Hi, im new here at the forums, and am planning on buying a 2003 HCH and had a few questions about it.

First off, the car is rebuilt/salvage and has been repaired and it is at 67,000 KM's (about 41, 500 Miles). The car drove perfectly and didn't seem to have any problems. Is there anything specific I should look out for on my second test drive, which could be a huge problem in the future?

Second, how long does it take for the batteries to 'die'? I've looked at various places and usually saw 100k's-150k's in Miles (160k-260k in KM). However since the car is rebuilt/salvage, would the batteries sitting around doing nothing lower the life expectancy of the batteries?

Also, what is the average cost of replacement batteries these days? I dont want to dish out nine grand for the car, and then pay another extra few thousand in the near future.

I need to know ASAP as I will probably get the car tomorrow before it is too late, and I do not have too much time to do any more research.. (Also Id rather get the facts straight from other owners)

Thanks!

 

You must be getting a really good deal to think of a salvage title car. Most insurance companies may also object to insure it since it is considered badly damaged in their terms.

I would search elsewhere for a used HCH before thinking about this one.

 

I agree with arbittan. Rethink buying a salvage vehicle. Way too much chance of serious problems down the road. It's fairly easy to refit a car to look decent and even drive "normally" for a test drive, but getting that car to last for any period of time is an entirely different skillset. Rebuilding a car takes lots of time, money, and skill, and most shops will not put any two of those three into rebuilding a salvage titled vehicle.

 

Dude, not only are you buying a salvage car, you're buying a car that has a history of transmission problems and early battery failure (mine went out at 92k). Stay away, far away. 9k for a salvaged 03HCH, I've been trying to sell my car on craigslist for 6k and not one good lead. I'd say 1.5k for that car would be a decent deal.

 

I was going to say offer them 5-6k. Offer them 1.5k and you might just get your a$$ kicked.