dontran

I am a newbie here so some patience is appreciated.

My wife wants a RX300 and there is one in the local paper for a decent price. Seems high in my opinion but I am not familiar with the Lexus market.

1999 RX300 with 105k miles for $12k. It seems high because of the salvage title.

The second owner tells me this vehicle was badly vandalized (broken windows/glass and keyed on all panels) in 2003 at 60k miles.

If this is a really bad idea, your advice and suggestions are appreciated.

Don

aliga

iTrader: (147)

tell him or her to show you proof of the vandalism.

anthracitetarga

iTrader: (1)

it is never good to buy a salvage title, especally when the damage is only broken windows and getting keyed (i think he would've fought more w/ insurance company not to total the car). Salvaged titles create more problmes than good. look for another rx300...they are a dime a dozen around here.

anthracitetarga

iTrader: (1)

oh and just for reference, insurance values a toyota supra TT just as a regular toyota (not w/ rates (i wish), but value of the car) so when insurance looked at my 93 supra after it was stolen (pic in my sig) ur damn right they were going to total it, but i convinced them not to, and that is more than just broken glass and a few scrapes

Lil4X

Welcome to CL, dontran! Sorry to edit your post, but we don't encourage what is essentially "theft of service" by members seeking a Carfax report without reimbursing the company for its services.

Go ahead and purchase a report on your own - a good investment in terms of what it can save you - especially if this is a "salvage title" vehicle. It is critical to know exactly what damage was done by the "vandals". It could be as advertised, but some really hideous wrecks are now reappearing on the market.

Good Luck!

dontran

sorry, did not mean to break rules....

Nice Supra, I always like that car. Very sad to see what they did to your car.

I will research a little deeper into the car but I probaby will take the advice on skipping it.

HarrierAWD

I don't buy that story. It takes far more than that to get a salvage title. Essentially it must cost more to repair than the vehicle's value.

Many salvaged cars in Colorado claim to be just from hail damage, but in reality they were flooded in other states. "Trout sale" is more appropriate.

I'd walk away from it.

salimshah

What may seem like an advantage today will be a disadvantge when you want to sell. So make sure you really have an advantage. Also find what the insurance guys think of the replacement value of a slavaged title vehicle.


Salim

aliga

iTrader: (147)

this is tricky, becuase insurance does not give discounts when insuring a salvaged vehicle, they just give you rates on the year and make.

dontran

Thank you for all the suggestions and advice. I will walk away from this car.

Any places to look for used Lexus online for local sales? I fear EBAY....

I am watching a few local news paper for them.

salimshah

I always wondered about that? [numbers below are fictitious]
Here is the scenario ...
Vehicle X market value $15,000 Same vehicle with salvage title market value $10,000

Now if the salvages vehicle gets totalled, the insurance pays close to $15000 [scam ]


Salim

dontran

thanks for the advice, we will look for a clear title vehicle.

mmahamm

I have found Autotrader.com and cars.com to be good sources online. In fact you may see mine advertised as I am selling it now. Too bad you are so far away.

dontran

We found one in the local paper this weekend and the owner gave us a good price.

I am thinking about purchasing an extended warranty for up to 145k at $2k. Since people do say that these AWD unit has tendencies to fail around 140k.

Are these extended warranties worth buying? Please share experiences and advice.

dontran

Sorry, forgot some details.

1999 RX300 with 80k miles.

There is an interior noise, I think it may be AC related. The antenna makes noises going up and down.