If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get?

If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Printable Version

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Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Paul F. - 02-14-2016

I'm a little fuzzy on whether this is a state to state thing, or more or less universal, but in CA, once it's a Salvage title, it's ALWAYS a salvage title... But since it has to be shown to be road-worthy before it can be re-registered after being totaled, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - the salvage title just alerts all future owners that it WAS once totaled.
No idea if thats the way all states do it.

Black wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
[quote=Black]
Question re: title status "rebuilt" in craigslist ads-- I see this a lot from private owners.... this means someone took a car that was in junk or salvage status at some point e.g. after being totaled by an insurance company and rebuilt it?

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Black - 02-14-2016

Paul F. wrote:
I'm a little fuzzy on whether this is a state to state thing, or more or less universal, but in CA, once it's a Salvage title, it's ALWAYS a salvage title... But since it has to be shown to be road-worthy before it can be re-registered after being totaled, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - the salvage title just alerts all future owners that it WAS once totaled.
No idea if thats the way all states do it.

[quote=Black]
[quote=Paul F.]
[quote=Black]
Question re: title status "rebuilt" in craigslist ads-- I see this a lot from private owners.... this means someone took a car that was in junk or salvage status at some point e.g. after being totaled by an insurance company and rebuilt it?

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Dennis S - 02-14-2016

Black wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
[quote=Black]
Question re: title status "rebuilt" in craigslist ads-- I see this a lot from private owners.... this means someone took a car that was in junk or salvage status at some point e.g. after being totaled by an insurance company and rebuilt it?

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - GGD - 02-14-2016

Found this article while searching, interesting insight but may vary from state to state. Seems that Rebuilt is a Salvage vehicle that can now be registered and driven, but the process that gets the status changed is mainly looking to see that it has all of it's parts and they're not stolen. It does not verify that it's safe or driveable.

http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/why-you-dont-want-to-buy-a-rebuilt-salvage-vehicle-1653320003

You buy a Salvage vehicle and do what needs to be done to rebuild it. Replace missing or damaged parts. Straighten the metal which can be fixed, maybe unbend the frame a bit. Replace broken window glass. You consider the car fixed. You call an inspector like Trooper Swanson and arrange for the car to be inspected. The fee is $100, set by the state. You bring the car to the appointment (but don't drive it there) and Swanson spends an hour or two looking it over.

Swanson inspects your paperwork. You must fill out a form (TR-13A) which lists the parts which have been replaced and repaired. Replaced parts must be accompanied by paperwork proving where the parts came from and when they were acquired. The entity which did the repairs must also be disclosed. Swanson will review the paperwork and the car to make sure everything is legit. He will also ask to see the receipts for the parts which were put onto the vehicle. If parts bear VINs, he will check those out as well. Don't be surprised to see him climb under the car to look at a VIN. What is he looking for?

"I'm not there to see if the car is safe to drive. All I'm doing, basically, is facilitating an inspection that shows that the parts that are on it aren't stolen."

The car is not inspected for roadworthiness, rebuild quality, or to see if it is "back to normal." The inspector is looking at the car to confirm that it is complete (for the most part) and that none of the parts on it – which can be traced – are stolen. And as for completeness, the inspector is looking at the obvious stuff: all of the windows, body panels and then some basic systems like headlights, tail and brake lights, horn, windshield wipers and the exhaust.

The exhaust is interesting because it is the only system the inspector checks which requires the engine to be fired up. The inspector will ask to hear the car run to be sure the car is not too loud but the car will not be driven by the inspector.

But is it safe to drive? The inspector does NOT rule on that. The car could still have a bad transmission, a funky electrical system, missing airbags, or a bent frame. But, it will be certified as "Rebuilt Salvage" and the owner can now obtain a title for the car which will allow for a registration and license plate for the car. The owner can then drive the car or sell it.

I asked Trooper Swanson what he would recommend someone do if they are considering the purchase of a Rebuilt Salvage vehicle. "If you know a good mechanic, or maybe a good bodyshop, your best course of action is to have someone fully look at that car and do a thorough inspection, make sure everything is in good working order." The key word there is everything.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - davester - 02-14-2016

DeusxMac wrote:
[quote=davester]
Strange you should ask. We're going to look at this car today. Asking price $7900.

Wait, didn't you used to have a picture of a Lotus 7 in you sig?

That MB is a car for over-the-hill playboys and aged society dames.

Apologies to all the over-the-hill playboys and aged society dames on this forum.
This one is for my wife, she's not an aged society dame, and yes, we bought this car today. I already have two convertibles, a BMW and an Austin-Healey, definitely not over-the-hill playboy vehicles.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - davester - 02-14-2016

Black wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
I'm a little fuzzy on whether this is a state to state thing, or more or less universal, but in CA, once it's a Salvage title, it's ALWAYS a salvage title... But since it has to be shown to be road-worthy before it can be re-registered after being totaled, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - the salvage title just alerts all future owners that it WAS once totaled.
No idea if thats the way all states do it.

[quote=Black]
[quote=Paul F.]
[quote=Black]
Question re: title status "rebuilt" in craigslist ads-- I see this a lot from private owners.... this means someone took a car that was in junk or salvage status at some point e.g. after being totaled by an insurance company and rebuilt it?

Yup...
Sometimes (when the damage that "totaled" it was body and fender stuff) it can be a great deal... Other times (when it went for a swim in salt water...) it's buying trouble. Lots and lots of trouble...forever.
If the title says Salvage on it, require more info, and a carfax report... IMHO
If the title says "salvage" I would have to jump through hoops to get it converted to some other status, no?
Thanks... I guess I feel less clear on what a "rebuilt" title means then...
IMHO a rebuilt title means that the car is worth about half of the kbb. As Paul F indicated, it is tainted forever in most states. That doesn't necessarily mean that it is a bad car, but you are stuck with a title which will drive most buyers away. One of my cars (an MGBGT) has a salvage title due to some fairly minor body damage which the insurance company didn't want to fix, so they totaled the car. I repaired the damage by replacing the dented panels with brand new ones but the title still stays as salvage. Fortunately the car is so ancient that salvage vs non-salvage doesn't even matter anymore, but for newer cars it makes a huge difference to the resale value.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - N-OS X-tasy! - 02-14-2016

Paul F. wrote:
I'm a little fuzzy on whether this is a state to state thing, or more or less universal, but in CA, once it's a Salvage title, it's ALWAYS a salvage title... But since it has to be shown to be road-worthy before it can be re-registered after being totaled, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - the salvage title just alerts all future owners that it WAS once totaled.
No idea if thats the way all states do it.

Also, most auto insurers will provide liability insurance only for CA salvage titles, the logic being that if a vehicle has been salvaged, insurance has already paid out the full value of the vehicle and is not willing to provide additional compensation for any future physical damage.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Paul F. - 02-14-2016

Seems reasonable on their part...

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
[quote=Paul F.]
I'm a little fuzzy on whether this is a state to state thing, or more or less universal, but in CA, once it's a Salvage title, it's ALWAYS a salvage title... But since it has to be shown to be road-worthy before it can be re-registered after being totaled, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - the salvage title just alerts all future owners that it WAS once totaled.
No idea if thats the way all states do it.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - Black - 02-14-2016

Well, I think I got my answer as to why such a high percentage of cars for sale on cl seem to have "rebuilt" titles. Thanks GGD good article.

Re: If you were going to spend $6-8000 on a car, what would you get? - deckeda - 02-14-2016

We recently spent $6K on a higher-mileage 2006 Accord EX-L "6-6" (V6, 6-MT). Great car to drive, although the 3rd gear synchro is a bit of a known issue (to owners, not to Honda) on these. If your friend doesn't want the manual trans or V6 any of these 7th-gen Accords will be less. We always gravitate to Hondas because of how nice they drive for not a lot of money.