speedracerf4i

I have to admit that I hold great prejudice against buying cars that are "Salvaged". During my long search for my C4S, I always ignored cars that were salvaged even with deep discount. My primary reason was that you can never know the severity of the damage that the car sustained for the insurance co. to deem it a total loss.

Recently, my mom's fairly new Mercedes was hit mildly in the front. The airbag was deployed but I thought the frame of the car was still ok. Maybe new fenders and a new hood and radiator were all that's needed to put it back on the road. But the insurance co. from the other party still totalled my mom's car. We took the check as it was a bit more than the current market value for the car.

It got me thinking, was I wrong to pass on those "salvaged" 911's without investigating what their prior damages were? Do the economics of buying a cheaper "salvaged" car work?

Here is a nice and cheap 911 C4S to serve as case study
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ctd/5185983086.html

What do you guys think?

RaidersR1

Rear end on a PCar is not good...BUT you never know. Best thing, IMHO, is to take the car to have a thorough PPI and body shop look over. Someone you trust and will give you an honest opinion about what they see. The body guys can tell if there was frame damage, what may have been done under the other skin, etc.

Driving it will also tell you something too. Thing is....you can't buy this car without risking NO sale down the road due to salvage, it will be know in the history, even when you register it. But honesty is the best policy for that. Maybe the next buyer will trust you if all the paperwork is there and you can show good maintenence and the salvage info is included. I wouldn't say no myself...not without looking at it. A bargain is a bargain. I know some will chime in a say run away, but that's cool to...some will not want to risk the "chance" of a money pit for things down the road.

Keep us posted what you do..interesting to know.

Good Luck.

eflight

Lol Salvage and MINT in the same ad

workhurts

Salvage is fine if it makes financial sense. Not for $47k though. That thing would have to be at 35-40k

Lahainabry

I thought the same thing. How could that be?
I personally would never buy a salvage car. People do and drive them without issues. I have a friend that owns a bodyshop.
Every car he owns is a "salvage" title car. However, he is the one rebuilding them. He knows exactly what he is getting.

Speedvagen

Maybe salvage as a 2nd P-Car? Use it as a daily driver or track car but also have the garage queen.

SteveFromMN

I grew up working at my Dad's Auto Wreaking Yard. We rebuilt lots of cars that we drove over the years. However I could never buy a Corvette.
Why because people who had no idea what it was going to take to put it back to in proper order. So these guys would over bid for the cars.
I suspect this is the case for Porsche's as well. If they over pay then they will cut corners to save money. You will end up with a problem case that you get to finish.

Para82

I wouldn't touch it with YOUR weiner.

Rick-A-Shay

I used to have a "salvaged" 356 and it was fine. It was totaled, years ago, due to an engine fire at a time when they were cheap. HOWEVER, when it came time to sell, a number of buyers couldn't finance the purchase because the lender (bank) wouldn't touch it……. even though it had never been in an accident!

ipse dixit

Sort of like marrying a adult movie star.

speedracerf4i

I actually already found my 2009 C4S this February. I paid top dollar for a really clean and low mileage car. My brother is interested in getting the same car but has a lower budget, so he is considering salvaged cars as well.

Para82

All it takes is one good hit to that suspension and the geometry is off for good. Do like the 80's and Just Say No.

Lahainabry

Nice! That is so funny.

cool flash

We just had a similar discussion when I asked about buying a used 997 that was accident free but spent 3 out of 6 years as a rental. Everyone said "no way".

PVKPorsche

If you want to keep it for the rest of your life, is a great deal because you will never be able to sell it, unless its so cheap anyone would take a chance.