Watch out for the scam artists whenever a lot of cars and trucks have experienced water damage! A while back there were a lot of cars damaged in floods. The scam people drained the water. cleaned the cars up, somehow got the smell out, and sold cars and trucks all over the country that had water damage. With all the cars and trucks that were damaged in the hurricanes you can bet somebody is up to the same old thing. Check used cars and trucks over carefully.
Submerged Cars
- Thread starter jimbeamalki
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To make a long story short, I was left a flood vehicle. Its brand new 2005 Malibu Maxx with 21000 on it. The fresh water came as high as the floorboards. The engine was replace and has 10,000 on it. Its running great right now but I know it will develop problems in a year or two. What kind of repairs should I make on it? Elec,airbags,fluids....etc?
Kestas
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I think I saw the same thing rjundi mentioned. After the hurricane, a group of people went into the area and documented the VIN of all submerged vehicles they could find, including the ones on dealer lots. If they couldn't read the number or unlock the car, they smashed a window to get the VIN. This same group of people did the same work with damaged cars near the WTC after 9/11.
"What kind of repairs should I make on it?"
I would just take the depreciation hit, & trade that sucker in on something new. Just tell yourself that the $$$ amount of depreciation is the same as what the future flood-related repairs would have cost you.
I would just take the depreciation hit, & trade that sucker in on something new. Just tell yourself that the $$$ amount of depreciation is the same as what the future flood-related repairs would have cost you.
Generally, I'd say get ready for lots of electrical issues on previously flooded cars. The smell of course too.
I've seen Polish websites, where these floods (lots from Katrina) are put up for sale. I'm guessing the insurance company has declared it a total loss, but with a salvage title they can be sold again. I suppose the prices are attractive enough for people from abroad to buy them, pay for transport, fixup, and possibly a profitable resale to an unaware buyer.
I've seen Polish websites, where these floods (lots from Katrina) are put up for sale. I'm guessing the insurance company has declared it a total loss, but with a salvage title they can be sold again. I suppose the prices are attractive enough for people from abroad to buy them, pay for transport, fixup, and possibly a profitable resale to an unaware buyer.
In 1974 my dad had a 1973 Catalina that got flooded. Mom was in a minor fender-bender and the body shop got flooded while it was there. Water was about halfway up the doors. The next two weeks we drove to Florida and back on vacation in a car that reeked of mold. When we got home they put new carpet in it, no other ill effects. By 1977 it was rusting out but that was par for the course back then and I can't attribute the rust to being flooded.
Of course this was the same car that dad took in for an oil change (before we did our own), they drained it and forgot to put in new.
He drove it for half a day with no oil and took it back when it made noise. They filled it and it was okay afterward, so maybe that car was just too tough to kill no matter what.
Cars today have a lot more electronics, so I'd worry more about that than the drivetrain.
Of course this was the same car that dad took in for an oil change (before we did our own), they drained it and forgot to put in new.
Cars today have a lot more electronics, so I'd worry more about that than the drivetrain.
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