Tips on purchasing a used 2017 Toyota 86 (salvage title)
 

Do you have any advice for me before I buy a new car? I'm interested in a 2017 Toyota 86, and I'm worried about the salvage title. My uncle says it doesn't really matter, but other friends have said they would back away from the deal if it has a salvage title. Can you give me any insights about this car? 2017 Toyota 86 39000 miles automatic White in color Its mentioned that the front end is all new so wondering if there is a way to see the previous damages or issues that occurred with the car. I'm in love with this model and am in rush to purchase by the end of this month as I am currently using ride shares and it sucks! Please advise if you would pull the trigger or negotiate the seller a bit more in this instance as for this price range its the one I found that is the cleanest.

Link to the ad:http://https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/d/cathedral-city-2017-toyota-86/7584383505.html

https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/c...584383505.html

https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/c...584383505.html

https://palmsprings.craigslist.org/c...584383505.html

I'd be more worried about buying a modded car, especially considering it used rather low $ components.

As for the salvage title, could mean anything really. One would need to thoroughly inspect the car on a lift, and also ensure the price reflects a branded title (as it's somehting you'll have to worry about come resale time).

https://en.bidfax.info/toyota/86/915...5h8708835.html

19k is a lot for a salvaged 2017

Get a good look/inspection of the car. What you need to worry about is the quality of work done during the rebuild. Most people buy a salvage car to fix and sell to make money. With that thought process every piece put on the car is generally sub par or hacked together. The other issue with a salvage title is insurance. It will be more difficult to get full coverage if you need that.

"Title is salvage due to a minor accident that resulted in the radiator needing to be replaced."
This statement worries me. There has never been and never will be a car that is totaled because the rad needed to be replaced. What worries me is the deception (intended or otherwise) involved in the actual extent of the damage. The price is not that great for a salvage title car.
There must be better deals out there.

You need to look at your purpose for the vehicle when deciding if a salvage title is fine. It's never ideal, but in the case of becoming a track car or something that will otherwise be highly modified, sure it should be fine. Or if you have a high tolerance for doing repairs yourself. You should also look at how long it's been since repaired. The further you can get from the repair the better chance the kinks have been worked out.



If you just want it to be a car that does daily driver things, I'd stay away. You'd probably have better luck with one with more miles. Salvage and modified is not a combo I'd want for a daily driver. This particular one doesn't really seem like a great deal either. Banks and insurance won't be as willing to play ball either.

The whole front bumper looks like a different shade of white than the rest of the car (one of the pics show it up quite clearly)

I doubt it was a "minor" accident. There had to have been some major damage to the front end before to have the radiator replaced.

I think the salvage title is being downplayed to make it sound not as big a deal as it possibly is, so guy can try to sell it at that overpriced value.

At a minimum that car needed the bumper cover, bumper impact beam, AC condenser, and radiator replaced if the accident damaged the radiator.

However, that should not have been sufficient cost to total the car. Add headlights, the hood, fans, and (possibly) the core support and the repair cost is climbing, but still shouldn’t be hitting 75% of value for the mileage and year.

So, why was it totaled? Because unless it was hit in a parking lot, hitting the front hard enough to damage the radiator should have detonated the airbag.

With no passenger, the steering wheel bag and driver’s seat belt would both need replacement. The SRS module would need to be replaced. And, the impact sensors in the bumper need to be replaced. With a passenger, add the passenger air bag, seatbelt, and a new dash. Safety equipment is where the real cost adds up fast.

It’s not uncommon for a good front end hit to also damage the intake/airbox and/or washer tank and/or coolant tank.

I’d have it thoroughly inspected and ask for receipts for the repairs. Then, I’d pay no more than $14k if it checks out perfectly (doubtful considering the bumper wasn’t painted correctly).

I missed alphasaur’s link when I wrote my previous post. Bases on its salvage auction pictures, that car needed everything I listed except the passenger safety equipment and washer tank.

By massively understating the extent of its previous damage, that seller either bought it without knowing what actually went into fixing it or is being deceitful. I wouldn’t touch that car for more than $5300 without complete receipts AND a full inspection by a collision specialist to ensure the repairs were done correctly and all the safety equipment is in place and functional.