I've found a 2013 Prius C3 that's been "totalled" and repaired. Looks great. It was rear ended. they want around $12k for it. that normally lists for around $19-20k used. Thoughts?
Would I? No. Not a C-type. It may look and run great, but there's no factory warranty even if the repairs were perfectly performed, and when you go to sell it you'll take an even greater depreciation hit than a Prius with an unsullied title. I'm not sure how insurance companies treat totaled cars either. I would CERTAINLY not borrow money for a totaled car! There are circumstances where totaled cars make sense for somebody who is able to pay cash for a car that is mechanically dependable that they could afford to replace without comp and collision insurance. This doesn't smell like that. Good Luck!
Yeah, the warranty issue recently came to mind. I think I derailed myself after that thought. Thanks for the responses!
We used to buy salvaged cars all the time. Sometimes they are pristine after the restoration. Sometimes they are absolute lemons but the cost savings outweighed the inconvenient breakdowns. I absolutely would not buy a salvaged hybrid, though. Precious few know how to repair these vehicles properly versus a regular car where any grease money can repair with duct tape and a spanner. iPhone ?
The problem with a car like that is your own resale. If you drive it till the wheels fall off, that's one thing. You won't lose much but you do have a serious consideration for warranty on a hybrid vehicle with a possibly sketchy repair history in regards to the hybrid battery. The factory's 8 year, 100K warranty is a huge plus for a new one... or a used one, but may not be honored for a salvaged car.
As I said before, a salvaged car is good for parts only; NEVER a rebuild. If you buy this one, you've valued your life at about $10,000. Personally, my safety and my life is worth more than that. Unlike cars 30 or more years, ago, they systems are nearly five or more times more complicated than those of old, that were basically boxes onto which components are hung. Cars, today, are like "one use" crash helmets. Just ask yourself if you would but a bicycle helmet that had been in a crash and refurbished by a "body shop" man or a woman with a high school education? Over the past 30 years of study and experience in the aircraft industry, I have found that the most devastating crashes in airplanes that have been repaired, inspected and certified by the FAA. I'd NEVER buy a salvaged vehicle. If I had one that was in a major accident, and if it was NOT totaled, but repaired, I trade it in shortly afterwards.
A few months ago I considered buying a Salvaged 2013 model but everyone had suggested against it. The one thing that really changed my mind was that a salvage car does not carry a car warranty from Toyota. Whatever happens to your car, it's nothing Toyota will cover. The price difference from a non salvage car is about 30% difference, but without a hybrid warranty, 30% would be used up in 1 repair.
8 years ago I bought a salvaged prius, worst nightmare ever, only owned for 2 months, drove like total of 50 miles and lost tons of money to get rid of it because it' was poorly repaired with tons of problems and SERIOUS safety issues, DO NOT BUY salvage, end of story
There are things that will help you to save money. This is NOT one of them. That is WHY this car is discounted. Repair shops make cars look good....mainly on the outside. The inside counts as much as the outside. The car is designed with special steels and a special structure. There is absolutely NO way to put Humpty Dumpty back together again to make it as good as it left the factory.
I've had a couple of salvaged cars and wouldn't buy salvage again. One, I don't like that you get NOTHING from them in the event they are totaled from insurance. Insurance will total them immediately because they aren't worth anything. Selling them is hard as most people won't buy salvage and if the seller is wanting a decent amount and people would need a loan you can't get one for a salvage car. Some insurance companies won't insure them either. With the Prius, I wouldn't buy salvage. New cars are almost always a unibody frame which if there is any frame damage it cannot be adequately repaired to like new. Also I imagine the frames are light weight for fuel efficiency and therefore would be thinner materials so bending to "repair" could actually cause stress on the metals and make the damage worse.
