$16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch?

Post by **Q-less** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:33 pm

I could deal with a salvaged title if it is 100%:http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp....t=677

...oh yeah the mileage is 14,899

Post by **JedCoop** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 8:50 pm

Thi picture is pretty poor - maybe that is on purpose. It looks like the hood and front fender might be discolored -- smoke damage?

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 4:42 am

Still for 14 grand id pay another 5 grand to get a nice paint job done if thats truely all thats wrong.....

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 4:43 am

Maybe we could get 90Q45blue if he has some time to go take a look at it...

Post by **Q_SHIP** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 4:55 am

Call them. See what the deal is.

Post by **Q_SHIP** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:56 am

I called the guy. He took pictures of the good side. It's been in a fire. The car next to it burned and took the M with it.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:58 am

Zoom the photo ... driver side front fender - closest part to the door ... looks like BLACK grease or smoke residue poured over and scarred the paint.

I suspect FIRE damaged.

HAHAHAHa - just a second too late I guess

Post by **JT_MONEY_2004** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 6:43 am

Ouch! Wont that still just need new paint, mirror, windows, maybe tires, what else? Probably still a descent deal right?

Post by **Rex** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 6:53 am

shine and some elbow grease and it'll be good as new .

<-- this is for anyone trying to sell a car with that much damage and not showing the damaged side .

I wouldn't want to do business with anyone with those kinds of ethics.

Post by **guadofreak** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:08 am

Actually most of those places always show the good sides. Typically those places ONLY sell damaged cars. The people that buy from them know to ask for the real pictures. However is some sucker were to buy it just looking at it from one angle he deserves it.

Post by **Q_SHIP** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:30 am

Well, it also needs work on the inside.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:35 am

Ever been in a smoke damaged car or house ?

Molten plastic stench likely will NEVER come out of the cars interior cloth and leather, and if the fire got into or did damage on any part of the engine compartments wire harness - electrical nightmares for ever.

This kids is a PARTS car now ... sadly

Post by **Q-less** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:39 am

Good call on that smoke/fire damage. You got a good eye.

I would offer like $12,000 cash and see what they would do. Looks like the fire and heat stayed away from the engine area.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:58 am

Cherry ... my experience with many many salvage dealers is - they know exactly what the thing is worth - and they have plenty of time and money to let the thing sit and rot and deteriorate further - they just dont care. Most of em are dirty rotten scoundrels and also own towing services [ some of the most virulent scourge of the earth - IMHO ] They prefer to part vs sell whole - more $$$ to be made.

Now - if this is with private party [doubtful] Owner was cashed out minus deduct by Insurance Carrier - these cars are almost ALWAYS financed and therefore INSURED ... and the photo looks like a typical salvage yard to me - see other banged up stuff in the pics.

Ya might be able to get a couple $K's off and a transport - but not much else.

If these guys could SLANG that car back together enough to sell fixed and break even or make a few bucks - it likely would already be at the Body Shop.

I suspect you'll need another car to swap the part s over too to make a whole car - right. Then part out the balance of the two combined to offset your costs. Playing with junked Infiniti's is not for the faint of heart or shallow of wallet - im coming to find out.

Post by **Rex** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:11 am

Well said.

It could be worth it, IF you had acess to all the right tools another parts car and free labor.

It was such a pretty car when new .

Post by **Q-less** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:41 am

Yeah, I like how they call themselves 'brokers' its like saying inexpensive instead of cheap.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 10:12 am

Friggen PIRATES is what they are ....

Post by **Rex** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 10:27 am

They're grifters that don't move as often.

Post by **JedCoop** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 10:33 am

SOCAL91Q45a wrote:Molten plastic stench likely will NEVER come out of the cars interior cloth and leather....

This kids is a PARTS car now ... sadly

My wife would say that car stinks

Yes, this car will always smell, and even worse on wet days. I wonder how many of the interior parts are even salvagable, I wouldn't even think of putting a smoke-soaked seat in my car.

Post by **Q_SHIP** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:30 am

Well guys, I would not be to hard on him. This is how he makes his living. When I called him, he did not try to hide anything on me. He was real up front and honest. there is a reason the car is cheap. If you want a perfect low mileage M45, open up your wallet.

Post by **texasoil** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 3:04 pm

I may be interested. have a good friend in KC--has a 97Q45. Concern is the airbag system side curtain and thorax bags--much dinero. Since I am 'retired' I can easily rent a 'store-it' place to do the work except final paint, but cost of airbags can be sobering. Bet the door panel is $1000.

Post by **rebar71** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:13 pm

Those pics hurt. I love the M. Such a beautiful car - and hell on wheels.

Post by **AZhitman** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:30 am

Keep in mind he likely paid $2K for the car from the insurance company.

I'd definitely tackle that job. Gonna be tough to find the wetherstripping and whatnot, probably better to just replace both P-side doors from a wrecked M (needle in a haystack).

Probably smart ot remove the entire interior and scrub it down with bleach water... Carpet will need a major cleaning, as will the headliner and all other porous components.

The car's not worth $16K though. I'd pay $8 tops.

Post by **gniknave** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:29 pm

Yeah for 8-9k it's worth it, but anything more than that + the fact that you have to put $$$ into it and the fact that it's rare to find a wrecked M (meaning you'll need lots of new parts from dealers), you may as well get a good used M from an auction.

Before taking on the project, I'd go see the car and take notes on what needs to be done. Then call around to see who has what parts for what prices, and work out the numbers then. This way you're not stuck with a car that's going to cost you more than it's value to fix.

Post by **sijoko** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:34 pm

If you have ever been near a burning car, you would realize that this car is not worth restoring. The heat that is generated in a vehicle fire is unbelievable.

If the car next to the M burned down, then the M is also toast. There is damage to this car (to the electronics and such) that will only be realized later on down the road.

How hot does a car have to get before the passenger side glass shatters?

-sijoko

Post by **AZhitman** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:51 am

Good point siju.

Plus, all that burning deposits soot in places where it'll cause electrical gremlins for years to come.

Post by **elwesso** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:04 am

Just gut it and make it a racecar, dgoodno style.......

I hope he comes back sometime!

Post by **JT_MONEY_2004** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:39 pm

All valid points y'all. Good point about the shattered glass sjo, must have been hotter than a azz crack.

Post by **90Q45blue** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:48 pm

If you're really interested in it, I could probably give it a look sometime. This weekend I'm busy but after that I could do it.

Nick

Post by **texasoil** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:04 pm

Texasoil would appreciate 90Q45blue taking a good look at the burned M45. I have the time and skills for all but the paint work. Question is have the side airbags been torched? Will door metal skins need to be replaced. Ditto for roof metal and door post metal. Hard to tell from photos. I can get smoke orod and soot out no problem Healing burned metal is major work for a good body man. Door panels are not cheap either.

$16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch?

$16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch?

Re: $16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch? (CherryPoppinQ45)

Re: $16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch? (JedCoop)

Re: $16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch? (elwesso)

Re: (Q_SHIP)

Re: (Q_SHIP)

Re: (Rex)

Re: (JT_MONEY_2004)

Re: $16,000 2003 M45 - Whats the catch? (JedCoop)

Re: (SOCAL91Q45a)

Re: (AZhitman)

Re: (AZhitman)

Re: (JT_MONEY_2004)

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