The seller might be a "nice guy", but he KNOWS the car had a Salvage title. It was probably hit bad, maybe rear end (no airbag deployment). He collected the insurance $$$ for the totaled car, then maybe sold it to a body guy to try and get it back together. Knowing you cannot register(or VERY hard to) a Salvage titled vehicle in the US, he decided to export it to get as much $$$ as he can.

If he is willing to take it back, DO IT NOW!!!! Listen to everyone here. Otherwise you will never get the car right.

V.

 

Sorry to hear about this. I bet the only reason that car ever wound up in your country was so that it could be sold without knowledge of the salvage title. As if the British don't think badly enouph about our cars already, we send them our salvage units. I think it all comes down to what the inspection tells you and what you learn about the what really happened to the car. But that huge panel gap is a very bad sign. You will notice you don't see people complaining about that on the forum here because it is NOT normal. Good luck.

 

Dump it , that being said------ My daughter was involved in an accident that caused very little body damage BUT the windshield shattered. The interior was full of glass dust and it also got into the duct work. The car was totaled by the insurance Co. because they could not be sure the glass could be cleaned out of the duct work. The car had 2,000 miles on it. There was maybe $2500 worth of damage on a $25000 car, so you just don't know. Just my $0.02

 

Thanks again, I am gutted about this.

The history of the car is as follows:

Bought 2004 as private lease vehicle
Declared Salvage Title 06/06/05 by Pittsburgh, PA. Motor Dept.
Exported from New York, NY to the United Kindgom for a buyer in Southhampton
Sold to the guy I bought it off after 6 months
Sold to me after 6 months.

Like I said, I have spoken to the importer. I'll try to get some more info from him.

He said he knew about the salvage title, and so did the owner in Southhampton but it was only minor damage to one wing.

If it was damaged badly, someone knows and I don't think it was the person I bought it off.

The VIN is 1G1YY22GX45108600, i'll put up another post asking to check it out.

 

PA and other states do not issued salvage titles for minor damages. Cars are most likely in a major wreck or flood that the insurance company had totaled the car. Don't be fooled this seller will suddenly disappear into the night.

 

If he has offered to take it back, do it.

 

One thing i've just noticed looking over the CarFax report again is that it reads:

06/06/2005

Pennsylvania Motor Dept, Pittsburgh PA.

SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Registered as Lease Vehicle

What does this mean, was it repaired and re-registered as a lease? Or can you register a wreck as a lease vehicle in the same state.

Tom

 

A GM check has come back saying it was 'junk'.

The seller is going to take it back if we can sort out a couple of problems:

The Deposit, he is trying to get it back but the other guy is saying no. If he can't we are going to split it - $4k, so we both lose $2000.

I need to try and get my week long ownership removed from the log book.

I paid about $40000 for the car, it is worth around $50000. If it proves to be straight after a check, would it be worth keeping? Is the salvage title enough to just get shot of it?

 

Although tempting to keep, I have to join the chorus of voices that say you should cut your losses and run. Consider this:
If for whatever reason you decide you don't want to keep it long term, whether because problems show up later or you simply find you don't enjoy it as much as you thought you would, you will have to disclose the salvage title to any future buyer. Not only does it reduce the sale price, but it also greatly extends the sales time. You might be able to find a buyer for a trouble-free vehicle in 2 weeks, but you'll probably have to wait 3 months to find someone willing to take a chance on something with a salvage US title. A chance you want to take?

More importantly, if the panels aren't straight and doors don't close smoothly, there is something wrong. It will show up. Alignment, handling, bolts that won't stay tight. I'd imagine you have dreams of taking over to Germany where you can open it up? I'd never consider taking anything with a potentially twisted frame over 200kph (I lived in DE for 5 years - gotta love the German attitude to speed!) And you darned well don't want to be up on some Italian mountain side enjoying the twisties when a sway bar bolt wiggles loose.

The C5 is a great car - I wish I could take mine back to Germany right now and make the Berlin-Frankfurt AM run. But I'd advise waiting for a good quality one. There are 5 or 6 quality exporters who can prepare and transport a car from the US to UK. Line up an exporter and then search Autotrader and cars.com for something you like, preferable in the NY/NJ area where it's easiest to export from. Then post something in the NE Region forum asking one of us to check it out for you. Heck, if you want it tuned by someone like Chuck of Corvettes of Westchester before it gets sent to you, we can probably find a way to make it happen. But start with a good car. It's really worth it.

 

Cheers, I know you are right.

I was intending to cruise down to the south of france in it, via a few autobahns of course

I am totally gutted at the moment, I certainly won't be able to get a 6 speed Le Mans for $40000 to the UK. I love that colour

I'll hopefully be able to get rid of it, but i'm hooked now- i'll be back

 

I don't know what year you had, but I picked up a 2003 Electron Blue 6 SPD Coupe with 44K miles for $24,500 last fall in Long Island. A few scratches, but tires and maintenance records were fine.

I don't think many (if any) safety mods need to be done for UK export (already set up with a kph speedometer, a replacement exhaust system if required for $1200 or so). Prep and shipping should be $800 to $1000. 18% VAT adds another $5000 or so. The exporter may charge another $1000 or so. Still, you're under $40K by a safe margin. And since UK benzine is a higher quality than in the US, you can easily support some forced injection - let ECS (in NJ) put on a supercharger first (under $10K) and you'd have something that would positively humiliate those nose-in-the-air Lambo and Ferrari drivers.

 

You're not far off, a $30k US car would be about £22k to the the UK once the government have stolen their share.

The one sat in my garage now is an 2004 with 9k on the clock, it has the Z06 chrome alloys on. It looks awesome.

You've cheered me up no end, i'll definately be shopping for another one if he takes mine back. It might mean another holiday

 

It's a great time to buy if you have the stomach for importing. The dollar/pound ratio is definately working in your favor.

If you need one of us North-Easterners to check something out state-side for you, just post something in the NE Region forum (or send me a PM). Same holds true if you're going to be in the area checking out something in person.

BTW - I've heard about the Isle of Man races from some friends - are they motorbikes only, or do they block off the roads for some auto races too?

TC

 

I might take you up on your kind offer if I can get rid of this one and spot a good one in the NY/NJ area.

I was in California a couple of weeks ago, the strong pound makes things very cheap at the moment.

The Isle of Man TT is a bike race, there are no speed limits outside towns on the Isle of Man any time. I've never been there, but the roads are tight and twisty - there are often fatalaties in the bike races.

 

Hey , outatime,
I feel for yea' man
But you knowm you really do have to get this vehicle back off your hands ASAP
To be honest, $40k is far too much money for a C5, even with sub 10k miles.
I was in Houston, Great State of Texas, for 3 months, picked up a 2004 lemans blue convertible. Commemorative Edition.
All the extras,
64xx miles onthe clock.
$37k
Now it is in the UK.
just done the SVA, and the MOT,
Don't forget to buy a set of Euro tail lights over there before you bring your new 'vette back to UK.
Just get shut of that one back to whoever you got it off,, and get as much of your cash back as posible.



look around, I am sure you will get one just like your dreams.
G.

 

Nice car, I saw your post on the CCUK forum.

Just to clarify, the car I bought has been in the UK for over a year. I paid £20000 for what I thought was a mint car with a couple of ****les - lazy light, needs new tyres. I still think 20k was a good price, unfortunately it has a few skeletons in its closet.

I might be in touch for a bit of advice when I find the right car

 

,
,
Anytime.
I know it must be a pita when you think you might have bought a great bargain, or might be a death trap.
But seriously, if you have any doubts, then for peace of mind, because, I know we all say we will be carefull, but when your up north of 1.5 leptons, you need to believe that all them ball joints are as good now as the day they came out the factory.
No second chances, and these Corvette's will run north of 1.5 leptons soooooo easy.
G.
p.s. are you going to Stars and Stripes end of June?

 

Thanks.

I'll hopefully of got rid of it by the end of June, I'll consider my options if and when i've got the cash back. I can't go back to any other car now!

 

And......I have a feeling the title will show you sold it in 6 months, then it will show sold again in 6 months and......

 

I was actually intending to sell it on again at the end of the summer, so it would have shown that anyway.

We'll see whether the current seller coughs up the money

Edited to say: I won't be hiding the history on it, whatever happens.