Originally Posted by damiza318
All I ever read on this site are postings from a bunch losers sitting around putting up links to other people's cars that are for sale only for the sole purpose to make fun of and talk **** about them. Alot of you people are a sad bunch.

And then the best part about it which I love the most is then when one of your "Own" posts a topic and starts a thread titled somewhere along the lines of this, "Thinking of selling my car, how much do you guys think it's worth?"

And then to stroke each others already-inflated egos you all have to throw out some of the most-ridiculously over-inflated price estimates (I guess to match your egos) for your fellow rennlisters just so they can feel good about themselves and there little precious cars. (Awwww so cute, you guys all love each other). It's like a bad imbred nightmarish clique ...

Consequences Of A Salvage Title On Vehicle Values

Industry standards followed by and noted in print by the National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) Appraisal Guides, Kelley Blue Book Market Report Official Guide, the International Society of Automotive Appraisers (I.S.A.A.) and additional automotive business entities within the United States of America, all devalue a motor vehicle that is in possession of a “Salvage Title”, by 20% - 50% of the normal, fair market retail value of the vehicle without a “Salvage Title”. The percentage variance increases with the younger age of the vehicle at issue and the retail value of that vehicle. Any vehicle that is more than 10 years old carries the 20% minimum devaluation to the fair market value of the vehicle.

Vehicles that are in possession of a “salvage title” from a total-theft strip insurance claim, opposed to a physical damage/impact type claim, are usually devalued in a lesser percentage amount from that of a collision or fire loss insurance claim branded “salvage title”. The percentage of devaluation is decreased by between 10% - 20%, based on the age and normal retail value of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is in possession of “junk” title, the percentage of devaluation for the value increases. This is due to the fact that the vehicle & title was branded “junk” by either the insurance carrier of record or by a state agency (Department of Motor Vehicles). This type of vehicle was supposed to have been dismantled, not repaired, based on the amount of damage sustained to the vehicle as a direct result of the loss it was involved in. Vehicles with a branded “junk” title are normally devalued by a percentage of 40% - 50%, depending on the year, make and model and normal retail fair market value.

Once a vehicle is branded with a “salvage or junk” title of ownership, this type of tarnished history stays with the unit, even if the branded title is "washed clean" in another state to be free of the designation “salvage or junk”.

The marketability of any type vehicle with a “branded title or history”, is questionable. This is something to keep in mind, when contemplating the purchase of a vehicle with this condition present.

Salvage Title Cars

Mention to a prospective buyer that the car has a salvage title, and they run in terror. Still, others have owned these cars and driven them for years. What is a salvage title and can these cars ever be a smart buy?

When a car has been severely damaged (either in an accident, or because of a flood or theft) the insurance company estimates how much it will cost to fix. At some point, the cost of repairs is more than the car is worth. Therefore, the car is often sold to a salvage company and used for parts. To protect future buyers, the car is given a salvage title.

In some cases, the salvage company, or an enterprising body shop, might fix up the car and try to sell it. Naturally, the price of the car will be below similar models' because it has a salvage title. The danger is that the car was improperly repaired. The biggest problem is with the alignment of the wheels — if the frame has been bent, it is difficult and expensive to straighten. A bent frame will cause abnormal tire wear and improper handling characteristics.
"Some states require (totaled) vehicles to be branded as salvage cars," Lovejoy said. "But if it is sold in another state, and re-titled, it can be sold to Mrs. Jones as a straight-up used car. She doesn't know it has been cut together from pieces of different cars."

Both Lovejoy and Shebesta advised extreme caution when considering the purchase of a car with a salvage title.

"I know of some cars that have gone through body shops and been made into drivable cars," Lovejoy said. "But keep in mind that if you buy a salvage title car, the chances of selling it to someone else and recouping your money are very slim. If you buy a salvage title car, you might want to count on keeping it until the wheels fall off."

John Mallette, from Face Lift Inc., also advised buyers to be cautious. However, he added, "sometimes it works when you're dealing with a theft recovery where there was little damage. You might save $3,000, $4,000, $5,000. But you will lose that right off the top when you go to sell it."