Neiman-Marcus Thunderbird for sale - $10,000

[Sierra977]

I HAVE NO INTEREST IN THIS CAR. JUST POSTING WHAT I FOUND. PICS AT LINK.

Neiman-Marcus Thunderbird located in Austin TX. 57K miles. Car has "salvage title" from Florida and damage has been repaired.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Looks good at that price, sure could use some clean up.

[sumoscooter]

Still a lovely bird.....

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Needs TLC....but a good price..worth more like 13k...

[CVCashmere]

Possible flood victim? There could be hidden damage to the computer components that might now show themselves until slightly later.

Be very aware of what you are buying.

CVCashmere

[AZTB]

Possible flood victim? There could be hidden damage to the computer components that might now show themselves until slightly later. Be very aware of what you are buying. CVCashmere

Good point...here's what owner states in the ad:

"The car was hit in the front passenger side fender but the airbags never deployed. The car was totaled by the insurance company and then sold and repaired, thus the Texas title has "Rebuilt Salvage - Issued by FL" in the remarks column. This happened before I owned the car. I have included a photo of the car before repairs. I had this car sitting in my driveway during both the Florida and Houston flooding. I am not aware of any flood damage to this car."

NM.jpg

[Rondor]

Salvage title will effect value but if you plan to keep it not so important. My daughter had a similar experience with a car . The insurance Co said repair exceeded cars value and totaled it and paid full retail value to her,,, but that mandated a salvage title had she insisted on repair. I can't imagine a 1/4 panel and grill and bumper exceeding this cars value ,,,,, except the parts would have to be from a wreck and hard to find. Maybe from a flood car would be ok and possible and k. I personally wouldn't be afraid of the car but you likely could buy one cheaper by the time you fix this one.

[Sierra977]

Ron, Write-up about car says the damage pictured was already fixed prior to current owner buying it. Says pic of damage is to show what had to be repaired.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Where could you get any NIeman Marcus for this price?

[2K2BIRD]

Seems to me if anyone thinks the NM Edition is their pick of the bunch, this would get them into a very drivable one for a very affordable price. It can be enjoyed now and brought back up to great condition as time goes by. The salvage title should not make a difference if the rebuild was done right and the next buyer wants to use it for fun transportation instead of some kind of "investment", which these cars haven't proved to be much of one so far anyway.

if I wanted one, I'd give it a hard look.

Given the rarity of the NM, the sum of the parts could easily equal the asking price. I'm betting if he's asking $10K, he'll take less.

[EllisonCal]

The fact that the car has a salvage title would be important if there was any type of warranty from Ford that would be null and void. It is a 2002 there aren't any warranties to lose. If it were less than 10 years old there may have been some but 15 years + , no way. So, resale value? I don't know if a future buyer would care if the car were restored to like new condition. It may have significant value if LaPhil is right about Thunderbird future values. We have had many discussions about future values, but as Yogi said "Predictions are hard to make, especially when you're talking about the future."

[JS2713]

Just a note of caution when purchasing a rebuilt/salvage titled vehicle.
If the car is titled in a different state from where you will be titling the vehicle, it may have to be first be inspected by your state before issuing a new title.
Example. I was looking at an auto in Kansas with a Kansas rebuilt title. Checked with my residence state Missouri and was told that I would have to have the car inspected by the MO Highway Patrol before being titled in Missouri.
Why? They check the serial numbers. Looking for stolen rebuild parts. I was told there are a number of VIN number locations on a car that most people are unaware of.
Also getting insurance can be difficult.
Progressive was the only company I found that would insure the vehicle.
I did not get the vehicle, to much trouble.
Also, you will not get a salvage titled car titled period. The car will have to be repaired and then inspected before you can get the rebuild title.
So if you buy a "repaired" car with a salvage title, getting the car to pass inspection is all on you.

[AZTB]

Agree, Jerry. My dad's pickup was totaled in an accident, but still drivable (bent the back part of frame). It came back with a salvage title, and he had to jump through a month-full-of-hoops to get it titled and insured here in Arizona...and it was an Arizona vehicle to begin with.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Just a note of caution when purchasing a rebuilt/salvage titled vehicle.
If the car is titled in a different state from where you will be titling the vehicle, it may have to be first be inspected by your state before issuing a new title.
Example. I was looking at an auto in Kansas with a Kansas rebuilt title. Checked with my residence state Missouri and was told that I would have to have the car inspected by the MO Highway Patrol before being titled in Missouri.
Why? They check the serial numbers. Looking for stolen rebuild parts. I was told there are a number of VIN number locations on a car that most people are unaware of.
Also getting insurance can be difficult.
Progressive was the only company I found that would insure the vehicle.
I did not get the vehicle, to much trouble.
Also, you will not get a salvage titled car titled period. The car will have to be repaired and then inspected before you can get the rebuild title.
So if you buy a "repaired" car with a salvage title, getting the car to pass inspection is all on you.

I believe this car is already over these hurdles, it has been titled by the current owner.

[Sierra977]

Ron, that is correct. Article says car now has a "clean" Texas title that replaces the "salvage rebuilt" Florida title.