Aubrey Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) The good: It's a Honda w/ about 140k, priced under $4k. Dh drove it, & he said it's really smooth--one of the nicest cars he's driven. Very clean on the inside, etc. The bad: It's got a salvaged title. The guy (friend of owner; it's parked on his business lot) says the van was driven through some chicken wire or something & the body damage was enough to cause the salvaged title. Obviously, we'll check out the story, Car Fax, etc. But is it worth putting more time into it? For what it is, my first question was why it hadn't sold yet, & after reading about salvaged titles...well, I understand. Finally, if you would consider it, I have a question about price. It's been listed about $500 below the Kelley Blue Book price for a "good" condition vehicle & that price has been subsequently dropped to about $100 below the "fair" condition price. Dh thinks that's reasonable for the (supposed) condition of the car. He thinks that if not for the title, the car looks like it's in good to excellent condition. Fwiw. KBB says that w/ a salvaged title, it's automatically considered "poor" condition, so I wonder if the price is *still* too high, considering that it would be difficult to resell. Dh is trusting. I'm a skeptic. I generally figure the right answer is somewhere between our two gut reactions. :lol: :bigear: Edited October 25, 2011 by Aubrey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK_Mom4 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 This is one that I would probably take to a mechanic for a check out before I put out the cash. Under $4K is a good price, but it's enough money that you don't want to be stuck with a car that needs major expensive repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 So would it be better to go w/ something like a Ford? There are plenty of those that people want to get rid of. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Honda's a good vehicle. I think the hesitation here is due to the amount of damage it's sustained. And for that kind of mileage, depending on the year, I don't really see $4k as that great a price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Honda's a good vehicle. I think the hesitation here is due to the amount of damage it's sustained. And for that kind of mileage, depending on the year, I don't really see $4k as that great a price. It's a 2000. I haven't seen *any* Hondas (other than this one) for under about 6 or 7k. And most of those have 200k miles on them. Not that I'm saying it IS a good deal, lol, just by *far* the best I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Well, you gotta check on the damage. And, if the title is "salvaged", does that mean it's no longer roadworthy? Can it be registered, etc.? Back in the day I've had cars "salvaged" and were only permitted for parts use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I'd just research it carefully. I would kick myself for passing up a deal like that if I hadn't thoroughly checked out my fears about condition beforehand. Get a mechanic or two to look it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 I'd just research it carefully. I would kick myself for passing up a deal like that if I hadn't thoroughly checked out my fears about condition beforehand. Get a mechanic or two to look it over. I love this quote from the about.com site: The price is going to seem right and you’re really going to want to buy it. These things *never* turn out to be a good deal. Unless it's someone else, not me, buying it. :glare: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee22 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 We bought a VW with a salvage title years ago. It was great for a few years and then we started having trouble with it. My husband was hit from behind which seemed to only leave a cosmetic mark on the bumper but then we started having major issues. I am sure that this would not be the issue with all vehicles. Just something to think about.... I'd probably want to get it for a great price in order to take the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Martin Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Used cars are a lot more expensive now than they were a few years ago. I'd try to get the price down a bit, but I'd likely buy it either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 No I would not buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Check with your insurance first. I am not sure if ours will even insure a salvaged vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Check whether you can get it titled and insured. I believe that a salvage title means it is only to be sold for parts because it was totalled and written off by the insurance company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 (edited) A 2000 Odyssey--nope. They are notorious for transmission problems... Edited November 10, 2021 by prairiewindmomma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Martin Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Check with your insurance first. I am not sure if ours will even insure a salvaged vehicle. Very good point. I would definitely check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I don't think a salvage title is a bad thing. Here, all of the cars we have ever owned since being married have had salvage titles. It depends on your plans for the car. We buy them, after having them checked out to see what it needs, repair them if needed, then drive them until they really and truly die or are wrecked beyond reasonable costs to fix. Also, we only keep liability insurance on them. It has been better for us to own 3 salvage title cars and keep liability on them. One car for me, one for my husband, and one in case to drive if one needs repairs or dies. Because of this system, we pay a lot less in insurance, have a back up vehicle that didn't cost us very much, and we don't have any car payments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Ford Winstar literally self destructed at 110K miles. I will never, ever buy another Ford. Dawn So would it be better to go w/ something like a Ford? There are plenty of those that people want to get rid of. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I was going to mention this as well. I have heard ours won't. Dawn Check with your insurance first. I am not sure if ours will even insure a salvaged vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 ...We buy them, after having them checked out to see what it needs, repair them if needed, then drive them until they really and truly die or are wrecked beyond reasonable costs to fix. Also, we only keep liability insurance on them. It has been better for us to own 3 salvage title cars and keep liability on them. One car for me, one for my husband, and one in case to drive if one needs repairs or dies. Because of this system, we pay a lot less in insurance, have a back up vehicle that didn't cost us very much, and we don't have any car payments... We do something similar, but not with salvage vehicles - with cars from the auto auction. We automatically add $2,000 to the price to come up with a reasonable price for a vehicle we're interested in. Then if it needs a new transmission or other major work (you can start them up but can't drive them), we're still within our price range. Unless the car is extremely nice, we'll pay less than $1,000...and usually more like $500. Cash for Clunkers really did a number on the used car market; all the inexpensive cars were traded in for $4,500 and now we're just starting to see some reasonably priced used cars hit the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Ford Winstar literally self destructed at 110K miles. I will never, ever buy another Ford. Dawn Ah, true - I did have a windstar that died on me. Did you know they were SO bad, that they dared not name the new year's models "Windstars"? It's something similar but I can't recall what it was... But the Ford Explorers and Broncos we've had have kept running until the bodies literally fell apart! lol My old Aerostar van was a gem too! Tried and true Ford models are truly good vehicles. It's when they go tinkering around with new stuff that they have trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Ford Winstar literally self destructed at 110K miles. I will never, ever buy another Ford. Dawn On the other hand, we just sold a Windstar that was still going strong at 206k miles. Dh has a Ford Freestar (work vehicle) that is doing fine at 130k miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbkaren Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 "Freestar"! lol that's the name... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Pencil Pusher, When you look at the Car Fax, it will tell you what the salvage title is for. You will know if the vehicle had body damage, frame damage, flood damage, etc. That will help you determine if the van is worth the risk. Vehicles with a salvage title are almost always insurable. If it's the first time it's been registered after being 'salvaged' (doesn't sound like this is your circumstance) your MVD will probably require an inspection. My dh has owned a few salvaged vehicles. It's a case-by-case thing for us, deciding whether to buy the vehicle. It can be a great deal or your worst nightmare. Do your research, have the vehicle checked out by two different mechanics and offer a really low price. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 It should be insurable. We bought a 1993 Salvaged Car in 1995. DH still drives it. Complete with a "don't laugh, it's paid for" bumper sticker. The stupid thing gets 30 mpg in town so he won't get rid of it. I would be more concerned with the amount of miles on the car. As long as you are prepared for it to have old-age issues, then you should be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 It really depends on the model, but 140K is not bad mileage for a Honda. They go on forever. Definitely have a mechanic take a look at it, and check with your insurance company - after you check Carfax of course. Start there and find out why it was salvaged and if it's worth buying. If you decide to go for it, I'd work on getting the price down. It's not bad, especially for a Honda, but not good either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Nope. Go with your gut. I think that a) it's got too many miles and you're going to be on the hook for a new transmission before you know it, and b) Honda sucks. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 We had (well have) a 2001 Odyssey. It's got a third transmission rebuild in it right now and the transmission is out. So a 2000 Odyssey alone would put me off--salvage aside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 No, we would not buy it. I generally concur that Hondas and Toyotas will 'run forever' but you have to maintain them and replace parts as needed in order for them to do that. At 140K I would expect to start replacing parts -- expensive ones -- very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 The bad: It's got a salvaged title. The guy (friend of owner; it's parked on his business lot) says the van was driven through some chicken wire or something & the body damage was enough to cause the salvaged title. Okay, in my experience, an insurer will total a car if the repairs will cost more than the value of the car. I can be a perfectly good car with cosmetic body damge. HOWEVER, If the body damage was that extensive to cause it to be totaled, it should be apparent. If damage is not easily discerned, i'd be VERY suspicious and probably drop my interest now. If it was fixed, I'd want to see the repair records and would go over them with the mechanic. I can't imagine someone fixing what would be cosmetic damage and turnind it around and selling it and being reputable. I would be VERY skeptical that it's the truth. I know there are unscrupulous salvagers will snag flood damaged cars with salvaged titles (pull up the carpet and start looking for mold), clean them up and resell them to unsuspecting buyers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubrey Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 Okay, in my experience, an insurer will total a car if the repairs will cost more than the value of the car. I can be a perfectly good car with cosmetic body damge. HOWEVER, If the body damage was that extensive to cause it to be totaled, it should be apparent. If damage is not easily discerned, i'd be VERY suspicious and probably drop my interest now. If it was fixed, I'd want to see the repair records and would go over them with the mechanic. I can't imagine someone fixing what would be cosmetic damage and turnind it around and selling it and being reputable. I would be VERY skeptical that it's the truth. I know there are unscrupulous salvagers will snag flood damaged cars with salvaged titles (pull up the carpet and start looking for mold), clean them up and resell them to unsuspecting buyers. I find the story a little too convenient, too. We were going to go back & look at it together today, but...I don't know, I'm feeling a little too close to time at the moment, & other things came up. I hadn't thought about flood damage, though. That would be AWFUL for dh in particular. And a new baby? Ugh! Thanks for the reminder--we were just thinking framish stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I am a big bargain shopper, so I truly can understand the appeal. BUT, we've been burned big time on used vehicles, especially with dodgy titles or other "issues" and I would never do it again. We bought a used van once from a Pastor and his wife who seemed sweet as could be, and we spent A LOT of money trying to get it to pass inspection and get registered and it was the worst money pit ever. We ended up spending what we had, having to wait until we could afford the rest of the work, and then finally selling it a year later for a quarter of what we had paid, excluding the repairs, without ever having driven it. The only way I'd buy a salvaged title vehicle ever again is from someone I knew personally, who had detailed records of the repairs done, and who had already had it retitled themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 If KBB says salvage title = automatically "poor" condition, I would show them that, and try to get them to match or beat the price for it in poor condition. But only after: 1. Seeing if you could insure it 2. Getting a trusted mechanic to check it out 3. Maybe get a CarFax report? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I love my 2000 Honda Odyssey! No mechanical problems--it's never in the shop. I can't speak to the salvage title issues, but since there have been some posts saying this model year has problems I just want to share that that has not been our experience at all. Our previous car was an American model. We love having a Japanese car again--very few oil changes needed, no mechanical issues. It is just always there for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extendedforecast Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 Keep looking. I saw a 2000 Oddyssey with 148000 mi and a clean title going for $3000 the other day. I really think you can get a better deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissad2 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 We sell used cars and I own a tahoe with a salvaged title. It was stolen/recovered and had to be basically reassembled with some front end damage. If it is repaired properly then it shouldn't be a problem. Have someone check for frame damage and body repirs that were done with filler instead of relacement parts or dent removal. Check with the dmv to make sure you can get it registered particularly if it has an out of state title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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