Salvage Title (longish)

[Shayne]

Greg-

I can speak from experience and opinion.  IMO the condition of the vehicle
mean a heck of a lot more then a salvage title.  All a salvage title means
is the car was damaged beyond the insurance companies concept of what the
car is worth.

Let me take my V8q for example.  As you may remember, last August the front
left wheel came off  the car while driving down the road.  I am not going to
rehash the story again, but there was negligence involved on the part of a
tire store.  Essentially, the only damage does was it ground down the LF
brake rotor, destroyed the rim and tire, bent of the fender and did some
paint damage.  All in all, including the body repair, I estimate about
$1500.00 for me to fix it myself.  I could be driving it in 4 hours (still
sits as I have not had the time).  When the insurance adjuster came to look
at it, I had a ball pointing out ANY minor scratch and scrape on the car.  I
even pointed out road rash on the exhaust (was brand new).  No damage done,
just scraped up.  CHA-CHING.  The damage of the car for insurance purposes
added up to about 8500.00.  This insurance company considers the car a total
if the damage is 80% or greater of the cars market or agreed value.  I had
an agreed value.  They offered me $9700 and I got to keep the car.  I TOOK
IT AND RAN.  In exchange, I got a salvage title.  Big deal.  It really did
not devalue it in my eyes.  Even though it is a 5 speed, it will really not
depreciate much more anyway.

Now, take car car like my mothers 200 20V.  Remember, the car that my high
school aged brother did some unintentional off roading in at 110 MPH?  It
was never turned into the insurance.  By comparison, that car had a MUCH
more vicious ride then the V8.  Cosmetically, almost nothing happened to
that car.  But, the off road venture caused the some frame bending.  When
compared to the V8, that car was totaled.  But, it does not have a salvage
title.  Why?  I fixed it for her.  $2500.00 in parts.  Plus about 65 hrs for
me to fix it.  My brother is still paying that one off.  Something liked
that you would NEVER know about.  BTW, the car turned out great.  Actually a
nicer car now then before the wreck.  25K miles and not one problem.

Another example is the E 350 van my folks own.  They bought it with only 6K
miles on it.  It had been totaled.  REALLY totaled.  Every piece of glass
had been replaced, major frame work had been done, 75% of the body panels
had been replaced and on and on and on.  Guess what?  11 years and 125K
miles later, it is arguable the most reliable vehicle own.  It was even
shipped to Europe for a 14K miles in 6 week tour.  Again, my point being, if
the vehicle is checked out and everything seems to be done to a high
standard, who cars?

My advice would be to try and figure out what kind of damage was done to the
car.  See if you can find out who the old owner was.  Call them.  I would
also look for welding on the frame.  I have a 4000 that had a front clip
done it.  Done well.  This dose not concern me.  The frame was replaced in
front of the struts.  If you rule out frame damage, I would look for body
bondo.  This would concern me more then frame repair.  Poor body work can
lead to a rusty situation later.  Look for paint work.  Maybe someone keyed
the whole vehicle.  I have a friend with a 911 SC.  Some one keyed it.
PRESITINE CAR.  BEAUTIFUL.  He had it since new.  The insurance totaled it.
Even though no body damage was done.  It cost more to repaint it the car was
worth.  Just check it out REALLY well.  It could be nothing.

Finally, as far as insurance goes, check with yours.  Most don't care.  My
does not.  They will even give me comprehensive on it.  BUT, I can't do an
agreed value unless I want to pay more for it.  Basically, I will get market
value.  I could care less.  You should not have any problems getting
insurance for it.

As for the price, use the salvage title, slow market, and anything else you
can as a tool to get it cheap.

I hth,


Shayne P.


Oakland, CA.

Enough Audis to give plenty of headaches.

FOR SALE:  1988 BMW 528e $3700
PARTING:  1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE 4.5


> <sigh>  I found what I thought was great V8Q today.   '93 4.2, Pearl
> over black, 87K miles.    Looks good, drives nicely (seat of the pants
> tells me it needs an 02 sensor).  Asked the Sales Mgr for a CarFax.  He
> produces it no questions asked - we discover that in 10/98, with 48K, a
> salvage title issued.  I really believe the guy didn't know, he seemed
> as disappointed as I was (or he's a helluva an actor).  Took it by the
> Audi dealer and pulled the service record.  The guy translated the code
> for me, nothing usual, but he did confirm that the car had be totaled.
> I took the car to my mechanic and spent an hour and a half picking it
> over.  He confirmed the accident, left front and he found a few service
> issues (e.g. the belly pan is missing and the rotors are warped) but he
> also says whoever fixed it did a decent job and if the price were right,
> he'd buy it.
>
> Questions:
>
> Is the rule you simply do not buy a car with a salvage title, or are
> there exceptions?   I realize that if I buy this car, for all intents
> and purposes, I am stuck with it.
>
> What should the price be?   Are we talking parts car pricing here?
>
> Can one get insurance for a such a car?  I'm betting not for the car
> itself, but what about liability?
>
> Any other thoughts?
>
> Your collective help and wisdom is greatly appreciated.
>
> Greg J