partsguyonline

as in BS, one of my buddy's has an 03 celica, one day the engine sounded like it was down one cylinder, car started shaking and making a putting sound, and the check engine came on. He called the dealer and made an appointment to take it in. When he got their, they were talking about over revving and engine sounds like it was dragged. They said some crazy stuff like we're gonna tear it down and see what happens, but if they find bent valves from over revving, they're gonna charge him $800 labor for tearing it down. And he would be liable for the repairs. Once they started working on it, they found out that one of the spark plugs broke in the cylinder, they just vacuumed it out and replaced it. No real customer service or benefit of the doubt, They haggle you about the warranty and he bought it certified used with the extended warranty. So he was covered both ways, but they still gave him a hard time. Why pay 1500-2000 for the extra warranty that 9 outta 10 times doesnt pay for itself. But we're getting off the subject, didnt mean to side track on warranty issues.
Salvage cars to me are excellent way to go. It's not for all, and you gotta be selective and make sure you're getting a good car.

tcperconti

I have never, NEVER been able to do that (in the 32 years of purchasing and owning new vehicles)... nor has anyone I've known.

Again... the only time I've seen an insurance company total out a claim is when the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle.

UBOW

Hey Partsguy, I'm not seein' you have an audience here. Sure, some people may want to buy a vehicle that needs work, but any 'true' xB that is salvaged is going to need $8000 just to get it back to stock condition. That's more than just interior, airbags and a wiring harness. You are looking at body parts and a paint job. Unibody work on a salvaged vehicle isn't always something I trust.

I've done t-bone repairs and that's the only one I have faith in because it is the least structural. If the repair involves a pillar or frame, man, you could be asking for many future headaches.

Any salvage purchase would be a case-by-case decision and I would never do it without touching the vehicle and getting inside and underneath it.

partsguyonline

True that! but t-bones arent always the way to go, sometimes they dont line the doors up well, from the hinge repair, and sometimes the roof is damage, and if a scion would be tboned, it would have roof damge. I rather have a rear ender with minimal 1/4 panel damage. But for sure I hear where all of you are coming from. I just wanted to see the perspective of this community on scion life. I would'nt buy a salvage car without seeing it. I've been really successful in selling cars as a salvage builder, but the demand of a scion is NUTS, and the prices are outrageous! Sometimes you could get cars for 1/2 price. I have a 2005 rsx type s for $13000 obo. I dont wanna sit here and argue, just wanna hear everyones opinion.

UBOW

I've noticed in the last coupla years people have been mis-using the term t-boning. They thing a t-bone collision is one where the car is impacted square on any side. In truth, a t-bone collision can only occur in the front and damages the radiator support strut, front bumper, grill, possibly the hood and radiator. Severe cases would include the radiator, hood and engine components. Extreme cases would include steering and engine components and likely the suspension.

Collisions on the side is not classic t-boning. That is just a side impact.

partsguyonline

Take a look at this car, does it look like it was a total loss? The only thing replaced was the rt fender, front cover, and rt headlight. The a/c and cooling unit is original cars has 11K miles. The airbags did deploy and needed to replace complete unit with belts and sensors. Does this car look like a junker total loss?

partsguyonline

it depends, who does the boning. The impacting car is usually frontend damage the reciever is the side damage. So you figure out who bones who? I'm not a reciever! you?

Sciond

like I said I would put in on a lift see how the frame was repaired etc...

Sciond

Biggest reason not to buy salvage..Carfax..guarantees no resale value

SolarGrrl

I would never buy a salvage titled car for an everday commuter. I figure the resale value is toast and you're never completely sure if the car is problem free. If the car was going to be stripped and become a track car or show car, thats different...but I still wouldn't buy one.

Tyler_Knight

If you have ever taken a look at some pic's at wreckedscions.com? These cars have a crumple zone that basically starts at the front bumper and ends at the rear. Sure, some of these were lower speed incidents that only affected the plastic cover, but most any impact from the front where the air bags are popped resulted in significant structural damage. If the fender was wrinkled from a rear impact and the doors no longer align it is the same deal. The box is made of tin! I'll bet you could make almost an entire xA from the recycled steel from the trunk and hood of a '72 Cadillac.... ;^)

I guess you really have to have a good understanding of is how a title was assigned as "salvage". I have seen salvage cars that were listed as salvage with the claim that only the front fender was replaced. I have seen salvage cars that were never in an accident, but had been given to a salvage yard and the DMV would only title it as "salvage". As was noted in another posting, salvage may be a theft recovery with some minor interior damage (but you have to assume that the engine was abused). It may have been as serious as rollover. Either way, a salvage title should be avoided like the plague unless you are looking for a parts car. A possible exception would be if the owner had some before and after pictures and documentation of repairs or a serious and extensive documented history, but even then it can easily take 20-50% off the value of a vehicle.

Ever seen the bad e-bay postings for "repairable" salvage vehicles? I am talking about roll over and 30MPH front impacts with an immovable object. How anyone could ever believe it is worth it to repair an xB with damage so severe that the roof is wrinkled and the doors will not close is beyond me.

Caveat Emptor

gslippy

I'd never touch a salvage title on a car I can buy new for $14k. The term "salvage" will dog that car for the rest of its life - for future repairs, tire wear, road noise, wind noise, body integrity, rust, warranty, resale, insurance, and potentially safety. Every time a repair question comes up you'll wonder if it's because the car was salvaged.

As someone said earlier, if it was super cheap and intended to be a second car, then maybe. But I've owned good bargains before that turned out to be very expensive to work out all the bugs on - definitely not worth it.

partsguyonline

I'm not too familar with carfax's guarantee of resale value, but for example, if you goto kbb.com and rate a vehicle I have "05 scion xb burgundy auto 3K miles" branded salvage, rate it, with major repair done and salvage title, it'll come out as $12,600. I know I could get $11,500.

partsguyonline

Car is total loss if the damage of the car is 50%-100% of the cars value. If you got into an accident and the damages were more then 50%, but the insurance company didnt want to totalyour car out, instead they decide to repair your car. You wouldnt drive it around daily? ic....nice paperweight!

J_A_Trevino

i would buy a salvaged xb but i would only use it for parts and expiriments before doing them to my xb

partsguyonline

14K new? plus tax liscense and destination fee, automatic is alittle bit more. Dont tell me everyone here paid $15G out the door for their xb? I have an 05 scion xb auto for $11,800 registered, includes liscense smog and registration. You're talking about a $3-5g difference for a branded but almost same condition car. I'll show you pics of this car.

as far as super cheap, for sure you could get one for $8000, but you pay for what you get. Sounds like super bondo to me for that price.

Captain_tC

The only way I would even consider a salvage is if I was incredibly desperate for a ride and the asking price is no more than 50% of the blue book value. Otherwise, no way in hell.

tcperconti

I paid $14.8K total... out the door (tax & tags included). 05 STD w/Alloy wheels.

I still want to know what insurance company is going to total out an xB that only needs a new fender.

wholeflaffer

Paperweight...probably not, especially considering that such a hypothetical car wouldn't have a salvage title. If it were me, I'd sell it quick & (relatively) cheap, then maybe buy a new one of the same model. For a couple of thousand simoleons I'd have a new car with far less chance of long-term headaches.

partsguyonline

Yeah but you just forked out 15G for a new one, only had it for 2 months and only drove for 2K miles, you're gonna sell it for "cheap", say 12g's? or are we talking 8g's, your sh*t outta of luck. Gonna lose all that money and buy a new one with less headache? that less headache just turnt into a 18-23G's headache.

But I still love all of your opinions, and totally respect it, but if you dealt with me, you'll buy salvage.