Value of salvage titled vs. no issues cars

[SAcobra427]

I was wondering what the general thought is in the loss of value on a salvage titled car compared to one that is not, all things being equal. For example if you had 2 identical cars sitting next to one another, both in perfect shape with say 4,000 miles, how much less would the perfectly repaired car go for ?
Thanks for your thoughts

[ViperJoe]

I believe they run in the neighborhood of ~ 1/3 less. But for me, I wouldn't buy one even if it were selling for 2/3 less. That's just me .....

[shelbyelite]

Well, If we were going on a perfect shape, 4 option, 4k mile TUNGSTEN for example, I would say the no stories car is worth $170k to $175k and the salvage title car is worth $110k to $120k retail.

[Kayvan]

Its not that clear cut

There are a number of folks who are hacks at salvage GTs and 1-2 that can make them perfect.

also, title washing and cars being imported overseas where a DMV Salvage equivalency is not maintained, make it very murky

I would not travel over 100mph in any vehicle where the core frame has been compromised; unforseen stress factures only detectable with xrays or harmonic imbalances tramsmitted to wheels or steering will flip the car in a blink.

I would avoid Salvage as the discount you get will just get wider as time goes on.

[GTNJ]

Well, If we were going on a perfect shape, 4 option, 4k mile TUNGSTEN for example, I would say the no stories car is worth $170k to $175k and the salvage title car is worth $110k to $120k retail.

Ahhhhhh, Shelby ........... but what would you pay for a perfect shape, 4 option, no stories car?

Nardo ????????

[SAcobra427]

Thanks for the replys. Your thoughts are what I was thinking myself.

[shelbyelite]

My opinion....which opinions are just like buttholes...everybody has one......$50-80K for a wrecked car.....50-60 with salvage title and a pretty good amount of damage but not completely smashed....80K for a very light damage car. 100K-110K for a PROPERLY repaired salvage title car and 160K for a 4K miles "perfect, no stories" (no such thing) car. These are RETAIL figures.
I don't like salvage title cars and do not handle them. Too much liability after they are repaired and more difficult to sell. You can have a buyer sign 100 documents that it has been repaired, they have had a PPI done, they are buying as-is and a cheap lawyer can still come after the seller when the wheel falls off. Not my bag. A lot of banks won't finance a salvage title car either.

Maybe not in your world Nardo, but there are definitely many "NO STORIES, PERFECT HISTORY" cars out there. You have made that remark several times. We all know that "YOU" believe there are no perfect cars out there, but in many peoples opinions there are. The word "PERFECT" is gonna have a different definition depending on who is using the word, and what context they are using the word in. Also, you have your "RETAIL" figures wrong. I am speaking from hard facts that I have proof of selling cars for. You are speaking from low ball prices that you would offer people as you and I both know that you offer salvage car prices on clean no stories cars.

As for Salvage cars, I do agree with you Nardo that they are not worth the savings, IMHO, MOST of the time. The rare instances where a car is totalled, that should not have been as it was damaged lightly, is a complete different issue all together.

FYI, just sold a 3600 mile tungsten "NO STORIES, PERFECT" car for $172k, REAL MONEY, NO BS, This week. This is a real time figure.

So, theres my "butthole" !

[Mullet]

if you can afford a salvage car you can afford a no story car.

[shelbyelite]

if you can afford a salvage car you can afford a no story car.

[05 Ford GT]

Shelby is spot on!

Mike