17 replies to this topic

[Prettym1k3]

VIN # WP0AA2962RS820439

I'm considering buying this one based off of what the report says.

Can anyone help me? Thanks!

[flash]

carfax is a complete waste of time - any dmv can trace a title, and it's free - beyond that, carfax only reports what the owner reports to the appropriate authorities

[Greimann]

carfax is  a complete waste of time - any dmv can trace a title, and it's free - beyond that, carfax only reports what the owner reports to the appropriate authorities

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is a bit extreme. It will show the ownership record and salvage titles. Both of which are recorded without owner input. Asking the DMV to do anything is a complete waste of time.

[flash]

i've never had much of a problem there - always done it through the DMV office at AAA - what i was referring to about the owner reporting was accidents - you're absolutely right about the transfers and salvages showing up - i did the carfax thing when i was shopping for my car, and was very disappointed that it only contained the title info, which was available to me already

[KensCab]

I believe the BEST effort is spent by having a 'knowledgeable' person do a PPI for you! There are a good number of people here that would be willing. Also have it taken to a Porsche dealer for an inspection if at all possible, this may cost a $100 or two but it would be money well spent, very well spent! Just My $00.02 worth...

[968Z]

I would tend to agree with Flash, but with Dave's caveat. A CarFax report will show changes in ownership, vehicle locations, and salvage titles. The Devil was hit pretty hard prior to my buying her. CarFax's wording "No Major Accidents"; Complete nonsense. But I knew it was false before I bought. That's why I got her cheap. The PO tried to use the CarFax report as a way of hiking the price. I used a PPI to steal her.

[flash]

yeah - my point was just that with a phone call i can get that same info for free- i thought i was going to get more detailed info than i did when i subscribed to carfax - useful info, but a waste of money in my particular situation

by the way - 2 of the cars i looked at also said "no major accidents" and both of them had been creamed - one had visible frame repair

[Silver BLT]

My carfax showed when it was smogged and wheter or not it passed, ownership changes and tilte status.
Worth $ paid..IMHO
Ron

[flash]

smog - that's one i hadn't thought about

[RPM]

Carfax is always a good place to start. It helps to support or dispute the owners claim of one owner, two owners, etc. A big warning sign for me is a car with numerous owners, particularly in a brief period of time.

In most states it will also accurately reflect theft recovery, flood, or salvage titles - generally nice to know. It is not foolproof, but for $25 it is worth every penny - better if you get it for free!

Now, is someone going to help Prettym1k3 or just continue debating the relative merits of Carfax? I do not have access to a current account.

[Prettym1k3]

Carfax is always a good place to start. It helps to support or dispute the owners claim of one owner, two owners, etc. A big warning sign for me is a car with numerous owners, particularly in a brief period of time.

In most states it will also accurately reflect theft recovery, flood, or salvage titles - generally nice to know. It is not foolproof, but for $25 it is worth every penny - better if you get it for free!

Now, is someone going to help Prettym1k3 or just continue debating the relative merits of Carfax? I do not have access to a current account.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Haha.... thank you RPM.

I'm going to be buying in the next day or two, and have narrowed my decision down to 2 choices, one of which I highly prefer.

But I just want to try to save myself $25 if I can, cuz' the car I want is definitely gonna' need new tires.

[flash]

lol - that's fair - if nobody has an account, you can call your insurance agent or the local dmv (or AAA if you have it) and at least they can give you a title search

[RPM]

Or post the question... dare I say it... on the R.L. 968 forum (or 924/944/951/968 forum) or on .net. At this point either board has more members and you are likely to get a hit.

Be warned - I was once yelled at on R.L. (by the 911 moderator) for posting a similar request. Funny thing was, it got answered on the 944 board.

Prettym1k3 - PPI completed on the car you prefer? Give us juicy details!

[ds968]

and salvage titles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sorry to get back to the merits of carfax, but I had a car hit and the liable party's insurer had it totaled, paid me the settlement less salvage because I retained ownership and later fixed it, yet a year later when I sold it having fully disclosed to the buyer that my car was TOTALED, he showed me the carfax he ran on it
with a CLEAN bill of health relative to any accidents, salvage or such.. !!
So careful out there ! It's not completely failproof.

Now we return you back to your regularly scheduled topic..

[RPM]

Good point - and the very reason I qualified my answer with "most states."
A few years back there were thousands of cars in Eastern NC flooded by one of the hurricanes we have had. I watched as car carrier after car carrier full of flood cars headed west on US 70 and I40. A knowledgeable guy that I know said most wound up in Arkansas - where they did not have to declare flood titles.
As always, buyer beware.

[Prettym1k3]

My loan has been approved.

I ran a carfax and it came back completely clean.

The gentleman who is selling it did inform me that the door was hit (no frame damage) in a parking lot. Instead of having the dent repaired, he opted to replace the entire door. I looked at it closely, and can't even see a difference in paint color.

The seller is having a basic comp. test, alignment check, and front-end damage inspection done by CT Automotive in Campbell, California as we speak. If both tests/checks go off without a hitch, and I can pick up the check from my bank today, the car will be mine tonight.

BOO-YAH!

[flash]

outstanding - now you need to get ahold of dan and come down with him for the nethercutt event

[RPM]

Congrats! Pictures?????