Used Cars: Nissan Pathfinder Patinum with Unibody Damage, flood cars, 2004 nissan pathfinder

Question
I am in the market to buy a SUV. I have researched a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Platimum 4 wheel(VIN JN8DR09Y14W908061)that I know from the seller was auctioned in Florida (I am in GA). he is offering to sell it for $15,900. Autocheck indicates the SUV was "Announced as Unibody Damage", (CARFAX reports sold at auction, but does not mention unibody damage). Autocheck, though it reports unibody damage does not report data on an accident, etc. This information is vague to me. Should I bother to have a qualified mechanic check it out and ascertain if the SUV is actually in good shape with repairs, or is the fact this is on the report enough to not consider it at all?

Answer
I would be very cautious buying a vehicle that has been damaged, especially if the report seems kind of fuzzy.  Its from florida and was auctioned (think hurricane flood damage), if it was on a lot that was flooded you wouldn't know until crap started going wrong.  You can get it checked out, but even a mechanic wont be able to see if there is something ABOUT to go bad.. (there have been many many instances of flood cars getting shipped up north from florida for auction... similar to northern salt/snow damaged cars getting auctioned off down in the south) - Is the title clear? or salvage? for that price buy a clean record vehicle you can afford... too risky to me.. but if you must... get it checked out atleast... good luck!