Anybody ever buy a salvage title vehicle?

[Colonoscopy]

Looking at picking up a vehicle for storm chasing with a specific drivetrain config. Found one but is a salvage... backend was damaged, looks like they re-did back bumper and rear door.

Great maintenance records and a 1 owner vehicle.

Terrible idea even if I get the OK from a mechanic? Assume insurance will pick it up fine.

The seller is Sam's Riverside near Des Moines, apparently they specialize in these sorts of salvage fix-up scenarios, if anyone is familiar with them.

Sam's Riverside, in Des Moines, Iowa, buys and sells repairable cars, SUVs, light trucks, motorcycles and heavy trucks.

www.samsriverside.com

 

[Moral]

That Chrysler 300 is the perfect storm chasing vehicle.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

 

[BelemNole]

I've been tempted but wouldn't do it without someone inspecting the frame.

 

[3boysmom]

Each of our kids have bought salvage title vehicles. No real issues with them. Middle son wrecked both of the ones he bought and insurance covered. The other boys resold them when they were ready for a different car.

 

[noStemsnoSTICKS]

I have not, but know those who have. No major issues.

I've heard you don't want a salvaged title as a result of a flood, though.

Too many electrical issues apparently.

 

[Kelsers]

The main issue, assuming nothing is wrong with the vehicle, is trade-in value will be greatly reduced when you get rid of it.

 

[fredjr82]

The main issue, assuming nothing is wrong with the vehicle, is trade-in value will be greatly reduced when you get rid of it.

It's a storm chasing car. Doesn't sound like something they're hoping to get a Preferred Resale classification for

 

[TNHAWK79]

Looking at picking up a vehicle for storm chasing with a specific drivetrain config. Found one but is a salvage... backend was damaged, looks like they re-did back bumper and rear door.

Great maintenance records and a 1 owner vehicle.

Terrible idea even if I get the OK from a mechanic? Assume insurance will pick it up fine.

The seller is Sam's Riverside near Des Moines, apparently they specialize in these sorts of salvage fix-up scenarios, if anyone is familiar with them.

Sam's Riverside, in Des Moines, Iowa, buys and sells repairable cars, SUVs, light trucks, motorcycles and heavy trucks.

www.samsriverside.com

I did and loved it! Had no issues with the car. You’ll be an amazed why an insurance company deems a vehicle totaled. Ask for the before pics and repair work beforehand. There’s a place in TN that specializes in salvage titles and is selective on which ones they buy, and always with pics.

Hope that helps..

 

[isufan21]

I have owned 2 through the years, they both worked out great. Would buy one again in the future. It is important to know what happened to make it salvaged and what was done to fix it.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

If the frame is straight and the accident didn’t require anything but body work you likely won’t have any problems with it unless it’s just a dog poop car in the first place.

My daily driver has had body work repairs three different times but mechanically has been outstanding. Just bad luck keeping the skin intact.

 

[Kelsers]

It's a storm chasing car. Doesn't sound like something they're hoping to get a Preferred Resale classification for

Well, then take that into account.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

I buy 4-8 vehicles per year, business needs, and have bought about 8-10 salvage titles over the years. I have had mostly good luck with them, but probably two of them had "gremlins". Electrical issues from trucks that had been in significant wrecks. I am still "ahead", because I pay much less for them this way, but one of those got pretty annoying before we seemed to finally fix it once and for all.

I'll do it again.

 

[Colonoscopy]

If the frame is straight and the accident didn’t require anything but body work you likely won’t have any problems with it unless it’s just a dog poop car in the first place.

My daily driver has had body work repairs three different times but mechanically has been outstanding. Just bad luck keeping the skin intact.

Yeah, have the before pictures. Looked like they'd drive away fine, just rear swing out door and bumper that had to be done. Guessing it's fine that way, but I'll have someone look.