Used car question for those who live by the ocean or know about flood damage..

[rubenswm]

I recently found a car for my dad who really couldn't care less what he drives- since he drives 2 miles to and from work..
So I decided to go with a 97 Lexus ES300. 62k, a lease return that had every option except for heated seats. I talked the dealer down to $12,000 and out the door at $12995 with tax/title/license etc..

pretty good deal if you look at TMV @ edmunds. The car would be a 7/10, 10 being perfect- exterior could use some wax although the paint was in good condition with a few minor scratches, interior in good condition except for a few scratches on the dash + a non working LCD on the radio, engine bay was clean, all in all a pretty solid vehicle that would be in like-new condition with a little TLC.

Anyways- I noticed that there is rust where the seats connect to the floorboards..it's a clear title that was leased twice- once in NJ once in IL. I got worried that this car may have flood damage, and a look under the trunk mat revealed sand. I brought it to a local mechanic who doesn't think it's flood damage- but was in an area with a lot of moisture. No funky smells, no water line as far as I can tell- but the mechianic usually works on older cars and may not be familiar with flood damage (since it's pretty much unheard of in MN)

With that being said, how would sand get in the trunk if it wasn't flood damage? What would case rust where the seats connect to the floorboards? If it appears to be flood damage, how do you deal with a dealer who doesn't offer refunds?

Thanks in advance,

Rubens

 

[d33pt]

if you bought it AS IS, i don't think you have much recourse.. try feeling around underneath the dash and see if there's any sand or silt back there... if there is, i think it's definitely flood damage..

 

[Cooljt1]

how would sand get in the trunk? going to a beach, sand from shoes or towels, etc

 

[kranky]

One explanation for sand in the trunk is a beach vacation. People put their beach chairs in the trunk while transporting them to and from the beach.

 

[rubenswm]

I suppose that could be the case. I was also told to check for brittle wires. I'm 2 hours away from my parents house. I'll give my brother a call and have him check it out.

 

[rubenswm]

what about the rust under the seats? sitting water from shampooing carpets? salt + moisture?

 

I personally would not touch that vehicle with a ten foot pole.

 

[notfred]

Sand in the trunk means nothing. I used to have a truck that was always full of sand cause I as driving it to the beach every day and getting in it with wet sandy feet.

As far as rust at the seat bolts, I have no idea. Could be from salted roads spraying up onto the bottom of the car. I don't know much about that though, cars don't really rust out here.

 

[rubenswm]

Originally posted by: Roger
I personally would not touch that vehicle with a ten foot pole.

because of?

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: Roger
I personally would not touch that vehicle with a ten foot pole.

It is too late, he already bought it

 

[rubenswm]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: Roger
I personally would not touch that vehicle with a ten foot pole.

It is too late, he already bought it

heh, it does have a 30 day 1,000 mile warranty covering major defects- but no refund option. Maybe I can talk to the owner. I could just be paranoid too- thats why im asking about the rust on the seats

 

[rubenswm]

"**Light surface rust is common on exposed metal surfaces and is not sufficient alone to prove flood exposure."
http://www.naaa.com/html/news/index.cfm?story=1002

 

[BigJimbo]

i live right on the atlantic coast in FL i have the same thing in my truck...salt in the air will do it its just surface rust if your worried about it hit it with a wire brush and use a sealant on it

 

[rubenswm]

Originally posted by: BigJimbo
i live right on the atlantic coast in FL i have the same thing in my truck...salt in the air will do it its just surface rust if your worried about it hit it with a wire brush and use a sealant on it

Thank you- this is all I was looking for from somebody who lives by the ocean!
I'll get it checked out by another mechanic tommorow
after talking with a friend he says the mechanic we brought it to would definitely know- but i'll get a second opinion anyways.

Rubens

 

[BigJimbo]

take a picture if you can of the rust most likly it was just someone who lived on the coast in NJ, mine have a slight rust (basically surface rust) but its soo common (esp with the beach 10 min away)

if youre really worried about it use a wire brush like i mentioned before and there is like an epoxy substance you can get at marine stores that will actually prevent/ "kill" rust if i remember right its kinda pricey but like i said you should have no worries if its not severe rust

 

[db]

Pull a tail light lens or check on horizontal ledges under/behind dash for sand; look under car for excessive rust, especially up high on the "pan".
If this is a flood car get rid of it quick b/c it will be nothing but problems FOREVER.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: BigJimbo
i live right on the atlantic coast in FL i have the same thing in my truck...salt in the air will do it its just surface rust if your worried about it hit it with a wire brush and use a sealant on it

You have rust on the brackets that mount your seat to the floor?
That's a bit different than rust on the rocker panels or tailgate.

 

[Conky]

I used to be a car dealer. Avoid flood damaged cars at all costs. They are never worth the trouble. Oh, and hail damaged cars but thats a whole nother thread.

 

[Shockwave]

Flood damage = Electrical problems out the wazoo. I wouldnt TOUCH a flood damage car unless the repairs specifically included ALL new wiring, harnesses, fuse holders etc etc etc. Even then I'd be leary of it....

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: rubenswm
what about the rust under the seats? sitting water from shampooing carpets? salt + moisture?

I once took out the driver seat in my 2000 corolla to fix a squeak and the underside was completely coated in rust. Here's the funny thing, I live in inland socal where we get maybe 7 inches of rain average for the whole year. It rusted for no reason at all.

 

[rubenswm]

maybe its a toyota thing

 

[BigJimbo]

toyotas mainly rust at the weld point on the beds and sometiems under the doors....

the pickups from what i understand are imported to the US without the beds...they paint and asemble the beds in the US i dunno something to do with it being cheaper tax or something...which means the beds are a slightly different metal.....maybe metal in the US is just bad (hehe fords and chevys rust after awhile)

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: BigJimbo
toyotas mainly rust at the weld point on the beds and sometiems under the doors....

the pickups from what i understand are imported to the US without the beds...they paint and asemble the beds in the US i dunno something to do with it being cheaper tax or something...which means the beds are a slightly different metal.....maybe metal in the US is just bad (hehe fords and chevys rust after awhile)

Toyota trucks are famous for rusting out. Even Toyotaoffroad.com did a write up on it.

 

Sorry Rubens for not answering quicker, if in the future you have a chance to buy another vehicle like this one, don't.
You do not know it's history, therefor you do not know if the vehicle was in a flood.
Flooded vehicles are by far the worst in reliability and repair expense, but, if the vehicle rusted from salt air, it is more of a bargain if the rust is confined to just the floorboards, these can be replaced and/or repaired but it is not cheap.