Car shopping, would you if you were me?

BeastMode335i · 10-20-2014, 12:45 PM

So I've found a few cars that I like, but some of them have listed on the carfax "Minor Damage Reported" and even a few of those have specific details of the accidents/incidents.

However, would it be highly advisable to stay away from vehicles that have had cosmetic work done, even with documentation stating what happened and what was repaired? You can't even tell anything ever happened, except for the Carfax saying so, all panels line up and such..

The titles aren't branded as salvaged, rebuilt, etc but if the vehicle had only been in a little fender bender is what I'm referring to btw..

I'm trying to use those occurences as bargaining tools as well, but MANY of these dealers do not want to budge on their asking prices.. I found one for $22.5k and told them I'd bring a check for $21k and was told "no thanks" lol..!

Thanks in advance..!

FriedPiston · 10-20-2014, 12:48 PM

I personally wouldn't buy a car that's been into any kind of accident for the simple fact that the next buyer will have the same doubts you have now.

XM_Rocks · 10-20-2014, 02:26 PM

If it was reported as minor damage or stated front/rear bumper I wouldn't exclude it.

However having said that I would want to get a PPI from an reputable indie shop or a dealer no matter what.

They should be able to shed more light on the incident.. you can even get the alignment checked.

Carfax does not always catch everything or properly report.

Plus with a PPI you can see if there are any maintenance items or repairs that need attention soon which helps make a better informed decision.

Again if its confirmed by a PPI to be a bumper only and it was repaired well go for it.

The odds of finding a car these days with no damage is rare... plus you cant even guarantee that those cars reported as no accident are actually no accident.

BeastMode335i · 10-20-2014, 07:01 PM

Yeah I think im gonna pass on this one.. They aren't budging on the price either and it just doesn't seem feasible for me to spend $19.5k on an 07 with 63k miles that's been in an accident, regardless of if it was salvaged or not ya know?!

IK6SPEED · 10-21-2014, 12:41 PM

yea not everything gets reported, i had a salvage e92 before that i got for cheap, it was fixed and everything but i got rear ended and hit car in front of me, it got totaled again. I checked Autocheck and it never showed anything. lol

BeastMode335i · 10-22-2014, 09:55 AM

It's hard being a car buyer lol...!

Bbacho2002 · 10-22-2014, 10:07 AM

Any new luck?

BeastMode335i · 10-22-2014, 10:46 AM

I found one in Texas (I'm in Florida) that's a 2008 automatic E92 335i with 58k miles, it's Jet Black, has DCI, Comfort Access, all the packages (sport, premium, nav, etc) but what a surprise, it's been in an accident as well..! It fit all into my Capital One Blank Check and the car looked super clean, and than I got the Carfax =/

Oye vei..!

10-20-2014, 12:45 PM	#1
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	Car shopping, would you if you were me? So I've found a few cars that I like, but some of them have listed on the carfax "Minor Damage Reported" and even a few of those have specific details of the accidents/incidents. However, would it be highly advisable to stay away from vehicles that have had cosmetic work done, even with documentation stating what happened and what was repaired? You can't even tell anything ever happened, except for the Carfax saying so, all panels line up and such.. The titles aren't branded as salvaged, rebuilt, etc but if the vehicle had only been in a little fender bender is what I'm referring to btw.. I'm trying to use those occurences as bargaining tools as well, but MANY of these dealers do not want to budge on their asking prices.. I found one for $22.5k and told them I'd bring a check for $21k and was told "no thanks" lol..! Thanks in advance..!
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10-20-2014, 12:48 PM	#2
FriedPiston Colonel 1973 Rep 2,711 Posts Drives: Scraper Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: East Oakland, CA iTrader: (26)	I personally wouldn't buy a car that's been into any kind of accident for the simple fact that the next buyer will have the same doubts you have now.
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10-20-2014, 02:26 PM	#3
XM_Rocks Captain 63 Rep 688 Posts Drives: 2016 GTI, sold my E90 N54 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	If it was reported as minor damage or stated front/rear bumper I wouldn't exclude it. However having said that I would want to get a PPI from an reputable indie shop or a dealer no matter what. They should be able to shed more light on the incident.. you can even get the alignment checked. Carfax does not always catch everything or properly report. Plus with a PPI you can see if there are any maintenance items or repairs that need attention soon which helps make a better informed decision. Again if its confirmed by a PPI to be a bumper only and it was repaired well go for it. The odds of finding a car these days with no damage is rare... plus you cant even guarantee that those cars reported as no accident are actually no accident.
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10-20-2014, 07:01 PM	#4
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	Yeah I think im gonna pass on this one.. They aren't budging on the price either and it just doesn't seem feasible for me to spend $19.5k on an 07 with 63k miles that's been in an accident, regardless of if it was salvaged or not ya know?!
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10-21-2014, 12:41 PM	#5
IK6SPEED Banned 4487 Rep 10,473 Posts Drives: BMW M3 / AH3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Cali iTrader: (23)	yea not everything gets reported, i had a salvage e92 before that i got for cheap, it was fixed and everything but i got rear ended and hit car in front of me, it got totaled again. I checked Autocheck and it never showed anything. lol
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10-22-2014, 09:55 AM	#6
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	It's hard being a car buyer lol...!
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10-22-2014, 10:07 AM	#7
Bbacho2002 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 291 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	Any new luck?
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10-22-2014, 10:46 AM	#8
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	I found one in Texas (I'm in Florida) that's a 2008 automatic E92 335i with 58k miles, it's Jet Black, has DCI, Comfort Access, all the packages (sport, premium, nav, etc) but what a surprise, it's been in an accident as well..! It fit all into my Capital One Blank Check and the car looked super clean, and than I got the Carfax =/ Oye vei..!
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