Would anyone buy a Vette with a salvage title? Saw a very clean car for a very reasonable price.

 

Maybe, it depends. If I was pretty sure I was going to keep it for a very long time I might.

Can it ever receive a clean title? Some can and some can't.

The thing you have to understand about a salvage title is it's determined by the insurance company based purely on economics. Some cars are of course trashed, others can be repaired but the insurance company has decided they don't want to based on economics.

I would check on the insurance of it though. Some insurance companies won't insure them and others I think may. But check the fine print.

Just went through this with my wifes car. They was going to repair it but the dealer called us in to look at the dash. The dash had 3 holes in it the size of a pencil lead or smaller. That alone caused it to go over the threshold and they totaled it. Now then, a dash with a hole the size of pencil lead determined a car was totaled? Okie dokie then.

I think a guy at the body shop bought it and is reparing it without the dash. The dash was really getting **** but my wife didn't want a wrecked car and was planning on trading it in a year or so anyway.

 

If you ever plan on selling it no. Unless you don't pay much for it and plan on keeping it.

 

That's a great question.
Many will reply no, without any reservations, but there are several reasons why a salvage car might be a good piurchase.

First off you need to know why it was 'totaled'.
If it was a flood car, don't even consider it.
On the other hand, if it's a early model C-5 that has recently been 'totaled; it could be a great buy.

First off, the amount of damage to an early C-5 can actually be quite minilmal for the insurance to write it off. With C-5 now approaching the $10,,000 mark for high mileage cars and less than $20,000 for a pristine later model, it doesn't take much damage for insurance to write them off. Front end body damage and sir bag activation could easily pass the $8,000 mark.

If there is no frame damage, and no water damage, these cars are repairable by any competent body shop. The body parts and all suspension parts are easily removed and replaced. Even matching the paint is less of a problem than the olden days

A couple of other factors to consider is what kind of insurance you will get and how long you will keep the car. Any 'salvage' Vette will have a lower resale value for the forseeable future.

 

Pretty simple really. Buy cheap & sell cheap if and when when the time comes. Someone will always be looking for a deal. As for insuring, we have three cars insured with reconstucted titles. I don't carry collision since that is my bussiness. But we have Liability & Comp on all three currently with Progressive. Never was asked about any title brand. Just gave them the VIN and that was it. In the event of a total loss they would find out and I have heard of them reducing the payoff then.

I can tell you that banks generally won't lend money on them which can make any higher priced R Title cars harder to move. Of course there are other ways to finance.

As far as the frame damage repairs always mentioned, that depends on how qualified the repair person is. I am currently doing this job on the one I bought in Sept. I can tell you it is different than any other car I have worked on. The rails can be straightened to a degree. My right rail with one buckle came out perfect but the left has too many to ever be right. I have a used section on the way.

GM has very clear instructions on where and how to section these. Those with the service manuals can read about it. It is actually considered easier to repair a C5 than a C4 because the rails can be sectioned. If the GM procedures are followed, there is no doubt in my mind the frame will be just as structurally strong as before the accident. However, this is very labor intensive to do correctly. The actual sectioning isn't a big deal but getting everything out of the way is. I'm working on the front and had to remove the engine, cradle with suspension, clutch master ect. Also, the repairer needs to be a good mig welder with some decent fabricating skills and able to measure acurately in 3 dimentions.

So if I were considering one with prior frame damage, I would want to know who did the work and their qualifications. Not a job for some guy that is just learning frame repair and welding.

Once the frame is right, a lot of guys could do the rest. Plastic, glue and a lot of sheetmetal screws. And of course the part everyone sees...the paintwork.

 

Just read the post again. To respond to would anyone buy one? The price they bring at salvage auction tells me somebody has to be. There is no way you are going to pay 7-9 grand for a wrecked C5 and make anything parting it out...IMO. BTW, the flood cars bring the most.

 

It all depends on what it was salvaged for, if it was accident damage then you would want to have a body shop inspect it and a mechanic inspect it. I have seen salvaged title cars come in that had whole quarter panels sculpted from bondo and the owners didnt know, there were no real repairs done, just slapped on 4-5in of bondo and paint it.

In some states a car can be a salvage title if its stolen and not recovered within 30 days ... CA is one of these states so its possible to find a good condition salvage title car that was never in an accident.

Flood I would stay away from

 

Then you know nothing about the value of salvage parts for C-5s

 

 

Well I think I do since I've been buying enough but not going to argue.

 

fenders$300 X4
hood $300
tops$300 - 750
Engine $2000-5000
Tranny 300-500
frame 250-750
doors stripped 200
mirrors 100
seats 100-700
steering column 100
front and rear suspension ????
Wheels 0 for wagons-700)
Computers---???? expensive for some older ones
Inner fenders 200 X2
rear end
rear facia---50 - 200
exhaust 0-1000
air bags 200+ X2
etc etc etc

 

ALL the answers on this thread were very accurate, from insurance issues to don't touch a flood car. From a dealers standpoint, most salvage title cars are passed over making the market lower for most models. Body shops and small lots will often purchase them but, the price must be very low. Make sure you know why the salvage title...plan on hidden surprises and hidden expenses. If your lucky enough not to encounter gremlins in your new ride consider yourself fortunate. I do know a guy has a '63 that has a salvaged title but, has also had a complete down to the frame restoration/re-build and it's georgous. Good Luck!

 

Like others said, "maybe" if I was going to keep it a long time.

I don't think I'd want to spend a lot of money fixing it up though. That salvage title will always have an effect on future buyers.

 

Nope, I would not.

 

I know one company that specializes in salvaged cars from GT-40's, Vettes to Bugatti's and they have no problem moving and making money on the cars! The buyers are happy to line up and pay. It's funny when I hear about how terrible it is to buy one. It does make a difference as long as the car was repaired the right way.

 

Do you have the tools and the talent to do your own repairs? If not then I would pass.

 

Yes I would, I buy my cars to use , not as investments.

 

A quick note... I used to be among those who would never consider buying a salvaged vehicle. For the reasons listed here. BUT if I had the cash I would try it now, having seen the work done on some exotic cars. I remember seeing a beautiful GT-40 going for 1/2 price.....yep that's right! I've seen hot C6 Z06's going for less than what you would expect.

Just think, there's a clown everyday that drives over his ability and wreaks a perfect hot car which will be picked up by Specialty shops geared just for these types of cars. And the next owner will pick it up for a song, drive the car, and laugh all day long!

 

I certainly would and I did I've had good luck with my car so far, and there is no guaranty that buying a supposedly "clean" title car does anything but help the seller get more money for the car. I felt that since I was buying the car alot cheaper because of this and the car was solid with no issues so why not. I could pay alot more and hope that it hasn't been fixed with no record of it being repaired (easy to do). If your thinking of modifying the car it's a good way to go as since the car is already cheaper and mods alot of times lower the value of a car to the general public. It wouldn't in my book because I wanted mods.

 

In most cases I doubt I would buy a car with a salvage title, but if I got a great deal, the car could be fixed without a tremendous outlay of cash and I wasn't going to sell it anytime soon, then I might.