Hey guys, I've been trolling around HT here for quite a while, but I've finally decided to post!

Anyways, I found a 2000 Prelude with 65k miles on it. It has a salvage title and the owner says its from theft recovery, all parts have been replaced.

From the pictures, it looks very clean, silver in color.

Only problem he said is that sometimes there is a "farting" sound from the clutch. Only happens on rare occasions and he's taken it to a shop and they said it was fine. Something about a rod that goes into the clutch that isn't gripping? Apparently it costs $450 to fix and it doesn't afffect driving at all.

He is asking $7500 for it. KBB for good condition is about $12.5-13k.

I guess my main question is anyone know what the clutch problem could be? Also i'd take it to a mechanic, get the usual inspections + compression/leakdown tests done. Should I go for it if everything checks out? Thanks

Also what is a good leakdown number for the test? I know compression as long as its decent and consistent throughout the 4 cylinders its fine.

I can post some pictures of it if ppl want.

 

do a full carfax and see what it says.

 

leakdown shouldnt be more then 10% off between the cylinders.

 

I did an autocheck (same as carfax) report on the car already. No crash/accident reported.

 

obviously because it was stolen and wrecked. As long as it all checks out go for it, just be absolutely positive you can get that Salvage title removed, and find out how much that costs were you are.

Expect problems in the future sooner than regularly to be safe, after all if i were to steal a car i wouldnt baby it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just be absolutely positive you can get that Salvage title removed</TD></TR></TABLE> I didn't know that was possible.

 

it's not.

 

I would say go for it, I don't know how much harder a theif would drive my car than I do @ the track. I'd say the only real hang up would be the same thing your going through. Every one else will have the same hang ups about buying a salvage car and your re-sale will be difficult.

 

actually...if you move to a state without a salvage title (i think west virginia and pennsylvania) and register your car there for a year, the salvage title disappears. My car has a salvage title and i'm thinking of doing that.

 

In PA it is avery complicated process to remove the Salvage Title designation- BUT IT CAN be done. My neighbor rolled their Jeep and it was totaled and Salvage Titled-the Title was redone AFTER he proved to 2 inspectors and some other things that the car was restored to new. In PA ther is No such thing as the Title automatically reverting to its previous type.
Be VERY careful and research this. Many states have been known to bomb a car's plate if you don't go thru this process. AAA is a good place to talk to about such things or event he State Police.
If you can make the change at a reasonable cost, then go for it knowing that the car's history is what it is. You are buying a damaged vehicle (Title anyway). Good Luck

 

Thanks a lot guys, I'm checking out the car tomorrow. I'll tell you how it goes.

 

If the papers check out, do like Doug says and do a leakdown test.

Smell the tranny fluid/check for grinds/feel cv boots/pull a couple plugs... all that stuff, and try to get paperwork for any other maintenance.

 

i would recommend that you ask what was damaged and replaced.

 

just because it has a salvage title doesn't mean that it was necessarily wrecked. I bought my Celica with a salvage title and NOTHING had ever happened to it other than being stolen. The state of Texas just slapped a salvage title on it when it was recovered, then it was auctioned off. When I titled it in Kansas it lost the salvage title and was just a regular one again.