How Much Should Damage History Affect Value?

[78F350]

Originally Posted by BoxMann

I'm looking at a Boxster that shows rear end collision on the Carfax. Happened over 10 years ago, not with my Seller, but with the prior owner. ...

There are probably more 15 year old cars out there that have had undocumented minor collision repair than those that show on CarFax. To me, the car is what it physically is as presented for sale. Don't trust CarFax, don't trust the seller, trust the actual condition as verified in a detailed inspection. If you are spending a sum that is significant to you, have a PPI by a reputable third party.

On an '03 I would figure there should be roughly a $2,000 difference.

$2,000 difference from what? KBB? Cars.com? No. There are just too many variables in the care and condition of a car that age. My offer (or bottom $ as seller) would be specific to the condition of that car, which could vary a couple thousand regardless of mileage. Again, PPI and how the car is Now.
I would pay significantly less for a car with a branded title (Rebuilt, Flood, Repo, etc.). Not for any worry, but because to me, the title is part of the car and a brand is unrepairable damage.

I concede that my opinions may be contrary to other good advice and I have no special skill at buying and selling cars. Just throwing it out there to fill out the discussion.
:dance:

[BoxMann]

Originally Posted by 78F350

There are probably more 15 year old cars out there that have had undocumented minor collision repair than those that show on CarFax.

That's absolutely true. But we can only deal with what we know, not what we don't know. Carfax's limitation is not what they tell you, but what they don't tell you. Carfax doesn't know everything.

$2,000 difference from what?

The "$2,000" that I mentioned was what I would guestimate the difference would be in sales price between two hypothetical identical cars, except that one has a (non-structural) damage history and the other one has a clean history. I understand that there are lots of other variables, and that a used car, particularly a 15 year old one, is not a commodity like the way a new car is.

[MrBen]

I think you're over thinking this and alot of the other subjects you have posted about. Just find one you like make an offer and buy one,done. Buying a boxster is a bit of a risk. You have to except the fact that you might get burned but the reward should be worth the risk. It was for me. There is no 100 percent perfect car at this age. According to some they were all flawed from the get go.