Being a Jaguar Enthusiast , I can't help but say "go for Jaguar " . However, we should be wise too . Salvage title is what would make me walk away from this deal , of course it needs to be checked out by authorized Jaguar Dealer .

 

Milk and Relish...

Ok, I give, can you explain that for me??? I'm not familiar, maybe that is a new offering at Starbucks...

If resale value means anything to you at all, the salvage title is a deal breaker, That's why the car is priced so low now.

That said, and I do not do collision repair for a living, here is what I have seen and can attest to:

A rather mild rear end hit to a '95-'03 XJ8 or XJR can do a very expensive amount of damage.
The dollars on the insurance claim can can make it unfeasable to repair, even though the damage to the car does not look too severe.

The problem is that when the rear end takes a hit, the rear bumper goes down and the rear quarter panels crease, up at the base of the "D" post area, just behind and below the rear window. If you see one hit hard, the car folds at this point so much that the bumper is almost on the ground. Search for Brutal's picture of his XJ6 that got creamed, and you'll see what I mean.

I think this is a force dissipation factor incorporated into the chassis design, I don't know that for sure. But it's not just a rear bumper cover and trunk lid and a couple of tail lamps and straighten out the rear corners around the lamps: it's pull the frame and replace the rear quarter panels, then all that other stuff. Big bucks.

So the fact it was totalled by a rear end hit doesn't necessarily mean it was really bad, and it may have been properly repaired just fine. The title and the Carfax will always be bent, that's all. If all the panel gaps look fine, and it looks straight under the trunk and beneath the rear seat...and you're planning on keeping the car long enough to drive all the value out of it...you'll like it better than your Audi.

 

Let's see if the link to this photo works:

Yep, it worked. Scroll down, third thumbnail. That's a light left rear corner hit. Notice "total" written on the rear screen. Then look at photo 6: nothing on the back end is crushed, I can't even see the point of impact. I'd bet that wasn't more than a 25 MPH hit.

Brutal's photo was no where to be found, this is one far less severe than his.


http://www.ridesafely.com/inventory....3D%26Status%3D

 

Yes I think you should trade your a4 for a jag, but not that one. Jags typically are gonna end up being worth nearly nothing by the time your done with it but that one will really give you a hard time to get rid of.

 

Well in this market you could absolutely give him a lowball offer....say $5000, if the vendor bites, you can afford it depreciating to nothing over 3 years...you could even break it for spares!!

 

First off, one person's "indication of repair" is Definitely not the same as another person's "indication of repair". I, for one, am VERY picky about repairs. I see things most other people do not.

You should get some clearer photos, and probably have an independent shop verify it was rebuilt properly. Most shops are critical of other shops work, so it will give you a good idea of what was done and how it was done. Then you can decide from there if the negatives really matter to you personally or not.

I've NEVER bought a salvage title car in my life, because I always think of resale. I've now owned around 100 vehicles. I did buy a motorcycle once that had a blown motor, but that was because I was confident that I could rebuild it.

Aside from that. If you plan to drive the car until it's life is over, then don't stress on whether it will have resale value. Just enjoy the ride while it lasts. And, yes, it is a fun ride with plenty of luxury.

 

I guess that makes it official.

 

New guy here. First off I ran a Porsche/Audi dealership for 15 years before "retiring" we'll call it. I opened a custom motorcycle business. Audi A4 is a great car. The Jaguar with a salvage title needs an inspection by a competent body shop. I am certified in my state as an "expert"-that and $4.00 will get you a cup of coffee! Expert refers to testifying in court as to the integrity of vehicles having been repaired on frame straighteners etc... The state police would have me inspect vehicles that were involved in fatal accidents after being repaired in a collision shop that had branded/salvage titles 84 cases in 15 years. I have seen shops take two halves of vehicles and weld them together just to sell a car and make a buck. Unfortunately the new owner and family died as the car fell apart in a low speed crash. Do your self a favor and check the car out. After that, best piece of advice I can give is go with your gut. Sounds funny,but sometimes saving a little money is just not worth it,if it doesn't feel right don't do it.
Good luck.

 

Even officialer.

 

After careful consideration, I have re-evaluated my previous position. I now concur that a trade of the Audi is in order...for another Audi. Arduous research was required, and here is the result of my Audi duty:

http://www.endurance-info.com/2008_F..._AudiR8_01.jpg

Please remember to keep it under 230 until the rear wing mounts have been magnafluxed after the 500 mile break-in period.

 

I would never buy any car that has been in an accident. Period. I would drive any jag over any audi any day of the week, and i know audi. Audi is a great car. Really great. Could never hold a candle to the class and charm of a jaguar. Salvage title.... no way. Any body damage at all, no way. A prestine looking jag with a history of having been in an accident.... no way.
Thats what I say.. Call me crazy.

 

As a DJ, I figured you'd have told him just to scratch it off the list.

And as a lifelong Jaguar fan, class and charm would be decided for me on one fateful day:

There's 100K in my pocket, and I'm standing in front of a new black XK coupe and a new black A8 coupe. I ain't leavin' in the Jag.