... an interesting "rebuild" or a complete scam?
 

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ealerInventory

Hey guys, so I recently found this 2017 brz for sale for what seems like a pretty decent price near me, however, a few major things

1. it's a rebuilt title. Seller claims "front right bumper" damage

2. stems off #1. While the VIN checks out to be a 2017 car, the bumper is clearly from a pre-refresh model. Now, I personally prefer the older bumper style but with the refreshed headlights, but this is great. However, raises some concerns including: fitment, quality of work, quality of paint, etc. I'm assuming the bumper was either taken off another car or bought directly from subaru. Anyways from the pictures it looks OK, but will need to see it in person

3. THE BIGGEST CONCERN: the intake manifold is the old style plastic. Now i know absolutely nothing about engines but the stock 2017+ engine has an aluminum red intake manifold as you all know but the pre refresh had the black plastic with the "boxer" logo on it. HOWEVER motortrend has published pictures of a 2017 brz with the black intake manifold which is why this confuses me

Essentially I want to know if the engine has been replaced by one from an older BRZ, and if this in combination with the clearly replaced bumper would make it not a good buy. The rest of the car is clearly a 2017 (heads, tails, and the track mode button) except for these two parts which makes me suspicious.

if it's just the bumper from an older car then whatever, I like it anyways and if i don't or it breaks its a bumper i can replace it. HOWEVER if the engine turns out to be an older engine transplanted into a new one and because i don't know the quality of the work of this seller i will stay away. If it turns out to be a 2017 motor but with the old intake manifold (as in Motortrend's pictures apparently) then it's fine.

also... yes it's an automatic yes i'm a heathen but i've driven manuals before and it's really just not for me and my commute which is filled with hills. I wish these things had like a hill hold or something, then I could consider a manual model.

It's an automatic, the automatic model gets the old intake. As for the bumper, it was probably cheaper so they fitted it with the older style.

Dark covered the engine difference ^. The price is right for a 17 salvage title.
They sure are proud of their paint process to give every little detail in the ad.

Check it in person but all looks good to go.

Those fender gaps looks a little suspect too.

To me to much coin on a salvage title car. don't be afraid of 13's-15's or higher milage. Check the vin for valve sprint recall, but I got my 2013 Series 10 FRS 6SP MT for 12,999 with 58K on the ODO.

The 2017 manual models do have "hill assist." I turned it on ONCE just to make certain it works. It works. :)

It is a bit on the higher side for a salvage. I would recommend getting a 14/15 with higher mileage. You can find autos in that price range easy. Since you like the older bumper anyways it seems like the smart thing to do. Good luck

I disagree that the price is high for a salvage car in Ohio. I quick look at the sales sites shows that BRZs in general are pretty rare and selling for a bit of a premium over other regions. Yes, it would be high for California or Texas where you trip over the things every time you walk through a parking lot but for Ohio it appears to be a decent price.

The fender garnish is also from a pre-17.

most cars aren't going to total from "bumper damage" . Especially being a year or two old.
that does not equate to 75% of the cars value. I would suspect more than bumper damaged happened.
the vin tags appear to still be on the fenders in pics, I would check them and make sure they match the car and then make sure they don't appear to be re-glued on.
Do some serious investigating. Again, it shouldn't have totaled from bumper damage.

You can buy a new premium for around 22k... is it worth to buy a 3yr old car with a salvage title to save 6-7k... heck no. But that’s me. I won’t touch that car unless it’s around 10-12k

Good luck finding new ones in Ohio for $22K
It is not a premium it is a limited so new premium prices mean nothing if people want the extra features.
It isn't a 3 year old car. It is a 2 MY old car.
It is not a bad deal.

'17 Limited or not, that is still overpriced for an air bag deployed car.

One thing it has going for it is the VIN ends in '86' :lol:

https://s1.poctra.com/700/copart-p-2...t-37210767.jpg

https://s1.poctra.com/700/copart-p-2...z-37210767.jpg

https://s1.poctra.com/700/copart-p-2...z-37210767.jpg

https://s1.poctra.com/700/copart-p-2...z-37210767.jpg

https://s1.poctra.com/700/copart-p-2...z-37210767.jpg

Actually, unless I'm reading the VIN wrong, it IS #86 that model year.