hello folks,

well here's the dilema... i want an s14, especially the 97-98 s14 but am having a hard time sourcing one where i will be living. but i did manage to find one.... however, there is a problem with it.

its a '97 white LE... auto (if i do go with this one, i will be doing a conversion, just not right away...)

the problem is this: ALERT! This 1997 NISSAN 240SX/LE/SE (JN1AS44D6VW100517) has had a severe accident or total loss event(s) reported to CARFAX from a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

and

This 1997 NISSAN 240SX/LE/SE (JN1AS44D6VW100517) has had accident indicators reported to CARFAX from its sources. Accident Reported in Summit County Vehicle involved in crash with another motor vehicle Very minor damage reported (probably cosmetic)

this is the vehicle history:

10/30/1998 14,200 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Oak Brook, IL
Title #T8303787018
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
REBUILT TITLE ISSUED


04/29/1999 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
De Pere, WI
Title #99119F6012
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


07/29/1999 24,483 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Crivitz, WI
Title #992118G010
Odometer reading reported for title


07/30/1999 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Crivitz, WI
Title #992118G010
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


09/27/1999 25,426 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Phoenix, AZ
Odometer reading reported for title


10/07/1999 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Phoenix, AZ
Title #9928049080
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


10/07/1999 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Marinette, WI
Title #9928049080
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED


09/30/2001 Ohio
Police Report
Case #20018383114
Accident Reported
in Summit County
Vehicle involved in crash
with another motor vehicle
Very minor damage reported


04/01/2002 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Phoenix, AZ
Title #9928049080
Title or registration issued
Correction to record


should i buy this? how much would you guys offer for this car? i was thinking of offering $3k or so... i dont live in the area yet, so i cant go look at the car... i may be able to have someone go check the car out for me tho...

anyways, TIA for all help!!!

mike

 

oh the car has 83k miles now...

 

I know its worth well more then 3k haha. Well how bad is the damage? Front end? Side? Frame really damaged? Miles? Is the damage fixed?

 

from the looks of the pictures, the car is fixed. however, it does have both a SALVAGE TITLE and a REBUILT TITLE. i dunno if they go together or not...

but from what i can muster, if the car was totalled out due to a collission in '98 when the car was only 1 year old, then there was probably $15k+ in damage (assuming that 75% of retail value in damages is necessary to total a car out, and also assuming the car wasnt a theft recovery) which most likely would have to do with frame damage... safe assumptions or am i totally wrong?

 

I wouldn't even consider buying it. The only time when I would buy a salvage title car is when its a theft recovered one.

 

probably means the frams was bent to hell if it was written off, does your state have safety inspections? Who knows the shape of that car, and what happened. I'd quite honestly stay away, you don't know what you could be getting into.

Dr.

 

thanks for the input. what about a s14 that has had 4 previous owners? i dont feel comfortable with that fact, but it could mean nothing as well. any thoughts on this?

 

I don't see why 4 owners is a problem. As long as it looks like it's in great shape and the carfax is clear, way better than the salvaged title. Just check everything out, there's a thread in the FAQ forum for things to look for in s14's when buying one.

Dr.

 

To clarify about how insurance companies determine a salvage title, it is not 75% of the value of the car, it must either meet the blue book value, OR exceed the bluebook value. Now, seriously, if it was totaled out after a year on the road, the frame does not have to be damaged at all. All you need is the aprons and some of the substructures to be damaged (aprons would be the sheets of metal welded together that create the impact zone. The aprons are welded onto the actual frame to create about 80% of the vehicles structure, not the actual car but the structure) take my friend's S14a for instance, he was hit on the front driver side wheel, and that area's frame rail. Total cost of damages (not including tear down cost and storage) jus under 13K. Now, Im imagining that this car was swiped all the way on one side good enuff to have some of the aporns cut out, have a complete door replacement, and prolly lose front and rear lights. Id go with Doc's recommendation to look at the other 240 w/ the 4 previous owners (its not a salvage title is it?) eventhough this car was rebuilt, the only thing Id say its worth is bein a parts car (convert S14 to S14a! yea! lol). Anyways, check out the other S14, I think that one is worth more ur time.

 

why dont u just buy my car?

 

how much u askin?