When can I use Content not longer in use?

Hi, I have found a great database with content I wanted to use for a webpage. However I noticed someone else has used the exact same database and has already created a site with it. But now he doesn't use it anymore but the urls are still in Google. So it's something like this.

Database of cars

cars.com - frontpage
cars.com/car1 - car one content
cars.com/car2 - car two content
cars.com/car3 - car three content

He created a site like that with the database. However now all pages look like the startpage. So he doesn't use the content anymore. So something like this.

cars.com - frontpage
cars.com/car1 - frontpage content
cars.com/car2 - frontpage content
cars.com/car3 - frontpage content

But the urls still show up with the content from the database in Google. So I'm not sure if I can use that content or if I will get a duplicate content penalty. Does someone know if it may work? Sorry for my bad english I hope you understand!

why don't you modify the url's if you think that is a problem?

Check the content itself in copyscape to see if it will register as unique. Change the titles of the content and make sure your permalinks are different than his.

Spin the content by using content spinning software online or offline.
Then, check that the content is unique or not. If that's unique then, use that content for your webpage.

You have a very interesting dilemma.

From my standpoint, you only have two choices.

First, you can wait until Google's cache clears out and all this outdated content will no longer trigger a duplicate content penalty if you publish the old content on your website.

The second approach which I prefer is to simply hire a virtual assistant to rewrite the content.

Since you have a copy of the content, just hire somebody to rewrite it manually.

I wish I could tell you that Spinner software would be the best way forward but unfortunately most Spinner software packages out there suck.

I haven't come across a product that even comes close to real, engaging content that would convert.

Agree with blackbeans, I would probably just wait until Google updated its index for those pages.

thanks and agree with blackbeans.

You can just wait till google updates its index of pages as said by blackbeans...

Have someone rewrite it for you. Rewriting is a cheap service.