need advice...06 GT reconstructed title

[roan65]

I am on vacation an rented an 06 with a V6. I fell in love, however it needs more power. The gears got to turning and I found an 06 GT for $17,000 with only 1600 miles close to home. I called the guy and he said it has a reconstructed title. I guess he bought it with 1000 miles and and "fixed" it. Aparently it was doors, fenders, and a rear axle. He used all ford parts. It sounded like it wasn't a roll over. Anyways... He needs the money because of a family crisus. So what do you guys think on a reconstructed title vehicle? I think the price is great. I was thinking about taking it to a body shop, just to have them check it out. I suppose the factory warranty would be gone as well?

what are some options I should be lookin for. I'm pretty new when it comes to the new models. I like the more power found in the GT, and I do like bells and whistles... help me out!

 

[wotfr]

I would definitely have someone check it over first, although it is the stiffest Mustang ever, the S197 is still a unibody w/ front and rear subframes. I am curious as to how you can damage only the doors, fenders and axle though. Also
if you are worried about re-sale value you really want it looked at. I would see if
you could take it to the body shop at a nearby Ford dealer and have their tech look at it, as they will likely have more experience w/ the new 'Stang. I know that might be quite a drive in AK, but would be better than spending $17 Grand on a bent pony. Good luck.

 

[bigcat]

i am an ASE certified master collision tech. there is nothing wrong with a reconstructed title IF it was repaired correctly. here is the problem: MOST guys that do rebuilders hack it as cheaply as posssible, and cover up damage.

take it to a very reputable shop and have them look at it. find the best shop you can. shops that are mercedes/lexus/bmw/etc certified shops are your best bet. thay have a little higher standard of repair than most other shops.

pay them a little money now to put the car on the frame machine and set-up/measure the vehicle. that should be around $120 or less (at least in my area). if they want another hour to inspect the rest of the car, it is money well spent!!

think of it this way, you can spend $150-$200 now, and KNOW what you are buying, or you can spend $17,000 and get a pile of shiny scrap metal. this is money VERY WELL spent. dont skimp on this inspection before you buy it, or you may regret it later.

also, you better plan on keeping ther car for a long time, as the value of the car is diminished. a dealer will either NOT let you trade it, or give you 30-50% of the normal value of the car.

 

[CBus 06 GT]

I can't help but wonder what kind of damage actually happened for the insurance company to write off a $22k+ car. I have to think it's certainly a lot more than you're being led to believe.

 

[Marine One]

i think I'd be inclined to do some more shopping around to see what else is out there. As has been pointed out you're going to have trouble getting your money back out of a car like this if you need to sell it in a hurry. And to answer one of your questions you do in fact lose the factory warranty.

 

[roan65]

thanks guys for the insight. I guess I will go look at it, and have the guy show me everything that was done. If I choose to go further, I will defantly have it checked out! It is kinda odd that the would total a car out based on what was said. I'm sure there is more! It would suck to loose factory warranty as well. hmmmm Food for thought! Thanks for the insight!

 

[05SDI]

I laughted because I saw the title of this thread and then where you are from, so I decided to stop lurking and sign in to reply.
I call yesterday on the very same car. My buddie called on it back in May-June some time. I think the owner seems to be a straight shooter as his story hasn't changed. He bought the car wrecked and has about 16,700 into it. As others have said the reconstruct title will be carried with this car forever. I under stand it had about 8,000 done to it. (in alaska's auto body prices that isn't too bad! lol oh that is so sad) It was a $31+ GT and sounded fully loaded. Shaker 500 TCS/ABS (I forgot to ask about rear spoiler) We didn't really need the car because I already have 2 s197 verts. But a $17K 06 GT is worth a look no matter how many cars you have.
If the reconstructed title scares you, I know you don't want a V6 but over in Palmer across from the fair gounds is a 05 Yellow V6 coupe with just over 1000 miles and they wanted 19,900 a month ago. We looked at that one but didn't want a screaming yellow coupe and a screaming yellow vert. If we had not just bought out 05 V6 vert last month I would have put some serious thought into the car you are asking about. Me personally after asking if you can take it somewhere to pay and have it looked at I would get it if it checks out ok. fyi the insurance for a v6 convertible is almost half what it is for a GT convertible.. something to think about! good luck 05SDI

 

[VistaBlueGT]

Do not buy a vehicle with a reconstructed title. I am a ASE Certified Master Technician and an ASE Certified Collision Technician. I do pre-purchase inspections for a living and I can tell you after dealing with reconstructed and salvage title vehicles for years, you do not want one. They are always damaged further than the seller says they are and they are never repaired properly. The whole reason the car was totalled in the first place was that the cost to repair it was too high, therefore how is some one else going to buy it, repair it properly, sell it at a discounted price and make a profit. Its not possible.

 

[bigcat]

Do not buy a vehicle with a reconstructed title. I am a ASE Certified Master Technician and an ASE Certified Collision Technician. I do pre-purchase inspections for a living and I can tell you after dealing with reconstructed and salvage title vehicles for years, you do not want one. They are always damaged further than the seller says they are and they are never repaired properly. The whole reason the car was totalled in the first place was that the cost to repair it was too high, therefore how is some one else going to buy it, repair it properly, sell it at a discounted price and make a profit. Its not possible.

i am an ASE certified master collision tech. there is nothing wrong with a reconstructed title IF it was repaired correctly. here is the problem: MOST guys that do rebuilders hack it as cheaply as possible, and cover up damage.