Tales of Salvage Title and Cruelty [Merged 1-8]

[Ecstacyraver]

Ok... I'm only 17, so I don't make a lot of money, and my parents aren't rich, so here we go.

I've always wanted a second gen dsm, but I've been stuck with a 1st. Not that there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm still young, and I want my car to look really good too.

I know I want a Turbocharged DSM..... and i KNOW I want AWD.

So that gives me to choices... TSI awd or GSX.

Well, i dont have the cash to buy either of those... so i was wondering if anyone would think buying a salvage car would be a good idea.

I know a lot of Mechanics, and they are my friends, so that should help.... Is there any kind of damages i should watch out for? Like things that wouldnt be worth it? And maybe things that are no problem to fix, and i should look for.

Thanks everyone
-Alex

 

[IPT]

My DAD and I have bought and fixed up three cars and trucks. You just have to look out for how much damaged was done. I have seen water damage cars that there is nothing wrong with them, To cars that have been completely toasted (as in caught fire).

A salvage car will save you money. Just make sure that the work done on it was done right. if you trust them to fix it then give it a try.

 

[nholley]

I think the chassis is probably the most important. If that is OK almost everything else can be changed. Bear in mind, It is a lot of work and will take a lot of man hours to complete the project.

 

[Low Flying GS-T]

Well I purchased my car as a salvage title with only 19,500 miles completely stock. My motor blew with about 2000 miles more miles. I went to some bad mechanics and the car has never been the same actually its down right now, due to what I sure is a pop out lifter causing it to knock.

 

[fast_talon]

How much are you looking to spend for a 1G or 2G?

 

[Ecstacyraver]

I'm steering clear of a 1stgen, but I will pay AROUND 2k for a salvage 2ndgen but it needs to be turbo awd


Also, does anyone know where i can salvage cars like that?

 

[GSTeclipse]

I have a 1997 GS-T that I bought from a junk yard I paid 2,000 for it , it had 50,000 miles on it now it has 65,000 I have not had one problem with it just make sure the frame is not damaged to much I had to put about 2,000 bucks into fixing mine up so I got a good deal makes some people sick on their stomack just thinking how much money is in my car and it's paid off and they are still making $300.00 bucks a month on there car paments ! I recomend it !

AMOS BROOKS

 

[GSX90]

Sometimes a salvaged vehicle might not have ANY damage at all. If it has been recovered from theft, I believe it gets a salvaged title that way as well. But, like mentioned before, I would definately check for any structural damage before buying a salvaged titled car...

 

[guedo512]

try your cities privat auto auction. if you know a lot of machanics they will be able to get you a car from these auctions.

 

[gotEclipseD]

my dad got my car at a salvage auction for $3000 and its a 98 gst...48k miles on it and we finished the car at about $8k...i think i got a great deal on my car. i didnt mind that is was a salvage title either...im only 17 and its a car right...

 

[curtis_rak]

I know in my city, the local police department has an auction every 2 months. They get rid of impounded (theft recovery, big speeding tickets ect.) vehicles. My friend bought a 1999 Dakota R/T for like 9000 cdn. You can get decent vehicles for really cheap...

Does your local police have a similar auction??

 

[charlesmorris]

I am gettign a car with a salvagetitle buti need to know what they look at when i take it to get the title changed from salvage to regular, please help this is coming up soon

 

[Tallen]

they check over tha car for about 30 min....i had to get an emissions check too (damn ohio). otherwise, make sure everything is in place and properly working. no cracks in windshield, horn, lights, etc.

 

[toshi128]

Is this same for all states, that you can change back the title from salvaged to normal/regular???

 

[nutshot]

Salvage titles last the life of the car.

 

[KRAB]

Once a car gets a salge title it will last for life. You might have to get the car inspected to prove that it is road worthy if it has not been done yet. But the is no way to get rit of the salvage title.

 

[nutshot]

Well, you could get rid of the car... Look, who cares about titles? Keep the SOB and enjoy.

 

[2-0turbo]

I am finishing up the repair of a wrecked 2000 323i right now. I have the title that says "Salvage" on it. In Virginia, to clear a salvage title, you have to have it inspected by a DMV dude who comes to your shop/house. He inspected the repairs (the damages that made it get a salvage title), looks at all your receipts to prove you didn't steal the parts to fix it, checks VIN numbers, and then gives you paperwork. Then, you take that paperwork to the DMV and get a clean title issued. That VIN will always have a salvage HISTORY if you run it on carfax or something, but it will have a clean title.

Yes, the value of the car is reduced, but if the car looks good, drives straight and the repairs were done correctly, you won't care. My car is straight (within 1/16") and looks practically brand new with factory new sheetmetal on the front and brand new paint. A good BMW goes for about $27.5K, mine will sell for about $20K. A discount, but a good value if you can find one in good shape.

I think you will have to have an inspection like I described above. Every state is different, but you are not going to be able to just take it to a state inspection place and get that salvage title cleared. Unless you are fixing cars for a hobby, I would make the seller get a clean title before you buy it.

 

[boostedinaz]

I have a buddy who is looking into buying a 98 GST. The only problem is the car has a salvage title. The car was salvaged because it was in front right. Now I personally would buy a car that new with a title like that, but his reasoning is that he is getting it cheap and can sell it cheap later. I think its a bad idea but he is really pumped about it. I just wanted to know what everyone thinks about a situation like this.

 

[nutshot]

If the car was fixed well (check with reputable body-man) and the friend has a firm grasp on the fact that Lender's will not be as anxious to loan him money, I say go for it.

 

[98RedGs]

but his reasoning is that he is getting it cheap and can sell it cheap later.

Hes gonna get reemed a new one when he goes to sell it.
Plus he could always get it brought to a body shop to get it looked over.

 

[EvuLFleA]

When it is fixed most likely it was done CHEAP. No use spendy good money on a car that is worth half of what it should be. If your buddy is going to keep it for a while get it. You don't get reemed either when you sell it. You buy it cheap and sell it cheap.

 

[SetH]

I would get it only if I planned on keeping it a while. I have a 93 mx-6 right now with a salvage title, only because of hail damage. The thing has run great for 30k and was a bargain.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

yea.. salvage titles no matter how good the car.. with that title makes the price of the car go down big time.. regardless of mods, etc.. so if its a good cheap price.. go for it..

if he buys it cheap.. and sells it cheap thats koo.. there are people who try and sell it like its a clean title

 

[Sinner]

I am thinking about buying a truck with a salvage title, I live in NY and the truck has a NY salvage title so I was wondering if anybody could tell me about the process. I would also like to know if I could change the body panels to aftermarket panels like a fiberglass hood and a custom paint job or would it not pass the inspection like this.