Ever bought a "salvage title" vehicle?

Danskman · 11-11-2004, 11:30 AM

Looking for a 4WD vehicle for my son. He's an avid snowboarder, and we want to swap his car for a used SUV, most likely a Jeep Cherokee, the older style classic version. In my car shopping, I've come across an interesting vehicle. Later model than what we've been looking at, dual airbags, lots of nice features, and priced 35%-40% lower than a comparable vehicle with a clean title. I've always stayed away from salvage titled vehicles, but this one has me thinking.

I was thinking about taking it to an alignment shop prior to the purchase and paying for a 4 wheel alignment to see if all is true and going straight down the road. They tell me it was a left rear accident, which I guess would be better than a frontal collision, involving steering, engine, airbag deployment, etc.

Anyway, any experience on buying a salvage vehicle? I know a guy who bought a salvage 911 and kept it and enjoyed it for many years.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

I bought a salvaged Honda delSol for an everyday driver. I drove it for four years and never had a problem, but it's heck trying to sell them. If you want to buy a car for your son for him to drive into the ground, buying a salvage car may not be a bad idea.

Dantilla · 11-11-2004, 01:13 PM

I have purchased wrecks from an insurance auction. As long as its repaired properly, I don't care.

I brought my 911 home from an auction on a trailer.

Rot 911 · 11-11-2004, 01:25 PM

Like Steve said, could be a good driver as long as you aren't planning to resell it.

yellow911turbo · 11-12-2004, 01:52 AM

anyone know of any 911s for sale with a salvaged title? a 968 will do, too. if it was in europe, it'd be even better. as long as it's in good condition, i don't care if it's a salavage title.

Joeaksa · 11-12-2004, 07:26 AM

Check first with your insurance company. Some companies refuse to insure a salvage titled vehicle.

JoeA

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Salvage vehicles are good for one of three things:

(1) track car (no street)
(2) parts car
(3) boat anchor

Don't waste your money.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

I have owned ONE. A 95 Firebird formula. Got it for 50% of value. POS even though the rebuild was done by a guy who owned (documented) a reputable body shop. I soon found that it's not worth it. A pro shop did the rebuild, probably not. Backyard hack? Never, even if it looks good. If you get hit in it then what happens? Probably won't work as advertised.

A documented theft recovery on the other had is a possibility, but then have an independent body shop check it over completely.

Takes some time to discover all the bugs in a rebuild, and there are always bugs - every one I've ever seen always does something strange - and it's something that can't be tuned out.

I'd pass - safety is too important.

Dantilla · 11-12-2004, 08:17 AM

My 911 had an engine fire. The tub was strait and rust free. Perfect candidate for an engine swap. I'm amazed how much the car gets oogled at autocrosses. Being that the car is so old (1973) Washington State does not title it as salvage.

A friend has another 911 from the auction. The car ended up of it's roof, with no other damage. It now has a new roof welded in place, the interior is just about completed, and he will have another car to compliment the daily driver 968 he purchased damaged.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

There've been a lot of posts on this... some salvage vehicles have very little damage. Some horrifically wrecked cars end up with 'clean' titles. Get it checked out, and don't buy it if you don't plan to literally drive it into the ground, since 3/4 of buyers don't want the uncertainty of a salvage title.

Also, as mentioned before, check with your insurance, they may be unwilling to give you as much coverage as they'd provide on a clean title vehicle..

I have a '97 Jeep Cherokee for sale, BTW.

kmhemi · 11-12-2004, 02:31 PM

I used to buy alot of them. I havent done many recently. As long as someone doesn't shortcut and does properly repair them they are fine. One thing to check, Call you local DMV or DOH and get the information packet or whatever you need to make SURE you can get the title updated to reconstructed vehicle. Another thing too is frame work, that can get expensive fast. I have a buddy with a frame machine so I do it myself. I know how time consuming it can be. The title process will vary state to sate. Email me if you run into questions and I will try to help.
-Good Luck

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

It all depends on the damage and the value of the car.
I have a 95 Silverado I bought new that got clipped in the rear sitting in front of my house. It looked worse than it was so the appraiser desided to total it.
I almost let the wrecker pic it up too, But I just couldn't do it and paid the insurance co. 1700.00 for it. They gave me around 10K with tax and lic. fees. to replace it.
This was my Insurance as the hair ball that ran into didn't have any. They continue to insure it but it does have a salvage title.
Anyway, I fixed it myself for around 5K between the truck cost, parts and a body shop. and spent some on the SC of course

Sure glad I didn't let it go.

So it just depends on the damage and money IMO. An older car will be totaled with less damage, and the new ones will be fix with more damage and not even have a salvage title. If a newer car gets a salvage title you can bet it really had the damage.

Dantilla · 11-12-2004, 08:29 PM

I once saw a couple of brand new Mercedes at the insurance auction that had been vandalized while sitting at the dealer's lot. Lots of small dents. Looked like someone was kicking the cars with heels. Very minor damage, but I can see why a Mercedes dealer would not want to repair the cars and sell them as new. The dealer managed to get the insurance company to pay, so to the auction they went, salvage title and all Somebody got a great car!