Expect the comments like, "Even without salvage they are junk." In the $1200 -$1500 range and done well with a known timing belt, it's ok. Although for a new driver, I'd want something more substantial.
Rebuilt titles
- Thread starter reemoeMO
- Start date
If it's been running this long the rebuilt stamp on the title is meaningless. If the paint held up and theres no rust I would buy it at a discount tho but an old rebuilt car like that is pretty much near the value of a clear title car.I would offer him 70% of whatever Kelly says it's worth or just the trade in value a dealer might give for a clear title car
You have to realize lots of cars early on which were in fender benders have clear titles. I mean a two year old car in a fender bender will be fixed and keep it's clear title. Once it's 6 years old it will be totalled
You have to realize lots of cars early on which were in fender benders have clear titles. I mean a two year old car in a fender bender will be fixed and keep it's clear title. Once it's 6 years old it will be totalled
I bought a 2015 Infiniti Q50 with 45k miles couple years ago fully repaired for 10.5k..i got lucky paying just half what a regular car was worth. You lose the factory warranty but dealers still have to perform recalls and emission related stuff
What's the asking price and how much do you think you're really saving vs one that doesn't have a rebuilt title and do you really want your daughter driving a car where the damage was bad enough to total out the car and you don't know if it was rebuilt back properly? Worse thing is probably if it had frame damage and it was repaired. What exactly does the carfax say anyway? I've considered rebuilt titles in the past, but now I'd just save time and not bother even considering them. What typically happens is that the discount isn't as much as it should be so it's not worth the time or hassle pursing them. Why go to the trouble to make sure it was repaired properly when for a little more, you can get one that has a clean title? Right off the bat, you can kinda assume the seller is lying to you by trying to minimize the amount of damage it had and how it was really minimal and minor. Reminds me of those ads that say engine replace, transmission replaced, starter, battery alternator, etc all new. Very reliable.
I bought a 2006 Chevy truck 10 years ago with a rebuilt title. I've put 75k miles on it without issue. It had been rearended and the box, etc was replaced by the guy I bought it from. It worked out for me, as I got it cheaper then the market at the time.
How much cheaper was it? 10-20-30%?
How’d it get totaled? ran out of gas?
Here is the car in question.
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This could be a decent vehicle to buy with a rebuilt title, minor damage would have totaled it if the accident occurred recently. But, as others have pointed out I'd want something more substantial for a new driver. I don't even feel safe in a 2005 Corolla...just not a lot of car around you.
My 92 Cavalier that was my going to work car for years has a salvage title. I bought it in 2006 wrecked from a front side impact for $500 with 76,000 original miles. Local frame guy straightened the core support for $250 and I found a front clip the same color as mine at the junkyard for $250.
The car now has 246,000 miles on it and has been a pretty good car with no issues from the accident. With that being said, I know people who have bought prior salvage vehicles that had nothing but trouble, so it really depends on the extent of the damage and how well was it fixed.
The car now has 246,000 miles on it and has been a pretty good car with no issues from the accident. With that being said, I know people who have bought prior salvage vehicles that had nothing but trouble, so it really depends on the extent of the damage and how well was it fixed.
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Think like a pro & don't get conned into buying anything with a rebuilt title.
Unless you already bought it, it's gone so it's already sold.
Rebuilds are okay if you are willing to part with the price paid - salvage value if it turns out to be a dud. They are difficult to sell and can never be fully insured.
If the say $2500 would kill you to lose I would spend $4500 on similar non Salvage car so you can dump it back onto market with better ease if the vehicle does not work out.
If the say $2500 would kill you to lose I would spend $4500 on similar non Salvage car so you can dump it back onto market with better ease if the vehicle does not work out.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2022
Salvage title doesn't have to mean wrecked/rebuilt, totaled, flooded, yada yada yada.
In Maryland, any towed vehicle that is not claimed (often simply can't afford the fees) from the tow yard or confiscated by the police can only be resold with a salvage title.
I bought a 2008 Jetta loaded Wolfsburg for $3k from a friend (who owns a towing company). Owner went to the Pen for 10 to 20. Relatives didn't want to pay ransom for the car. State Police signed it over to the tow company. He had it inspected by the State Police (required by law if it is to be issued a new title). MVA issued salvage title. FULLY insured. Insurance company didn't give a hoot because it had State Police plus a state licensed Inspection Station certificate. It hadn't been wrecked. I drove it over 50k miles until a teenager parked an Outback in my trunk.
In Maryland, any towed vehicle that is not claimed (often simply can't afford the fees) from the tow yard or confiscated by the police can only be resold with a salvage title.
I bought a 2008 Jetta loaded Wolfsburg for $3k from a friend (who owns a towing company). Owner went to the Pen for 10 to 20. Relatives didn't want to pay ransom for the car. State Police signed it over to the tow company. He had it inspected by the State Police (required by law if it is to be issued a new title). MVA issued salvage title. FULLY insured. Insurance company didn't give a hoot because it had State Police plus a state licensed Inspection Station certificate. It hadn't been wrecked. I drove it over 50k miles until a teenager parked an Outback in my trunk.
My son's 2004 Impala was backed into while it was parked. Two different times and different places within the space of not even three months.
First time a fellow student backed into it at school. Still covered under my more comprehensive insurance as we were just beginning the process of transferring it to his name. Basically damaged the left front bumper cover and fender, scratched the headlight assembly. (Fender ended up being straightened and lights were buffed smooth). Initial quotes we got were very close to the write off threshold and it could have gone either way (a shop we found worked to keep it down with used and aftermarket parts), but we started to explore our options in case the repair cost was too high.
The scenario in Canada, as explained to me by our insurance broker, was if we were to decide to buy the car back if it were written off, we would need to have it repaired to "as new" standards, and would have to pass a federally regulated inspection. She had customers go through that process, and spend thousands more than they thought they would, and it took way more time than anyone anticipated. We were cautioned this wasn't a good route financially. But this also implies that the car is supposedly better than a used one with a clean title of the same age. That said, I still wouldn't touch one. There's a huge stigma still on the market for a rebuilt car.
Unfortunately, the second incident occurred just after we got the car back fully repaired. This time, a neighbour's visitor backed into it while it was parked on the street outside our house. Had to chase the guy down, and our other neighbours thankfully saw it, and had video footage. But the damage this time was deeper (light and fender beyond repair), and after many months, it was ultimately written off. My son was better off financially, but to this day, still doesn't have a replacement car (tough market, as well as other life circumstances). We are first in line to buy a clean title car from a mechanic friend, who's currently rebuilding some worn engine and transmission components on a car my son wants. He may even get a chance to help him with the work and learn how the car works mechanically.
First time a fellow student backed into it at school. Still covered under my more comprehensive insurance as we were just beginning the process of transferring it to his name. Basically damaged the left front bumper cover and fender, scratched the headlight assembly. (Fender ended up being straightened and lights were buffed smooth). Initial quotes we got were very close to the write off threshold and it could have gone either way (a shop we found worked to keep it down with used and aftermarket parts), but we started to explore our options in case the repair cost was too high.
The scenario in Canada, as explained to me by our insurance broker, was if we were to decide to buy the car back if it were written off, we would need to have it repaired to "as new" standards, and would have to pass a federally regulated inspection. She had customers go through that process, and spend thousands more than they thought they would, and it took way more time than anyone anticipated. We were cautioned this wasn't a good route financially. But this also implies that the car is supposedly better than a used one with a clean title of the same age. That said, I still wouldn't touch one. There's a huge stigma still on the market for a rebuilt car.
Unfortunately, the second incident occurred just after we got the car back fully repaired. This time, a neighbour's visitor backed into it while it was parked on the street outside our house. Had to chase the guy down, and our other neighbours thankfully saw it, and had video footage. But the damage this time was deeper (light and fender beyond repair), and after many months, it was ultimately written off. My son was better off financially, but to this day, still doesn't have a replacement car (tough market, as well as other life circumstances). We are first in line to buy a clean title car from a mechanic friend, who's currently rebuilding some worn engine and transmission components on a car my son wants. He may even get a chance to help him with the work and learn how the car works mechanically.
I've owned a few vehicles with rebuilt titles over the past 20-25 years. My latest purchase of a car with a rebuilt title was in Feb. 2019. It was a 2016 Nissan Versa SV with 10K miles purchased for $5300. As best as I remember the same vehicle at that time with a clean title booked for $9800. The Versa now has 36K miles and has been trouble free. I wouldn't consider buying a rebuild unless it was discounted at least 30% of clean title price. I've also got a '94 Ford Escort that was my dad's daily driver prior to his death that has a rebuilt title. I think he bought it with 50 something thousand miles and it will be at 220K in about 100 miles and hasn't had any accident related problems.
I owned 15 cars since getting my driver's license 11 years ago. Plus in that period I maintained north of 30 cars for family. My experience matches the experiences of other family members with Salvaged/Rebuilt title cars.
My most reliable cars were Salvaged/Rebuilt titles. All of them had full coverage insurance under my ownership. I change insurance providers often, none of them ever had an issue with providing full coverage. Progressive, Geico, National General, Liberty Mutual, just to name a few...
The Clean title cars are the ones that sucked my wallet dry due to their unreliability, with just 2 cars being the reliable exceptions.
The key is to look at condition, instead of mileage number or title status. Condition, Condition, Condition. Learn what to look for, as far as determining if the repair is correct and proper, or half-assed by Shaky Bill from trailer park.
My most reliable cars were Salvaged/Rebuilt titles. All of them had full coverage insurance under my ownership. I change insurance providers often, none of them ever had an issue with providing full coverage. Progressive, Geico, National General, Liberty Mutual, just to name a few...
The Clean title cars are the ones that sucked my wallet dry due to their unreliability, with just 2 cars being the reliable exceptions.
The key is to look at condition, instead of mileage number or title status. Condition, Condition, Condition. Learn what to look for, as far as determining if the repair is correct and proper, or half-assed by Shaky Bill from trailer park.
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