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Buying Salvaged Prius - Help greatly appreciated

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by gmchinchayan, Jan 17, 2019.

  1. gmchinchayan

    gmchinchayan New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Dubai
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hello all,

    new to the forum here.
    I live in dubai, and there are not many prius's around here. I am interested in buying one because my commute per day is around 150 miles 5 days a week.
    For the few that prius's that are available, I have come across a 3rd gen Prius 2015 with approx. 21500 Miles (35k km). I was able to run a car report on it, everything seems great however it has a salvage title from the US from an accident.
    From the photos it looks like the rear bumper (possibly frame) was damaged (THESE ARE BEFORE PHOTOS)

    upload_2019-1-17_9-42-0.png


    upload_2019-1-17_9-42-24.png


    Currently the car looks like this
    upload_2019-1-17_9-46-42.png
    The seller is currently, selling it at 12k USD, however I think (based on the report) I can purchase it for 9-10k


    Your input would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. amos

    amos Active Member

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    Not a bad idea if no other choice.seems like front is ok. 9k seems like a respnable price. Just wondered how much you pay over there for gas?
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Those pictures on the damages might not be the car?

    From what I understand, a salvage title is issued if the repair exceeds 70% of the car's value. So a 2015 prius would cost $14000? with lower mileage. So for it to be totaled and issued a salvage title, it would have to have $10000 worth of damage.

    I don't know if that hatch area will total $10,000 of damage. Weld on a new back qtr panel and it's new again!
     
    m.wynn, Johnny Cakes and gmchinchayan like this.
  4. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    It appears that the vehicle was hit above the bumper and frame. As you can see, the tail lights and rear 1/4 panels took the brunt of the impact. I think, for the most part it sustained mostly sheet metal damage. For a commuter car I would say it should be a decent deal. I can’t say for sure but the repairs look to be ok, just as long as it didn’t do damage to the frame and super structure.
     
  5. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    I bought my salvage Title 2015 Prius over a year ago with 24k miles for $9000. If you can get it near that price I say go for it. I have had zero problems with mine and hope to drive it until I can't get in and out of it any more! (I'm 64!) I live far out in the countryside and put about 20k/year on a vehicle.
    Some people are afraid of a wrecked and repaired car, I'm been driving them for years. Never had an issue.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you aren't a serious diy mechanic, or don't know one, it would be a risk
     
  7. gmchinchayan

    gmchinchayan New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Currently Regular gas is going for 2.05 USD/gallon
     
    amos likes this.
  8. gmchinchayan

    gmchinchayan New Member

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    Three

    Thank you all for your input, I truly appreciate it. I will check it out this weekend and update on the forum. but from what I seen electronically it looks dandy. I shall try and get it for 9-10k
     
  9. Landon51

    Landon51 Member

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    One last thing. What state was the car driven in?

    And, was the car re-certified for driving in the USA? If yes, that's a good sign. If not or you don't know. That might not be so good.

    Personally, I don't know if a salvage title allows the car back on the road or not. Or if it just means that it can be sold.

    Could someone else chime in here?




    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Is the car in Dubai and it sounds like all you have us pictures?
     
  11. gmchinchayan

    gmchinchayan New Member

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    Yes it is,

    These are the current photos.

    upload_2019-1-24_9-20-25.png
    upload_2019-1-24_9-20-45.png
     
  12. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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  13. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    We have a saying in the USA, if it's too good to be true, then it probably is.

    I think what those replies are saying is that there might be something fishy going on. The pictures seem to show basically sheet metal damage located solely in the rear quarter panel. The don't suggest so much damage that the car would be "totaled."

    An unscrupulous seller could take a horribly mangled Prius and repair it, then find a fake "before" picture of a Prius with much less damage. The Prius is very common so fake pix could be easily obtained.

    The bottom line is that "totaled" does add up with the "before" picture the seller is using. Have you any proof that its the same car?
     
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