Is salvage title okay to buy and fix? The airbags are gone!!!?

Question

I was planning to buy a salvage car at an online auction and the only problem from what I see in the pictures is that the airbags are gone because of being stolen. My dad said salvage title is not good to buy, but I really want it. I'm just afraid of buying it because you get what you see so I can't examine anything else until I buy it. I'd really like to get some feedback especially if anyone's a mechanic and knows how much it would cost to get the driver's and passenger's airbags put into a car that's a 2005 honda pilot.

Answer 1

Airbags can run from 1000 to 2400 each installed depends on location (city)and model of car. I do not recommend this as a purchase. There will be other hidden costs involved along the way. In the long run a 6 year loan on a new one will cost the same per month or very close after all is said and done with othere expenses.

In most States (US) you must pass a vehicle saftey inspection either at registration or every year. So all defects will need to be corrected before using this car.

Answer 2

Generally when the air bags are gone, the car has been in a wreck. Air bags deploy after the vehicles impact is pass the crumple zone. Now that doesn't mean the car cannot be repaired. It can simply be cosmetic. Now as one of the other posters states...replacing the airbags is very costly. Now the salvage title is for vehicles that insurance companies do not want to repair but can be bought and repaired. I would not waste time or money on the vehicle. It would probably cost the thousands to get it road worthy.... Good Luck

Answer 3

I seriously doubt that just because the airbags were lifted, that the car would have a salvage title. There is more to the story than meets the eye here. I would avoid it. It may have a lot of water damage or some other hidden problems. You may also have a problem trying to insure the car. good luck.

Answer 4

I know two people that purchased salvage title vehicles and worked on a few myself being in the auto repair business. I would never recommend purchasing one because as others have pointed out, you really have no idea what the vehicle has been through. I have yet to work on one that only had 1 single problem that needed to be repaired and every single one I have worked on has been expensive to repair.
The other issue I have found out about these vehicles from the owners is that automobile insurance is hard to get for them. Some of the insurance companies will insure you but it's very costly and you can only get minimal coverage.
I say save your money and purchase a vehicle you can have checked out before you get it.

20 Years ASE Certified Technician

Answer 5

Buy Airbags Online

Answer 6

you can find deals on salvage ride . some are not worth it. I can understand your dads stand point.

A lot like in your case have been stolen or stripped. That is no big deal. Airbags are costly. but they save lives. you can get them off ebay or wrecking yards. but have a trained pro do the repair. it will have to pass a inspection before you can register it in your area.

Answer 7

I just asked my husband and he said No Way! You don't have any idea of whats happened to the car. If it has been in an accident it could have structural damage that can make it unsafe. Its never a good idea to buy a car that you can't examine and test drive first. Listen to your dad and save yourself money, a big headache, and possibly your safety!

Answer 8

Last salvage car I had ended up being a can of worms. It seemed like it knew when I got my paycheck or something.

Answer 9

No, especially that new. Motor problems or crash is probably the reason the car is not original. get car fax.