Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
I'm curious why people are suggesting a PPI. A normal PPI would be done by a mechanic because you want to know the mechanical condition of the vechicle. What does a mechanic know about body work? They're two VERY different animals. To me, it would be like going to a dentist for an appendectomy. If you're wanting a professional opinion on a wrecked car, why not make arrangements with your ins co to have an adjuster look at it? Or is this what is being referred to when saying "PPI" - a review by the appropriate professional? Just trying to expand my small knowledge base.
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Your assumption that cars are totaled solely on the basis of body work is misguided.
A hard pothole hit could total an early base Boxster even if the sheet metal is untouched as could running over a curb at moderate speed. Any true PPI should include checking the alignment of a vehicle as well. An owner with moderate knowledge can do a lot to see if sheet metal has been replaced in the case of an impact. Pcars, especially Boxters, are rather easy to inspect for signs of sheet metal work. Pull the liners in the bonnet and trunk, there are seams and rivet lines everywhere that would either look factory or they wouldn't. If they don't then you dig deeper.
Buying salvage is not for those with a small knowledge base or for those that want someone else to tell them it's a good buy. There's a risk (as there is to any purchase) and the buyer must either be confident in his/her ability to assess the risk reward and be prepared to incur the costs of being wrong. In the case of salvage titled vehicles the risk and reward is greater...how much greater depends on how well it's evaluated and how well it's bought. Those who've not had the time to learn how to analyze a machine on condition, should stick with certified pre-owned. It's likely the least painful way to go.
I will say this about CarFax, purchases and Pcars.
1) A Carfax is almost useless in terms of condition. It's a small part of the puzzle at best and it's just a piece of paper that is by design a way for people don't know better feel comfortable. Given the choice between a car fax and physical inspection, I'd take a physical inspection every time.
2) Your insurance company is part of an industry database and has access to far more information about your cars accident history than Carfax ever will. If you know an adjuster ask him to do an industry data base vin search.
3) Pcars are expensive machines. At some point in a Porsche's life it has likely been owned by someone of means. Say you're a nicely paid pro or business man making 400K or so a year and you put your 2012 991 turbo into a curb sideways at 45mph. The insurance company would have almost 20K on the estimate in wheels, tires and alignment, not to mention suspension work and what ifs of replacing exotic suspension pieces... Are you going to pony up 25-30K in cash to fix it with serviceable used parts by your local indy or risk have your 140K car end up with Carfax blemish and a major rate hike? Could go either way, but $25K is not a huge hardship to most folks driving $150K cars…
The only guarantee is that there are cars out there with a pristine Carfax report that do not truly have pristine history and conversely, there are safe, well repaired and reliable vehicles out there that are misrepresented by their vehicle history reports...
Choose your priorities wisely, it's a jungle out there...
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