Jerry Johnson
Active Member
Yes, at a reduced price
POLL: Would you buy a wrecked vehicle?
- Thread starter Kelly Hayes
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Rick Kent
Well-Known Member
Wrecked is too subjective a term. I have seen lots of total loss vehicles in my day.
There are those that are "economic" total losses. For example, the car has hail damage and is a 99 Ford Escort. The damage is strictly cosmetic but it was considered a total loss due to the exceedingly low resale value of an Escort.
Then there are structural total losses. Those with unibody or frame damage, cowl damage, frame rails that need to be sectioned or replaced, floor pan damage, etc...
Out of all the total losses Isee on a regular basis, almost all can be repaired and returned to manufacturer specs. I see very few "train" wrecks.
Currently in all 50 states and DC there are laws governing salvaged vehicles. If the car has a salvage title you should pay less (this is the doctrine of Diminished Value).
As an aside, almost every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line is in need of some cosmetic repair at the factory or dealership. Every vehicle built has "bondo" in it from the factory on seams that are welded (quarter panel, sail panel, roof).
So the answer is maybe....
There are those that are "economic" total losses. For example, the car has hail damage and is a 99 Ford Escort. The damage is strictly cosmetic but it was considered a total loss due to the exceedingly low resale value of an Escort.
Then there are structural total losses. Those with unibody or frame damage, cowl damage, frame rails that need to be sectioned or replaced, floor pan damage, etc...
Out of all the total losses Isee on a regular basis, almost all can be repaired and returned to manufacturer specs. I see very few "train" wrecks.
Currently in all 50 states and DC there are laws governing salvaged vehicles. If the car has a salvage title you should pay less (this is the doctrine of Diminished Value).
As an aside, almost every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line is in need of some cosmetic repair at the factory or dealership. Every vehicle built has "bondo" in it from the factory on seams that are welded (quarter panel, sail panel, roof).
So the answer is maybe....
C W
Member
JI'm typing this without reading the other replies.
My wife's step-dad routinely buys wrecks from his brother. They often to go the auctions, buy a car, and his brother fixes them. Family members typically pay him for the repairs then drive the vehicle for a year or more. A couple cars in the family have were bought 3-4+ yrs ago and are doing well.
From talking to both of them, it really depends on the car and the damage. They have bought cars that had minor "appearance" damage, but they've also bought cars with frame damage. Typically when they are done, you can't tell it was in a wreck, no matter how bad it was. $$$ wise it works out very much to their favor to do it this way. If they do end up selling to another party, they always tell them exactly what the damage was, and what they did to repair. Also, in PA, the title becomes an "R" title, which I think stands for "repair". Similar to a Salvage title in other states I think.
One thing to note, I think most, if not all the time, they are dealing with a car that does not have major engine problems. ALthough I know they did have a couple of roll overs, as well as a flood car or two. 99% of the time, it's body work--they had a Monte Carlo that needed pretty much every body panel, and all glass replaced. But they bought it for like $2k. It's still in the family after 6 yrs/100K+ miles.
My wife's step-dad routinely buys wrecks from his brother. They often to go the auctions, buy a car, and his brother fixes them. Family members typically pay him for the repairs then drive the vehicle for a year or more. A couple cars in the family have were bought 3-4+ yrs ago and are doing well.
From talking to both of them, it really depends on the car and the damage. They have bought cars that had minor "appearance" damage, but they've also bought cars with frame damage. Typically when they are done, you can't tell it was in a wreck, no matter how bad it was. $$$ wise it works out very much to their favor to do it this way. If they do end up selling to another party, they always tell them exactly what the damage was, and what they did to repair. Also, in PA, the title becomes an "R" title, which I think stands for "repair". Similar to a Salvage title in other states I think.
One thing to note, I think most, if not all the time, they are dealing with a car that does not have major engine problems. ALthough I know they did have a couple of roll overs, as well as a flood car or two. 99% of the time, it's body work--they had a Monte Carlo that needed pretty much every body panel, and all glass replaced. But they bought it for like $2k. It's still in the family after 6 yrs/100K+ miles.
Fer Echegaray
Well-Known Member
Only if it was an easy to rice vehicle, and the price was real low.
I'd buy it, rice it up (ground effects & paint) and sale it for a quick gain.
You should see what those ricers would buy....
I'd buy it, rice it up (ground effects & paint) and sale it for a quick gain.
You should see what those ricers would buy....
