[s-cars] RE: salvage cars

[Paul Krasusky]

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Marc wrote:

Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 03:30:05 -0500
From: CyberPoet <thecyberpoet at cyberpoet.net>
To: s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: [s-cars] Re: S-CAR-List digest, Vol 1 #1055 - 9 msgs


3. Audi's often get totaled out when they shouldn't because many insurance
companies use third-party adjustors who calculate a total at a very low
amount because of the aluminum frame system of the car (there are few shops
with the equipment to correctly straighten and repair aluminum frames). In
the case of my previous Audi 200Turbo, the adjustor totaled the car out
simply because he couldn't get the hood open in my parking lot -- the damage
was probably 40% of the total value in reality.


Best Wishes,
Marc Glasgow






Marc's hitting it right on.  I've seen numerous "Salvage" cars back in my
dealer days that turned out to be perfectly fine.  I've also seen numerous
ones that haven't.  The fine ones are typically a case of the owner of a
very new car experiencing damage to it, and sticks to his guns hard until
the ins. co. caves and buys it back as he doesn't want a "new" car that's
been repaired.  Either that or it was damaged later on where the costs of
repair on these cars can EASILY exceed their values, from an insurance /
retail standpoint.  We all know how to source things better than does the
ins. co.

Whatever the case, if you've got a good eye, know what to look for (or know
someone who does), and the price reflects it, there can be real good deals
to be had.  Especially if you plan on driving it into the ground, Salvage
title on a decent car is only a possible issue for you to deal with in the
future should you decide to sell it, and then it's just more challenging.
But again, the price you pay would reflect all this.

WRT insurance, I've *heard* it's only a matter of not being able to get
COLLISION coverage on them, liability should not be an issue.  And I'd
imagine even that could be over come with the right company.

FWIW, my bud recently picked up and sold a Salvage titled '94 //S4, 93k, car
was CHERRY. very solid.  Phone rang off hook for it.  He's hopefully picking
up another today, a '95 Cashmere Grey sedan mit 90k.  Hit driver's front /
rear doors, and into rear qtr. a tad, PO hit guard rail, bam, Salvage.
He'll fix it right, have a nice car, and it'll sell quick as it'll be cheap
and it's a more rare color.

Good luck, do your diligence.

-P in CT mit '95 NOT Salvaged 8-)