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LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Thu May 26, 2011 12:58 pm

Car Fax won't always say that a car has been in an accident. If it's not properly reported, it will never show up on a carfax report. So they aren't a be all end all to tell if a car has been wrecked or not.

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Thu May 26, 2011 2:08 pm

well :/

do you think the car would be worth buying then? could it really be too
messed up? the only thing that seems wrong is the knock in the
suspension, and the doors need to be re-aligned. i noticed it slightly pulled
to the right when i let go of the wheel, and i can see that the hood has
obviously been repainted.. i checked the frame underneath which seemed
to look fine and straight, so what are my consequences of buying this car
if it has possibly been wrecked?

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:04 pm

Just my opinion...

The combination of 2-front doors out of alignment + paint job on the vehicle cause me to wonder why?

That, for me anyway, is a big red flag.

Typically folks purchase these cars to have some fun with them and drive them hard. Nothing wrong with that as long as there was no abuse done.

If the oil has not been freshly changed then an oil analysis would provide some insight as to how healthy the engine is... that along with a compression test.

Personally, I would not purchase it... considering the potential to become a money pit unless you have cash set aside for money pit type of issues.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Thu May 26, 2011 4:47 pm

Will they allow you to take it to a mechanic so they can look it over? And if yes, do you have a mechanic you can trust to look over the car thoroughly?

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Thu May 26, 2011 8:07 pm

well i went back and talked to them about the car again..

they're going to try to align the doors and then i'm going to test drive it
to see if that took care of the annoying air leaks.. they said they looked
deep into car fax for a reason as to why it was repainted but i was told
that it would only show up on carfax if the wreck caused $500+ in
damage, but nothing shows so the only info they have on the paint job is
that the previous owners repainted it because the color was fading.. they
told me to wait until their mechanic gets back to put the car on the lift
to look for any damage in the frame for damage and the suspension to see why it ticks or whatever. he'll also do a compression test.

my other option is This

theColonel · Post by **theColonel** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:03 pm

If the doors don't line up, and it doesn't steer well, it's probably been wrecked.

CarFax depends on the insurance companies reporting the damages they pay for. I had a 2000 Neon that was severely wrecked ($8,000 repairs on a $14,000 car)
when it was less than 18 months old. Allstate never reported it, so it had a "clean" CarFax report when we traded it in on a 2003 Dodge Stratus.

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Thu May 26, 2011 9:14 pm

dang it.. i got my hopes up for nothing

i might go take a look at the white srt then.. its white which is a plus, and
its cheaper. but its got more miles. i guess you win some and you lose some?

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:40 am

JeffM wrote:Will they allow you to take it to a mechanic so they can look it over? And if yes, do you have a mechanic you can trust to look over the car thoroughly?

Or a Crystal

priceless day!!

Thane the clunk could just be the LCA bushings, but the door issue bothers me. How bad are they to make you say that?

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Fri May 27, 2011 12:45 pm

Viva Las Vegas? Lol.

It's when I mostly hit a bump but I think it made a noise when I slightly turned
to the right. In the mean time I'm going tomorrow to go look ay the white srt.
The guy who owns it says he's the third owner though..

Post by **racer12306** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:10 pm

LilSparkPlug wrote:Car Fax won't always say that a car has been in an accident. If it's not properly reported, it will never show up on a carfax report. So they aren't a be all end all to tell if a car has been wrecked or not.

Yup.

My axle seal that was replaced under warranty was reported but the hit that the Neon took to the quarter panel wasn't.

Last I checked, in the eyes of carfax my wife's Beetle is not totaled. (It was hit in the back at about 40mph, and nudged into another car about 4 years ago)

Carfax is nearly worthless.

nabster33 · Post by **nabster33** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:28 pm

when i was looking at used srt's i found one that gave me some red flags. car fax said it was clean.. Car Proof on the other hand shows estimates and I found out that it had 8grand in repairs and the frame had to be straightened. So just my 2 cents. The car seems like it was wrecked though. i would move onto the white one.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Fri May 27, 2011 1:41 pm

iThane wrote:dang it.. i got my hopes up for nothing

Told you it wasn't that amazing of a deal. Better to calm down and check it out, rather then get super excited and jump into something you'll regret.

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:06 pm

I think I'm over the silver srt. i want to do this right without guessing or taking too
many risks.. I'm just a little concerned abut the white srt having 3 owners already
though. I'm even considering expanding my searches to towns that are 3-4 hours
away. as long as it's white and is in good condition, I'll be satisfied.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:11 pm

I would consider this:
1. Keep the SXT for now
2. Instead of modding the SXT, save that money towards a down payment on an SRT this way you have no loan.
3. Keep looking for an SRT but don't jump at the first thing you see, try to find a knowledgeable owner in your area that can help you when the time comes.

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Fri May 27, 2011 7:11 pm

jesse would be my best bet if i need someone to help pick out an srt,
but he doesn't even ask questions, just says "do it dood"

the white srt in Vegas hardly interests me since I'd be the 4th owner, and
the current owner says he's selling it cuz the "GF got pregnant and needs
an automatic".. haven't heard that one before.. I'm also going to avoid
buying from places that get snow, such as Flagstaff, AZ. (snow+salt=fail)
if my car's body wasn't in such bad shape, I'd keep it and just 2.4 swap
it.. but its too much work to try to restore it.. i mean, EVERY single
body panel has a dent and scratch. it'd be cheaper to just buy a new
neon (preferably srt!)

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sat May 28, 2011 7:14 pm

So keep on saving

Your neon may hate you for disowning it though, thus tarnishing your future reputation with other neons. Dante may have more information on this subject, Chtear will enlighten him if you ask nicely.

2GN.ORG

ZOMGWTFGOODFINDYES?

Which car should I claim?