4 replies to this topic

[Kurt Krummel]

So I found a car for a good price and it already has a LSD. I noticed that the hood and bumper didn't line up perfectly and I asked the owner "was this car in an accident?" He said yes but that it happed before he owned the car and he didn't know the details. So I pulled a carfax. Here's what I learned...

01/18/2010 Maryland
Damage Report Accident reported
Vehicle involved in a T-bone collision
Involving front impact
It hit a motor vehicle
Front of vehicle primarily damaged
Damage reported to:
Front
Left rear
Disabling damage reported

CARFAX began reporting this information on 11/30/2010.
02/26/2010 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title or registration issued
to insurance company
02/26/2010 Damage Report TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE
02/26/2010 126,950 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Frederick, MD


So the Seller has salvaged the car, fixed it up, and is selling it.

Question: Does it matter that a car has been in an accident if I am just building a race car out of it? It is priced a couple thousand less than the market price of a 1999 miata.

[dstevens]

Miatas get salvaged even when the damage is pretty minor. Cheaper for insurance to pay the book value than fix the car. to know for sure you'd have to measure at least the tub and sub frames. I got a cheap donor that needs a lot of work and in hindsight I wish I would have spent a bit more for a cleaner car.

[Rutger]

In my opinion, and I am a novice, but I have been working on cars for years... I would never build my platform around a car that had been in a serious (beyond cosmetic) accident. Its not worth it. the cars are cheap enough and prevalent enough that you can find a better one without too much trouble.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

In my opinion, and I am a novice, but I have been working on cars for years... I would never build my platform around a car that had been in a serious (beyond cosmetic) accident. Its not worth it. the cars are cheap enough and prevalent enough that you can find a better one without too much trouble.

+1

[Tom Hampton]

In my opinion, and I am a novice, but I have been working on cars for years... I would never build my platform around a car that had been in a serious (beyond cosmetic) accident. Its not worth it. the cars are cheap enough and prevalent enough that you can find a better one without too much trouble.

+2