Salvaged Cars?

[Deleted member 4644]

How safe are they to buy? what do i need to ask?

 

[Thegonagle]

If you need to ask us, you need to stay away. Only consider one if you are a mechanic. I'm not saying they will all be a bad buy, but you really need a great deal of knowledge to make that determination.

 

[ElFenix]

bad resale value. bad insurance. no financing.

 

[Perknose]

What ElFenix said.

 

[d33pt]

i would get it thoroughly checked out by a mechanic.. salvage cars can sometimes be very good deals and still be reliable..

 

[RU482]

I've had a couple of them, so were done well, some were death traps. Worst part, the untrained eye couldn't tell. It was only after months of driving them (well, the last one) that things began to shift a little...and then the cracking noises when I'd take a left hand turn to fast....oh yeah, and the winshield that cracked for no reason. I was just waiting for that car to break in half.

I also bought a convertible that was one thing after another. It was basically two cars welded together also.

Then another that I had no qualms with at all (the guy who built it was a class act)

Factors to consider:
How bad of an accident was it in to get totaled? Any before/after pics? Get the car on a lift and look at everything!

I never had a problem with insurance (though I never had a claim). Financing wasn't a problem either (never told them it was a salvage/rebuilt title, they never asked)

Benefits:
Significantly cheaper car

All that said, I'll never drive another wrecked one unless I have a long string of financial bad luck...YMMV

 

[Ralphy]

I had a '85 Prelude that got in to an minor accident at was deemed salvaged. The damage was only a dented front fender and a bend spindle. Replaced the two, and the car was as good as before except that it is now salvaged. Just be very cautious when you are considering a salvaged car. Take it to a mechanic if you're not sure.

 

[KennyTheGreat]

i wanna buy a bimmer