Debating on new purchase - fire damaged

Hello

I have a question and need some professional advice. There's a 2013 prius that I'm considering to purchase. I know this is not the gen3 forum but I believe there are more technical minded people on here so I'll give it a shot. It is selling for nearly 40% off the new retail price of a new car, it does have a salvage title and has only 10,000 miles.

The car got the salvage title by catching fire. Looking at the pictures the seller provided, only the back section was affected, by the fuel tank, left quarter panel. I'm not exactly sure all the parts that have and need to be replaced but none of the airbags were deployed and everything looks to be in good order.

At 40% discount, it's a killer deal for a car with only 10,000 miles. Would it be of great concern in purchasing a car that's caught fire? It's already been fixed and you really can't tell from the outside. My concern would basically be the electrical and the brake components on the left rear quarter panel that was damaged. The right rear section is still original, no damaged to the 12v battery section. The main hybrid battery seems also to be original as well.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

This is a Prius Five that has a 35,000 sticker price with the technology package. The seller is asking $21000 and it's already all fixed. For a 2013 with 10,000 miles, whatever fire damage is on the car should surely not be 14000 worth of damage? It really has fixed up nicely and you can't even tell by looking at it. I know he had to weld on another rear quarter panel so all those parts around there had to be replaced.

I've uploaded some pictures of it. The seller advertised it as a Prius IV and not knowing it's a Five with Technology Package. It really is a steal.

 

Yes I'm not familiar with the electrical and mechanical aspects on that cars. I don't really know what's in that area of the burned area. The rusted/burned parts you see is not there anymore, the entire quarter panel was replaced with a donor car quarter panel.

 

I'm sure all the burned out area has been replaced, I'm unsure if it's a simple replacement as the Prius has a regenerative brake system, not sure if that will have problems. Also all the technology on this car is in the front, not the rear. All that stuff, including all the air bags are all original and not damaged.

 

ok, I don't need others to consider this until I'm done considering it LOL

 

It's a guy that owns a body shop, purchased it through auction and fixed it. That's the reason he doesn't know it's a Prius Five with the technology package. He just thinks it's a IV with navigation and leather. I checked online on the repairs done, it was serviced at toyota at 5000 miles and then the fire....no other history.

I know salvaged vehicles are hard to sell, it probably will be a vehicle I own until it dies. It's very hard to unload a salvaged vehicle, thus the discounted price.

 

I actually don't know it's a fire car, it just looks like one with the pictures. It's right next to the gas tank filler.

 

I didn't run the carfax, just looked at it. All the airbags are intact in the original pictures, so can't be an accident. I'm thinking either fire or chemical damage.......either case, the quarter panel was replaced. He says the hybrid battery is original, but there's really no way of telling.

 

The highway patrol here has certified the car to be on the road again, but that doesn't say much as they are only required to have all headlights and brake lights functional. The body shop did the work, seriously doubt anyone trained by toyota did it. That's why I'm unsure if the components in the quarter panel is a vital part of the vehicle function. I can think of just brakes/suspension there. There probably won't be any warranty as the seller is not a car dealer.

I seriously doubt there is 3000-4000 wiggle room on this car....I'll be lucky to knock off another 2000