so my s/o is looking for a car and she came across an offer for a 98 honda civic with 90k miles for $4500. the title is salvaged from a "minor" accident according to the ower (a co-worker of my s/o). as per the owner, it has been assessed by 2 mechanics as mechanically and structurally sound, regularly serviced, yadda yadda yadda.

anyone have experience with a salvaged vehicle? assuming the car is in good condition,(straight body/frame, no wind noise while moving) what am i looking at at other than a poor resale value?

 

never trust a salvaged car, not worth the headaches

ESPECIALLY when that salvaged car is a honda.

 

it seems like every single salvage cars out there was in a "minor" accident, if it was minor, then why was it salvaged...granted if it was a 91 civic its a rolling wreck, but something newer shouldn't be...I would look for a corolla or something, I've seen plenty of 97/98 with around 90/100k for around $5000 or less

 

+1, I personally have been burned by the above description. Not worth the pain bro.

 

Most people won't touch a salvage car since they don't want to do anything to make it worse. Plus, if a "minor" accident does more damage than what the car is worth, I don't see how it's only "minor"

 

I bought a salvaged GSR one. What a mistake...upon closer inspection all the panels didnt line up, it made weird noises on the highway, etc.

I was lucky enough to pawn it off to some ricer and didnt lose any money on it. It was then stolen a few months later (i got the notice, the ricer never registered it in his name)

 

I'm actually one of the few people that had a good experience with a salvaged car, and a Honda no less....

Anyway, my previous car before the Subaru was a 2000 Civic Si that had a salvage title for theft recovery—it had been stolen and partially stripped, but all the parts had been replaced by the time I bought it. I was really careful, though—the previous owner had all the paperwork form the insurance company, and I took it to two separate shops (and even paid for a 4-wheel alignment) to make sure that there wasn't any funny business damagewise. Everything checked out, so I bought it...and in the three years it was mine I had no problems with it at all. Contrary to some rumors, it was easy to get full-coverage insurance as well.

Well, no problems until I bought my WRX and tried to sell it, and had to explain the salvage title to prospective buyers...

So yeah, there are some good salvage stories out there...but be careful.

 

avoid salvages... unless the damage was very minor.

whats wrong with salvaged hondas? easier to repair and make reliable.

 

If the car isn't currently registered, there are stricter inspection requirements to get it registered. I had a friend who bought a salavaged vehicle and there were all kinds of issues with getting it registered.

Also, I would have your s/o have her own mechanic look it over if she is really interested.

 

I'm going to be putting up a 97 Altima with nearly all the options for sale here later this week. It's salvage title, a lot of body panels were replaced, doors, but the car is great shape.

-Gagan

 

what's s/o?

 

significant other?

 

Slave Owner?

 

maybe for you confederate boy