Got a question about titles
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Valley MO
Got a question about titles
Salvage titles that is. A 78 2-tone silver Anniversery Edition, hit in the back, needs rear bumper and some glass work but missed the frame. How much would the salvage title affect the resale of this car if I were to buy it and repair ( with before, during and after the repair proceess). they want 5k for it. only 60k miles and good shape. I will know more on sunday when I go look at it.
That Salvage Title kinda scares me.
Any thoughts?
Thanks Larry
That Salvage Title kinda scares me.
Any thoughts?
Thanks Larry
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Got a question about titles (69vette66)
IMO a salvage title vehicle is worth at most HALF of what the same vehicle would be worth with a clear title. In your case, I would have a hard time paying $6k for a clear titled 78 with rear end damage, much less a salvage titled one.
Most people will run from any salvaged vehicle no matter what the price is, and rightly so, there are really some horror stories out there.
Here is my experience, my first vehicle was a salvaged small truck that had been reconstructed out of three total losses. I always had problems with the brakes not releasing all the way, and about five years after it was reconstructed the manual transmission started leaking oil. Upon tear down my mechanic found a rust filled tranny, it must have been submerged at one time. Besides that it just never felt right, lots of squeeks and rattles. I know the guy who put it together, I really think he did the best he could with what he had. But I doubt I'll ever go the salvage route again.
Most people will run from any salvaged vehicle no matter what the price is, and rightly so, there are really some horror stories out there.
Here is my experience, my first vehicle was a salvaged small truck that had been reconstructed out of three total losses. I always had problems with the brakes not releasing all the way, and about five years after it was reconstructed the manual transmission started leaking oil. Upon tear down my mechanic found a rust filled tranny, it must have been submerged at one time. Besides that it just never felt right, lots of squeeks and rattles. I know the guy who put it together, I really think he did the best he could with what he had. But I doubt I'll ever go the salvage route again.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Got a question about titles (69vette66)
Have you verified that the frame is ok? In any case, the future value of that car will always be well below one without a salvage title. Even if you can bring it up to perfect specs, you probably will have trouble finding another buyer that's willing to pay anywhere close to what you put into it to get it there. If you fall in love with this particular car,are certain that you will keep it for a long time, and are able to do the repairs yourself, buying it might make sense. Keep in mind that the cost of fixing/restoring a car is the same regardless of it's title. This $5,000 car could easilly take another $10,000 to fix (priced paint jobs lately?) and perhaps double that to make perfect. The end result is a car that the majority of buyers will run away from due to it's title. IMO, I'd pass on this one.
