salvage title
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Va.
salvage title
Am speaking to a guy in N.C. about his 1982. Says he has a clean title and he purchased from a guy in Georgia. I asked him about carfax, he stated he had run one but that it showed salvage in the listing on carfax??? His title is clear, not listing salvage. He said the car does not look like it has any body work or frame work done, except for a quality repaint a couple years back. Could there be an error on carfax?
Georgia states that if a car was stolen, it will/can be listed as a "salvage title".
Tell tale signs to look for as I am uncertain about this car with the carfax listing a "salvage"?
Am not purchasing a corvette as a collector, but as a driver.
Georgia states that if a car was stolen, it will/can be listed as a "salvage title".
Tell tale signs to look for as I am uncertain about this car with the carfax listing a "salvage"?
Am not purchasing a corvette as a collector, but as a driver.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 364
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
Well, carfax is not the bible on car history. A buddy of mine bought his mustang brand new, has had it for three years and not even a paint chip. Carfax said its had two accidents. Carfax is only as accurate as the data thats been submitted.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
My car has a "rebuilt" title. It was a theft recovery, no damage at all. I bought from the insurance company. I don't see a problem as I did not buy as an investment but as a fun driving car. Al
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
Just make sure the car on the title is the car you have. It is easier to switch a vin tag from a salvage to a stolen car then it is to repair a wreck that was bought with a salvage title. That would explain a color change and no frame or body repair.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
I agree, nothing wrong with a salvage title as long as you're going to keep it forever.
Otherwise, a salvage title car is usually valued at 1/3 of the regular book value. That's why you always think you get a good deal with a salvage title car.....but noone wants to buy it later.
Otherwise, a salvage title car is usually valued at 1/3 of the regular book value. That's why you always think you get a good deal with a salvage title car.....but noone wants to buy it later.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '11
Nothing worng as long as the car is fixed right and you don't mind losing a little resale value.
There's a good chance the car was salvaged sometime in the past, and an owner went thru one of the title companies and got a title that doesn't say salvage. A lot of southern states don't require a title after so many years, and there are a few companies who specialize in getting a title for cars that don't have one. You make a call, a few hundred dollars, and viola, you have a clean title.
There's a good chance the car was salvaged sometime in the past, and an owner went thru one of the title companies and got a title that doesn't say salvage. A lot of southern states don't require a title after so many years, and there are a few companies who specialize in getting a title for cars that don't have one. You make a call, a few hundred dollars, and viola, you have a clean title.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
As long as you know what you are getting and don't mind the horrible resale then go for it. Best all-around car I ever had was an '89 IROC 5-sp 4 wheel discs, Bose stereo. It was in a salvage auction, I wanted an engine. I paid $1650, but couldn't cut it up. It had run under a fence and had barb-wire scratches half way up the roof. I put a front nose, a door, and the ground effects on one side. Drove it several years and sold it for $1800. Never touched the a/c or suspension. Anyway, if you can buy it cheap and like the car-and realize you will have to part it out or sell it cheap on the backside then go for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
If you are like me, you plan on being buried in your vette anyway so resale value shouldnt matter. Either that or there wont be enough left after the accident to even recognize it. Just make sure you can drive a salvage title. I was looking up in TX a salvage title and i kept finding info that says you cant register one so check NC laws to make sure you can drive a car like that.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,451
Likes: 326
From: Indy Indiana
negotiate down accordingly..
do a search on 'title washing' to review what probably happened.. and it was probably several owners ago, don't blame the current owner. but he has to take the hit, not you.
do not buy the car without some clause in the sale contract stating that the seller guarantees the title...
check local laws to confirm that you can transfer the title to your name and can get it on the road. if the title is clear and carfax says it is not. then the DMV will take precedence.
Don't think you will never sell it, you will.
ultimately you can challenge carfax and get the salvage flag removed but count on many many hours of frustrating phone calls working with idiots.
Like I said above, negotiate down accordingly.
do a search on 'title washing' to review what probably happened.. and it was probably several owners ago, don't blame the current owner. but he has to take the hit, not you.
do not buy the car without some clause in the sale contract stating that the seller guarantees the title...
check local laws to confirm that you can transfer the title to your name and can get it on the road. if the title is clear and carfax says it is not. then the DMV will take precedence.
Don't think you will never sell it, you will.
ultimately you can challenge carfax and get the salvage flag removed but count on many many hours of frustrating phone calls working with idiots.
Like I said above, negotiate down accordingly.
Last edited by joewill; Aug 12, 2010 at 10:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Va.
The car I looked at had a "rebuilt" title, not salvage, once I saw the history print out.
In Georgia, a recovered stolen car can be classified with a "rebuilt" title as well. I went to see the vehicle out of curiosity as I was mislead about the condition as the vehicle was very rough, so the price point did not matter.
Thank you for the information/replies - still in search for an 80'-82'!
One thing that is frustrating when searching for a used Corvette at below retail level is the lack of proper disclosure by the sellers. One would think that a (especially a Corvette) dealer who is told that their possible prospective customer has already walked from several previous Corvette's because of improper disclosure, would understand the same will occur by their own improper disclosure.
In Georgia, a recovered stolen car can be classified with a "rebuilt" title as well. I went to see the vehicle out of curiosity as I was mislead about the condition as the vehicle was very rough, so the price point did not matter.
Thank you for the information/replies - still in search for an 80'-82'!
One thing that is frustrating when searching for a used Corvette at below retail level is the lack of proper disclosure by the sellers. One would think that a (especially a Corvette) dealer who is told that their possible prospective customer has already walked from several previous Corvette's because of improper disclosure, would understand the same will occur by their own improper disclosure.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 7
From: Rochester NY
I just dealt with a similar situation - I purchased a 77 vette from a guy in VA his title did not say salvage - but it did have a new VIN from NY assigned. He was told by the prior owner that the car was stolen and recovered and reassigned a new vin. I talked with the NY DMV and they said that was the case. When I finally got the NY title sent to me it stated non-USA standard rebuilt/salvage title. Funny it did not state that on the VA title. But same deal in NY they said it was mostlikely recovered and they assigned a new vin. The car is perfect and no frame damage and very modified so - I was not looking for an all original car, I wanted a vette that had power and I take to shows..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
if the car was fixed years ago,and you dont see any problems with it now.then it was minor damage or it was fixed right .if it drives out well and looks good buy it and have some fun.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
CARFAX data are compiled by a company called R.L.Polk. Polk have been compiling registration data from the various authorities nationally since GM and Ford could not agree who was selling more cars. With the sheer volume of data this represents, it's only natural that errors exist in that database. The older the car, the higher the potential for error. I work with this data on a daily basis...
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 646
Likes: 17
From: Hendersonville NC
Two problens may pop up some insurance companys will only pay for half value of car if a total loss claim is filed. Most banks will not loan money on a car with salvage history,but if its cheap and you like it buy it.