salvaged prius

I bought an 06 salvage prius with 60k miles in 2013. It now has 110k miles only maintenance so far was oil and filter changes and spark plugs nothing major. So far buying salvage was a benefit for me in regards to cost.

 

so, some insurance company totaled a vehicle that didn't need any work?

 

I purchased a 2000 Honda Civic Si with a Salvage title, it was a theft recovery. The story I got was that the vehicle was missing for a period of time before it was recovered. The insurance co paid the owner out and then recovered it so it went to auction. Being an insurance auction and the way the laws are written, the car came with a salvage title but wasn't in an accident. The Stereo and Wheels & Tires were missing, other than that, it was a very nice car. This was back in 2002 and the car had 11K miles on it. I bought it at a dealer that specializes in Salvage Vehicles. I am on my 5th salvage vehicle, both of my Prii are salvage vehicles they were involved in minor accidents w/o airbag deployment.

 

A friend had a similar experience with a motorcycle. It had been stolen, and hidden away in a garage for a couple of years. The only problem it had was that it hadn't been stored properly (gas wasn't drained), so the carb needed a good cleaning. Once that was done, he had a perfectly fine bike with a salvage title. Worked out well for him.

 

lets be real guys, salvage title is a crap shoot, body shops can and will rebuild almost anything, leaving you with a permanently compromised or problematic vehicle.
of course they will always tell you it was a theft recovery or cosmetic damage only. without pictures of the damage you are at their mercy.
most people are easy to sell on a car once they are smitten, looks good, great price... oh dont worry about that salvage title you are saving a ton of money, it was only a little rear bumper damage, we only had to repaint it...haha yeah right!

 

The vehicles I have purchased always came with: Photos from the Insurance Auction, at least a dozen before repairs. All the receipts for the Bodies parts from Toyota/Honda as needed to prove it wasn't rebuilt with stolen parts. I can see some folks being reluctant to purchase a salvage title car but no need to strike fear into others.

No wait... one second thought please do so that the prices stays low and I can continue to get a bargain.. Lol!

 

i know there can be some sensible purchases to the trained eye. but it's not for the feint hearted.

 

This is true.. you really need to do your homework. The wife's 2010 was purchased in 2011 with 17K.. we now have nearly 90K on it. These cars can be difficult to resell, they're more for buying and running them into the ground.

 

I am intimately familiar with salvage vehicles as that was all we purchased when I was growing up. It was the only way we could afford decent transportation.

Anecdotally, I've found the reliability of a salvaged vehicle to be the same or superior to that of an older clean titled vehicle at the same price. This is why we poor folk continue to buy them.

I can't speak to safety though. When you're poor, a car that starts and gets you to work is the priority. Getting that airbag light to turn off is a luxury.

And my story is a salvaged 1995 Acura Integra with some 80k miles on it for $8000. A leaking heater core was its only issue that was bypassed because say it with me, I am poor. I put another 60k on it before it got rear ended and was I guess totaled again. Insurance company gave me $7000. I didn't ask if they noticed it was a salvaged vehicle to begin with.

 

Yep, as a kid we had:

1. No AC
2. No phone
3. No Cable
4. One old car that started and stopped
5. Everyone worked to put food on the table
7. Other peoples left over cloths and shoes
8. Very old house
9. More love than a rich mans house/ miss it

Money is not the answer to the ultimate question in the universe. 42 is.

 

I have actually made money on salvaged vehicles that were involved in accidents when not at fault.. The other guys insurance pays as though it's a clean title car.

 

We were so poor we had to eat each other. The fat ones were the first to go (yum!). The skinny ones were too fast to catch. We did have a cable. We used that to pull the old car home when it stopped. And old clothes? It was a bit embarrassing as the youngest and being a boy -- I got teased for the dresses, but the truth is I didn't care. The underwear was spectacular!

 

Yep, had to walk to school uphill both ways in the snow, rain and 100 degree heat all the same day. Underwear was a luxury. Cut the dresses into shirts and socks.

Problem solved Eat the fat ones.

 

i also always buy salvge cars. 50% off the blue book price then drive them till they wont run anymore. rinse and repeat. latest one is 2014 with 34340 mi for $8200.00 i know the rebuilder and trust him.

 

That's a sweet deal!

 

When I was young I used to buy two cars and make one but don't know when the term "salvage title" came into play.