Hello everyone,
I'm considering importing a vehicle to Canada from Hollywood, Florida and have been informed the vehicle has a rebuilt title. Apparently this was due to theft, not damage I've also been told. Do you guys know if this is possible or does it sound a little 'fishy' to you.
Also if anyone is in the area I'm wondering if you would look at it and give me some honest feedback please?
PM me for details!
Appreciate it,
Jay

 

Between 20-30,000 C5 Corvettes were built each year from 1997-2004.

It would likely be in your best interests to look for a car without a salvage title.

Just my 2 cents.....

 

Over the last few years there has been a lot of discussion and debate about cars with a salvage title. Most of the opinions and outcomes have not been positive. This is from my memory and should not be considered a complete list, however some of the comments and issues expressed here have been.

1. Value / Resale Value with a salvage title.
2. Could be difficult to get insurance.
3. Hidden problems. Things behind the cosmetic skin of the vehicle. Typically from a crash.
4. Electrical problems. Typically from a flood.

Here's an article from edmunds.com

Salvage Title Cars

Mention to a prospective buyer that the car has a salvage title, and they run in terror. Still, others have owned these cars and driven them for years. What is a salvage title and can these cars ever be a smart buy?

When a car has been severely damaged (either in an accident, or because of a flood or theft) the insurance company estimates how much it will cost to fix. At some point, the cost of repairs is more than the car is worth. Therefore, the car is often sold to a salvage company and used for parts. To protect future buyers, the car is given a salvage title.

In some cases, the salvage company, or an enterprising body shop, might fix up the car and try to sell it. Naturally, the price of the car will be below similar models' because it has a salvage title. The danger is that the car was improperly repaired. The biggest problem is with the alignment of the wheels — if the frame has been bent, it is difficult and expensive to straighten. A bent frame will cause abnormal tire wear and improper handling characteristics.

"Some states require (totaled) vehicles to be branded as salvage cars," Lovejoy said. "But if it is sold in another state, and re-titled, it can be sold to Mrs. Jones as a straight-up used car. She doesn't know it has been cut together from pieces of different cars."

Both Lovejoy and Shebesta advised extreme caution when considering the purchase of a car with a salvage title.

"I know of some cars that have gone through body shops and been made into drivable cars," Lovejoy said. "But keep in mind that if you buy a salvage title car, the chances of selling it to someone else and recouping your money are very slim. If you buy a salvage title car, you might want to count on keeping it until the wheels fall off."

John Mallette, from Face Lift Inc., also advised buyers to be cautious. However, he added, "sometimes it works when you're dealing with a theft recovery where there was little damage. You might save $3,000, $4,000, $5,000. But you will lose that right off the top when you go to sell it."

 

Hello and thanks everyone for the feedback so far. I did however have some specific questions and I have obviously not completed my investigations yet.
Again, what I really need to understand is this;
'Apparently this was due to theft, not damage I've also been told. Do you guys know if this is possible or does it sound a little 'fishy' to you'
If the car has been stolen and not wrecked it may be worth looking into as I'm not in a position to pay retail for a 'clean' C5 right now.
Thanks again

 

you cannot cross the border into canada with a salvage title car.

 

they will only accept clear title cars.

 

My understanding is, if you're going to use it as a track/race car only, and never register it for the street, you can import. Recommend you keep looking for a car with clean history in same price range -- they are out there. (Try searching on craigslist.com.)

 

Okay the reason I was asking about the theft as opposed to actual body damage is because customs said, as long as the vehicle is certified and repaired by the manufacturer (a dealer) with proof of such then it is no problem.