Topic: Any car dealers out there ?

[greenjeans]

Seems like there are alot of cars turning up with "salvage" titles lately.    What is up with that ?

Also, seems like a rash of small independent dealers that are buying cars at auction (from Toyota financial or others similar)

I was looking at a Toyota FJ Cruiser the other day and somehow the rear axles were bent, which cause a slight vibration.

Now, he's telling me that he can't sell it to me without fixing them - which I understand.   I was trying to talk him into selling it to me rather than salvageing it.  I was interested in buying the vehicle at the salvage price, since the rest of it was impossibly clean.  He acted like it happened all the time - salvageing them or sending them to salvage auctions.

Anybody in the know ?

[RAFster122s]

Cars that are stolen and wrecked or after they have been paid out by insurance end up with salvage title upon recovery.  Cars in natural disasters will often end up as salvaged titles as well (floods, hurricanes, hail storms, etc.)

Titling a salvaged car initially is a matter or restoring to roadworthy condition and proving this to the inspection station who examines and tests the vehicle. If the car changes states, then you have to document what caused the salvaged title and money to restore to road worthy conditions has been my experience.

If you wreck a salvaged car, insurances love to turn into small furry rodents called weasels who will do everything in their power to not pay or downgrade the value of the vehicle.

[greenjeans]

Anybody heard of a salvage auction ?      The guy acted like he was just going to run it back through the auction.

[Red Good]

Probably just run it thru a dealer auction and pass on his problems to some one else .

[jamesb]

We have two salvage lots here.  all it is a lot full of junk cars that you go and do a silent bid on. Here in Topeka Kansas it is insane to get a car salvaged to be roadworthy. The laws are very strict. Some are wrecked, flooded ,stolen recovery,and burned. Check your area laws on owning a salvaged title vehicle also your insurance company. I know our insurance doesn't allow salvaged vehicles same as my motorcycle insurance company.

[starsnbars89]

Here in PA, getting a "R-title" is pretty simple, but the car has to go through an "enhanced inspection" to be given a sticker. Once it passes though, you're home free. Hence, there is a pretty good business here in repairing salvaged vehicles and selling them. Michigan is similar as well I believe. You usually have to have a dealer's license to buy salvage titled vehicles though.

[74cb750]

Ah yes. I remember looking at a salvage restored vehicle. It looked really nice inside and out. When I got in to drive I noticed the floor mats were moving. Apparantly the used car seller had forgotten to take all the water out from the rugs. Not a good thing as I am sure the thing would be rusted out in short order with the salt we have on Vermont roads.

Buyers beware.

PS. Ever notice; car salesmen know lots of people but have very few friends?