Reconstructed Title PiP

Key word, "Russians" ... and "deal".
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boris!

 

1. The little plastic cover on the inside fender, I kind of doubt would make the wind noise. The wheel well has the inner plastic/carpet liner, so that fender shouldnt be getting any "direct" air. Behind that little plastic flap is where I stuff all my aftermarket HID ballast and wiring, fwiw.

2. I believe the air intake plumbing is set up the way it is (like a labyrinth) for sound tuning.. so the car doesnt make any "unnecessary" intake noises from under the hood. If you've ever heard a normally aspirated Honda with a cold-air intake at full throttle, you'll know what I mean. So as long as the crack is before the filter, I wouldnt worry about it.

3. The gap from the windshield looks like it would make the noise you're talking about? Can you just put some painters tape over that section and then go for a quick test drive? If it solves the sound, then maybe fill the gap with some clear silicone?

 

Da!
Lada engine also very efficient!!
Not burn much fuel when being pushed to destination by proper-sized woman!

 

And Natasha
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moose is getting on my nerves.

 

The way I look at it is if it has a "reconstructed title" it is usually from a car that has been totaled for one reason or another. You may not know if it is hit in the front, back or sides. I have been told that if the air bags deploy they will have problems with the sensors and airbags. Heck the car may have been submerged in a flood and there is no telling what kind of damage that may cause on the electronics, motors and brakes. If a car has been submerged it will just be problems down the line. S

 

Crash,
I find it unfortunate that recycling is so against your values! It is true that a "reconstructed title" indicates that some insurance company thought the damage too expensive to repair, however that is all it indicates! Whatever the damage, there is a safe and competent repair procedure, if it has been followed, the result is quite literally as good as new. I happen to own such a vehicle. It was declared a total loss after it was flooded during hurricane Sandy. It was "restored" by using a parts car that was a "rollover" (no airbags deployed). I participated in the complete "stripping" of both vehicles, cleaning and reassembly of my car. I know that every piece of rusted metal has been replaced along with every bit of electrical system or interior that was ever wet. My car works flawlessly and I fully expect it will last as long as any other 2012 PIP.

 

and that's a great thing. but commercially, if a car has been totaled, it is difficult at best, to buy it, repair it correctly, and sell it for a profit.

 

That depends on what "totaled" entails really. In some cases it's easy to turn a profit, and in others, it's just about impossible assuming the car is repairing correctly.

 

well, if in some cases, an insurance company totals a car that can easily be repaired and sold for a profit, the insurance company made a mistake. good on them. the question is, how do you sort out the liars?

 

Pre-collision photos/accident report/prior owner if available and a very good eye/ear/test drive. Buying salvage is much less of a gamble if you have enough experience and time to root out possible issues.

 

agree completely, but probably more difficult on a pip than most cars.

 

as roflwaffle said, if you know what you're doing...

 

There are, of course, some rather onerous consequences of owning a car with a "reconstructed" title. Possibly the most onerous is the simple fact that insurance for any thing more than liability is essentially un- available. I'd prefer to have collision and comprehensive insurance so I'd like to know of "reasonable" insurance carriers, any suggestions? Financing is also pretty much un- available. Resale value is also severely reduced.

 

Did you visit Purchasing Car Insurance for Salvage Title Cars ? That page claims the insurance industry prices a reconstructed car at 30% of it's pre-claim value. A car that was worth $20000 is now valued at $6000. The problem with insuring any low value car is that within 4 years more is paid for the insurance than the car is worth.

 

Possibly. I don't think a pip is any more difficult than a normal Prius, but they might be a little more finicky than some cars. The thing is, Toyota has a ton of good self-diagnostics built into the car and good FSMs, so in that context troubleshooting issues might be easier.