Tips on Buying Cars: Buying a car with a rebuilt title, first car buyers, 2005 pontiac vibe

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ray,

My husband and I are looking for a car to buy that is affordable but reliable. We are university student/ first car buyers and have a limited knowledge and budget. We found a 2005 Pontiac Vibe on craigslist that we could get for about $5500. The title is rebuilt but the owner said they have been driving it for four years since with no problems, everything was fixed at the time of the accident. It has fairly low miles on it (82k). We are just concerned because of the rebuilt title? Is this a fair deal for this car? Would you think it will last us for the next five years?

Thanks,
Rach (zipcode 98221)

ANSWER: Hi Rach,

A very high percentage of questions being asked are after the fact how to get out of a jam, it really is refreshing from my end to guide someone prior to purchase.

Rach ,,, I am a little concerned on a few fronts to start with - low miles - rebuild - craigslist, and trying to make a 5K investment last five years, I could provide you with easy blah blah answers, but the fact you both are university student/ first car buyers and being up front about limited knowledge and budget.

Lets do this,,, Provide a link for me to look for red flags and guide you from there,,, if you want to answer and make post private check the make private box. Also please study my website, anything you may not fully understand feel free to ask for further input.

PS " confused " why did you post a zip code instead of a postal code showing a BC location ?

Ray   http://www.usedcartips.org/


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,

Thanks so much for your quick and helpful response. This is the link to the car: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3106365413.html. I talked to the seller and they said they would be willing to give it to us for $5500.
Thanks Again!

rach

Answer
Buying a car with a salvage title means that you can buy this car for $5500. which has a current market re-sale value of over $8000. So before we go further check this link http://www.usedcartips.org/AUCTIONS.html and scroll down to an explanation about what I think about buying a salvage car.

I phoned the seller got the answers I was looking for,,, I really don't want to sit here with my 2 finger slow typing skills all day,,, if you still interested in a salvage car it will take but a few minutes,,, leave a phone # and best time to reach at paulsenray@yahoo.com

If I thought the purchase would be a total waste of time, I would simply have answered stay away and send another link, if vehicle passes certain tests if may be a deal but a long shot at best.

Ray