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revelations
12-20-2009, 12:57 PM
I am looking at buying a used vehicle located in Calgary (2002 - Lexus IS300).

The price is reasonable, so its not "too good to be true" necessarily.

I did a CarProof on the vehicle and I have a couple of questions - sometimes these reported events are nothing of consequence, sometimes they could be.

a) Frame/Unibody damage reported - could this be something as simple as a rear ender?.... or is it typical of something more serious?

b) Why was the vehicle registered in AB back 3/2007, then appeared at an auction in the states (with damage) and then imported in 11/2007 as Normal?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4200975824_dde96f1af8_o.jpg
FiveFreshFish
12-20-2009, 01:18 PM
Originally posted by revelations
a) Frame/Unibody damage reported - could this be something as simple as a rear ender?.... or is it typical of something more serious?

This is reason enough to walk away.
03ozwhip
12-20-2009, 03:03 PM
^^^i agree. im not opposed to buying salvaged anything as long as the frame didnt have damage, but if i saw that, i would walk away. even if the frame has been repaired, its just that, repaired. you dont know how well it was repaired and you never know if something can happen....
revelations
12-20-2009, 03:13 PM
I looked more into it, and technically... almost anything could be classified as "unibody" damage - a dented trunk mount, a scratch from a hoist.... so who knows.

It obviously passed RIV inspection once, but you never know - just wondering if anyone else has already gone through all this.
hippak
12-20-2009, 03:23 PM
I had the same issue. Pretty much Any car sold at auction that had even a slight dent will be listed as frame/unibody damage because of the likelyhood of a lawsuit in the USA. My car had a broken fog light due to a rock. I went to the only frame specialist in Calgary and he confirmed that the car had never been in an accident.
revelations
12-20-2009, 03:49 PM
^ which frame specialist and how much was the inspection?
Danny Meehan
12-20-2009, 03:58 PM
frame damage, fleet / lease , auctioned several times
if you buy it, you like financial pain ...

so why not buy a JDM instead ?
Neil4Speed
12-20-2009, 06:08 PM
Originally posted by revelations


It obviously passed RIV inspection once, but you never know - just wondering if anyone else has already gone through all this.

RIV Inspection is nothing really, they check if you have your DRL's, and that's about it. It is a quick 5 minute inspection.

Out of province inspections are more thorough, however, it really depends where the car is taken, I also don't know if the checklist form provides for possible frame damage etc.
soloracer
12-20-2009, 11:19 PM
Originally posted by Danny Meehan
frame damage, fleet / lease , auctioned several times
if you buy it, you like financial pain ...

so why not buy a JDM instead ?

Because some of us like sitting on the proper side of the car when we drive.
Bizzareo
12-20-2009, 11:24 PM
Originally posted by soloracer


Because some of us like sitting on the proper side of the car when we drive.


:werd:
TE4MFaint
12-20-2009, 11:53 PM
Originally posted by Danny Meehan
frame damage, fleet / lease , auctioned several times
if you buy it, you like financial pain ...

so why not buy a JDM instead ?


what he is trying to say here is you are going to be buying a car like 80% of the JDM cars here. A car that is nothing but a headache.
soloracer
12-21-2009, 01:25 AM
Originally posted by TE4MFaint



what he is trying to say here is you are going to be buying a car like 80% of the JDM cars here. A car that is nothing but a headache.

Fair enough. I agree that the OP should look elsewhere for another, better quality car.
FiveFreshFish
12-21-2009, 10:03 PM
Why not look at a Canadian IS300?
revelations
12-21-2009, 10:25 PM
Originally posted by FiveFreshFish
Why not look at a Canadian IS300?

I have but only ones I've found within my price range (sub-13k) are automatics and/or grey in colour (must have MT).

Further to this car, its from Florida so the exterior is in excellent condition - not the usual Calgary sandblasted finish.

I plan on getting it looked at by AMA as well.
Neil4Speed
12-21-2009, 10:31 PM
Keep Hunting around, give it some time and your ride will come up, have you considered bringing it up yourself?

Also post on Clublexus.com - try to see if there is anyone selling.