interesting development today...just spoke w/the original owner. turns out this wagon was sold due to an accident settlement. she got rear-ended a while back, & the insurance company declared the car a total loss.

edit: having now communicated w/both parties in this transaction, i'm reserving judgment until seeing the car & having a mechanic look it over.

Well, that sucks.  Sorry to hear about this turn of events.

Yeah, as your edit says, I wouldn't give up just yet. I was in a fender bender and they wrote my car off as well, declaring it a salvage vehicle when really the only damage was the bumper, headlight, and corner light. If I was very picky I suppose I could include the R-Radiator side panel, and fender. Although I did NOT replace the R-Rad side panel OR the fender, and I had my car re-certified.

As a person with extensive knowledge of the insurance industry, all I'm trying to say is, they write off far too many cars that are fixable, either with a little effort from the owner, or whatever the case may be. Its simple though, as an insurance company they have to go through accredited body shops which charge certain amounts no matter what. The estimate for my car was $4,400 or so, for a bumper, headlight, corner light, R-Rad side panel, fender, and I think the estimate included a new hood because mine is slightly 'loose/crooked' (barely noticeable). The car's value when compared to similar used vehicles selling in the area was only $3200. They had to write it off, when, in reality I did the repairs for under $1000.

SO your car isn't doomed in my opinion. If its like here, to get re-certified on the road, it had to pass a pretty stringent inspection. This is where I got taken to the wall for steering components, brake parts, and CV axles, even though they were NOT damaged from the accident, just from lack of maintenance. I was still forced to repair them to get it on the road, so, in MY car's case it has improved its value and condition by being re-certified. This might be the case for your car as well.

i'm waiting for an answer on whether he'll do the salvage inspection or not. am also asking him to bring it to my mechanic (if) we meet for a trade consideration. will advise everyone on the outcome...

If hes driving it legally right now, he probably had to pass a salvage inspection?

But yeah, get proof! Absolutely take it to the mechanic, and if you're worried to an alignment shop. If it doesn't pass the alignment, the frame is bent, and all hope is basically lost.

nope - he has a RI dealer plate & can put it on any vehicle he's purchased at auction (or otherwise) to legally drive.

Ah yes, watch your a** then good man!

he bailed - didn't want to face the whole salvage inspection process. i had a feeling this would happen. kinda ironic b/c if he wants to sell the car to a private party, he'll have to do it anyways. oh well, if it sounds to good to be true, probably is...

Hes probably hoping that he'll find a private party that will give him cash, or trade him for a vehicle that doesn't require a salvage inspection before you can put it on the road. Sounds like the guy is trying to make some quick bucks off of cheap auction cars. =\ At least he didn't get any of your bucks!