Buying a Car with a Salvage Title

AJ · 09-15-2005

Well as I have posted before I was looking at an 02 Infinity G20. Found one that became available via a private party and took a look at it. I think I looked it over pretty well. Ran and drove great, but it needs new rotors. Not a big deal. So Steve (Goat Blower on here w/SGH) is going to help with the deal to make things easier for me. So he calls the guy and it probably out looking at it right now as I type this. The one thing Steve did mention is that the car has a salvage title as of 3600 miles ago. Front end collision was the listed cause. I can't thank Steve enough for digging more into it more.

SO with the plan on keeping tis car for the long run and being able to get the car at a pretty decent price below standard book value.

So just asking for personal experiances and opinions on this until Steve lets me know what he thought of the car.

Pimpin Dsmstyle · 09-15-2005

if the repair work was done solid, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Jakey · 09-15-2005

I would never own a vehicle with a salvage title.
-Unless you personally know the person/company which did the body/structural repairs, I would not trust the repairs
-If you ever decide to sell it, salvage titled vehicles are a bitch to sell; I found this out back in the day when I helped sell my friend's '97GST Spyder that had a theft notice on the title even though it came with documentation stating that no damage was done to the car then it was stolen.
-Many times financing institutions cringe severly when it comes to loaning money for a salvaged vehicle
-How many miles are on the car if it is an '02 and needs new rotors already? Between my family's '99 Dakota, '99 Cherokee, '02 Alero, and '99 S-10, a rotor has never been replaced.

MATCHBX · 09-15-2005

It depends on the kind of mileage it has. If it's in town driving, you will replace rotors many more times than country or highway miles.

Check the front end over very well. Take it to a bodyshop and have them do a thorough inspection of it to see the work that has been done. And how well it was done.

AJ · 09-15-2005

It has 42k miles. He has new pads on the car but now you can really tell new rotors are needed.

Anyone had to deal with insurance stuff on this? Getting a loan is not an issue. But making sure I don't get hosed with insurance would be nice. Since it's "salvaged" does it effect paying out if I was to get into an accident with it?

MATCHBX · 09-15-2005

I might be wrong, but I think the insurance company can do an inspection on it and then you could get full coverage on it. They might decide to not cover certain things that they deem "sub-par repairs". But like I said, I could be wrong. Call your insurance company to find out.

**Kracka** · 09-15-2005

Even with full coverage you'll be lucky to get half its value if you end up totaling it in an accident. I wouldn't touch a car that already had new brake pads and has severely worn rotors at only 42k miles. There are enough of those cars around to not have to "settle" with one. If you plan on keeping it for a long time, which it sounds like you are, find one that you feel is perfect for you.

MustGoFaster · 09-15-2005

It may be nice but I would say wait untill you find one with fewer issues.

Shotgun! · 09-16-2005

I'm with the smart people.

Pass this one up. In fact, get a '91 G20Te and go to town!

TheBlizzard · 09-16-2005

Yeah AJ, it shouldn't need new pad or rotors yet. Pads maybe if the person was on the brakes all the time, but the rotors would lead me to believe that something else was wrong with the alignment or something else with the car. If you could get it for cheap as fuck I would maybe consider it but if it was an average deal I would steer clear of it. Insurance company will not give you full coverage if it has a salvage title, the only way they will if its been inspected and reinstated as a 'good as new' condition car. Otherwise even if you have a loan on it and it gets totaled, you will still have to pay off the loan, the insurance company will not do it for you. Unless something has changed recently.

INTRIGUED · 09-16-2005

IMO I wouldn't get it. Even more so if you want a semi long term car. One thing I have learned with almost all the cars I have bought is do not settle with something. Its worth the time and effort in the long run to find something better even if it costs a little more.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 09-16-2005

I would only buy a car with a salvage title if it was something like an MKIV Supra for $5000 and I never planned on selling the car, or a $500 beater.

niterydr · 09-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoli

I would only buy a car with a salvage title if it was something like an MKIV Supra for $5000 and I never planned on selling the car, or a $500 beater.

My thoughts exactly.
Allan, wait for a better deal. Worn rotors at 42k? Salvage title?
A better fit will pop up, just bide your time.

GSXMatt · 09-16-2005

My GSX is Salvage. The plan is much like what you guys said, build it and not sell it.

So it's just one big money pit =).

**Goat Blower** · 09-16-2005

If you don't plan on selling the car anytime soon, salvage titles aren't bad. I had a 98 Corvette that I sold for $5000 below normal private party value and you could hardly tell it'd had ever been hit. There is always some small issues like air bag sensors and such, but it's a good way to get into something cheaper or something you can't necessarily afford. The difference in price is usually $3-5K.

**Kracka** · 09-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

If you don't plan on selling the car anytime soon, salvage titles aren't bad. I had a 98 Corvette that I sold for $5000 below normal private party value and you could hardly tell it'd had ever been hit. There is always some small issues like air bag sensors and such, but it's a good way to get into something cheaper or something you can't necessarily afford. The difference in price is usually $3-5K.

Did you check out the car in question? Your thoughts?