Found an QV, but rebuilt title

2959 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Buba1, Apr 18, 2018

Buba1

Discussion Starter · Apr 16, 2018

So i came across a 2017 QV at a steal of a price. Private sale, asking $66k (Cdn) with only 4700kms on it. Has all options except the carbon seats, (has carbon brakes). He says its in mint condition so when i ask him why are you selling for so much less ($30k less on average around here) that's when he tells me it has a rebuilt title. So i ask him more details and he tells me that it was an insurance loss due to lack of parts, so he bought it and fixed it up with parts he ordered from Alfa (Italy) and has dealer invoices for all the parts replaced. It's pretty much all suspension parts to the front drivers side and sub-frame, but the frame itself he says is all straight. The car is put together correctly, with OEM parts, just like new. He also claims its had its software updates at Ferrari of Ontario dealer....not sure why at a Ferrari dealer but regardless.

Whats your guys take on this? It is a lot cheaper but it has that rebuilt title that may bug me, although i never plan to sell this car when i do end up with a QV, you never know what life throws at you that may force me to sell it later down the road.
Also would this affect insurance when i call around to get quotes for it because it has such a title?
And lastly is there any way to get the title to say "clear" or "branded-none" as its put here?

Thanks in advance!

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

lowlight

· #2 · Apr 16, 2018

I'd steer clear of this car since it's a private sale. Too many unknowns, IMO.

Dealer sale? Different story, at least then you'd have some recourse with FCA if something went wrong.

Tempting though. I just can't in good conscience recommend you go forward with this. Seems just like a matter of time before something else broke. Why is he getting rid of it anyway?

Reactions: 2

Vml

· #3 · Apr 16, 2018

Avoid, avoid, avoid. To be fair if you are a mechanic or a highly accomplished DIY that understand cars really well and do a VERY thorough inspection of the vehicle, it “might” work for you. This “lack of parts” story sounds iffy.

Buba1

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 16, 2018

lowlight said:
I'd steer clear of this car since it's a private sale. Too many unknowns, IMO.

Dealer sale? Different story, at least then you'd have some recourse with FCA if something went wrong.

Tempting though. I just can't in good conscience recommend you go forward with this. Seems just like a matter of time before something else broke. Why is he getting rid of it anyway?

I'm assuming he paid probably under 50k for it, got the parts for around 5-10k at most and trying to make some money off of it.

If i do proceed, i'd definitely take it into an Alfa dealer to get it looked at, every square inch to make sure that OEM parts have been used and nothing is missing. Its the price that's so attractive, and i'm sure i could get him lower also.

Reactions: 1

lost1750GTV

· #5 · Apr 16, 2018

well it's half the price of a new one up there ($50k US) at to someone that will be a way for someone to get into a sellsforalotmore car.
of course if you sell it, your bargain price in will be reflected in bottom price out.

if you are really interested, take it to a reputable body shop for inspection /confirmation of what repairs were necessary, and how well they were done.

ALFATECH

· #6 · Apr 16, 2018

Go for it, if it was simply a curb smasher or stolen stuff no big deal, and if it was fixed properly then you’re good to go. I’d head to an Alfa dealer (preferably not your local one) and tell them what happened and you want it inspected to make sure all is well, it’s gonna cost ya $100 or so but if it’s all good you have a sick car at a bargain price.

Buba1

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 17, 2018

ALFATECH said:
Go for it, if it was simply a curb smasher or stolen stuff no big deal, and if it was fixed properly then you’re good to go. I’d head to an Alfa dealer (preferably not your local one) and tell them what happened and you want it inspected to make sure all is well, it’s gonna cost ya $100 or so but if it’s all good you have a sick car at a bargain price.

But at the same time, if it was in fact just a curb smasher, why wouldn't insurance cover the cost for that? Why would it be classified as a total loss because of "hitting" a curb and just having to replace the suspension components. That's the part that i don't understand, and wondering that there could be more to the story, but he assures me that there is no body damage at all, all original paint and panels. I'm just not exactly sure how insurance would look at this in this situation.

ALFATECH

· #8 · Apr 17, 2018

It depends what the quote was, someone may have quoted a subframe, engine, trans, etc..who knows? Most of the time the body shop will quote high so they don’t need to call back for further approval, so if they quoted the car into “write off” territory and the insurance doesn’t question it, the car goes to auction and the rest is history.
Ask the guy for the vin, get a Carfax and carproof report on it.
If you wanna send me the vin I can check if there are warranty restrictions on it, because if it was written off by a dealership they may have put the car under warranty restriction.

aqc

· #9 · Apr 17, 2018

I would get the frame checked by a shop that specializes in straightening frames to make sure the frame is not tweaked.

BGorilla

· #10 · Apr 17, 2018

aqc said:
I would get the frame checked by a shop that specializes in straightening frames to make sure the frame is not tweaked.

How the heck do you find a frame straightener shop? Is that a thing?

lost1750GTV

· #11 · Apr 17, 2018

many auto body shops have frame straightening equipment, which like everything varies in "quality".

alfa55

· #12 · Apr 17, 2018

In a few months they will be coming off lease. I would wait. Read the story of guys that bought ones that were buy backs.

Buba1

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 18, 2018

ALFATECH said:
It depends what the quote was, someone may have quoted a subframe, engine, trans, etc..who knows? Most of the time the body shop will quote high so they don’t need to call back for further approval, so if they quoted the car into “write off” territory and the insurance doesn’t question it, the car goes to auction and the rest is history.
Ask the guy for the vin, get a Carfax and carproof report on it.
If you wanna send me the vin I can check if there are warranty restrictions on it, because if it was written off by a dealership they may have put the car under warranty restriction.

You have PM

I'm actually waiting on a local body person to tell me if this title can be changed from "rebuilt" to "branded - none". I highly doubt it, but worth a shot at this point. On a side note, since it does have the Carbon ceramic brakes, is there any special maintenance for these types of brakes or servicing? Any drawbacks at all? This is the first QV i came across here that has these.

ALFATECH

· #14 · Apr 18, 2018

CC brakes have been known to have noise, and do not respond well to cleaning products, or tire dressing. Otherwise they’re awesome, unless of course you need to change the rotors ($$$$), although in school they told us the rotors are good for life if they’re used normally, but with regular track use they will eventually require replacement.
I’ll pm you back tomorrow with my findings.
Did you do carproof or Carfax?

ALFATECH

· #15 · Apr 18, 2018

BGorilla said:
How the heck do you find a frame straightener shop? Is that a thing?

It’s basically a huge rack that has various measuring points and pulling Rams, works very well if you know how to use it. I actually was at a shop where they had one and the guy was showing me the machine, he then showed me a Cadillac that was maybe a year old, he said it was t-boned and the roof was buckled, he pulled it straight, and never even had to donpaintwork on the roof. I couldn’t believe it. This shop bought late model salvaged cars, rebuilt them and sold them to the public, and seemed to be doing quite well with that.

Buba1

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 18, 2018

ALFATECH said:
CC brakes have been known to have noise, and do not respond well to cleaning products, or tire dressing. Otherwise they’re awesome, unless of course you need to change the rotors ($$$$), although in school they told us the rotors are good for life if they’re used normally, but with regular track use they will eventually require replacement.
I’ll pm you back tomorrow with my findings.
Did you do carproof or Carfax?

I haven't done car-proof as of yet. I'd like to sort out this title thing and see if warranty is still active, etc everything else you mentioned before to look out for. But yes i'd like to see the car-proof also, know when and where it was first sold and other relevant information it might provide.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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