Any chance you could obtain pictures of the car in the condition it was in before repairs? I know the insurance company that totaled the car would have pictures, but they might not be easy to obtain. Ask the seller if he has any "before" pictures. I can see how the car might be totalled if the whole side was messed up as might happen in a sideswipe. That might be an acceptable salvage title risk.

I cannot see a total loss from a "small dent". Something doesn't add up. If the car has brand new tires on it you can expect something's wrong with the frame alignment - the new tires being an attempt to hide the wear pattern.

A car that old with a salvage title should be much lower. If you were somehow infatuated with the car's condition and planned to keep it a long time, MAYBE $3500.

Ken300D