Hi guys, I need your help understanding something. I just bought an 04 G35 for a really good deal. It was salvaged and repaired, I got the carfax before I bought it and it was totaled in 2009. The repairs look good but my ? is - how much damage would have to have been caused in order to total it?? It was already a 5 yr old car by that time. Should I assume it was salvaged for frame damage??

 

10+ thousand, I got 8 1/2 thousand in damage and my 03 sedan wasn't totaled.

 

Does that automatically mean the car frame is damaged?

 

Not ways. I was concerned when I rear ended an suv last year that my 04 sedan wod be totaled. Shop told me they had the ok from the insirance company to write 12k in damages before it as toted. Damages were 8.5k.

 

It may or may not, you would want to check under the car to see if there are any weld marks on the frame, i think i saw a thread made by you about this topic earlier, and you said the car drives straight, so as long as the car drives fine i don't see much of a problem, if it was rear or side impact its not bad i would stay away from frontal impact salvaged cars for obvious reasons.

 

Thx so much for the insight guys!!

 

If the car drives fine i see no problem. You can also go to a dealer and test drive the same yr and see if you feel any difference in how the car handles and performs compared to yours. You allready purchased it. I personally would do what i just told you and i would start my mods with suspension work. Coilovers, Strut tower brace, Front and rear sway bars, stronger control arms, rear stablizer links anything to make the car handle better!!!!!!!!!

 

So I looked underneath my car and I didn't see anything :/ weld marks just look like melted metal right? I did see, right near the pass door where the car had been hit it looks like part of some pan? Idk like a small pan and I could see that 1 of the screws was not put back on. So I know that was been touched.
What is that and does THAT mean frame damage? Looks like a small pan type thing right near the pass side door.

 

Like they all said, the only way to verify if there is/was frame damage is to look under the car. We can only tell you what to look out for. Kind of like asking us if your passenger door was replaced in an accident without knowing any of the details, you cant say. (Could have been hit on the rear driver side).

But as you've stated before, it drives straight and feels normal so I wouldnt worry about it.

 

Pan? You have to be more detailed than that my friend!...No welds means no damage IMO.........Your best bet is to test drive the same car and see if yours is different in terms of performance ! Good Luck to you

 

I guess I'm more concerned with the safety of it...

 

Safety is the key!! But you stated that you allready purchased the vehicle. so we are trying to help you on your next move. If you want to make sure the car is safe I think you should take it to the dealer or to a perfession body shop to put it on a lift or to inspect the frame further. On the lift they will be able to see much better and give you a perfessional accurate answer that you want and need.

 

Ok so what do weld marks actually look like? There's some bubble type dark
Putty looking stuff behind my wheel well...that it?

 

You bought a salvage car? I hope everything checked out ok.

 

It probably has a front clip or other major frame components from a different car. If you got a good deal on it and it drives good, etc., then enjoy the car and don't worry about it!!