[Nells]

Husband found a Subaru he really wants, but we found out it has a salvage title. I ran a Carfax on it and it was in an accident and rebuilt in 1999.

He still wants it, I'm not so sure. Advice?

 

[CrUziN4L]

i would, only if it were going to be a build-up car


OR


If it was 1500 or less....for a beater or some sort, that if something is bugging on it, i can trash it.


-chris

 

[acnon]

Only problem I ever found with salvage title cars is insurance can be an issue. Some companies just won't cover it, or only cover part.

The primary issue is, was it rebuilt "properly"? It's always a gamble, like with any other used car.

I myself know of 2 other ppl who have bought salvage cars, but use them as track slaves.

 

[Nells]

Our insurance company said we need state certification that the vehicle is safe to drive. She also said that is a given when a rebuilt title is issued.

The car is a 99 Subaru Legacy. It was issued a salvage title 6 months after it was first purchased, and later had a rebuilt title issued. I have included the carfax below.
Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
02/09/1999 Mid City Nissan Subaru
Chicago, IL
773-282-6200
www.midcitynissan.com Vehicle sold
02/09/1999 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL Registered as
personal vehicle
02/16/1999 120 Mid City Nissan Subaru
Chicago, IL
773-282-6200
www.midcitynissan.com Vehicle serviced
Undercoating/rustproof installed
03/04/1999 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL
Title #T9063316043 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
05/04/1999 1,241 Mid City Nissan Subaru
Chicago, IL
773-282-6200
www.midcitynissan.com Vehicle serviced
09/09/1999 2,500 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Sussex, WI
Title #992525G032 SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
10/12/1999 2,611 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Bay, WI
Title #0013727028 Odometer reading reported for title
or registration
10/12/1999 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Bay, WI
Title #99285F1010 SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
05/16/2000 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Bay, WI
Title #0013727028 Title or registration issued
04/20/2001 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Green Bay, WI
Title #01110F4033 REBUILT TITLE ISSUED
Damage Disclosure reported
06/21/2001 9,727 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Milwaukee, WI Odometer reading reported for title
or registration
06/21/2001 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Milwaukee, WI
Title #01172P5020 REBUILT TITLE ISSUED
Damage Disclosure reported
Loan or lien reported
01/11/2002 18,000 Wisconsin
Inspection Station Failed emissions inspection
01/29/2002 Wisconsin
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
02/14/2004 51,000 Wisconsin
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
02/24/2005 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Milwaukee, WI REBUILT TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Red
02/17/2006 Wisconsin
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Milwaukee, WI REBUILT TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Red
11/28/2006 Subaru of America No recalls open for repair

 

[TXFO]

There is nothing wrong with a salvage title. It makes it hard to sell, thats about it. If the car is in good shape than its just as good as any other car on the road.

 

[poondobber]

Ive thought about it. If it was something that I had planned on working on anyway then I would consider it. For something to have a salvage title after being in an accident it would only need to require enough repairs to be considered totalled. That being said, any car with significant frame damage would be considered totalled.

I would ask for a list of repairs that were done to the car. Then take it to a mechanic/dealer and have it completely inspected. After everything checks out then decide if the car is really worth risking any frustration you may end up with down the road.

A friend of mine bought a salvaged Accord off of ebay for $3k. It had minor flood damage, carpets etc. He never had a problem with it. For me to buy a car that was salvaged, it would have to be a damn special car or one that was so cheap I wouldnt mind writing off.

 

[Nells]

Ive thought about it. If it was something that I had planned on working on anyway then I would consider it. For something to have a salvage title after being in an accident it would only need to require enough repairs to be considered totalled. That being said, any car with significant frame damage would be considered totalled.

I would ask for a list of repairs that were done to the car. Then take it to a mechanic/dealer and have it completely inspected. After everything checks out then decide if the car is really worth risking any frustration you may end up with down the road.

A friend of mine bought a salvaged Accord off of ebay for $3. It had minor flood damage, carpets etc. He never had a problem with it. For me to buy a car that was salvaged, it would have to be a damn special car or one that was so cheap I wouldnt mind writing off.

We're not talking $3.00 here. We're talking $5,000 for the car. It's only listed at $500 under the BB for it too (for a fair value blue book). I would definetly have it inspected though.
edit: I was wrong about the $500 under BB. Please see future posts

 

[BUR_ZX3]

I'd say a salvaged title is worth more of a price reduction than $500 under blue book.


As a rule, I'm not about buying used cars that are any older than the warranty. If I were, it'd be because I'm gonna race it.

 

[Nells]

If it were my decision I would forget about it, but the husband seems really set on it.



The car blue books for $82XX in excellent condition condition (I looked at private party value to begin with). The asking price is $4995

 

[CrUziN4L]

I'd say a salvaged title is worth more of a price reduction than $500 under blue book.
.

exactly my thought when i saw the price:what:

 

[Nells]

$4200
I have to call to confirm it tomorrow night (we won't pick it up until Saturday). I was wrong on the $500 thing too (I clarified above). So it's basically half of what it blue books for.

 

[R0B]

^ ^ ^ ^
Salvaged and I love it

 

[poondobber]

We're not talking $3.00 here. We're talking $5,000 for the car. It's only listed at $500 under the BB for it too (for a fair value blue book). I would definetly have it inspected though.

My bad. I meant $3k. It was a 2000-2001 Accord. You guys type too fast.

$4200 for a '99 and its got close to 50k mileage AFTER it was slavaged. Sounds like a pretty good deal if everything checks out.

 

[Nells]

My bad. I meant $3k. It was a 2000-2001 Accord. You guys type too fast.

$4200 for a '99 and its got close to 50k mileage AFTER it was slavaged. Sounds like a pretty good deal if everything checks out.

It has 90K on the odometer right now, so it has basically ran its entire "life" salvaged, as it was issued a salvage title with 2K on the clock.

 

[Peloton25]

I'd actually consider that a bad sign if a vehicle with just 2,000 miles on it was totalled and issued a salvage title. That must mean that the damage the vehicle received was quite severe as the car would have still held most of it's original value at that point.

As others have said, I'd only consider a salvage title if my plan was to exclusively track the car. Even then, I'd only buy after it had a very thorough inspection to determine that it wasn't totalled due to major crash damage.

>8^)
ER

 

[gemiller]

I'd actually consider that a bad sign if a vehicle with just 2,000 miles on it was totalled and issued a salvage title. That must mean that the damage the vehicle received was quite severe as the car would have still held most of it's original value at that point.

As others have said, I'd only consider a salvage title if my plan was to exclusively track the car. Even then, I'd only buy after it had a very thorough inspection to determine that it wasn't totalled due to major crash damage.

>8^)
ER

i completely agree with above post! :thumbup:

especially at that much of a price! 500 less than blue book you could find a clean title. heck i have seen some salvage titled cars go for less than half of bb.

 

[Nells]

i completely agree with above post! :thumbup:

especially at that much of a price! 500 less than blue book you could find a clean title. heck i have seen some salvage titled cars go for less than half of bb.

I was wrong about the BB value. It lists at KBB (in excellent condition from a dealer) for $8200. If we buy it, it will be for $4200. I edited my post so no one else gets confused.

 

[Ducman69]

The car is a 99 Subaru Legacy. It was issued a salvage title 6 months after it was first purchased

Damn... Peli beat me to it. Seconded for the red-flag.

 

[2focusd]

The object of my lust for quite some time was a salvaged title '99 Integra GSR. I wouldn't have even considered buying it had I not taken it to a reputable mechanic that I trusted first to have thoroughly checked out though

-Brian

 

[Smurf]

We bought that with a salvage title. My mum loves it!