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I wouldnt buy a car with a rebuilt/salvage title, not because of the possible history, but because it simply is far more difficult to sell. Whether people agree with it or not, many people wont consider such a car, and those that would will face a serious devaluation at resale time.
Its the opposite of a "no excuses" car. Too much hassle.
If you get the car for next to nothing, plan to race it or whatever or never sell it, I guess.
I inspected a car at Bloomington years ago that looked good, was low miles and had a nice price. It had a rebuilt title. I advised against it, but the guy bought it anyway and enjoyed the car for years. He did have trouble selling, though. Its a personal call.
No reason to assume if it was rebuilt, passed a state inspection, the car would be a POS. No idea what drives the mean spirited remarks from some... What's gained?
I'd expect a discounted price given the stigma. Could be a great driver for much less $$.
Not mean, just truth? The highlighted, that's kind of a mistake....you buy for less, you sell for less. Thing is, you drove a questionable car, in most cases. I don't care how good you try, that factory fit is next to impossible to match, therefore creaks and cracks...
The salvage rebuilt car may not be "as much" of as POS it was before the rebuild, but it "was" some kind of POS....... (there's a reason the titles screwed). And that's enough.
Not only wouldn't I want a car with a salvage title, I won't even keep a car after it's been hit/damaged significantly!
Quick anecdote: the Mrs. was fortunate to own a 2015.5. She was quite unfortunate, to have had two accidents within 18 months....The damages combined were over half of the cars value, but not totaled...Needless to go further, I traded the car in, yes at a loss, and bought a new 2017.
Crazy right? Not to me....
Last edited by Don Rickles; Feb 1, 2018 at 06:50 PM.
Reason: sp
Hand restored cars like alans, vettebuyers, Jeff's, richards and many others on here a have far superior build and fit quailty than the factory ever had,
Old unrestored cars have the rattles, creaks and moans its just inherent....hence why people restore old cars.
I fall in the camp that would avoid a rebuilt title because of resale. At some point most of us sell and look for something else and a rebuilt title is really going to turn off potential buyers. However I care less about the fact it may have been damaged at some point. Many Corvettes have been wrecked over the years and restored without a "rebuilt" title. I know a guy who has a beautiful 67 that has been built from a couple of cars but it has a clean title. Don't be fooled into thinking that a clean title means it has no damage history. The last issue of the NCM magazine had an article on the museum's insurance and featured a C2 that had been wrecked but was being restored again. I guarantee that it is not going to have it's title rebranded.
Last edited by blue67ragtop; Feb 2, 2018 at 01:02 PM.
Not mean, just truth? The highlighted, that's kind of a mistake....you buy for less, you sell for less. Thing is, you drove a questionable car, in most cases. I don't care how good you try, that factory fit is next to impossible to match, therefore creaks and cracks...
The salvage rebuilt car may not be "as much" of as POS it was before the rebuild, but it "was" some kind of POS....... (there's a reason the titles screwed). And that's enough.
Not only wouldn't I want a car with a salvage title, I won't even keep a car after it's been hit/damaged significantly!
Quick anecdote: the Mrs. was fortunate to own a 2015.5. She was quite unfortunate, to have had two accidents within 18 months....The damages combined were over half of the cars value, but not totaled...Needless to go further, I traded the car in, yes at a loss, and bought a new 2017.
Crazy right? Not to me....
I was actually referring to this line ...
"They don't call them "salvage" titles for nothing. Nothing but hidden defects, shotty repairs, and a for sure rattle trap....".
The statement that the repairs will be 'shotty', it will be a 'rattle trap' and will have hidden defects is tough to justify. I'm sure there are many people out there who can do an excellent job of rebuilding most anything, probably better than factory. There may be some rebuilders who take short cuts but I'm sure not every one of them. If the car is a rattle trap it will be noticed on the test drive. I've experienced a few corvette rattle traps which did not have a rebuilt title.
The statement struck me as more a case of your opinion about rebuilt Corvettes than fact. I say much depends on the skill of the rebuilder.
So far as resale issues are concerned, there will be a much smaller pool of buyers to sell to given the stigma.
The statement struck me as more a case of your opinion about rebuilt Corvettes than fact. I say much depends on the skill of the rebuilder.
So far as resale issues are concerned, there will be a much smaller pool of buyers to sell to given the stigma.
I agree, my statement is of opinion. Along with seeing way too many cars "fixed" by those trying to flip and make a buck, with these types of salvage/rebuilt cars.
I will stand by my words, that it's next to impossible to get em just right, where there's no squeaks (less then before said damages). Once it's been taken apart, they're just not the same. Now, which should have gone without saying, a car that's in the process of restoration, for close to two decades might be an exception.
I have no idea how long restorations like say alans or a resto mod like richards take,
I still believe restored cars, nice ncrs restorations or well built restro mods not hack jobs are far better built, better fitting and far less shakes rattles and rolls than the basic assembly line built c3 that has been around 40 some odd years ,
Im just guessing but i bet most ncrs guys when handed their award feel their car is better than the factory built it,
And far better than bfore it as restored...
My 1978 is titled as a 1985 because it was a stolen recovery up north somewhere and it was issued a new vin by that state. I didn't care because it was a solid car I got at a great price because of the title. I was going to hot rod it and not restore it anyway.
I value my car as the sum of its parts and not as a 78 Vette. I may get a few thousand less when I sell it but I got it for a few thousand less when I bought it so it's a wash.
Last edited by Cool95vette; Feb 2, 2018 at 06:59 PM.
I fall in the camp that would avoid a rebuilt title because of resale. At some point most of us sell and look for something else and a rebuilt title is really going to turn off potential buyers. However I care less about the fact it may have been damaged at some point. Many Corvettes have been wrecked over the years and restored without a "rebuilt" title. I know a guy who has a beautiful 67 that has been built from a couple of cars but it has a clean title. Don't be fooled into thinking that a clean title means it has no damage history. The last issue of the NCM magazine had an article on the museum's insurance and featured a C2 that had been wrecked but was being restored again. I guarantee that it is not going to have it's title rebranded.
I enjoy these blem title threads i truly believe the guys who would never ever no matter wht buy a vette with a blem title,
I know as fact it reduces both the buy it and sell it for prices,
I see a few guys buy vettes with blem titles and love them they are not all junk, Just because,
But the irony is while it would seem from a thread like this that 98% of blem titled corvettes sit waiting to be led to landfill as junk the supply and prices of c2 and special c3s with blem titles isnt reflecting this,
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 2, 2018 at 08:06 PM.
I enjoy these blem title threads i truly believe the guys who would never ever no matter wht buy a vette with a blem title,
I know as fact it reduces both the buy it and sell it for prices,
I see a few guys buy vettes with blem titles and love them they are not all junk, Just because,
But the irony is while it would seem from a thread like this that 98% of blem titled corvettes sit waiting to be led to landfill as junk the supply and prices of c2 and special c3s with blem titles isnt reflecting this,
As I mentioned, my problem with "problem titles" is more based on past experience with the government agencies than it is with the value of the vehicle.
And I agree with bats... between the heat shield, sound deadener, new rubbers & seals, AND I know how to use a torque wrench.... so there better NOT be any "squeaks and rattles" in this bitch when I`m done!
As I mentioned, my problem with "problem titles" is more based on past experience with the government agencies than it is with the value of the vehicle.
And I agree with bats... between the heat shield, sound deadener, new rubbers & seals, AND I know how to use a torque wrench.... so there better NOT be any "squeaks and rattles" in this bitch when I`m done!
GTO, I’ll concede a Corvette may be treated somewhat differently then the average car. As far as the time and care given to it’s repairs. Not including the Op’s Searched car..... flood cars are DONE and I’d bet my life it’s a squeaker! And will most likely have additional problems, wiring, smells etc.....
The question originally posted did not limit the conversation to Corvettes. Nothing like the factory fit, even at the speeds of the line. I too hope after you’ve spent the hours on your project, it comes together well.
lets see some progress photos of your work, maybe a new thread though!
Im posting from my phone so excuse any errors ...
In Fun, no restomods, or salvage cars in my garage! Except Finwolf, only because he has a great sense of humor, like you Mr. Goat!
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Feb 3, 2018 at 12:48 PM.
I'm with the others, I would be hesitant to sink money in a collector car with a tainted title, bad resale problems. An everyday beater, not a problem. A newer car with all the very complicated computer controlled systems, gobs of electronic accessories, not for me.
But again it would depend on a lot of things if i wanted it or not,
A late model with more computers than the moon launch had will be in far worse shape than some old pre comp car from water damage
But if a car smelled, good title or blem i would move on
There is no way the gm assembly line built a c3 as tight, free of squeeks rattles and rolls and with as much care to all those little details as the hand-built restored and or restro mod cars like jims, alans, richards,vbs, jeffs and many other forum members cars go to prove.
Don't get me wrong i bet in 69 my car was a hum dinger,
But like with all old 40 plus year old cars time takes its toll,
Last edited by The13Bats; Feb 3, 2018 at 06:54 PM.
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That's a fact. 
