Anyone knowingly buy a car that had hail damage fixed?

[mfer]

I was all geared up to buy a car today. Found one I liked. I had to go back to work and asked sales person to send me all the details on the car.

1.5 yr lease return (unusual)
Certified pre-owned
And gave me the maintenance they have done. Two things jumped out at me.
4 new tires and balancing (only 15k miles, but who knows)
Hail repair and also one side of car had window molding replaced!!!!

I saw that and told the sales person I was gonna pass and hope they get another similar car in soon. He pressed me as to why and I said “hail damage”. He said he’d look into it and said it was minor (of course). He also said this major luxury brand would not certify pre-own it if damage was bad.

Am I making a big deal about nothing? My concerns are 1.5 year lease return (seems odd). I was planning on getting Opti-Coat on whatever car I get. Was thinking maybe I could pay the installer to look it over for me and give his advice. He has really good reviews on paint prepping before the coating is applied. He is so busy though he might not be willing. I plan on keeping the car for a long time and love the idea of a near new car at 20% off.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by mfer

I was all geared up to buy a car today. Found one I liked. I had to go back to work and asked sales person to send me all the details on the car.

1.5 yr lease return (unusual)
Certified pre-owned
And gave me the maintenance they have done. Two things jumped out at me.
4 new tires and balancing (only 15k miles, but who knows)
Hail repair and also one side of car had window molding replaced!!!!

I saw that and told the sales person I was gonna pass and hope they get another similar car in soon. He pressed me as to why and I said “hail damage”. He said he’d look into it and said it was minor (of course). He also said this major luxury brand would not certify pre-own it if damage was bad.

Am I making a big deal about nothing? My concerns are 1.5 year lease return (seems odd). I was planning on getting Opti-Coat on whatever car I get. Was thinking maybe I could pay the installer to look it over for me and give his advice. He has really good reviews on paint prepping before the coating is applied. He is so busy though he might not be willing. I plan on keeping the car for a long time and love the idea of a near new car at 20% off.

Thanks for your thoughts.

A 1.5 yr old car that has been repainted ?

Pass ........

[mfer]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

A 1.5 yr old car that has been repainted ?

Pass ........

Don't know if painted or paintless dent removal, but I hear you.

[RW16610]

They'll say (or do) anything to sell a car. This sounds a lot like one of the German brands to me with the certified pre-owned program. Either way, you're still spending a lot of money on it and should follow your instinct. If you really like the car and plan on keeping it for a long time, why not? I mean, at least it's not a private sale and you've got the warranty they'll provide. If for some reason you did want to part ways with it, it's probably best to have a vehicle with a clear history as potential buyers can be picky. It depends on a number of factors really. We're approaching the end of the year, so some of the best deals can be found shortly on a 2017 model.

Personally I would pass. If you decided to go for it though you've got the afroementioned benefits of buying through the dealer at least. Keep us posted!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by RW16610

They'll say (or do) anything to sell a car. This sounds a lot like one of the German brands to me with the certified pre-owned program. Either way, you're still spending a lot of money on it and should follow your instinct. If you really like the car and plan on keeping it for a long time, why not? I mean, at least it's not a private sale and you've got the warranty they'll provide. If for some reason you did want to part ways with it, it's probably best to have a vehicle with a clear history as potential buyers can be picky. It depends on a number of factors really. We're approaching the end of the year, so some of the best deals can be found shortly on a 2017 model.

Personally I would pass. If you decided to go for it though you've got the afroementioned benefits of buying through the dealer at least. Keep us posted!

Not German, Japanese. I guess I'll just say it was a Lexus GS 350.

I honestly think the sales person didn't know. He gave me the invoice that said "hail damage". Maybe he didn't think I'd read it.

The hard part is that this 1.5 year car is the newer body style. There really aren't any lease returns on this car body yet. First time I ever been in or drove this particular car. Was pleasantly surprised by it, well, except for the hail!

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by mfer

Not German, Japanese. I guess I'll just say it was a Lexus GS 350.

I honestly think the sales person didn't know. He gave me the invoice that said "hail damage". Maybe he didn't think I'd read it.

The hard part is that this 1.5 year car is the newer body style. There really aren't any lease returns on this car body yet. First time I ever been in or drove this particular car. Was pleasantly surprised by it, well, except for the hail!

The GS is a great car. Try for an F-Sport model if you can. Much better handling than the base model.

I would pass and wait a bit longer if you can to find other newer CPO's.

Good luck!

[Letsgodiving]

Generally hail damage is repaired with paintless dent removal techniques unless it is severe. I would would take a close look at the sheet metal, especially the hood, roof and trunk inside the facility or in the shade to make sure it is straight. It can be difficult to see in bright sunlight and more so with light coloured vehicles. I would use it as a negotiating point to get a discount due to the prior repairs but there shouldn't really be any long term effects if repaired properly.

Hail often comes in at an angle which will damage one side of the window mouldings and chrome mldgs are more susceptible.

[RichM]

Anytime the word damage comes up, I would pass. No shortage of cars in world.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Nope. But I did buy a car WITH hail damage. 2007 Civic Hybrid with 288,000 miles. Was a few years ago. Drove it to 343,000 miles. Not one problem. Every single thing still worked. Besides the hail dents, it didn't look too bad. lol Kinda wish I kept it just to see how many more miles it would've went.

[Laszlo]

I would pass. You'll always question and wonder if you made the right decision.

[bdex75]

Yes. I bought my wife a Suburban with known hail damage. There was a huge storm and the dealer (who was a friend of mine) filed a huge insurance claim and they fixed all the cars.

Good on you to pass. It was nothing but a nightmare with water leaks and we traded 10 months later. No way to tell if that had anything to do with it, but I am certain it did based on where the leak was and where the damage was. I would say that most if not all hail damage these days is repaired by paintless dent repair, rarely do you ever see one that is painted.

The dealership that we bought from was a franchised Chevy dealer and every car in their inventory was damaged. No paint work if I recall what I was told.

[Danny83]

If you really like the car buy a thickness guage and see how bad damage was.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ACEHE-Dig...&wl13=&veh=sem

[Cru Jones]

All that for just 20% off MSRP of a new one, Mik?

[rolehex]

I don't have an answer to your question but I've sure seen a lot of cars for sale lately with hail damage. And I'm in California.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Danny83

If you really like the car buy a thickness guage and see how bad damage was.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ACEHE-Dig...&wl13=&veh=sem

I knew you had an answer!

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

I would pass. You'll always question and wonder if you made the right decision.

I think I'd pass too. One day I'd sell it and I don't like to explain things like that.

[Tony64]

Hail no.

[joli160]

I go against the flow. Minor hail damage is purely cosmetic and does not affect the structural integrity of the car. It will be safe to drive.
If the damage is properly fixed and you can't see it, nothing wrong to buy this car with a discount. Especially since you are not going to trade it in after a short time.
Good on the seller that it was disclosed

[1William]

I understand the hesitation. But this is a good chance to further explore the extent of the damage. Big difference between $600 and $3000 dollars in damage. It also gives you the ability to work a better deal. Lexus does a time only deal with no mileage cap so you would have a bumper to bumper warranty for 4.5 years with no mileage cap. Ask them to ensure that the paint is good for the time of the CPO period and get it in writing. Also comeback with an offer that is enough off to make it work for you if the damage is not too extensive. The devil is in the details. Go find them and make an informed decision.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by mfer

Don't know if painted or paintless dent removal, but I hear you.

If the car hasn’t been repainted, I would definitely consider a Lexus. Haggle for a larger discount.

[Lucky777]

I would pass, plenty of other metal in the market to buy. I believe you'll take a beating when you try to trade it in whenever that may be.

[mfer]

Now that I've slept on it and calmed down, I'll think I'll pass. I think they have priced it enough to where they think it is low enough. They did disclose it to me (either knowingly or unknowingly) so good on the dealer. I've been in the area for the last 1.5 years (it is a local car) and I remember those hail storms that came through. They were pretty late at night. So either that guy goes out partying in the middle of the week or he parked it outside all the time. I can't know for sure, but it can give me a better educated guess. I guess I'll pass. Think I was just caught up in a car I've never driven before.

Thanks TRF, your insight has helped me.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Rich Mickol

Anytime the word damage comes up, I would pass. No shortage of cars in world.

Totally. Of course the dealer will minimize the extent of the damage, as they want to move the car as quick as possible.

[SDRider]

Keep looking. Another one will come along.

They aren’t difficult to find around here anyway.

[RichM]

Originally Posted by mfer

Now that I've slept on it and calmed down, I'll think I'll pass. I think they have priced it enough to where they think it is low enough. They did disclose it to me (either knowingly or unknowingly) so good on the dealer. I've been in the area for the last 1.5 years (it is a local car) and I remember those hail storms that came through. They were pretty late at night. So either that guy goes out partying in the middle of the week or he parked it outside all the time. I can't know for sure, but it can give me a better educated guess. I guess I'll pass. Think I was just caught up in a car I've never driven before.

Thanks TRF, your insight has helped me.

You made the right decision.

[m j b]

Good move on passing on this one. Too often we get caught up in the excitement of something new (car, watch, whatever) and if we just step back and think about it more rationally, we can see that there are plenty of fish in the sea and there's no hurry.

[droptopman]

Wise move. If that is a model you are interested in, the F Sport is much more enjoyable to drive IMO.

[GSDLover]

Generally speaking, don't buy a car with a story. IF you try and sell it, the next potential buyer will see this and react like you. If you go to a dealer, you'll also get killed on trade-in. They may even decline.

[Bigblu10]

Hail damage is a definite no go here.
Also when going with a used vehicle be very careful to inspect the car.
With the recent floods in Texas and other areas there will be many vehicles that were uninsured and cleaned up to be sold to unsuspecting car/truck buyers. What a bad way someone could get burned!
Buyer Beware.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by FTX I

I think I'd pass too. One day I'd sell it and I don't like to explain things like that.

Me too.