What up! Like the title says I'm new to CL. Been on here a few days, checking out forums and yalls cars, gaining some knowledge, but I need your help with something! Right now I'm driving an 09 Cobalt. The is250 is somewhat of my dream car (IS-F). So I'm selling my Cobalt and was looking at this is250 AWD. It's salvaged and has 52k miles on it for 16k. It's a good price imo. The reason it's salvaged is cause a tire flew off and hit the left rear fender, and the truck hit the front left fender. Now my dilemma is that the airbags underneath the engine bay went off and is still not replaced, yet he says he just got it inspected at a legit shop (not those ghetto shops where you pay 80 bucks instead of 40 and they pass you anyways). He says it'll cost 5k to replace the airbag, and with that money I can just buy from the dealer.

So my question is what would you guys do, and is the airbags under the engine bay a necessity? Thanks CL.

 

Hey welcome to CL

Going with salvage is ok if you are saving a considerable amount of money. 16 might be a good deal depending on the year and mileage. Also being in Texas you really do not need awd. The other question that with this inspection does it pass as you can title the car and drive it? If you have to replace the air bag that is 5k then it is not so much of a deal as you stated. Is that for a new airbag or used? what about install? Buying salvage is not bad depending on the damage. You can also buy private party and save some money or hook up with someone that has a dealers license and will find a car for you instead of buying from a lot where they are probably making a few K. I know some peeps but they are in chicago but you can get a car from a local auction besides there a alot of dealers in Texas. Most ebay dealers are in TX

 

16k is not a deal if you have to replace a 5k airbag. I would look for another one.

 

welcome to CL. i would wait a bit more and keep searching, salvaged cars are never the same and i wouldnt risk buying one.

 

Welcome to CL. The work salvage scare's me. Good luck with you search.

 

Welcome. I would pass on this car. Sounds like an headache. I didn't kno we had airbags under the car.

 

Not sure what year you're looking at, but if it's an IS250 AWD with a salvage title for $16k, I assume it's newer than 2008 (otherwise regardless of the airbag situation, it's NOT a good deal - shop around more).

Just something to consider: if the car's 2008 or newer it's still under factory warranty, BUT a salvage title voids that warranty. So basically you get no benefits whatsoever from the warranty, and all possible repair cost are yours out of pocket. In the future, dealers will also be less likely to work with you on getting things resolved (like issues that might reoccur out of warranty).

 

Welcome to CL. Sounds like a lot of problems just to get the car on the road. I'd rather buy one with higher mileage than have to spend 5K on it.

 

asking 16k + 5Kairbags =21K ...not worth it I got my is250 22K with 22k miles on it

 

You can find a much better deal, remember if u buy this car and wanna sell it after, it's gonna be harder then selling a clean title car.

 

i wouldnt get the salvaged title unless yu plan on keeping the car for life, i had honda accord with a rebuilt title yrs go, and i even had problems getting it insured bcuz of the title. dont do it!

 

Welcome to CL.

 

there's better choices out there

 

Deffinatly keep searching, i bet you could find better. Welcome to CL tho

 

Wow guys thanks for the love. Yeah before I read all of the unanimous decisions on here, I decided hell no on the salvaged one, the guy sounds like a bs'er and to go check out a Lexus dealership. I found a is350 with 60k miles for 24k. Talked the guy down to 20k +1250 tax. But then my trade in for my cobalt for an 8k + 500 off the 2IS tax so it's only 750 for drive out. Total debt being 13xxx. I'm still going to look around some more though. Thanks a lot guys.