Is this a lemon?!?!
 

So I am new to the car world.. I have 12K to spend on a BRZ/FRS. I know that is not a lot for this car but I have found some deals. There is this BRZ for 11K that has a salvage title. I talked to the guy and it was in a light crash, damaging the rear passenger quarter panel. (He provided me pictures.)

I noticed a bit of rust on the alternator pulley and the cover is missing.
Also the brake rotors are a bit rusty and a lug nut is missing (Also rusty)

https://goo.gl/U68vZq

Brake rotors rust in 5 seconds (overnight) after washing. You don't want rusty parts in your engine bay but its completely to be expexted on some things, keep in mind if the pulley or bolt was actually rusted to the point of loosing rigidity or failing thats different that some surface rust.

Spend the extra money and get a clean title car. In my opinion anyone who did buy this would be stupid not to require receipts / estimates and photos of what was done. Did they just assess the accident damage themselves? Was the car inspected? Do they have the original report that must have been generated in order to total the car making it salvaged which would detail the damages that caused it to be a total. These are important things to know.

Honestly, unless BRZs hold their value exceptionally well in your area, I'd keep looking. I don't think that's too far off of the going price for any 2013 BRZ with similar mileage.

I'd either want a better car, or that one for cheaper. You'd have to talk to your insurance as well to find out how they would treat a salvage title car.

Do not buy this car, a few quick VIN searches and you will find out is was not a light rear end crash. It was in fact $10,000 in damages on the original estimate.
This car was sold at auction in Connecticut on the salvage title.

Could not find the auction sales price, but even if they got it for $4,000 which would be incredible cheap, it was originally estimated at $10,000 in repair cost.
Do the math, the car should cost at Minimum $14,000 and the person who bought it and repaired would make nothing at that price.

So how is it being offered for $11,000? Crap parts, and crap repair. Run away, far far away

Take notice of the damage description. Common scam in salvage titles, repair most of the car, take pictures showing minor damage, pass it off as car being in minor accident

https://www.easyexport.us/vehicle-fi...le-ct-hartford

Good find and good advice.

LOL at the damage description:

Primary Damage: ALL OVER

I would buy it if a track build is the purpose

Thank you so much! We where going to go up there in a week and pick it up. Thank you for saving me from a head ache!

If I were you, I'd save 2~3grands more and buy clean title frs that has decent mileage.

Also where did you go to check vins??

Salvage titles you can just google search the VIN numbers. Almost all salvage cars are sold through auction sites, and the VIN numbers will show up in google searches from the auction house websites.

like follow forum member suggest, add a few thousand for a clean title 2013.

2014 would be even better because the minor updates if you want to have no headaches at all from first model year.

Salvage cars are not lemons, but they are great for track cars, but you've got to buy them before they've been "repaired". Then handle the repairs yourself so you know the work is done right.

I just bought a running & driving '13 Premium with 24,000 miles for $3,500...mind you it needs some work, but that's half the fun...front bumper cover, floor pan, brake lines and drivers airbag were the damage that earned the salvage listing, a friend of mine bought it to get the LH drivers door, LH fender & LH Suspension to fix his track car. Now I'm putting it together as a street legal / track day car of my own.




http://www.challengepromotions.com/Wills/BRZ/1.jpg
http://www.challengepromotions.com/Wills/BRZ/2.jpg


http://www.challengepromotions.com/Wills/BRZ/4.jpg

Ok guys, I found some more money under the couch and I was looking in the 13k range. I think I found a needle in a hay stack with this one but I would love your input!
http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1b2ee202

That looks good, But get at least $1K off
 

Negotiate!! I got $14,800 for my 2013 BRZ Limited (49K) 3 months ago, but it was MINT, New Michelins, Pads, and perfect condition.. Hmmmmm The 2013 came with mud flaps. There are none on this car.