Salvage title

["Turbo-T"]

Thinking about getting myself a small 4WD truck and came across this one. Guy is asking $1895 for it. It's a 1988 Nissan truck.

It's ok in the pics, albeit some rust and a bullet hole in the left fender. (saw it up close)

Haven't talked to the owner but in his words per an internet ad:

Mechanically, it is in great shape and it drives great. The title is previous salvage, as the previous owner said he was rear-ended once and they replaced the tailgate.

So not sure if I should just let this one go, or if a salvage title is not a big deal....???? (I believe I've heard cars with salvage titles don't sell nearly as well as ones with a clean title) I've never messed with a vehicle with a salvage title before. So I'm not sure what to expect. Although i can't see why a tail gate rear-ender would render a salvage title.....unless it were totalled and then someone rebuilt.

Here's some pics:

 

[sawmillman]

Cars or tucks with salvage tittles are hard to get rid of but if your buying to drive till the wheels fall off who cares?

 

[stack1]

Salvage titles only kill the value of an expensive vehicle. I wouldn't worry about it with this truck unless you plan on restoring it. Like SM man said, if you're driving it as a beater, who cares.

...

It probably totaled from a $2-3k rear ender. It would take replacing the bed and frame repair for it to reach that amount.

 

[Dwayne]

How about an american built truck......NO RICE !

 

["Turbo-T"]

What's wrong with an import truck? They're known for pretty much running forever. Plus ok fuel economy.

As far as american I wouldn't mind finding a 4WD S-10 if I could find a half decent one that's not on it's last breath and/or suffered at the hands of an abuser.

 

[TurboRegal84]

With todays market there are TONS of vehicles for sale that you can get a great deal on....pass on this one. Insurance companies don't total vehicles from a minor hit they total them due to the fact that there is EXTENSIVE damage. Usually there is some sort of frame/subframe damage that needs to be/has been corrected. In addition you should check your local DMV laws. Some states make it difficult to register a salvage/reconstructed title. I would hate to see another forum buy someones headache and then not be able to sell it due to the past of the vehicle. There are deals to be had in this market...take advantage of finding something nice!

 

["Turbo-T"]

I know what you mean. I'd love to have a nice truck but funds wont allow it right now. Really I was just thinking of a decent 4WD beater truck for the winter/mudding and such.

But then again I checked KBB.com just for the sake of it and this truck is way overpriced.

 

[TurboRegal84]

For that price range you might be able to pick up an older F150 or S10 4x4. By 'NICE' you can have a 1990's truck with a ton of miles on it but it could be in really nice condition! A good idea is to visit some of your local dealerships and talk with the used car sales manager about what you are looking for. You might find someone that traded in an older pickup for a new one and you can purchase it from the dealer. The dealer would most likely just sell the truck wholesale to another dealer I am sure they would not mind earning a customer! Dealers do not offer customers big bucks for high mile trades...but if you keep them serviced and take care of them they can run for a while!

BTW...take the KBB prices and throw them out the window...they are WAY high!

 

[steve hughes]

I used to inventory cars and trucks in a late model salvage yard. You would be shocked to see how little damage it takes for some insurance companies to total a vehicle. I bought an 84 Cutlass that had been stolen and recovered. Only damage was the decklid, steering column and radio . This was a nice well mantained car. Also bought an 89 Caprice that was junked because the header panel and interior were gone and the column was peeled. Insurance companies have also junked stolen and recovered cars with no damage simply because the customer had already been paid for the claim before it was recovered. If the price is right and it looks good i wouldn't shy away from it if you plan to drive for a long time.

 

[WeAreVenom]

Take it to a frame shop and have them check it out. Don't want to run through a ditch while off-roading and everything crumple around you.

 

[SS_Sean]

Walk away.

 

[turbojimmy]

I used to inventory cars and trucks in a late model salvage yard. You would be shocked to see how little damage it takes for some insurance companies to total a vehicle.

x3

Just a couple of other things to consider:

- Salvage vehicle laws vary from state to state. If you're buying it out of state, forget about it. You could wind up not being able to register it.
- If you plan to register it in the state in which you bought it, make sure it has been registered since the salvage title was issued. If it has not been registered since the event that totaled it, it could be A LOT of hassle to get a valid registration using the salvage title. Hopefully someone has already gone through that hassle.

If it runs and drives right then what's the problem?

Jim

 

[Scott A.]

Make him an offer if your interested, I wouldn't be too concerned about the salvage title for something in that price range. I've bought, drove, and sold (3) vehicles with salvage titles. Yes, they are harder to get rid of, but as said before, if you drive it till the wheels fall off, they can be good deals!

One of the vehicles I bought (Honda Accord) was totalled twice before I bought it (I bought it wrecked and gave little to nothing for it), they I put about 10k miles on it and a lady hit me in the passenger quarter panel (cosemetic damage), and her insurance company totalled it for the third time, and gave me a check for 4x what I paid for it! Last time I checked, it went to auction and is back on the road again!

 

[dwall]

Beware of 'Salvage' title designation...

Make him an offer if your interested, I wouldn't be too concerned about the salvage title for something in that price range. I've bought, drove, and sold (3) vehicles with salvage titles. Yes, they are harder to get rid of, but as said before, if you drive it till the wheels fall off, they can be good deals!

One of the vehicles I bought (Honda Accord) was totalled twice before I bought it (I bought it wrecked and gave little to nothing for it), they I put about 10k miles on it and a lady hit me in the passenger quarter panel (cosemetic damage), and her insurance company totalled it for the third time, and gave me a check for 4x what I paid for it! Last time I checked, it went to auction and is back on the road again!

For example: WI 'Salvage' title can not be operated on public roadway unless being driven to/or from a State inspection site. Passing this inspection gives the title brand a 'Rebuilt Salvage' designation which can be registered & driven here in WI.

You may want to check rules with the state where the title is held. Usually this can be found on the State's DMV Website.

As far as extent of dammage/driveability, you need to determine that. Insurance companies may total out a 1988 vehicle for very little visible damage which could lead to the salvage designation thru a resale.

Here is the WI phrasing with related links from internet:

Salvage vehicle - A vehicle less than seven years old that is not considered junk and damaged by collision or other occurrence (other than from hail damage) to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle is more than 70% of the fair market value. Or, a vehicle of any model year last titled in another jurisdiction with a salvage brand.

Also as turbojimmy says - know your states related law also!

Good luck! Its probably worth looking over but you need to know the regs & rules. HTH

 

[getchasum]

To say that a vehicle has had a lot of damage just because it has salvage history is just not so. Most insurance company’s total out at 25-35% damage, so let says the vehicle in question was worth $3000 that would only give you $750 in damages before they would total it. That's not going to get you much body work. 2nd anytime an insurance company has a pay off on a vehicle, due to a claim being file, it's going to have a Damage Disclosure attached to the title, no matter how small the claim.

 

[GNXwannabe]

Just depends....

This is my wifes GN that we bought with a "salvage" title. 70k original miles. No accident history but TWO thefts!!!! Actually the "best looking" GN we had seen at the time (looked at several "clean title" cars that should have been titled JUNK) so we bought it! If you are not looking to make money on a resale no biggie. Just get the history before you buy! You are not driving the title! If it's a good buy and fits the need take advantage a GOOD deal if your state is not a pain in the A$$ getting it registered. BTW we did the add-ons (flares, vent, wheels, tires, etc)

 

[Grumpy]

if a car is stolen and gone for 30 days the insurance co owns it . I bought a LOT of these cars from the mid 80s to early 90s from them. lowest milege was a (NEW)86 Regal with 80 something miles on it had another theft Cutless that was NICE with less than 5k on it. car was stolen and used in robbery's .. damm that was a while ago
oh as far as this thread.. who cares about a salvage title with a beater ??

 

[dwall]

Maybe my GN save will look half that good one day

This is my wifes GN that we bought with a "salvage" title. 70k original miles. No accident history but TWO thefts!!!! Actually the "best looking" GN we had seen at the time (looked at several "clean title" cars that should have been titled JUNK) so we bought it! If you are not looking to make money on a resale no biggie. Just get the history before you buy! You are not driving the title! If it's a good buy and fits the need take advantage a GOOD deal if your state is not a pain in the A$$ getting it registered. BTW we did the add-ons (flares, vent, wheels, tires, etc)

Great car!!! Looks fine. A great example of what a 'salvage' title can be.

When you know its 'salvage' you pay appropriate $. Vehicle condition is the thing.

In the end, if you know what the 'salvage' title brand means in your state, it doesn't matter, either a GN or a old truck can be a buy. If you want to drive it down the road, just know what you have and what you need to do to take the hassel out of the picture where you live.

Like Grumpy says:
"oh as far as this thread.. who cares about a salvage title with a beater ??"

....X2 ....as I had a 'rebuilt salvage' beater with a heater more than a couple years ago. I got over 12K mile out of it before it turned into a road block. Best $18 (+ registration) I ever spent back in those easy come easy go days. :biggrin: