I would definitely follow the advice of the majority & stick with your decision to walk away.
I'd be more inclined to buy an old car with a salvaged title from someone I knew. If they had been driving it for 5 years without issue, you would have a much better insight on the car.
This particular car is a big question mark????? I rather put my money towards a highly discounted new 2019 Mirage or G4. Financing, insurance, trade-in valve, etc.... are less of an issue!
It looks like a good deal, but I would pass, too!
My Mirage got tapped in the ass pretty lightly about a month ago.
There is no visible damage to the bumper cover besides a small chip on the paint, which honestly surprised me. But while looking for damage I found there is a hollow beam of sheet metal that goes across the back of the body under the bumper cover. Presumably, this bar's only function is to absorb exactly this kind of minor impact, and this beam is the car's true "rear bumper". Many manufacturers stuff the cavity between the bumper cover and body with syrofoam or the like, but Mitsubishi put an actual steel bumper under there! This additional reinforcement is why US-market cars get the "bustle-butt" rear bumper cover, while other markets have rear bumper covers that don't stick out anywhere near as far.
If you look behind the bumper cover you can actually see it. Well, at least on the hatchback. This pic was taken looking straight up under the rear of the car from the passenger side. On the left in the pic is the bumper cover, the bulge on the right is the rear of the body. Center is obviously the bumper.
If you inspect this G4 in person and find there is only some minor denting on this sub-bumper, as with mine, then the car may well be worth buying. It means it really was only tapped lightly. But if the body/bumper is all munched under the replacement bumper cover, then that is probably why Geico washed their hands of this car.
This bar bolts onto the body on either side, so it is completely replaceable. You can also inspect the mounting points for damage to see just how hard the impact was. I may replace mine just because if I find another one, but as you can see the damage to mine can't even be seen from below. I can only feel it by reaching between the rear bumper and the bumper cover.
MetroMPG (07-05-2019)
MetroMPG (07-05-2019)
I wouldn't do it. Sometimes, it is too good to be true. Those independent dealers are very sketchy too. Also, to add, the salvage title is a deal breaker for me. No warranty and insurance is going to have a hectic time to insure it. Just way too many 'bad' variables, especially at that price. Like others have said, you can/should skip this one. Hope you can find another one!
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage DE 1.2 manual: 43.4 mpg (US) ... 18.5 km/L ... 5.4 L/100 km ... 52.2 mpg (Imp)
If that was all the damage that was done & these were the only parts needed, why would this car have a salvage title? Insurance companies are going to offer the cheapest option. If it was just minor repairs, this car would not have a salvage title.
A person could have a mechanic and professional body shop look over the car prior to purchase. If red flags existed, they would see them immediately.
As I said, I would almost bet that that damage under the new bumper cover is going to be pretty extensive. This would explain why Geico totaled it out. My main point is that a person interested in buying the car does not have to remove the bumper cover to inspect the damage on these cars.