Salvage Cars. Don't buy or a good deal.?

Question

Anyone ever bought a salvage vehicle in the US? Flood, rebuilt, theft car??!? What are the pros and cons? Is a flood vehicle simply not worth it??

Answer 1

There were more than a half millon flood cars with hurricane Katrina and many of these are now on car lots or in people's driveways.

Go to my website http://www.usedcartips.org/ and watch a 3 minute video about flood cars, and then you decide if such a vehicle is for you, from there navigate to PUBLIC AUCTIONS about salvage cars.

Answer 2

Flood: NEVER! Especially if it was salt water (Katrina Kars). Many flood cars aren't even worthy parts car candidates.

Theft: Cars aren't normally salvaged just for theft. If it's not recovered in 30 days it may be administratively totaled by the insurance company to settle the claim but a salvage title is usually based on extensive damage. If a theft is salvaged it was probably wreaked as well or was known to have been severely abused, i.e. "As seen on America's Wildest Police Chases."

Accident rebuild: Tough call. Depends upon the extent of the damage and how well the repairs were done. Normally you should not pay more than about 50% of the book value, and that's if you know the history and how well the repairs were done. Financing may be difficult and insurance coverage will be significantly limited.

Lemon buy-back: Someone else's proven headache -- that the manufacturer couldn't even figure out. The manufacturer's warranty has been voided. Same finance and insurance issues as a rebuilt wreak. Might be worthy if you're a mechanic yourself and are very familiar with the make & model.

Answer 3

You will hear stories from both sides. Some people have done it and haven't had any serious problems. Others will tell you that it is the worst thing they ever did. Here is the rub; they are both right. You might get lucky and you might not. I would say that your chance of having a bad experience are pretty high, so unless you can get the vehicle for VERY CHEAP, I would avoid buying a salvage.

Have a reputable mechanic look at it before you buy. They can give you an estimate on the extent of the damage. There still could be hidden problems that they wouldn't be able to see with a simple inspection, especially if there is flood damage.

The only way you can guarantee to get a good deal is to get one so cheap that you can afford to write it off when it starts having problems.

Answer 4

Avoid flood vehicles, water in the electronics will come back to haunt you! Any salvage vehicle is a BIG risk

Answer 5

A salvage titled motor vehicle might want to be an truly tremendous good deal. i have owned 4 salvage titled automobiles and different "sparkling titled" automobiles. i have had better success with the salvaged titled automobiles. i do not care what type of brand a "used" motor vehicle has. once you're finding out to purchase "as is" you'd be finding out to purchase a pig in a poke, no count number number what. Even sparkling automobiles are not continually good, else-smart there would not be a "Lemon regulation" on the books. so that you're taking a probability no count number number what. i'm nonetheless in possession of two salvage automobiles. One has a "wiped clean' call and motor vehicle Fax tells that its coincidence loose, (however it is been wrecked, you could actual tell) so that you won't be able to thoroughly trust something. the motor vehicle changed into bought to me with information from a respected dealership as a sparkling titled motor vehicle, yet I knew what i changed into doing so I were given them to just about supply it to me. the different motor vehicle has a salvage call. i purchased it in 2001 with 28K on it and it has 157K on it now. It nonetheless has the unique battery in it! i have not in any respect had difficulty getting "complete coverage" and that i did not have difficulty getting a private loan on it both.

Answer 6

I see salvaged cars on ebay all the time. They all say it was in a minor accident and all they replaced were doors and fenders. Yeah right.....

I wouldn't buy salvaged unless they offered lifetime warranty and were 20% of market price.

Answer 7

I have been driving one for 6 years. It was not a flood car, was wrecked and re assembled. It was given to me by a friend. I have spent about $750.00 in repairs, including a nice battery, total in that time.

Answer 8

Bad deal! They usually never run, or drive the same! Stay away!

Answer 9

check the wire harness, engine for salt damage. good buy