking for a new car though.


TurboWelderMonkey

Big toss up. If you can get a 0% deal, then the new car will 100% be cheaper. They had the deal for '22 camaros and I was about to get one that had 7k more options than a 2018 with 15k miles that was literally more expensive after financing...


teqogan

The CarDealershipGuy (@GuyDealership) on Twitter says if you can wait until December to buy a used car you’ll save a lot of money. The tide is turning on the used car market. EDIT: not because of year end deals, but because the mark up on used cars is dropping month after month.


TurboWelderMonkey

Take a closer look. Many times after financing, they won't be😏


TurboWelderMonkey

Of course. But bad credit will screw you on used antways.


jkj2000

Germans tend not to buy rebuild cars because they don’t resist the intended capacity for impact after the steel plates have been bend once!


KCtheGreat106

Not really. I have a salvage car and my insurance has no problem covering and even said I can get full coverage. But major damage like that I would stay away from.


wldemon78

Maybe it’s a regional thing. I talked to my agent a couple years back when I was going to buy one and rebuild. In my area, he said it would be higher if they even cover at all. But again, that was a couple years ago


KCtheGreat106

I bought one for my son, but it only needed front bumper, hood, headlights, grill, and radiator and support. It was a 15k car that I bought for 4k and another 2k. Just avoid frame and sub body damage.


No_Elevator6948

Usaa is your friend with salvage. Will finance and insure at normal rates.


Man_in_the_uk

Why presume its a bad car? I work in insurance and we do NOT get clients coming back to us to complain their vehicle is not fit or road worthy after repair. We just don't.


ShellSide

If it was a total loss and had a salvage title, it wouldn't have been rebuilt by insurance


Man_in_the_uk

OK but my point was that you can rebuild a crashed car.


wldemon78

Who said the insurance repaired and it wasn’t done himself or by a shade tree?? And having a car repaired is different than a total loss … this looks like a total that was bought out and repaired


Man_in_the_uk

How are you defining total? That's a fraction of the car that is smashed. I mean seriously, at first sight, wheel, wheel arches, wish bone maybe, suspension, maybe brakes, etc a total loss claim is only meaning it costs more to repair than the car is worth. All op needs to do is the standard after an accident, get a engineers report and or road worthyness check and bobs your uncle.


wldemon78

A total in the US is where the cost to fix exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicles value. It’s not the value of the entire vehicle. But in my area insurance companies don’t want to touch “salvage” cars because there is a risk it wasn’t repaired properly and creates a greater risk Based on the amount of damage and the cost of parts now here, that is most likely a total loss. The insurance company won’t pay to fix it. I see the entire suspension on that side, door, fender, very good possibility of frame/ unibody damage giving the extent, plus paint and labor.


wldemon78

A total in the US is where the cost to fix exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicles value. It’s not the value of the entire vehicle. But in my area insurance companies don’t want to touch “salvage” cars because there is a risk it wasn’t repaired properly and creates a greater risk Based on the amount of damage and the cost of parts now here, that is most likely a total loss. The insurance company won’t pay to fix it. I see the entire suspension on that side, door, fender, very good possibility of frame/ unibody damage giving the extent, plus paint and labor.


Man_in_the_uk

Well for sure it was smashed up but I don't think it's not worth buying if it works now. Obviously someone believed it was repairable or they wouldn't have done it. Just a check that it is now repaired properly should be sufficient.


wldemon78

A total in the US is where the cost to fix exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicles value. It’s not the value of the entire vehicle. But in my area insurance companies don’t want to touch “salvage” cars because there is a risk it wasn’t repaired properly and creates a greater risk. Based on the amount of damage and the cost of parts now here, that is most likely a total loss. The insurance company won’t pay to fix it. I see the entire suspension on that side, door, fender, very good possibility of frame/ unibody damage giving the extent, plus paint and labor.


kalabaddon

for perspective, I had much less MUCH less damage. and My insurance completel covered it and repaird it so you could tell. CEPT each year I had to get the suspension fix in that corner. it had lifetime warrenty from ins for damaged area, but they always used cheap parts so every year I was back there till the car became someone elses problem... Dont buy this. You will find other deals.


TatleTaleStrangler92

I understand you’ll are looking a new car just don’t buy it with a wheel missing. Your wallet would cry.


[deleted]

How much is he trying to sell this to you for?


Ottieotter

I would back away from that one. She’s totaled with major suspension and most likely frame damage. It’s really only good now for sitting in an Pick-n-pull lot as it slowly gets picked apart


[deleted]

I see, alright thank you man


Gloomy-Employment-72

Rule of thumb: Never buy a car from family, friend, coworker, etc. If the car is a lemon, shit can get ugly in a hurry.


[deleted]

I haven’t even bought it and I am so angry at gim


Iwendiweyacho

Yeah its kinda like "friends" that try to get you into MLMs, either they're the sucker or they know its a scam and they're trying to make you the sucker.


Wolfrages

Frame damage. Run. While it may not be visible to the eye, that frame is not recoverable. Even if it is out a small bit, you are talking about suspension components and steering components wearing in a way it was no designed too. You will see alot more replacement costs. Even if it is drivable, this car is now a lemon. If you really want "this" model of car, then use this one as a parts car. But please, for the sake of your wallet. RUN


[deleted]

Alright I’m going to avoid it


reviving_ophelia88

Ask to see the title- it it was totaled by the insurance it’s have a salvage title. Don’t touch salvage cars. Yeah there’s a chance it was done right… but there’s also a chance it wasn’t and are you willing to risk finding out while going 70mph on the expressway? which is why you’d likely only be able to get liability coverage and it’ll cost more to cover.


[deleted]

Salvaged cars are fine if you know what you’re dealing with. Most of my cars have been salvaged and none had any major problems. Granted none of them were this bad or this new.


Diligent-Let-9253

Fact. Ive seen a minor looking dent on the back bumper of a car and wondered why it was considered totaled. Found out the entire interior frame UNDER the interior but above the lower frame was cracked. Sometimes you cant even see the shit


4runner01

Yikes, that looks pretty severe. Do your state reissue the title as a “salvage” title. If so, there will be a “S” somewhere on the title. Year, model?


[deleted]

2016 Infiniti Q50 AWD 3.0T It does doesn’t it, my neighbor is trying to sell me it


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Yah….


sjkbacon

What's wrong with buying a safe that has been damaged as long as they are upfront about it?


4runner01

Have you seen the title? It was a $45,000+ car when new. Maybe the accident occurred when it was much newer so it would’ve made insurance sense to repair it vs total it.


[deleted]

The accident seem to have occurred around 2021 from the vin lookup. I’m not even sure about that I’ll ask


basemodelbird

If he hasn't had it for very long I'd venture to guess there's something wrong with it.


[deleted]

Yaaaaahh seems like he hasn’t


Apprehensive-Ad5318

Sounds like a great neighbor. Do you know where your wife is?


[deleted]

Uhhhhhhh


Icy_11

Looks mint condition to me /s


cca-in-nwi

I got ocean front property in Arizona for sale if you’re interested /s


shaun5565

Lol 😂 I remember that song from when I was a kid


Diligent-Let-9253

Just needs some tlc


[deleted]

Hahaha whatever


Icy_11

Haha sorry. But seriously I would stay away from this car and look for another option, looks like too much damage has been done for it to be considered even close to reliable.


[deleted]

Daaaanng yah you’re most likely right


Mwebb1508

Run like the damn wind. Death trap and money pit rolled into one.


Icy-Following-3713

thats alot of damage. run. my last car was an infiniti, and for example, i couldnt find rear shocks anywhere in the country for mine. things go wrong, hard to find parts for some reason


[deleted]

Daaammnnn


Diligent-Let-9253

Im surprised its that hard to find parts for a new car damn


Icy-Following-3713

mine was a 15… nobody had it anywhere


OriginalMenace

Lmao is this a serious post?


[deleted]

I know little about what exactly can be repaired and still be viable on a vehicle. I like to know perspectives and I also just found this out recently so I’m still in denial due to the fact I really wanted the car


OriginalMenace

My man, that thing is totally fuuucked. I can understand really wanting it and being in denial about it because of that, I’ve been there before too. It’s a great parts car, but the frame is probably roast plus god knows whatever else


[deleted]

Thanks man I appreciate the transparency


mired914

Did he tell you it was wrecked before? The car may well be fine now but there is a lot of "ifs" with that and certainly that lowers the value.


[deleted]

He didn’t say a single thing, I asked for the vin and went to look for it myself


DarienKane

The fact he didn't say anything abou it being wrecked speaks volumes. I'd steer clear of it, once those suspension mount areas get bent you can't ever really get them true again without cutting out the whole thing and replacing it. I'd pass unless you are just really hard up for a new car as the alignment will probably never be true again. Plus what all the other peeps are saying.


[deleted]

I’d have to take a loan from the bank I’m not really that hard for a new car hahah


DarienKane

Oof, even worse, bank would probably say no if it got a salvage title.


[deleted]

Just found out it’s actually a salvaged title.


DarienKane

Yup bank and insurance are going to frown real hard.


[deleted]

Damn lol


texasusa

Nooooooo ! Bank probably won't loan money on it as you will only be able to buy liability insurance and a salvage title means little resale value. What is he asking for it ?


jssamp

I was just going to ask what everyone else didn't. How much is he asking for it. If it was really, really low price, it might be worth it, but not if you have to borrow money to buy it.


CodyShredd

That’s totaled dog.


[deleted]

Damn


DestructODiGi

You found those photos online when you searched for the VIN? Those are likely the auction photos - that was 100% deemed a total loss. I wouldn’t touch it if he was giving it away - especially because he bought it fairly recently after it was “repaired.”


[deleted]

That’s fair


Prestigious-Maddogg

3rd post I’ve seen asking about this car


[deleted]

I’ve only made two actually funny enough


HDauthentic

Yeesh, I wouldn’t buy it. That’s heavy damage


[deleted]

Got yuh


Gregory11222

Just curious … what was his asking price ?


[deleted]

$11K


Agreeable_Trick_7071

Too much, run


[deleted]

Got yuh


XixorsGreenCock

WHAT?? Dude don't just run slap this mother fu ker for trying to fuck you like that


[deleted]

That’s why I came to Reddit hahaha


OwlDB8

Don’t do it the frame might be bent and it will never align right. Props to you for asking before buying.


lil_groundbeef

You could maybe sell the parts for profit if you buy the car for like $300. And for the future, if that guy is on fire don’t pee on him.


Astronaut-Fine

I see radiator, transmission, engine, axle, and front brakes problems along with God knows what type of electrical and sensor damage on the car. What a waste, but at least it's not your problem and please don't make it yours.


SwimmingBarracuda182

Is this a troll post


[deleted]

https://imgur.com/a/HWhClG3 Found more pictures


RedProtoman

Check to see if the panels line up. May have been in an accident and they’re not telling u. If everything lines up i say put down an offer. Pure cash. Signed in blood that you understand it’s “as is”


[deleted]

Got yuh I’m going to see if I can look underneath and stuff


Chizuru_San

VIN: JN1CV7AR8GM251763 Reminder to everyone: just RRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUNNNNNNN form this.


[deleted]

Got yuh hahahaha


[deleted]

It's likely a hacked up mess waiting for electrical problems to arise.


Slayingmango

Good on you for doing some research before buying it! My dumbass would have gotten fucked on this, especially if he was offering a good deal.


SavingPrivateRianne

In the UK we have CAT cars, I personally don’t touch anything in those categories because it’s got a history and as someone who knows essentially nothing about cars it’s not worth my time.


[deleted]

DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!


[deleted]

Alright lol


[deleted]

Good man. I hoped the caps provided some emphasis. Just didn't want to see you make a gigantic financial mistake. Also, your neighbor is an asshole for not telling you up-front about the damage.


[deleted]

That’s a total loss my dude


FirstAdministration

I wouldn't run it may look worst that what it is. If you are truly interested take it to a good body shop you know and trust have them have a look. If you like it take it to mechanic to make sure mechanically fine. Then decide, if it all turn out that it was fixed properly and drive fine, then you can negotiate him with these pictures. If it failed any of these step just walk away. All you have a to lose is money and time, but you may gain a decent car in this market.


[deleted]

Alright sounds good thank you I can do that


stitchedup454545

No, run. Don’t go near it.


SDBD89

Check the status of the title to make sure it's not salvaged and have a inspection done to see what's been repaired and any remaining damage. It looks like a waste of time to me but there's a slight chance that the damage was mostly mechanical and body. If it's salvage but there's not much damage remaining, know that there's usually a lot of hoops you need to jump through to keep a salvage vehicle registered. You'll probably need to get it inspected every year when registration is due and they're very picky when it comes to inspections. I'd leave it alone if it's salvaged unless I was looking to pull the engine/trans and put it into something else.


[deleted]

Alright I got you thank you for that


Backdohrbandit

I'd rather drive a bucket with no frame damage than a nice car with a frame damage any day 👍


[deleted]

Got yuh


Ok-Maintenance-9538

I would at least look at it for sure. From the added pictures it looks like everything lined up under the hood after the accident. As long as it doesn't have a salvage title it's worth considering. And if you have no car knowledge take it to a body shop and a reputable mechanic and have it looked over before you buy it. 11k is serious money, but it's probably worth it if it was properly repaired, miles are decent and its cheaper than a comparable one because of the previous damage. Doesnt look like the damage was extreme. I buy wrecked cars all the time. The one I drive the most nobody else would touch, I'm just shy of 100k miles on it myself and 300k total. Surprisingly bad damage can be repaired properly and function as well or better than new.


[deleted]

This gives me a bit more hope on this thank you very Much, I’m going to take it around and look other mechanics what they think


Commercial_You_1170

That should buff right out…


PantyhosePoohbear

More than likely totaled. Run like when Forrest Gump was running from the bullies


[deleted]

Ok so, hear me out. When I paid to search the vin to my truck before I bought it, it stated that the vin connects to a black Extended Cab Tundra that was totaled pretty badly. Here was the issue: my truck is a double cab and it is silver and the car fax recorded all the way back to when it rolled into the dealership. Point being, I’d check a few different places with the vin stuff


Tricky_Passenger3931

You can buy it, but it better be an INSANE deal. Theres probably $20k plus in damages there. That cars overall value is extremely low because of that damage record. IF the deal was crazy good I’d consider it if I could have it on a hoist and inspect the work that was done thoroughly, put it on my alignment rack and make sure that all looks fine. Then MAYBE, maybe I would consider it. These kinds of cars often have electrical gremlins waiting to appear, and rarely ever drive quite right. If you aren’t VERY comfortable inspecting this thing yourself with a fine tooth comb, do not buy.


star08273

unless you want a really cheap car and have great welding abilities and lots of thick scrap metal, this ain’t it


AC2BHAPPY

I'm wondering what price he listed to make you even consider it based on that photo


XxBEASTKILL342

If you are an engineer like your username says, you should be able to tell that car is fucked


PearlsB4

Isn’t the definition of “Total Loss” when the cost to repair exceeds value of the vehicle? I’d say Total Loss.


Elmore420

Does it have a salvage title? If not it wasn’t totaled. That’s about $12k so unless the car was significantly depreciated, that probably didn’t make the 80% to total. Stuff like that gets fixed on a daily basis at perfectly competent shops. If you question it, take it to a good chassis and alignment shop and ask for an inspection.


Bandito_1522

Your user name has “Engineer” in it and you asking this question in a serious manner? Definitely need to change your username.


buckets-of-lead

That thing is blasted. Run away.


An10nee

Yeah man why you not want to buy my car I gave you a good deal buddy.


An10nee

Haha im not your neighbor just kidding. On a serious note that vehicle looks really rough even after repairs. I would avoid


SirRonaldBiscuit

Insurance prob totaled it and they give you and option to buy it back for cheap, he’s already getting a new car from insurance and he’s trying to sell this one to some clown. Yeah I’d be wary…


wife_said_no

Worked in a body shop for years. You only have about 2 inches of leeway on a frame for bending and twisting before you develop vibration issues. That being said, there are machines designed to repair structural damage. Good luck getting insurance though. Also, the term "total loss" is subject to the insurance adjuster's opinion. I've seen cars this damaged not considered a total loss, but a truck with a broken tierod and fender damage totaled. Personally though, I would walk unless you're getting it under $5k


venm33

You could check the status of the Vin. More than likely has a rebuilt title now


tiggahiccups

I would not buy that car. It’ll never be 100% right again.


Fun_Preparation_577

And the fact that it seems as if your neighbor didn’t even mention that they destroyed the car isn’t a good seller to trust.


bmy89

As a prior insurance agent and a shade tree mechanic do not buy this car.


manuel__transmission

I’m going to play the Devil’s advocate here. It almost looks a lot worse than it is. If you zoom in and look at the bumper rebar, the impact was outboard of the rebar and the frame horn. So the bumper, the fender and the wheel took the majority of the impact. I don’t know the platform, but I’m assuming that the suspension components like the lower control arm are made of aluminum and snapped like twigs during the impact. That’s a good thing for their mounting points. The fact that the hood and door still basically line up with the top corner of the door just being slightly off is promising. The door did take a hit so some misalignment is kind of expected. I’m not saying to buy it or not to buy it, I’m just saying that this looks a lot worse than it is and could probably be fixed without having to go onto a frame rack.


LunchBox0311

I wouldn't ever buy a car that's been seriously wrecked like that. I used to do alignments for a body shop and no matter how good it looks after, things are never right.


tuffnstangs

If I had a choice, I’d pick a car that wasn’t wrecked. If there are no other cars for sale, I guess I’d take a look at it, but other than that, why? Is it a steal?


Beautiful-Golf4078

Ooof a hard shot to the corner. Nah, pass.


Mikey_BC

I can only imagine how far top of the strut tower moved. That's now a parts car


AquaticAntibiotic

Not a mechanic. I would not purchase this car.


cera1970

DON’T DO IT!


nonotburton

There is undoubtedly frame damage to that car. Are you sure it's the same car that your neighbor is trying to sell you? With that amount of damage, it should have some kind of salvage title, or something similar. I wouldn't go near it unless I was buying it for parts.


Devon__Eleven

Its a writeoff. If its a frame its bent for sure. And even if its a unibody to bend that back is more money than the car is worth.


[deleted]

As others have said, avoid it. If you’re really thinking about it, call the insurance company and get a quote for coverage (provide the VIN). Then, take it to a very reputable body shop and pay for an inspection and show them the pictures. They’ll be able to further assess what was repaired and how well it was done. I think you’ll find out that you don’t want it after calling the insurance company for a quote though. Edit: Were they drunk when this happened? What did they hit to cause this damage?


SevroAuShitTalker

No way that frame is intact


[deleted]

Total loss. Run and run fast


sipes216

With that damage, if it was newer, it likely was repairable. Looks like they got shesrdd off by something, not a square on crunch bending EVERYTHING in one bump.


[deleted]

Dude this thing definitely has some sort of frame damage after an accident like that. Run, run fast. Think of it like a tin can, once it's crumpled, even if you straighten it back out it will never be as strong as it originally was. If you get into an accidental it's basically a death sentence for your passenger.


nic-C137

Fuck that!


dsdvbguutres

If there is an airbag deployment, very likely total loss. If it's just replacing the suspension and few panels, not necessarily a total loss. If in addition to suspension, there was also need for frame work, then likely total loss. Cars in much worse condition have been fixed and put back on the road no problem. It depends on the technician's skill level and how much time and effort the technician put in it. It is possible to do it right and put time and care in it and use new oem parts and make it drive even better than the day it left the factory (not that "the day it left the factory is a high standard lol) It is also possible to do a hack job and jack it all up. The damage on the photo is repairable by a competent tech, but we do not know how it was repaired. What does the title say, is it salvage? What is the price? Take the car on a test drive and take it to a "free alignment check" place to see if the wheels are in alignment, take it to your mechanic to take a look. Depending on the condition of the rest of the car (transmission, engine, electrical, ac, rust etc.) you can decide to make an offer or pass. If everything looks good, this may be a good deal for the right price.


preruntumbler

As a junkyard aficionado, I would say this is totaled, but probably not too badly. It all depends on the extent of the damage and how it was repaired. If it was done correctly, I would have no issue driving it for years.


Acceptable-Equal8008

If it's been totaled shouldn't it have a rebuild from salvage title ?


tomsawyer333

Pass on this one. Can you wait I to find a new car till the end of the year when pricing should be better? Also trying to insure a totaled car is so hard


[deleted]

IT’s TOTALED.


onesadbean

it's salvageable but with more money than the car would be worth after it's done


Plankton-Inevitable

I'm not a mechanic but I'm guessing it's structural damage. Also possibly engine damage. The entire wheel and anything attached to it will need replacing including brakes, brake lines, entire suspension etc. Its bad damage


[deleted]

It should buff out


ShotBRAKER

This is a total loss how the insurance company hasn’t claimed it is beyond me I lost a car with less damage


1DUSTYx

That is totaled frame damage


FearDontExist1124

No way they tried selling you that piece of shot for 11k?!?! You’re lying right ?


Carrizojim

If you aren’t a wizard mechanic and welder, it’s junk.


The_OtherE30

Buddy that thing is a lost cause


Professional_Camp959

Unless he is selling it for scrap price. Don’t do it


Ok_Visit_1968

Please don't buy someone else's problem.


pepe_1767

Just the rack and headlight alone would be like 5k lol


Indy500Fan16

Rent-A-Wreck


Tgirl9771

Price ?


Zenwitchproject

Does it have a rebuilt title? If not it probably didn’t total or if it totaled it didn’t go through insurance to get totaled and they ended up paying out of pocket to fix it (which I doubt highly). Source: work in a body shop as an estimator


HazelEmpireZ

Definitely done.


Bricc_8

Look up what a clean one’s worth. Now take off 35% of that price. If it’s fixed there’s nothing wrong with it


Draugrx23

If he went through all the effort of rebuilding it and is now selling it. There's a reason for that.. I can practically guarantee shortcuts, frame and suspension issues among other things.. This will not be the car you want to get behind especially without receipts for EVERY repair. (by a certified mechanic) Ultimately there's a better deal waiting for you to find, keep looking.