Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Salvage titles

[TJarecke]

How many of you drive salvage or repaired title pickups? If you don't would you?

I found a '98 12V 5spd quad cab short box, Sport 80,000 miles :--) But it is a salvage title and some people have issues with driving them. Just wondering your opinions.

Other than that the price seems right and it is alot nicer than what I have seen for the price.

 

[jmeehan]

I'd buy one BUT...

1. Why was it given a salvage title? i. e. flood damage, wrecked, etc.

2. Did the airbags deploy? Were they replaced? Some places will rebuild a vehicle and not replace the expensive air bags.

3. Were the repairs done correctly? Hire a mechanic AND body shop to check the truck out. You may end up with a truck that will eat tires or never align.

4. It may be hard to sell because of the salvage title, when you decide to sell it.



Those are my thoughts on the matter. If everything looks all right, the price reflects the salvage title, and you can accept #4, I'd go for it.

 

[az]

You may want to check on insurance as well, some companies will not insure an salvage vehical or it may cost you more then its worth.

 

[KHelfrich]

the big thing with salvage title vechicles are weather the repairs were done correctly my frined has an 01 theat was slamed int the front real hard and they replaced the frame cab and front end so its like a whole new truck you can uasallly get a good price on them i have almost bought a few r-title vechicles and have lots of friends that do have them but we get most of them form one guy we know who does a really good job fixing them



is the truck at a dealer or private party and if its at a dealer which one



ken

 

[IRNGOAT]

yes I have one that I just purchased, I know the guy that built it and I got it for a good price ( he has more).

 

[Scot]

A rebuilt title will scare a lot of people off when it comes time to sell. Assuming it is fixed right, your best bet is to drive it a lot of miles before selling or parting it.



I bought back my '93 and fixed it and have <$2500 in it and plan to drive it for a long time.

 

[John - K5AWO]

If a vehicle is stolen, and it is gone long enough that the insurance company has paid off on the loss, and THEN it is recovered- even though no damage may have been done, it must be given a salvage title.



My wife's daughter just bought a 2000 Ford Explorer Eddy Baur edition for low bucks. It was inspected by two different body shops that provided written statements that the truck was original.



Insurance was not an issue, their regular insurance company covered it just like their other vehicles.

 

[Sootscooter]

Vins

If you are looking at a salvage title vehicle, be very careful to check the Vin numbers. The same vin is generally located in several different places throughout the vehicle. Car thieves will steal a car, then change the vin # to one from a totalled/crashed car. Then they go down to the DMV, and try and get it by inspections. Just a thought- Ryan

 

[pwerwagn]

I have ahd 3 Sal titled vehicles, I have one of them still. I would buy them again in a heartbeat, as long as it was fixed right. Also plan on driving it for a while, as it is kinda hard to sell them.

The salvaged title vehicle i have now was totalled when it was a year old (1990) and only had like 6,000 miles. It now has almost 200K miles and the only thing ever replaced has been the radiator and tires (even the plugs and wires and cap and rotor and hoses are original!!!)