Salvage Title - Would you buy?

[Timon_n_Pumba]

Buy a Jeep... Use your money to buy American!

As in "American built" (Nissan, Toyota, etc.)...or "American auto maker" (but possibly built in a foreign country, such as the Ford Fusion, assembled in Mexico)? The Jeep IS built here, giving jobs to American workers---but only 15% of the shareholder profits from DaimlerChrysler stay in the U.S., with the majority going to Germany and other EU countries.

Not knocking on you at all Ciciwoowoo...just pointing out that anymore, you need a scorecard to tell who the players are, especially in the automobile industry.

 

[taylorcpa]

Honestly, I would not consider any of your choices mainly because we buy vehicles that are 2 or 3 years old.

With that said, we bought a salvage title Camry (my second car). We checked the Car Fax (only body damage) and had a mechanic check it out. At the time, in NC if you sell or trade the car within 5 model years you must disclose that the vehicle has a salvage title but after that you don't. Since we knew we were going to keep the car long term it was not a big deal. We were able to get a loan on it and have insurance. We put 240,000 miles on that car with few problems.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Your info re insurance difficulties is right on, but that's not why I responded...

Is your screen name "Stitch Loves Tink" OR "Stitch Love Stink"?

my screen name is Stitch Loves Tink

here is their 'Love child'

 

[Fire14]

I have a friend that recently bought a salvage title car. They did a car fax and found that the only thing that had been involved in the accident was the front bumper of her car. She took it to a mechanic to check out the car and was given a thorough report. I was even amazed when she told me she had full overage on her car. I thought a salvage title did not qualify for full coverage.

This is a starter car for her son to use.

I know my old car that Dh drove was totalled by ins co. but he bought it back and it had salvage title on it and until we called ins co it had full coverage on it even with salvage title. and this was at least 2 yrs.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Ask your insurance company what coverage they could provide for collision and comprehensive with a salvage title. If they will not provide any, you may not be able to get financing.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We bought my son a Honda Civic with a salvage title. We knew the history of the car. It had hit a deer. We checked with our insurance and had a mechanic check it out first. It has been a wonderful starter car with no issues.

 

[Tara922c]

I would not purchase a salvage title without checking with my insurance company first. My car (honda civic) was hit a few months ago by a suburban and was considered a "total loss" by the other driver's insurance company. I had the option to keep my car and pay for the repairs out of my claim and still come out about 500 dollars ahead, but i would lose my title and have to get a salvage title. I called my insurance company and not only would my policy increase in price; I would lose my full coverage and low deductable. To me, it was not worth it! My insurance compny does not offer full coverage on salvage titles.

I actually lucked out because the cliams adjuster under-estimated the value of my car and no longer required a salvage title. The damage was not that bad, and if my car was new, there is no way it would have been a "total loss". The other driver simply backed up into my car in a parking lot!

 

[Minnie]

The insurance coverage is very interesting. I have checked with our company and we could purchase full coverage for this vehicle. My concern is resale though as I imagine that many would have the same questions I do....

This is a cash purchase so I'm not worried about financing it's just the resale risk that has me nervous.....

 

[Minnie]

Honestly, I would not consider any of your choices mainly because we buy vehicles that are 2 or 3 years old.

The 2-3 year old vehicles either have high miles or are within a few thousand of new that I have found - likely because I want heated seats which has me at the higher end of the models I'm considering.

The Jeep has the % off new due to employee pricing - basically this takes the depreciation hit of driving it off the lot off the top. We are going to try out both the 2 door and 4 door models this weekend to see if I can live with the ride. If not then back to the start again which is frustrating as I don't care for any of the other Chrysler SUVs.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

As in "American built" (Nissan, Toyota, etc.)...or "American auto maker" (but possibly built in a foreign country, such as the Ford Fusion, assembled in Mexico)? The Jeep IS built here, giving jobs to American workers---but only 15% of the shareholder profits from DaimlerChrysler stay in the U.S., with the majority going to Germany and other EU countries.

Not knocking on you at all Ciciwoowoo...just pointing out that anymore, you need a scorecard to tell who the players are, especially in the automobile industry.

I don't want to turn this into a debate, but I do want to illustrate my point:

I live in SE Michigan. Chrysler employs people from my area (and other areas as well) to assemble these cars and trucks. These employees turn around and spend money here in my area. It is a trickle down effect. Not really concerned about what shareholders or CEOs are getting. But, if you purchase an American assembled car, you are ensuring that Americans continue to work.

 

[luvsJack]

When my sister bought her daughters' first cars, both of them were salvaged Nissans. The guy they bought them from had rebuilt the cars himself. They didn't know the guy personally but had talked to some people that had bought cars from him and were happy with them.

Both cars lasted the girls through high school and college, neither one got another car until they married.

So, I would certainly consider buying a car with a salvaged title, I would want to know who did the work and their reputation.

 

[Timon_n_Pumba]

I don't want to turn this into a debate, but I do want to illustrate my point:

I live in SE Michigan. Chrysler employs people from my area (and other areas as well) to assemble these cars and trucks. These employees turn around and spend money here in my area. It is a trickle down effect. Not really concerned about what shareholders or CEOs are getting. But, if you purchase an American assembled car, you are ensuring that Americans continue to work.

No debate here! I argue for a living, don't wanna do it in the precious little free time I have; and anyway...

...you're absolutely right, of course, regarding employees on the assembly lines and their invaluable (and essential) contribution to the overall economy, especially in an "auto-centric" area like Michigan.

Personally, I think it's a hoot that one can adopt a "buy American" position using the logic/reasoning you have provided...and drive a Nissan or a Toyota. It seems counter-intuitive, just as one who thought they were buying American would likely be appalled to discover that their Fusion was built in Mexico (and even though Ford is an American company, the profits would have to trickle down a heckuva lot further to have the same impact on our economy as if the car was being built by workers in the States).

Hope I didn't offend you with my prior post, as that was not my intent!

 

[danceintherain]

I would probably buy a vehicle with a salvage title if the research came out in its favor.

Our car has a salvage title, due to hail damage. The cost it would have taken to repair exceeded its value, because it's over 10 years old.

 

[bpesch]

We bought a Honda Civic with a salvage title ten years ago for our daughter. The guy who had it specialized in buying salvaged vehicles, repairing them and reselling. She still has that car and it's been a good one. The only thing I can tell you is make sure you have a reliable mechanic check it out ahead of time. It is possible to get a good salvage title vehicle.

 

[dakcp2001]

Do you know why the car was salvaged? Did you run a carfax? I would be very hesitant to buy unless I knew what caused it to be salvaged, if it was flood damaged, you will be in for a lot of problems.

If I were you I would get the one month unlimited carfax and run the vfins of ALL of the cars you are considering. Carfax is not perfect, but it has helped me a lot.

 

[Minnie]

Decision made and it's none of the above

The Jeep both 2 & 4 door drove were very uncomfortable,. My analyst side wouldn't let me even drive the convertible..... Honda CRV I didn't like at all.

I drove a Buick Enclave today and now fell head over heals with everything but the size. The 2013 Buick Enccore will be released 1st of the year so I'm going to wait for what I really want.

Thank you everyone for the opinions!

 

[TomPal]

I also bought salvage bmw a couple years ago. In spite the primary damage was normal wear, bmw had a salvage title. I still have it and glad that I've bought it from an auction, namely Carfrom.us