Salvage pros, tell me what I want to hear

Are you looking for the clairvoyants of the forum?

It's a gambol, but you know that. Every car is different.

 

if the unibody isn't bent or poorly repaired, you might have a good car. but its gonna be a crap shoot.

 

You are probably better off taking it to Lusciou's Garage (San Francisco), Art's Automotive (Berkeley), or Avi's Automotive (Inglewood), instead of the stealership.

Glutton for punishment, buying a salvage. Am I correct in inferring that you lack extensive automotive know-how, b/c you are going to the stealership for an inspection? You probably lack sufficient tools to attempt repairs too? What is your plan to deal w/ a future HV Battery failure? New dealer installed HV Battery will run $4,000. You can save a ton installing NEW or refurbished HV Battery yourself; but again, tools and automotive-know how will be required.

You should read this poor person's experience with their salvage(check engine light, PO 301 Cylinder Misfire code | PriusChat). Best and most pragmatic to just get a conventional used car. After you finish school, and get a paying job, then buy a used/new Prius.

You may just get lucky and get a salvage that is trouble free; hopefully that is the case if you decide to buy.

EDIT: There have been a few successful stories here of people buying a salvage, but no long term follow-up reporting from those folks, just initial trouble shooting. Would love to hear how things are still going for them. The one thing all these successful stories had in common was the individuals had automotive knowledge, or help from people who knew a lot more, and tools, or access to tools, all of this kept their costs down.

The poor person with the horror salvage story, above, lacked knowledge and tools. Had to rely on mechanics who learned about the Prius at his/her expense. Furthermore, he/she didn't know when to say when, as he/she kept throwing repair money at the salvaged car. The story finally ends well, but he/she spent probably close to $16K (initial salvage purchase + all the various repairs)! The price of a very good used Prius, salvage title free.

Most manufactures have zero % financing. $30,000 Base Prius/60months = $500/month. Insurance would probably be $100-$150/month for full coverage. Total of $600-$650/month. A pricy option, but way better than a salvage.

 

evidently i am the only one to have good results with a salvage title car. porsche 944, 1983. but yeah, wiring..

 

I agree that this is a really bad choice for someone who can barely afford the initial purchase price and does not have a four-digit sum set aside for repairs. The OP must be willing to make the salvage vehicle his new hobby that will absorb an endless amount of his time and resources. It is unliikely that a graduate student has either the time or money for that.

As previously suggested, buy a decent vehicle which has a clean title and fits within your budget. If there is an accident history, you should know what was damaged and ensure the damage was professionally repaired.

 

... and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance ....

... sorry, couldn't resist. As others suggest, if unexpected repair costs would challenge your situation, it might be wiser to sit this one out.

-Chap

 

a deer hit my daughters car, and it was repaired at the dealer, but never the same. couldn't be properly aligned, and the tyres started wearing every 5,000 miles.

 

Bad idea.
The usual Prius reliability goes out the window in a salvage title because of electric/electronic problems that crop up.

Don't waste your money on the inspection.

 

And I was all set with a long " I told ya so" self righteous post when it turned out you bought a world full of trouble.

Devils Advocate Temptation:

You sure you don't want to do it? It's cheap and looks good?

What's a crooked frame, a few accidents, and some painted bondo between friends?

 

Don't listen to the Devil's Advocate above, obviously. Consider it a dodged bullet. The problem with cars that have been in accidents is you don't exactly know what was damaged...or what was damaged that was missed or considered not really important...or could have been mistaken and wear and tear. I got a 2012 for 16K. You can get a 2009 for about 10K. Your payments would be about $200-$300 (which was one of mine with credit that had just been hit with Fraud). That way your car is reliable and you can save all the money you don't have. Good luck!

 

:: two thumbs up ::

I gather that some credit unions will offer excellent loan rates on used cars. Check out Penfed.org for example. You do have to fork out some $15 to meet an eligibility criteria to join if not military.

Addendum:
At Penfed, borrowing $10,000 for five years costs $180 a month.

 

Exactly, SageBrush! I borrowed 10K at 3 years and paid $230 a month... with a part time job, this can be afforded...my insurance was about $80/month full coverage...

 

I was just kidding.
I thought that was obvious.
And since in the post above he had already decided to cancel, I figured the sarcasm would be safe.

 

Here in So. Cal I'm always amazed at the number of salvage-titled cars for sale, usually on Craig's List. The state of California offers salvage-titled cars the opportunity to have the title changed to revived-salvage status which means that the state has inspected the car and approves it again for road use. The reason you don't usually see these titles is that the shop/individual who repaired the car must present all of the receipts for parts used in the repair, not the least of which is the airbag system and new suspension/brake items where needed. Most salvage-titled cars have been repaired with parts from another salvaged car and I've seen examples of Gen II cars where you really had a hard time figuring out what year the car actually was (later emblemed front fender on one side, early on the other; dark grey leather front seats/ivory cloth rears & on & on. When you talk to these sellers it's usually the same story "light tap to the right front, nothing big" even though it seemed to have popped all of the airbags (!)
Best to avoid these cars and I would sincerely like to know how many of these owners are insured in CA.
Bill

 

My son was in a similar situation last year. Recent grad, just hired and his car gave out right after he moved 150 miles away. I wound up giving him my 2008 Prius. He pays the insurance and the car loan each month. I hold the title and registration. When he visits, I change the oil and keep up on the maintenance as he has no place to do this (nor the tools) where he is currently living. So far, everything has worked out fine and he loves the car. I feel for the young kids who are just starting out these days. It was difficult 35 years ago, but these days prices are so high that it's impossible to them to get on their feet without a bit of help!

 

I agree about the difficulty that young people have in getting started, given the weak job market, high university tuition costs, etc.

My wife and I gave our 25 yo daughter our 2007 Prius a few years ago when she graduated from college, the title was transferred to her and she pays for auto insurance, gasoline and normal maintenance. She recently was laid off and therefore unemployed for a few months, so she decided to return to the nest during that time.

I got new Michelin tires for her car at Costco, replaced the engine coolant pump which was leaking sufficiently to spray coolant on the hood insulating pad, and made sure the car was restored to my standards of maintenance.

Two months ago she started a new job, living 500 miles away, so in principle she is on her own again.

 

I know you were. I'm sorry my humor came off flat.