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Buying an S-Title car

T

TNTtransam

New member
How bad of an idea is buying a salvage title car? Anyone have any experiences positive or negative related to salvage title cars? Just curious because I found a decent deal on what seems to be a decent car but it has been totaled once before in its life. Any input is helpful, thanks.
 


I've owned six cars and two of them have been rebuilt salvages. Honestly, I would only do it if it came from a reputable dealer that specializes in rebuilding cars. There's not a lot of them around. It's really hit and miss though.
 
I've owned six cars and two of them have been rebuilt salvages. Honestly, I would only do it if it came from a reputable dealer that specializes in rebuilding cars. There's not a lot of them around. It's really hit and miss though.
 
It depends on if there was damage to the frame of the car. I've bought a few cars with salvage titles. All it means is that at one point the car had damage to it and the cost to have a shop fix the damage exceeded the cost to replace the vehicle.

When you go look at it bring a mirror with you and look the frame of the car over carefully for any bends, creases, or anything that looks out of the ordinary.
 
I'm currently in the process of picking up a 4th gen Z28 (if things work out) that was once a salvage title. It doesn't bother me in the least if it was done properly.
 


Here's the thing. The deal should be good, not decent. If you go to sell it, you'll end up with most folks not wanting to buy based on the salvage. If the work was done right, I'd happily drive the car knowing it's likely going to a scrap yard when I'm done with it. If that's the case.. who cares about the salvage title if you don't have any additional work to register it.

My car could get hit in the fender and be totalled out at the moment. I'd buy it back, strap a fender on it and run it through the rebuilt car process. It's worth it to me.
 
Bill is right (what else is new) I have 97 GT about 6 years ago I hit a dear needed a fender hood and tie rod end and an alingment one tire insurance company listed it as totaled I got $3,400 for it bought it back for 900.00 fixed it for less bought I bought a $750 GT hood to replace the plain factory one (what the hell I wanted one for a awhile.
 
I have a few friends who buy, drive, sell, fix, etc salvage cars all of the time. Their rule of thumb is expect about a 50% discount to bb value. Some people will say otherwise, but I have seen them have to list a car for an extended time to even find people interested so I would certainly want it to be close to 50% of bb value even if fixed correctly. That's just me though.
 
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