Would you buy a rebuilt car that once held a salvage title?

[coolred]

Thats basically the question. All you know is that it was once a salvage title, but not it looks and drives just fine. Would you buy it, or would you avoid it?

 

[shiner]

Only if I were going to be driving in a demolition derby.

 

[her209]

<< Thats basically the question. All you know is that it was once a salvage title, but not it looks and drives just fine. Would you buy it, or would you avoid it? >>



Avoid due to higher insurance costs.

 

[spanky]

avoid.

 

[StageLeft]

Are you looking into another car now after dumping the civic idea, or same car? Buy something good. Stop looking for a POS car! You have enough cash you can get a real car!!!

 

[iamwiz82]

<< Only if I were going to be driving in a demolition derby. >>



fun fun fun!


Buy or find a free car and go fielding in it. Dont insure or register it. Take it to a very backwoods place and drive it til it breaks. Nothing is more fun than seeing how much abuse a K-car's axle or tranny can take before they explode

 

[Nocturnal]

you can buy it, but dont expect to re-sell it for anything.

 

[FinalLastt]

i did buy a salvage title car.
i consider myself lucky, because there has been no big problems.
the only problem i got is wind noise, because after the accident, the doors are not as tight as before on highways.
other then that..its been good.
even with that experience in mind,
i would not buy another salvage title car.
because, i perfer the peace of mind
but i guess it all depends on the person and his or her situation at that time
i bought a salvage title car, because it was a very VERY good deal.
the car looked new, drove nice, and the low price was what made me buy it.

plus the fact that i was only 19
young and stupid.

anyways.. enough of me ranting..
just wanted to share my experience with you
hope it helped
feel free to ask any questions you have in mind.

good luck

 

[crab]

<<

<< Only if I were going to be driving in a demolition derby. >>



fun fun fun!


Buy or find a free car and go fielding in it. Dont insure or register it. Take it to a very backwoods place and drive it til it breaks. Nothing is more fun than seeing how much abuse a K-car's axle or tranny can take before they explode >>



I've done that! 86 Cavalier RS wagon

 

[Jzero]

My grandma was featured in Sports Illustrated in the '70s because she was a demolition derby champion....

 

[RossMAN]

I also bought a savaged car. If I had to do it all over again I don't think I would have bought it. The only source of information I had about the car's damage was from the group of Russian guys who bought it from the insurance company, fixed it up and sold it to an idiot like me. 8 months later it's running just fine. My mechanic friend says it can easily go another 100,000 miles I hope he's right. When I do sell this I'll probably take a sizeable loss of around 40%, bought it for $4k, can probably try selling it for $3k then I'll let the buyers low ball me down to $2.5k

Don't buy a salvaged car, it's simply NOT worth the hassle.

 

[NutBucket]

No. Friend of mine has a salvage 94 or 95 Integra. Interior was not done right. Windows don't roll up and down smoothly. Doors don't close quite right. Hood doesn't fit quite right. And according to my mom, the car drives sideways. I can't verify since I don't pay much attention when he's driving away.

Overall, I'd rather get a little older car that had a clean title.

 

[vi edit]

<< When I do sell this I'll probably take a sizeable loss of around 40%, bought it for $4k, can probably try selling it for $3k then I'll let the buyers low ball me down to $2.5k >>



You want to put 100,000 on a car, and you think that loosing $1500 is a "sizeable" loss??? Sheesh Ross, I could stick a quarter up your butt and get two dimes and a nickel back!

 

[Rivergater]

I bought a car with a salvage title from a backyard bodyshop guy and the car looked amazing. Brand new paint job and the interior was brand new too. It was the best deal I could find for the money I wanted to spend (under 4000). This was in SoCal and after driving it for three months, I didn't find anything wrong with it.

Upon closer inspection, I could tell that there was major damage to the car. The air filter box was cracked under the hood and when I looked at my car from the front, I could tell the body was slightly crooked. Also, I could tell a bunch of places were bondoed (by tapping around and listening for the plasticky sound)

After three months, I shipped the car with me to the East Coast and kept it there for the next 9 months. During those 9 months, the car totally fell apart on me. I discovered that the frame was rusted (underneath that brand new paint job). It had major electrical problems and the tranny was messed up. I didn't understand how there could be rust but found out that the car wasn't originally from SoCal because I found some papers linking it to a dealership somewhere in Utah (don't remember exactly if it was Utah but I remember it was a place that snows).

If I had to do it over again, I don't think I would get a car with a salvage title. If my next car is a used car, I would get one of those vehicle history checks. I don't know how good these records are but if its gonna be like 20 bucks, I think it would be worth it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Salvage title is good only if you can spend the time and effort to correct all problems.
One would need to be able to straighten the frame if needed and repair/replace damage parts.

These vehicle go to salvage because they are not cost effective to repair.

Frame damage can quickly destroy suspension parts and tires.
Save $5000 when you buy a salvage car and spend $8K to repair it and $1-2 per year to suffer with your decision.:disgust:

 

[LuNoTiCK]

hmmm seems u guys all have bad experiences with them. I know someone who bought one and the car is great. I guess he was just lucky, but he also bought it from his friend, and knew it was good.

 

[Thegonagle]

Don't buy it unless it's insanely cheap, and you?re a mechanic. Some will have been fixed correctly, and some won't. Don't take the chance if you don't understand the chance you're taking.

 

[SCSIfreek]

depends on the damage it had prior to the title. If its a engine damage avoid it at all cost. If its insanely cheap maybe. But you got to drive it for couple days to notice what the problems are. Check the Alignments <----Huge issues on most salvage cars. A friend once told me that once the alignments screw you'll never be able to fix it unless you purchase a NEW car .


--Scsi

 

[b0mbrman]

Only if it was incredibly cheap...

 

[randomlinh]

my dad bought a salvaged camry for 7k i think.. i can't remember what year. mechanic said it looks pretty good... the door is kinda funny.. and it's a different lock.. but my dad is weird.. spends too much on old cars but doesn't know how to keep them in good shape.

 

[halik]

i would buy it, but it depends on the price and damage. If the frame is twisted, stya away. Straightening cost loads of money and you can never get it exactly straight. As for bodywork and some dumb stuff, i'd get it and fix it myself.