Advice needed: Evo X purchase

**atombomb33** · Oct 16, 2009, 04:16 PM

Hey everyone. A buddy of mine is looking to buy an Evo X. I've been helping him and we've found a few used ones. There are two he is particularly interested in.

Car A
GSR with SSS, Navi and Aero kit. The car has around 5,500 miles. Never been modded. Is in perfect condition mechanically and the interior and exterior are flawless.

Car B
An identical car. GSR with SSS, Navi and Aero. Around 5,500 miles. Never been modded. Mechanically the car is perfect. The interior is perfect. But, the car has been in a very minor accident. The rear bumper needed to be replaced from someone bumping into the car at around 5-10mph. No frame damage. The paint job and bumper replacement look great. But, it does show up on the Carfax report.

So, two questions:

1) Which car would you choose?

2) If you chose Car B, would you expect to pay less? And if so, how much less?

Thanks

phyzfer · Oct 16, 2009, 04:21 PM

It entirely depends on your friend's financial situation. If it were me, and I had to pick between the 2, I'd go with Car A...for the security of mind that it hasn't been in an accident. The few thousand dollars more (2-3) would be worth it for me. However, 2-3k is a high price for security of mind for your friend, then car B.

And yes, since everything is almost identical I would expect to pay less for car B. Again, probably by like 2-3k.

ikt · Oct 16, 2009, 04:22 PM

Well, first off, nobody replaces a bumper for a 5mph collision typically, so there is probably more to the story. If it showed on a carfax, that means a claim was filed. If i chose car B, i'd want to pay a lot less.

I just paid 27500 for a 08 RR GSR w/ SSS and 4500 miles, flawless carfax one owner, for what that's worth

**atombomb33** · Oct 16, 2009, 04:28 PM

Thanks guys. My friend's financial situation would allow him to buy either car. But, in this economy, who doesn't want to save a little cash if it makes sense?

The damage is legitimately very minor. My buddy has seen the police report. It noted that the other person backed into the car at less than 10mph in a parking lot. The owner of the car filed a claim with the other person's insurance to get the car fixed. We've seen pictures. The bumper had some paint scraped off of it, but there was also a very small crease in the plastic which required the bumper replacement. It really is truly a minor accident and the repairs look great.

Webman · Oct 16, 2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikt

Well, first off, nobody replaces a bumper for a 5mph collision typically, so there is probably more to the story. If it showed on a carfax, that means a claim was filed. If i chose car B, i'd want to pay a lot less.

I disagree. You never know what hit the bumper to cause the damage. There's a chance it was some old POS that was all metal, that actually pierced the bumper plastics. In that case, instant replacement.

I'd say just work the hell out of them for Car B.

Also, since I bought my Evo used with about 6500 miles on it, I suggest you do your own once over of the car and commonly modified parts. I bought my car, and they said it wasn't modified. 2 months later I found there was an aftermarket downpipe (nothing else), then just recently they tried to deny warranty work because of the modification. I nearly killed someone over the whole thing, and they ended up covering the issue, but now I always have to take my car to that dealership because of that modification, since I didn't do it, and they sold it to me that way.

LaXGSR · Oct 16, 2009, 04:30 PM

I would personally choose car B if it was $1000 less than car A. Some people might even take it for $500 less. But I definitely expect to pay less for a car that has been repaired, especially if it shows up in CarFax because then that gets stuck with the car forever. If it wasn't in CarFax, then the price differential would be smaller imo. Given the current situation, I wouldn't consider car B unless it was at least $500 less, or there was something about car B that makes it stand out as a better deal (closer to you, better maintenance records, etc).

**atombomb33** · Oct 16, 2009, 04:32 PM

Webman, good suggestions. We've both gone over the car. Had the hood open and checked all the typical places. None of that looked like any changes have been made. Had the car up on a lift and the exhaust has never been touched. Suspension and brakes have never been touched. The car has had two oil changes and the tires rotated at 5,000 miles.

imboostinnow · Oct 22, 2009, 08:08 PM

car a

casper3043 · Oct 22, 2009, 08:23 PM

Car A, especially if you have the money. also better resale down the road.

derekste · Oct 23, 2009, 10:58 AM

if B is cheaper, and you are sure only the bumpers was affected, B all the way if it is cheaper.

mike100 · Oct 23, 2009, 12:14 PM

There is common sense logic, but I would have a hard time with the Scarlet Letter..er carfax report on the one evo. it would potentially be harder to sell later- not that there is anything at all mechanically or structurally wrong with it. There should be some kind of minimum threshold for carfax reporting, but it seems to be at the discretion of individuals who work at body shops etc.

I had a bed side replaced and repainted on my Tundra and it didn't get a carfax report, but a bumper respray or a 30k mile service does for some shops. You never know if it was maintenance or repairs- the reports are vague.

Deception · Oct 24, 2009, 11:49 AM

I'd pick A, I've purchased a car one time that has been hit and I regret not paying the extra money...

dboz · Oct 24, 2009, 03:49 PM

If there was no paint or work to the quarters or trunk lid, I would not hesitate to go with B. It is only plastic so no long term issues. If it also had metal damage, then the hit was obviously more intense, and I would stay away. The bumper may have been gouged or perforated on a mild rear ender and needed replaced for that reason. No big deal, especially for 2-3 k, especially if it is going to be a daily driver anyway. If he is going for a show car, then go with A. I was rear ended in my truck last year and needed a new rear bumper due to deep scratches that I did not want filled....I demanded new and got a replacement, I could not tell. 2-3k gets you serious mods or new wheels and rims.

Just an FYI. I got my 08 GSR SSS with 4k miles for 24k.

**atombomb33** · Oct 25, 2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboz

If there was no paint or work to the quarters or trunk lid, I would not hesitate to go with B. It is only plastic so no long term issues. If it also had metal damage, then the hit was obviously more intense, and I would stay away. The bumper may have been gouged or perforated on a mild rear ender and needed replaced for that reason. No big deal, especially for 2-3 k, especially if it is going to be a daily driver anyway. If he is going for a show car, then go with A. I was rear ended in my truck last year and needed a new rear bumper due to deep scratches that I did not want filled....I demanded new and got a replacement, I could not tell. 2-3k gets you serious mods or new wheels and rims.

Just an FYI. I got my 08 GSR SSS with 4k miles for 24k.

It was just the bumper (and only the bumper) for exactly the reason you stated. The bumper was gouged and needed to be replaced. They painted it and the paint job looks good. The color matches the trunk lid and rear quarter panels very nicely. There was no blending of the paint on the trunk or quarter panels.

I guess the big question is...how much less should be offered for the car that was in the accident? Both are currently being offered at $29k. What's a fair amount to offer for the accident-car???

strocse · Oct 25, 2009, 12:56 PM

car B needs to be 3-4000 cheaper, that accident will always be on carfax and will kill when you try to sell it in a few years.