Salvage is the name of the game

[Redline_civic91]

you know what this is pretty much your fault dude. Before you buy a car u should check it out first. I am from fresno and i know of that place and i havent heard anything bad from them. When they say its salvage that should be a big alarm for you. One u should have took it in to a mechanic before u buy an used car like that. Second u should have got a carfax on the vehicle and looked at that that tells u everything u need to know bout the car. As of them breeching the contract maybe they didnt know that stuff was wrong with it so maybe they didnt lie, its your responsiblity to test drive or take it in somewhere before u bought it all dealers let u do that before u purchase a vehicle. If u couldnt see that the radiator and ac condensor were smashed then that tells me u didnt really check the car out cause those things would be very visable if u just inspect the car a little. i dunno but it seems like u just went out and bought the car cause it seems like its ok and since its salvage im pretty sure they gave u a good price so u went ahead and bought it. this happends to many many people every single day we as consumers need to be more cautious when buying things like this you should have took it into a mechanic and got a carfax before u bought it and signed the "as is" contract. And a car can be salvaged for a minor accident. my friend had his acura integra stolen they found it all that was missing was bumpers, headlights, rims, and gauge cluster. car was in perfect shape and they totalled it so u never know insurance have a mind of there own.

[TorinoGT69]

Carfax can be useful but is not always accurate. In many states accidents do not have to be reported and will not show up on carfax unless the vehicle is salvaged. Sometimes even if the vehicle should be salvaged it may not carry a salvage title if no insurance claim is made and the owner fixes the vehicle themselves.

[Huffa]

lVl3

Any progress with returning the car?

[scubawrstlr]

Do you have to pay for each carfax report?

[henrymv]

NO, just a monthly fee....unlimited searches durning the month....

[Shenlung]

ok, redline? As you said, the radiator and ac condenser are pretty obvious, therefore, the company would have noticed them, therefore, the company falsified their contract. If it was THAT noticeable, the car dealership most certainly WOULD have noticed it, as most cars get an inspection before the dealership buys them. Any good dealer gets an inspection done on the car before it ever makes it to the lot. The dealership knew, they just played the odds on the buyer not noticing. Go for the breach of contract, it's the best shot at getting that stuff taken care of without you paying an arm and a leg.

[henrymv]

I agree with Shenlung. However, since the insurance company sold it to the dealership like that, they are in violation of insurance laws by not disclosing the issue. So it is best to sue both parties. It will prove your case with a more solid fact to the judge. And that is what a judge will look for that the party bring the case before him is proven. Unfortunally out courts do not see things as who is right or wrong, but intead who brings more solid evidence. I have ben through this a couple of times. Good luck.

[AccordCodger]

The original poster didn't indicate that the INSURANCE COMPANY said the car was fault free -- just the DEALER. I don't suppose he ever spoke to anyone from the insurance company.

[henrymv]

Accord Codger.."I bought a Honda Accord from EZ Auto Care in Madera, CA. EZ Auto Care bought it from Century 21 Insurance with a salvaged title. I was told that the car was in a minor fender bender and that the only thing wrong with it was the front bumper (which they had replaced). I was straight out told that everything else on the car was in perfect condition. I signed a "makeshift" contract (which I have a copy of) which states that I assumed the car 'as is' and that the only thing that had been wrong with the car was the front bumper (which they replaced)." This is what he said about the insurance company. he point still is that to defend his position to win in court is to get the insurance company involved. They are just a culpable as the dealer, since they purchased it from them. It would also make the insurance liable that they sell there "salvaged" cars to dealerships instead of salavge yards.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by henrymv

Accord Codger.."I bought a Honda Accord from EZ Auto Care in Madera, CA. EZ Auto Care bought it from Century 21 Insurance with a salvaged title. I was told that the car was in a minor fender bender and that the only thing wrong with it was the front bumper (which they had replaced). I was straight out told that everything else on the car was in perfect condition. I signed a "makeshift" contract (which I have a copy of) which states that I assumed the car 'as is' and that the only thing that had been wrong with the car was the front bumper (which they replaced)." This is what he said about the insurance company. he point still is that to defend his position to win in court is to get the insurance company involved. They are just a culpable as the dealer, since they purchased it from them. It would also make the insurance liable that they sell there "salvaged" cars to dealerships instead of salavge yards.

I use to be in the insurance industry. Once the company lables it as salvaged, that's all they need to do. They are not liable for anything since they are selling the car upfront with the salvaged title. The problem lies with the dealer selling it. It happens all around here too that these guys sell salvaged cars and saying it was a light hit and such. If that was the case, the car wouldn't be salvaged.

[henrymv]

So what is the solution, ponchonutty? I bet if he has aksed the dealership to let his mechanic look at the car the dealership would be NO! And aren't most cars that are titled 'salavaged' not only too costly to repair but that the frame/structure of the car so damaged that it cold be dangerous to drive?

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by henrymv

So what is the solution, ponchonutty? I bet if he has aksed the dealership to let his mechanic look at the car the dealership would be NO! And aren't most cars that are titled 'salavaged' not only too costly to repair but that the frame/structure of the car so damaged that it cold be dangerous to drive?

Not sure on this one. I mean he knew it was titled as salvaged before he bought it, he just was misled on what kind of damage it had. The kicker was that he signed the waiver. The only course would be to find some local lawyer to see if they want to try it. Of course, they could always call the attorney generals office too.

Cars titled salvaged has no bearing on what was wrong with it. Sometimes cars are titled salvaged because they were stolen then recovered. They may have very little damage to them but they were written off because of the theft. On the other hand, some older cars may have had a light hit in the front but to replace certain parts may be too costly. This is usually true when you have airbags deployed.

I had a friend buy a '01 ZR2 Blazer from a dealer that only handles rebuilds. He was told it was a light hit in the front. He was told it was as good as new so he bought it at a decent price. About 10k miles later it starts making horrid noises underneath. Finally found that the front shaft going into the transfer case was pushed into the case. This broke the seal and all of the fluid came out. It cost him about $1000 to fix but there was no way to lay that on the dealer. You always buy salvaged cars "as is".

[henrymv]

MMMM...well the lesson to learn here is to stay away from the places that sell salvaged cars. I can see how these cars would have appeal for people short on cash nd want soemthing fun. But in actuallity they drain you more of your money lately. What a scummy scamming biz....

[AccordCodger]

Caveat emptor!