I just read the posts that were made concerning a salvaged NSX for sale. Just as an observer I noticed a lot of folks seem to jump the gun as to whether or not this was for real. While I have purchased a few salvaged vehicles over my life time I do not claim to be an expert in the matter. However, having said that you must consider the situation in which the car was damaged. Anytime mentioned his car being damaged and what it took to get it totalled. In that situation it was his fault (practicing at a track event). So naturally when your insurance company pays they are going to try and save as much as possible. If on the other hand someone hits you and their insurance company wants to settle, I have seen for a number of vehicles a very low threashold for value. As an example. I purchased a new at the time 95 Toyota Corola for my Mom. It was totaled due to a front end crash. I saw the car before it was repaired. It required a new hood, bumper cover and headlight, and grill. The airbag did not go off because it was a low impact. But the costs to repair were pretty cheap. As I recall I paid about $1500 on a car that was still new and sold for about $12000. So it depends on the situation, who the insurance company is, who was responsible for the accident, etcetera.
All I am saying is that I understand why the guy was so upset. Sure he could have provided more information. So could we have asked for more. The post does read like a bunch of old ladies who don't like what they see. Just my thoughts.
Manny
I agree that every salvage title car should be examined on a case-by-case basis and that if a car is damaged and repaired properly it should be considered 100%. But comparing a Corolla to an NSX or other luxury car is a bit apples and oranges.
In order to total a car with the value of an NSX or another luxury car the damages will be ostensibly greater in both scope and depth. IOW, to total even a 91 NSX would require nearly $20,000 in repairs. That's an awful lot of damage. The more damage the greater the chances the car is going to have issues which might never be 100% repairable.
You're also relying on a mechanic of unknown competence (in the eyes of a prospective buyer of a previously totalled vehicle) to have been able to discern
all the damage to the vehicle. The more damage to the vehicle the greater the chance not all the damage will be discovered and therefore repaired.
That's what makes it a crapshoot IMO. A 95 Corolla might be totalled with just a smashed bumper, headlights, grille and hood. Not so for an NSX. So even if you consider the repairs and have proof the car was repaired you still have the uncertainty regarding
exactly what was damaged and if the mechanic was competent. Again, $20,000+ in damage is no small feat and the possibility something was missed, fixed improperly or irreparable is fairly high with such extensive damage. As such, the price of a salvaged NSX (or virtually any car) must be adjusted appropriately to allow for such possibilities.
A seller can certainly hold out for a buyer who decides the car is worth the same as a non-salvaged car but there's always a fool with too much money who just doesn't care. The educated person will usually pass up a car like that if the salvaged state isn't reflected in the price. Again, it might be fine but I see it as nothing but a crapshoot. One never really knows what damage still lurks under the skin.
Since this is an NSX forum you're going to get a general negativity regarding a salvage title even though with some other, lower priced cars your point might be more valid and the concerns would be less warranted.
JMO.
