salvage/rebuilt?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 12
From: k-town
salvage/rebuilt?
ok I have been looking for a vette for little over a month or so, I found 1996 corvette coupe polo green, not the lt4,it has 74,000 miles on it he wanted $8000 but I got him down to $7000, I have not seen the car in person yet, it about 1 1/2 hours away, I ran the vin number and did not say its been in a accident but says salvage/rebuilt on the title, the pictures look great! Has any one here know about titles with salvage/rebuilt on them, should one walk way?
Rick
Rick
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Yeah, overpriced for an "ugly" title.
As long as you know EXACTLY what you are getting, I wouldn't be scared of a salvage title vehicle. The price does have to reflect the title though (this one doesn't). It could simply be a theft recovery that had enough parts taken from it to make it a salvage (not a bad thing once all parts are replaced), or it could have been in a wreck and still have some concealed damage that could show up later.
I would take a pass on this one because of price.
BTW, my dd (not the vette) was bought with a salvage title and it runs and drives all day long with no worries.
As long as you know EXACTLY what you are getting, I wouldn't be scared of a salvage title vehicle. The price does have to reflect the title though (this one doesn't). It could simply be a theft recovery that had enough parts taken from it to make it a salvage (not a bad thing once all parts are replaced), or it could have been in a wreck and still have some concealed damage that could show up later.
I would take a pass on this one because of price.
BTW, my dd (not the vette) was bought with a salvage title and it runs and drives all day long with no worries.
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,797
Likes: 2,721
From: So. Cal.
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Salvage
Salvage title is like getting the old maid card. Will limit who will buy it if you resale. JMO.........
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Cars with salvage titles have a place in society.
If they were properly repaired from whatever caused them to be slapped with a salvage title, They can often be had for 70% or less than an equal car with a clean title.
For a guy like me, I would not have a problem with a salvage title, again, assuming it was properly repaired.
I bought my 87 in 1991 with a clean title, and have been enjoying the hell out of it for 18 years. If the word "salvage" was written on that piece of paper would not have taken away a spec of the enjoyment I have had over the years.
If they were properly repaired from whatever caused them to be slapped with a salvage title, They can often be had for 70% or less than an equal car with a clean title.
For a guy like me, I would not have a problem with a salvage title, again, assuming it was properly repaired.
I bought my 87 in 1991 with a clean title, and have been enjoying the hell out of it for 18 years. If the word "salvage" was written on that piece of paper would not have taken away a spec of the enjoyment I have had over the years.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
salvage has no resale, and they can have many hidden issues. I looked at buying a salveged c5(99) 65K miles theft recovery 4 years ago for 10k shipped., and it only had a broken targa, sliced hood, slice in a fender from theif running it through a chain link fence., the rest was minor scratches, he only got up to the targa.
so for 10k I was getting the car and a matching targa(instead of the glass) and he had a hood, and shipped.
I was not planning on resale of course just to have a c5, because I was sick of my other c4, but now I have an auto c4 vert LOL.
It's all up to what you can live with or want. I think sometimes I would have been a lot happier with that car, and more free to do what I want with it.
so for 10k I was getting the car and a matching targa(instead of the glass) and he had a hood, and shipped.
I was not planning on resale of course just to have a c5, because I was sick of my other c4, but now I have an auto c4 vert LOL.
It's all up to what you can live with or want. I think sometimes I would have been a lot happier with that car, and more free to do what I want with it.
Last edited by pologreen1; May 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Whidbey Island Washington
ok I have been looking for a vette for little over a month or so, I found 1996 corvette coupe polo green, not the lt4,it has 74,000 miles on it he wanted $8000 but I got him down to $7000, I have not seen the car in person yet, it about 1 1/2 hours away, I ran the vin number and did not say its been in a accident but says salvage/rebuilt on the title, the pictures look great! Has any one here know about titles with salvage/rebuilt on them, should one walk way?
Rick
Rick
Here's an example of this...
Last edited by ZRWON; May 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
I've fixed and driven Salvage cars for years. The major problem with them, outside of perception, is that you can't get a loan on them. Vettes generally get salvaged for less problems than other cars in my experience. If I remember correctly, the insurance company will deduct about 30% for salvage title if it becomes a total loss again. One of the trouble with salvage is scams, people stealing a car and then switching the numbers off the totaled car or vice versa, using a hot car for repair parts on the salvaged vehicle. There are a lot of cars out there that have had as much damage, or more, that are not reported on Carfax or the like (have clean titles). Salvage cars are a good way to save 30%-40% on a car. Just be aware that when you sell it, you will probably have to take that much less for it. In the mean time, the difference is in your pocket. If salvage is a big issue, don't buy it. $7000 for a LT4 car sounds like a hell of a deal.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Florida
There is a shop in Tampa that rebuilds wrecked vette's. That is their only business. I bought my vette from an older gentleman that purchased it from that shop.
The car looks great,pulls hard and straight, and has had only minor maintenance that would be expected with a 14yo car. I saved about 35% on the cost of the car.
I know that the car will be worth less when I sell, but even with a rebuilt title, I could probably get decent money for it(very clean 45k miles, red , ragtop, 6 speed) . The thing is, I don't plan on selling it .....ever
The car looks great,pulls hard and straight, and has had only minor maintenance that would be expected with a 14yo car. I saved about 35% on the cost of the car.
I know that the car will be worth less when I sell, but even with a rebuilt title, I could probably get decent money for it(very clean 45k miles, red , ragtop, 6 speed) . The thing is, I don't plan on selling it .....ever
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
There is a shop in Tampa that rebuilds wrecked vette's. That is their only business. I bought my vette from an older gentleman that purchased it from that shop.
The car looks great,pulls hard and straight, and has had only minor maintenance that would be expected with a 14yo car. I saved about 35% on the cost of the car.
I know that the car will be worth less when I sell, but even with a rebuilt title, I could probably get decent money for it(very clean 45k miles, red , ragtop, 6 speed) . The thing is, I don't plan on selling it .....ever
The car looks great,pulls hard and straight, and has had only minor maintenance that would be expected with a 14yo car. I saved about 35% on the cost of the car.
I know that the car will be worth less when I sell, but even with a rebuilt title, I could probably get decent money for it(very clean 45k miles, red , ragtop, 6 speed) . The thing is, I don't plan on selling it .....ever
