If you were going to do a custom C3, would you start with a rebuilt/salvage title car
03-01-2012, 05:05 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
If you were going to do a custom C3, would you start with a rebuilt/salvage title car
Given it's straight or only minor body damage ???
If you're going to do a one-piece nose, aftermarket hood/flares, or body kit, why not start $$$$$ ahead.
Thoughts ?
If you're going to do a one-piece nose, aftermarket hood/flares, or body kit, why not start $$$$$ ahead.
Thoughts ?
Last edited by Fast81; 03-01-2012 at 05:20 PM.
03-01-2012, 06:06 PM
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
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Hi,
I believe even a newly built custom or race car is tainted with a salvage title.
I agree with bn... some looking will find you a car with a good title and VIN to be the basis for your custom.
Regards,
Alan
I believe even a newly built custom or race car is tainted with a salvage title.
I agree with bn... some looking will find you a car with a good title and VIN to be the basis for your custom.
Regards,
Alan
03-01-2012, 06:09 PM
#6
Safety Car
Don't ever use a salvage title car for anything you might sell down the road, use them for parts.
I wouldn't buy a salvage title car for $1 if I thought down the road I was going to sell it.
A couple of good examples are flood cars from down south, they look good but the whole wiring system is rusted inside the plastic covering.
And a front end wreck where none of the grounds are hooked back up or a grafted back in.
I wouldn't buy a salvage title car for $1 if I thought down the road I was going to sell it.
A couple of good examples are flood cars from down south, they look good but the whole wiring system is rusted inside the plastic covering.
And a front end wreck where none of the grounds are hooked back up or a grafted back in.
03-01-2012, 06:17 PM
#7
Drifting
It is one of those cases where you will save some money at the beginning but lose more at the other end. No matter how much work you do to it or how minor the damage was, it will always be a salvaged title and will scare people and maybe even insurance companies away.
IF you want to do it, I'd take photos and document the entire process, especially the before pictures to show the minor damage, just in case you want to sell it in the future and MAYBE you might find a new buyer. If I see a salvage title, I would just keep walking if I were a buyer regardless of the condition.
You should be able to find one being parted out that you could start with for close to the same kind of money.
IF you want to do it, I'd take photos and document the entire process, especially the before pictures to show the minor damage, just in case you want to sell it in the future and MAYBE you might find a new buyer. If I see a salvage title, I would just keep walking if I were a buyer regardless of the condition.
You should be able to find one being parted out that you could start with for close to the same kind of money.
03-01-2012, 07:38 PM
#8
Race Director
NO! For all the same reasons stated above. There is plenty of material out there that will never be NCRS again or even somewhat correct that have "good" titles. Hack away.
03-01-2012, 09:24 PM
#12
Safety Car
In some states, you`ll never get a tag or registration with a "salvage" title. Check your local DMV and state laws.
03-01-2012, 09:43 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Nope. There are thousands of these things on side streets and in garages everywhere... why would you want to start with a chassis which has already been declared beyond repair? I currently have a vintage motorcycle for sale which I built with no intention of ever selling... guess what it lacks a title... I am probably SOL in recovring even the cost of parts unless I disassemble it and sell it piecemeal. Don't do it.
03-01-2012, 10:30 PM
#15
Race Director
http://www.dmv.org/nj-new-jersey/salvaged-vehicles.php
No state will register or tag a salvage titled vehicle.
They will however, inspect and issue a rebuilt title to replace the salvage title for a vehicle that has been repaired to their requirements and then a registration or tag can be obtained as easily as for any other car.
03-02-2012, 12:45 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2011
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um not true i have bought several salvage title vehicles in several states indiana missouri kansas an california all title tagged and insured my current is an 06 quad cab gmc canyon it got hit in the pass front fender and rolled the a arm under the engine bent the frame i bought it 42k miles for 3k dollars put 1500 into new frame section and other new gm dealer parts (had a connection 
) and have been driving it tagged registed and insured in california the strictest registration state in the nation for 3 years love that little truck i like buying newer salvage title vehicles but a c3 probly not your best bet my last salvage vehicle was in 2003 a 1998 buick skylark hail damage totaled it on dealer lot in IN got it for $1500 it was for sale two days before for $7k never got the body fixed i put a 200 front and rear windshield in it and drove it for over a hundred thousand miles buicks are beautiful cars
the reason i wouldnt buy salvage is that for 3-7k there are a bunch of clean title vettes that may or may not need less work than a salvage title car piece of mind is priceless
) and have been driving it tagged registed and insured in california the strictest registration state in the nation for 3 years love that little truck i like buying newer salvage title vehicles but a c3 probly not your best bet my last salvage vehicle was in 2003 a 1998 buick skylark hail damage totaled it on dealer lot in IN got it for $1500 it was for sale two days before for $7k never got the body fixed i put a 200 front and rear windshield in it and drove it for over a hundred thousand miles buicks are beautiful cars the reason i wouldnt buy salvage is that for 3-7k there are a bunch of clean title vettes that may or may not need less work than a salvage title car piece of mind is priceless
03-02-2012, 12:58 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
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even if repaired a salvage title vehicle always stays a salvage title vehicle. federal laws an highway saftey regualtions say they have to maintain a record of the fact they are salvage or previously been considered salvaged on the title. to prevent misleading information to future owner or purchaser of the car at all times. my trucks california title on the vehicle history box says salvage in huge letters. i never had it inspected outside of smog i just smoged after i fixed it and reregistered it. in Mo and indiana the buick's title was stamped salvage in a water mark across the entire title different states different ways of doing things but same idea
03-02-2012, 04:30 AM
#19
Race Director
California apparently actually calls their rebuilds a "revived salvage" vehicle and other than the smog requirements, seems pretty lax in their inspection procedure. Different than a "salvage certificate" issued for a total.
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource..._Vehicles.html
Indiana, Missouri and Kansas all have "branded" titles, rebuilt or previous salvage etc. and inspection requirements if tagging in the home state.
Illinois is probably the most strict state, where only a licensed dealer or rebuilder can rebuild and obtain roadworthy titles.
I was buying insurance totals, even before most states had salvage titles.
You will always take a hit on selling a branded title car, it's just a numbers game, but some cars have very little damage to get totaled.
As jesse10886, pointed out, there are some very good deals to be had, especially if they will be your driver.
If it were cheap enough, only required paint and would end up profitable when sold, yes I would do it.
People do make a living repairing this stuff.
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResource..._Vehicles.html
Indiana, Missouri and Kansas all have "branded" titles, rebuilt or previous salvage etc. and inspection requirements if tagging in the home state.
Illinois is probably the most strict state, where only a licensed dealer or rebuilder can rebuild and obtain roadworthy titles.
I was buying insurance totals, even before most states had salvage titles.
You will always take a hit on selling a branded title car, it's just a numbers game, but some cars have very little damage to get totaled.
As jesse10886, pointed out, there are some very good deals to be had, especially if they will be your driver.
If you were going to do a custom C3, would you start with a rebuilt/salvage title car
Given it's straight or only minor body damage ???
If you're going to do a one-piece nose, aftermarket hood/flares, or body kit, why not start $$$$$ ahead.
Thoughts ?
Given it's straight or only minor body damage ???
If you're going to do a one-piece nose, aftermarket hood/flares, or body kit, why not start $$$$$ ahead.
Thoughts ?
People do make a living repairing this stuff.
03-02-2012, 06:37 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
not looking for resale or "flipping" it
I've just been tempted by a few 80-82s that look like $8-9K cars, but asking $4-5k.
given i'm a modifier and have never sold a vette i've bought, i just wanted some input on being "drawn to the darkside"..................
I've just been tempted by a few 80-82s that look like $8-9K cars, but asking $4-5k.
given i'm a modifier and have never sold a vette i've bought, i just wanted some input on being "drawn to the darkside"..................