says it doesn’t run and when he tries to start it the engine “taps”
its for 3500 obo
is this a decent deal and a easy fix?
vin is JNKCV54E03M206139
It does look like it has a salvage title but the owner says he has no idea why and he has the original

 

Hmmm... pretty sure you could find something with a clean title and more history @ $3500. I don't think thats a factory color for 03/04 assuming its a 6MT with factory brembos. Is the hood closed all the way in the pictures? lines look off.

 

what would be a decent price then for this, he said he’s had it 2 years

 

I don't think i'd pay more than 1500-2000 for it. Assume the worst... A used motor installed would cost you $2-3k. Then it probably has all the typical issues (door locks, windows, bushings front and rear. To top it off you don't even have the information on why it has a salvage title. Did you at least turn the key to the on position to see if all the electrical works? miles indicated on dash? how'd the engine bay look? Trunk? etc.

 

If everything on the inside works perfectly, then $1900 max.

 

Engine "taps" usually means rod knock which means it needs a new engine.

I've seen LOTS of people do shady crap like pull the fuel pump relay so that the vehicle can't be started just so they can hide the fact that the motor is smoked. Then they just make up some story about "it ran great but then it just wouldn't start one day, probably something easy but I just don't have the time or money right now to fix it...".

RUUUUUUUN!!!!

Ohh and the vehicle was TOTALED January 7, 2017 so he's definitely 100% full of **** about not knowing about this...