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+--- Thread: Convince Reed to... (/showthread.php?tid=203)
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Convince Reed to... - JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
Hey everyone,
Reed showed up at the house today driving a dealer's 98 240sx SE with 31k on it. I drove it and it feels purrrrfect. Before we went back to the dealer, I did the walkaround and found that it had been in an accident. The front bumper, right 1/4 and hood had been replaced. Got back to the dealer and they told us it was owned by a girl who wrecked it, they salvaged it (read "salvage title"). Other than that, the car feels brand new and drives like it is. Finally, the asking price is $6900. Chris' Explorer's trade in is like 5500. I think he should get it checked out by a mechanic, then if it's mechanically sound, see if they'll take the explorer as a straight trade.
What do you guys think he should do?
- JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
Oh, and in perfect condition, you can not find a 98 se for less than $11,000
- Evan - 03-03-2004
My 240 was wrecked and salvaged, and it turned out to be a peice of shit. Odometer rollback and the whole nine yards. I would be skeptical if the miles are abnormally low for the age of the car (which sounds like they are)
Although it was salvaged in a real half-assed way.
Its a great car, but there are enough of them around that you really shouldnt need to settle for a wrecked one.
Do the 98s really go for that much of a premium? You can get a good 96 for around 6-7k.
I guess it depends on how much you value the angular headlights... :?
at the very least run a carfax
- G.Irish - 03-03-2004
Keep looking. For one, a salvage title car is going to have horrible resale value and if you get in an accident insurance is not going to pay out as much because of that.
Also, what is your goal with the car? If you're looking for a cheap shell to put in a SR20DET (or *gasp* one of the RB engines) then just go with the S13. It's lighter and much cheaper. You could take it out to the track, beat on it, do whatever and not feel too bad/worried.
If the goal is just to keep it relatively stock and have fun why don't you try out a BMW 325. Same price range, more power, man more amenities, and we're down with a BMW tuner...
- G.Irish - 03-03-2004
You may also want to check out the classifieds on 240sx.org. Lots of good deals there and quite a few cars that have already been swapped, although you'll really have to go over the car to make sure it was done correctly.
- JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
Checked 240sx.org. Posted there as a matter of fact. They said go for it cuz it's a great deal.... so far. He's not looking for something with a swapped engine. He wants a good reliable quick daily driver with less miles than his explorer (101k). An old BMW 325 will not be for 6-7Gs with 30k on it.
- G.Irish - 03-03-2004
JackoliciousLegs Wrote:An old BMW 325 will not be for 6-7Gs with 30k on it.
It might be if it was a salvage title.
I'd be wary of the salvage title thing. If you can get an experienced mechanic and/or someone who is experienced with bodywork to look at it then maybe Reed should pull the trigger. The biggest thing I'd be concerned about is an improperly reconstructed chassis and mechanical components that were damaged and not replaced. Give it a very thorough look over and only then start talking $ with tha dude. Also, get an insurance quote on it and def get that carfax.
- .RJ - 03-03-2004
Run away. Salvage titles suck, and can be hard (or impossible) to insure.
autotrader.com, cars.com - dont search on the web boards, they'll tend to place a premium on the sale price because they know what they've got.
- REED - 03-03-2004
yeah - see i guess my big thing is that what i was ideally looking for in a car would be like 7-8 thousand with around 60 thousand miles, so when i saw this i nearly shat myself, then i had to start seeing if i could deal with a salvaged title....which i was starting to do, but i havent even run the idea by the rents and if i cant get inssurance then i might as well forget it.........but damnit i wanted that car...grrrrrrrrr.....o well i guess this is just one more time for me to get my hopes up
- .RJ - 03-03-2004
There are more out there. Stay away from the ricer sites....
- REED - 03-03-2004
yeah i mean i can get a 98 with like 70,000 for 10 or 11, but i dont know if it will be worth it at that point
- JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
you can get insurance on it, it just won't pay out as much, obviously, cuz the car is worth less.
- JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
.RJ Wrote:Stay away from the ricer sites....my car would have been in one of those chop shops, but I got it before it went out for sale. There's no difference. Except mine's not salvaged...
- Mike - 03-03-2004
Ryan said it... Salvage titles suck, you really don't know what's up with the car and insurance is a bitch. I was looking at a car with a salvage title before, and from what I learned you really ought to steer clear.
- G.Irish - 03-03-2004
.RJ Wrote:Run away. Salvage titles suck, and can be hard (or impossible) to insure.
autotrader.com, cars.com - dont search on the web boards, they'll tend to place a premium on the sale price because they know what they've got.
This is true but it is also true that you can make off with a lot of discount aftermarket stuff from web boards too. The big thing is though that you're more likely to waste time checking out forum cars because there are a lot of idiots out there that don't take care of their stuff then describe it as top dollar (and expect top dollar too).
- JackoliciousLegs - 03-03-2004
I find the best deals are not listed on cars.com or autotrader... oh, and autotrader sells THE SKETCHIEST cars ever...
- REED - 03-03-2004
Mike, RJ and Gerald, i fully respect your opinions, therefore ive decided to drop this car, im really not interested in dealing with a salvaged car, they always seemed shady to me, the fact that i really wanted this car blinded me from that, thanks for all your help
the search continues.....
- Mike - 03-03-2004
Also, if you ever want to sell a car woth a salvage title... good luck.
- G.Irish - 03-03-2004
REED Wrote:Mike, RJ and Gerald, i fully respect your opinions, therefore ive decided to drop this car, im really not interested in dealing with a salvaged car, they always seemed shady to me, the fact that i really wanted this car blinded me from that, thanks for all your help
the search continues.....
You sound disheartened. Don't worry, there'll be other deals. I've had to tell RJ that one at least 3 dozen times over the time I've known him.
The right deal for you will come, just be patient. Also try to define a list of cars you'd like and that way you won't agonize a lot when a deal comes up because you'll already know whether you wanted it anyway or not.
-G
- Kaan - 03-03-2004
but how many times has he listen with all the busted plastic piles he drove around!