I really don't know a lot about vehicles, and is maybe reason enough to stay away from purchasing a rebuilt / salvage vehicle. However I am struggling to find a Honda Fit which I am kind of set on as it really fits the bill for me. Any listings that do have a clean title are a bit more expensive than I would like, and am finding I am getting impatient waiting for something to come along. So this has lead me to considering purchasing a rebuilt / salvage. I would intend to drive it until it dies as my wife comes first in terms of having the better vehicle. I have had to put about $800.00 dollars into a ford taurus 02' 178k miles i've had for only a year, and now it's leaking coolant so I'm ready to replace it. I've included a link to the original listing, and the salvage db showing pictures of the damage done. I have another listing I messaged a seller on asking for the vin# which he said he would get back to me tonight with.

Any advice at all would be appreciated regarding price / damage / personal experience with salvage / only buy clean title / don't bother if not mechanically inclined really anything would be appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time in advance!

2011 Honda Fit Sport AT 74,680 miles. Free 90 day Warranty.

Salvage vehicle photo: VIN number - JHMGE8H56BC026262

Listing I am waiting for the vin number on.
2009 Honda Fit Sports - Almost Brand New - Only 10k Miles W/Navi

 

Buying a salvage car is definately a gamble. What was the damage, wreck, underwater, or other? I would not buy a salvage unless it's all I could afford. I would buy a older/higher milage car before I would buy salvage.

 

Salvage cars can be a good deal

BUT.....

You have to know what you are doing when you buy one.

Start by researching the ViN# on google. I looked up the silver one you referenced and it sold at auction in Tulsa last November. For $3.99 Copart (the auction house) will send you the pictures they took when it went to auction. That will give you a good idea how much damage it had and help you decide what to look at to see if it was repaired correctly.

Do NOT rely on the state inspection that was done to convert the title from salvage to repaired. Some states do a decent job on inspecting other are only looking to see if you used stolen parts to repair it.

As a side note when you insure it, most companies will not care if it has a "repaired" title but when it comes time to settle a claim the adjuster will devalue the car somewhere between 15% and 40% .

So it is buyer beware, but if you know what you are doing they can be a very good deal. I have bought several cars with "repaired" titles.

I bought a "salvage" Colorado pick up one time and drove from New York home to Indiana. I did the repairs which was to replace the bed, rear bumper, and trailer hitch. I found one that same color in Ohio, stopped there on the way home from New York, and installed it in the junk yard parking lot. It took me and my Daughter less than an hour.

Also on the way home I stopped by an Indiana State Police Post and got an inspection. So by the time I got home I had a new to me "repaired" pickup. When I sold it, I made $4300 on that deal and spent a total of 3 days on it getting it, repairing it, and driving it back here.

Good luck on your quest. Just be sure you know what you are getting it to.