2007 M35 $15,950 Ebay Motors

[bungie50]

I just won the bid for a 2007 M35 for about 16K from Ebay motors, still finishing up on the process. It has a salvage title and the repairs are done. Anything else I should look for or is this deal to good to be true???
Modified by bungie50 at 2:46 PM 6/29/2009

[hocke230]

The reason is salvage, unfortunately I wouldn't feel safe driving in a car that already was 75% destroyed.

I just picked up a 07 Sport 31k for 23,500 - you get what you pay for.

[loystock]

Do you know the reason for the total loss? If it was due to major accident, the chassis could be crooked and you will have wheel alignment issues. The transmission could also fail prematurelu ($3,000+ just for transmission, more with labor))y. And since it has a salvage title, as far as the manufacturer is concerned, it no longer exist (no warranty).

For an additional $4,000 or more, you can buy a decent 06 M35.

[BigP]

Sounds to me like you won't know if it is too good to be true until to get the car, have it inspected, and drive it a while.

If I were you I would plan to have $5,000-6,000 or more socked away for future repairs cause you won't have any warranty/extended warranty opportunities.

Let us know what you learn down the road. I hope it is a good deal for you, but I doubt it.

[M45Runner]

I just purchased a 2007 M35 for about 16K from Ebay motors, still finishing up on the process. It has a salvage title and the repairs are done. Anything else I should look for or is this deal to good to be true???

Wow, that is a big no, no - especially buying off of ebay. Sometimes, you can get a OK deal if you are a expert mechanic that has been dealing with wrecked cars for some time and has better knowledge / experience than most insurance adjuster & inspector. But, I doubt this is the case for you - otherwise, you will not ask for our opinion. If you still have a chance to back out, do it ASAP!

Just took a look at the car on Ebay, it seems (from the pictures), it had damage mainly on the front driver side (Again, just from the picture and I could be off though). Think about it - those people sell cars on ebay bought the car and fixed it just to sell it, they know cars and they will keep the good value cars for themselves / relatives / friends and sell the rest. If it is a 10+ year old car, I might consider buying it and it crap out, I have the option to deal with it for a couple of years or just write it off. But, in your case, it is a 2 year old car with less than 29k miles, what are you going to do with it if there is anything wrong.

Also, good luck to find someone to insure it, not to mention the rate will be higher - if there is any reputable company will insure it. So, you'd better make sure it will not get into any kind of accident - they will screw you up big time with cheap parts and labor later on. I can go on and on, but you see the trade off and risk....

[BigP]

If the car becomes driveable again won't the state it will become registered in issue a new title with the VIN number? If so the car is insurable again, right? How would an insurance company know the car was salvaged? Why would they really care?

[bungie50]

Thanks for all the replies. I plan on getting the car inspected at the nearest Infiniti dealer where the M35 is at. Somewhere in the Houston area. Insurance for the vehicle comes out to 91 bucks a month, full coverage with a $500 deductible thru my insurance agent. Since it's out of state I gotta go with the carfax and Infiniti dealer check. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for the comments. Any more suggestions let me know.

[M45Runner]

If the car becomes driveable again won't the state it will become registered in issue a new title with the VIN number? If so the car is insurable again, right? How would an insurance company know the car was salvaged? Why would they really care?

Yes, there will be a new title issues - a salvage title. So, when the insurance company look it up, it will show the car with a salvage title. It is risky to insure a car with salvage title and here are some reasons (they may or may not apply on this specific car):1. Car not pull straight, so the chance of getting into an accident is higher.2. The chance of the car caught in fire or get into an accident if some wires are not properly connected / sealed to cause a short or sudden failure.3. There might be water damage that were not found initially, but found afterwards.4. Statistically, a car with salvage title cost more for the same insurance coverage over the same period of time (my insurance agent told me this).

Again, those are just some of the risks that I know / heard.

[mjlyn]

I guess living in Washington and buying a car in Texas makes it hard to inspect it before the sale, but what are you going to do if the dealer in Houston tells you the frame is bent or cracked or something else major.....??? Sounds like you'll be screwed.

You mentioned Carfax in your last post.........why does the carfax report matter if you know its a salvage title???????

It's risky enough to buy a car on ebay before inspecting, but ever crazier (in my opinion) to buy one with a salvage title unispected. What if you get it and its been flooded and smells like a dead fish? I'm with M45 Runner....get out of that deal if you can.

Sounds like you probably can't .....so I hope it turns out well for you. Let us know what happens.

[mjlyn]

M45 Runner...where did you find it on ebay....i looked and cant find the car.

[M45Runner]

M45 Runner...where did you find it on ebay....i looked and cant find the car.

The auction is completed, so you need to use "Advanced search" and look for "completed list" - which requires you to have a registered ID with ebay.

I guess the OP is out $500 by now. I would still just back out. But, if you decided to go ahead, good luck!

[jmcclain01]

Buying it from Houston I'm sure it was salvaged due to Hurricane Ike, or at least there's a good chance that was the reason.

[bungie50]

Thanks again for all the input, its been a very busy day on the phones. I'm not out any money so thats good. The guy who's selling the car is a "broker" with no license or any other credentials. I havent gotten any physical address from him regarding setting up a appointment for an private inspector to come out and check the engine/drivetrain/electronics/frame/etc...I think im gonna pass on this deal and keep looking.

[mjlyn]

I think your decision just saved you a huge headache.

I looked at the ebay auction and it said it had been in an accident lightly damaging the front of the car......I don't know of any "light damage that would total a car" Plus no warranty!!!!

You're doing the right thing.

[bungie50]

I admit I jumped the gun on this deal, lesson learned. I informed the seller of the cancellation. I'll continue looking for my M35.......

[candymanfb]

I once bought a car on ebay for about $4000, but ended spending another $4000 on repairs. And get this .... it was a clear title. Ebay is great for countless things, but a car is not one of them!I'll pass on a salvaged vehicle unless you're gonna use it for parts!

FYI on titles.

Sometimes DMV in another state will issue a clear title on a salvaged vehicle..... well maybe a few years ago. Some states may not search DMV records in other states or maybe the DMV did not care!Don't worry I never sold the car to anyone else - I junked it last year.

[M45Runner]

I admit I jumped the gun on this deal, lesson learned. I informed the seller of the cancellation. I'll continue looking for my M35.......

Good decision - I have heard numerous stories about cars with salvage title and realized that the insurance companies know what they are doing in order to stay in business and avoided those kind of "deals" from that point on.

Good luck on your M35 hunting in the future.