[Shop-talk] Salvage title vehicles

[Mark Andy]

Howdy,

On Mon, 26 Jul 2010, Tim wrote:

> Yesterday we looked at an 04 Cavalier for my daughter that has a 
> "salvage" title. We were told that car was in a front end accident and 
> was totaled by the insurance company. This car, with AC, alloy wheels 
> and what not else would blue book for close to $6000. We can get it for 
> $4995.
>
> I has new tires and brakes and is very clean. The guy also said it has a 
> new wheel bearing which I have to assume is on the front right wheel 
> where the accident damage occurred.
>
> When I drove the car it felt solid and tight.
>
> I am looking for any input any one can give me about buying a car that 
> was in an accident and has a salvage title. Is this a good idea or 
> should we walk away from it. My daughter is taking a loan out to buy 
> this car as she needs it for getting to and from work, college classes, 
> and the schools where she will be student teaching; so we really need to 
> get this (or something) done very soon.

My guess is that the loan company may not give you a loan on a salvage / 
reconstructed vehicle.

I also wouldn't pay anything like market value for a salvage title 
vehicle... People are scared of them and prices reflect that.  Lowball the 
hell out of the guy if you decide to make an offer.

All that said... A properly repaired salvage vehicle is fine.  Its just 
metal and plastic and wires and such and if its fixed it doesn't 
"remember" the crash.  :-)  Check out the details on why it was totalled 
and then look at those areas carefully.

But I for sure wouldn't pay $5k for a salvage title vehicle that 
non-salvage was worth $6k.

Mark