First C5, rebuilt title?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
First C5, rebuilt title?
New member,first post. Been a Foxbody guy for 30+ yrs,looking into a new platform. There's an 02' local to me with a rebuilt title ( rear end collision) . It's the color I want (silver) has higher miles but looks very nice. They're asking 12k,which I believe is high,especially with 143k. Does a rebuilt title really matter? Here's where I'm at. Whatever I end up with,will get HCI,etc,no power adders. Not looking for a perfect car,and this car will be driven.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
After an insurance company totaled my vehicle, I was able to purchase it back for 18% of the actual cash value they paid me many years ago. That may have changed over time. Any vehicle with a rebuilt or salvage title has diminished value especially cars flooded in salt water. Two years ago, I purchased a 2002 vert garage queen with 51k miles for $15k. With higher miles and rebuilt title, I would not be a buyer of that car over $7k. Location and time of year effect the value in some areas but here is SW Florida you could easily fine a better deal.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,061
Likes: 7,375
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Any salvage title vehicle is only worth what it is worth in parts. No more.
As you already know and everyone has stated 12k is way way too high.
Everybody that has had or wants to buy a salvage title vehicle tries to justify why a salvage title is ok.
If you can get them for a fair price, they make good race cars that is about it.
Another thing to consider is if you pay good money for a salvage title car and then it gets wrecked. It is literally worthless. No insurance company even if you are not at fault is going to pay anything to cover double salvage title loss.
As you already know and everyone has stated 12k is way way too high.
Everybody that has had or wants to buy a salvage title vehicle tries to justify why a salvage title is ok.
If you can get them for a fair price, they make good race cars that is about it.
Another thing to consider is if you pay good money for a salvage title car and then it gets wrecked. It is literally worthless. No insurance company even if you are not at fault is going to pay anything to cover double salvage title loss.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 229
Likes: 119
From: South Texas, US Army-Retired
I have in the past bought braded title vehicle but only for the parts. Usually just too many issues involved. While I have never done this, a buddy did have success with a Camero that had an airbag deployment after a minor accident. He got luck on that one. Good luck but I'd move on down the road on this one.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
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From: Erwin, NC
New member,first post. Been a Foxbody guy for 30+ yrs,looking into a new platform. There's an 02' local to me with a rebuilt title ( rear end collision) . It's the color I want (silver) has higher miles but looks very nice. They're asking 12k,which I believe is high,especially with 143k. Does a rebuilt title really matter? Here's where I'm at. Whatever I end up with,will get HCI,etc,no power adders. Not looking for a perfect car,and this car will be driven.
Do NOT spend $12k on that car.
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I agree. That price is very high for a car with a rebuilt title and so many miles. And it’s a good point about getting insurance on the car - may be difficult. I would look for one with no bad history and less miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 19
From: Tavernier Fl
Price is too high as others have said.
You can use a site like AutoAStat to see insurance auction photos for the car you are looking at and see how bad the damage was. My C5 is a rebuilt title-it is an 04' with 22k miles-it was a fresh water flood and is 100% after a few weekends of work. I did the work myself so I know exactly what I have. 2 of my 5 cars are rebuilt title. No issues with either car.
You can use a site like AutoAStat to see insurance auction photos for the car you are looking at and see how bad the damage was. My C5 is a rebuilt title-it is an 04' with 22k miles-it was a fresh water flood and is 100% after a few weekends of work. I did the work myself so I know exactly what I have. 2 of my 5 cars are rebuilt title. No issues with either car.