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Yes, definitely have to exercise some more caution with rebuilt title vehicles, but, for the most part, I love 'em!
This being said, I've accidentally bought a "slap 'er back together and get it sold!" car or two (one even had a clean title). I've also seen some barely patched back together for sale.
It kinda works like this... $15k FRS has $6k in damage, so insurance totals it. Some clown buys it at auction for $3500 and thinks they can slap some putty on the front fender and spray paint it firetruck red for a half-ass match. They think "$3500 plus $1000 in parts and I can dump it for $7500"
Meanwhile, the front control arms are bent to hell, the replacement headlight is some eBay junk, and the dash has perma-ABS and Traction Control lights on.
If you manage to avoid these rough ones, you can sometimes find a real gem at a steep discount. A car isn't alway wrecked to earn a rebuilt title. Sometimes it's involved in a minor flood, or stolen. Or sometimes even parked somewhere and reported stolen to get out of a bad car loan.
I'm weirded out how your family friend is "clueless" when it comes to this car. It's really not that special of a car. Mechanically, it's nearly identical to a 240sx, or a Mustang, or anything else really.
Engine in front, transmission in the middle, it's got a driveshaft, a rear differential. It's got control arms just like anything else.
No matter if it's a Geo Metro or a Lamborghini, a good body shop guy can spot body work a mile away.
I bet if you post some good pictures I can immediately tell you if body panels were painted.
He either hasn't looked at it, he's no good at what he does, or he's pulling one over on you.
Either way, $11k is full price for one with 79k miles. He's not doing you any favors there.
And a 2014 car is recent enough to have a pretty comprehensive accident report on Carfax.
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