Salvage title
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 44
From: Wapwallopen PA
Salvage title
Hi all, I currently have an 04 Comm.Ed. and love it. I have a chance to buy an 04 vert. with minor fresh water damage. It looks like the only problem is a driver seat that does not operate. No water in the oil or trans.fluid. Car looks great overall, tires and rims are fine and has fairly low miles. Anything else that can be damaged with a low water problem.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 80
From: Central NJ
If I had nickel for every time I said that and it turned out to be more than only one problem...I would have a lot of nickels.
Be thorough in your inspections. And with a flood damaged car, issues will not present itself right away so be prepared to acknowledge more problems will occur. Weight the deal you are getting against the time, money, and willingness to address those problems as they happen.
How high did the water get?
Be thorough in your inspections. And with a flood damaged car, issues will not present itself right away so be prepared to acknowledge more problems will occur. Weight the deal you are getting against the time, money, and willingness to address those problems as they happen.
How high did the water get?
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
The title of your thread says "salvage title"
Careful....
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 1,216
From: Wisconsin
For example read this current thread, salt water is a big factor but this intrusion sounds like the same level as yours
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...placement.html
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,628
Likes: 4,074
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Hi all, I currently have an 04 Comm.Ed. and love it. I have a chance to buy an 04 vert. with minor fresh water damage. It looks like the only problem is a driver seat that does not operate. No water in the oil or trans.fluid. Car looks great overall, tires and rims are fine and has fairly low miles. Anything else that can be damaged with a low water problem.
Thanks
Rick
Thanks
Rick
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 44
From: Wapwallopen PA
Thanks for the replies. I will look again on Friday and ask many more questions. I hope to take it for a ride also. I don't need it, but it looks so nice. I also don't need all of the associated problems that night come up.
Rick
Rick
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 44
From: Wapwallopen PA
I just read the other thread that was attached. Now I have a good idea what might be involved. I did not drive the car but it started right up on the lot. I hope fresh water does not corrode as bad as salt water.
Rick
Rick
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
If the car went through a salvage auction you can look up the vin number. You can check how and where the even happened. A Google search of the vin number will give you good information. You can usually find the photos of the car and sometimes a description of the damage. Many cars get salvaged for flood with just minor or no damage to the electrical system.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 361
From: Smyrna/Vinings, Georgia
Sounds like if you "don't need" it don't buy it. Pretty face could be simply lipstick. That said all kinds of questions, what kind of water, how long under water, how deep into the car was the water, was the car level at the time. Electrical demons will knock you socks off, mentally and financially.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 7,398
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I can't believe that not one single person has brought up price. Cash is king.
If the car runs and drives and it is cheap it could be worth it.
My rule for salvage title is I won't pay more than what I think it's worth parted out.
This is kept me from ever buying a salvage title vehicle lol.
If the car runs and drives and it is cheap it could be worth it.
My rule for salvage title is I won't pay more than what I think it's worth parted out.
This is kept me from ever buying a salvage title vehicle lol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,220
Likes: 473
From: Olive Branch Mississippi
Winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
2018 Corvette of Year
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of Year
I bought a 2001 Corvette in 2001 that was a fresh water flood car with 1800 miles. I bought it from a small car dealer that dealt in flood cars only. He had about 30 flood cars on his lot. All of the cars were no older than 3-4 years. I bought the car and drove it for about 30,000 Trouble Free miles and sold it to a guy I work with in 2006. He's still driving it with no "water" problems. If it's fixed correctly it will give you normal service...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 44
From: Wapwallopen PA
Hi all,
Just got back from looking at the flooded vette. I got the VIN and googled it and didn't find out too much, just the obvious that it was water damaged and sold at auction. No other details except that I know what they paid for it. The guys at the salvage yard don't seem too helpful either. So I think I'll go with the majority here and pass. Thanks for the links and all the help.
Rick
Just got back from looking at the flooded vette. I got the VIN and googled it and didn't find out too much, just the obvious that it was water damaged and sold at auction. No other details except that I know what they paid for it. The guys at the salvage yard don't seem too helpful either. So I think I'll go with the majority here and pass. Thanks for the links and all the help.
Rick
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 389
Likes: 170
From: Rhode Island
St. Jude Donor '21
Lyle at C&S did a video recently about salvaged, flood vehicles. Suggest looking at it. C5 Diag is on the $$. Lyle also said one other, VERY important thing. You may not be aware of this, but salvaged vehicles, when and if totaled a 2nd time (sadly, it happens), youll find most insurance companies will only pay 50% of vehicle blue book!!!
You took the words right out of my mouth, Grinder. I think I just watched Lyle's video yesterday and was not aware of the 50% value thingy.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,668
I bought a 2001 Corvette in 2001 that was a fresh water flood car with 1800 miles. I bought it from a small car dealer that dealt in flood cars only. He had about 30 flood cars on his lot. All of the cars were no older than 3-4 years. I bought the car and drove it for about 30,000 Trouble Free miles and sold it to a guy I work with in 2006. He's still driving it with no "water" problems. If it's fixed correctly it will give you normal service...
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
There is no standard "rule of thumb" on value. You are in a "what the market will bear."