Rebuilt Outback 2004

[gilach]

buying a damaged car that's been rebuilt

hello all,

i'm looking into 2004 Outback that's been in an accident.I'm not sure if
it the title shows salvage. Anyway, my question is what should i look out
for? What are some inherient problems with a car that's had the frame
straightened and furthermore what kind of issues can a car like this have
later on in it's life? Basically, i will look to see if the car drives
"straight" ie both the front and rear axles are alighned properly and that
it doesn't drive down the road sideways...but what are some other test that
you would suggest. Thanks again for the advice.

best, paul.

 

[Hallraker]

buying a damaged car that's been rebuilt

hello all,

i'm looking into 2004 Outback that's been in an accident.I'm not sure if
it the title shows salvage. Anyway, my question is what should i look out
for? What are some inherient problems with a car that's had the frame
straightened and furthermore what kind of issues can a car like this have
later on in it's life? Basically, i will look to see if the car drives
"straight" ie both the front and rear axles are alighned properly and that
it doesn't drive down the road sideways...but what are some other test that
you would suggest. Thanks again for the advice.

best, paul.

I've had two encounters with SUVs in my '95 Outback, and it seems to run and
drive just fine. I'd be more concerned about the place that fixed it than
the actual status of the wreck. Although my Outback is still a great
vehicle, the first body shop kept messing things up, forcing me to return,
and the second body shop did an awful job of matching the paint. (I realize
that paint matching on a 10 year old car is difficult, but it's as if they
didn't even try.) Anyway, the first accident impaled my car on a 2 foot
long trailer hitch, which tweaked the frame a bit, and the second accident
was cosmetic body panel damage all along the driver's side.

-Matt

 

[Jim Stewart]

buying a damaged car that's been rebuilt

hello all,

i'm looking into 2004 Outback that's been in an accident.I'm not sure if
it the title shows salvage. Anyway, my question is what should i look out
for? What are some inherient problems with a car that's had the frame
straightened and furthermore what kind of issues can a car like this have
later on in it's life? Basically, i will look to see if the car drives
"straight" ie both the front and rear axles are alighned properly and that
it doesn't drive down the road sideways...but what are some other test that
you would suggest. Thanks again for the advice.

Run it through the strongest carwash you can
find and see if any water comes in. I bought
a Taurus that had been in an accident and the
passenger side leaked like being a downpour.
*I* didn't discover it until it was too late.

Check that while driving straight under heavy
acceleration, it doesn't pull to one side or
the other.

Have a mechanic put it on a lift and check
for dented brake lines, exhaust pipes, etc.
Get his opinion on the car's condition and
what might have happened to it.

You might also want to take a tape measure and
check that it's at the same height on each
side, front and back.

 

[hippo]

ALl of the previous, plus do a quick visual inside and out. All door
shutlines should be the same. Dash should be same distance from each side
of the car. Everything should open and shut properly without binding. No
strange colours inside bumpers/fenders/engine bay or anywhere else not
normally seen but still visible. If you're serious, check there'll be no
future impact on your insurance, get a shop you trust to check it over
(mech and panel) and pay the money for a 4wheel align with a printed
before and after report. My 91 wagon was a serious rebuild. Ran great for
320,000Km. Cheers

 

[DragonRider]

buying a damaged car that's been rebuilt

hello all,

i'm looking into 2004 Outback that's been in an accident.I'm not sure if
it the title shows salvage. Anyway, my question is what should i look out
for? What are some inherient problems with a car that's had the frame
straightened and furthermore what kind of issues can a car like this have
later on in it's life? Basically, i will look to see if the car drives
"straight" ie both the front and rear axles are alighned properly and that
it doesn't drive down the road sideways...but what are some other test that
you would suggest. Thanks again for the advice.

As mentioned by the others with the checks and definitely take it to a
high-pressure wash and hit every spot of the car you can for a while.
$4-5 in the car wash could save you a ton down the road. Also, if it's
a Salvage or branded title don't even think about paying more than
1/3rd the average retail value of the car. Maybe even less. Lastly,
check with your insurance company before you buy it. Many of them will
not cover branded titles and some will only cover them for Liability
(they won't pay twice on the same totaled car). Also, if you plan to
finance it, most banks won't touch a branded title.

 

[CompUser]

Check that while driving straight under heavy
acceleration, it doesn't pull to one side or
the other.

And do what we do, all the time...have a buddy
tail you down a straight road, and check if the
vehicle is "going sideways" while straight.