Buying a car with a salvage title

[MotF Bane]

What about this? I am considering this one. Please check the last two pics after the accident. I rarely see ppl post pics before the repairs.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2660665993.html

10k lights, lol.

 

[Ferzerp]

10k lights, lol.

For those times that you want everyone to look like a smurf in your blue headlights.

Very dim smurfs since most of the output at that temp is not visible light, and the light that is visible is on the low end of sensitivity for our eyes.

 

[RU482]

Over the last 20 years of driving, I've owned 5-6 prior salvage cars. You get what you pay for...it all depends on how long you plan on keeping the car. Over time, things like wheel bearings start to pop up prematurely (I suppose it depends on 'why' the car was salvaged, most of the ones I bought were collision repairs). I could never keep any of them aligned or balanced either (maybe minor damage to the wheels from the collision incident?) It seems like there are always things that were done half ass that seem minor when you buy them, but get more annoying over time (headlight aiming, body alignment/fit/finish issues, quirky electronic issues, ect). I won't buy another prior salvage car, but I guess over the years I got to drive newer or nicer models of cars than I could afford at the time, so I don't regret it too much.

 

[boomhower]

I've bought one. It was an old Honda that had obviously been hit in the front as the headlights were brand new. The car is a piece of shit but nothing that can be attributed to the accident.(odd ball electrical crap driving me nuts, washer nozzles don't work) Only thing different than any other car I've bought is I had to send pictures to my insurance company before they would insure it. I don't regret and bought because I didn't care about resell value. When I get done with it it's not going to be worth anything as I'm going to drive it into the ground.

 

[halik]

10k lights, lol.

10k hid kit was installed for visibility at night

 

[Salvage Guy]

I have owned many salvage cars and still own a 1997 BMW 328 Convertible, which I bought more than 5 years ago and is one of the best cars I have owned, still beautiful, I don't think on selling it because is in great condition and nobody will pay me what that vehicle is worth for me.

When planing to buy a vehicle with a salvage title you have to: 1- inspect the vehicle, 2- get an estimate of how much it costs to repair and 3- ask your local DMV on the procedure to get a rebuilt title.

Forget about the resell value, if you plan repair it and sell it you will very likely lose money, and it will be hard to sell (and again contact your local DMV first), if you plan to buy it and use it as your personal car, then it is a good idea.

 

[Nebbers]

i have owned many salvage cars and still own a 1997 bmw 328 convertible, which i bought more than 5 years ago and is one of the best cars i have owned, still beautiful, i don't think on selling it because is in great condition and nobody will pay me what that vehicle is worth for me.

When planing to buy a vehicle with a salvage title you have to: 1- inspect the vehicle, 2- get an estimate of how much it costs to repair and 3- ask your local dmv on the procedure to get a rebuilt title.

Forget about the resell value, if you plan repair it and sell it you will very likely lose money, and it will be hard to sell (and again contact your local dmv first), if you plan to buy it and use it as your personal car, then it is a good idea.

salvage cars for sale

liek welcome to the forums man.

 

[Salvage Guy]

Thanks Nebbers!

 

[desura]

On this topic, how about cars with accident reports on the carfax? Moderate damage gives me pause. But if it reports that the car drove away, that would mean that it likely was a fender bender?

 

[JulesMaximus]

On this topic, how about cars with accident reports on the carfax? Moderate damage gives me pause. But if it reports that the car drove away, that would mean that it likely was a fender bender?

Personally, I would prefer a pre-owned car have no accident history. Primarily because many shops don't do a great job of repairing accident damage and/or using aftermarket parts or repairing stuff that really should have been replaced.

I'd pass on a vehicle with a carfax that showed an accident in its history.

 

[jlee]

Personally, I would prefer a pre-owned car have no accident history. Primarily because many shops don't do a great job of repairing accident damage and/or using aftermarket parts or repairing stuff that really should have been replaced.

I'd pass on a vehicle with a carfax that showed an accident in its history.

Also, if the car is in the rust belt, prior accident damage can cause a future rust problem to occur faster than it would otherwise.