Salvage Title
 

What exactly does it mean when a truck has a salvage title? Does that mean the truck's been totaled? Just asking because I've been looking at pickups and found a sweet deal, but the truck has a salvage title. It's an '05 GMC 2500HD with 24000 miles. Looks to be in great shape, but I'm a little worried about the salvage title thing.

Re: Salvage Title
 

It could mean that or a flood truck.

Re: Salvage Title
 

I was written off and repaired at one point. It may not necicarily be a bad thing depending on the state, or province it was inspected in. Some have stricter standards than others, but i certainly reduces value......... and would make it harder to sell later.

Re: Salvage Title
 

I got on Nebraska's DMV site but couldn't really find what kind of inspection the vehicle has to go through to make sure it can be sold. I was thinking about doing a Carfax, but read that those don't always reveal everything. I might just call the guy selling it and ask if he knows what happened to it...

Re: Salvage Title
 

A lot of people think the carfax reports are the greatest thing to insure they are buying a great vehicle. But those reports are only as good as what is reported. If something is not reported it won't be on the report.

Re: Salvage Title
 

it could also be a thieft recovery.

Re: Salvage Title
 

This sounds like a John Madden quote....:lol:

Re: Salvage Title
 

i was thinking more on the lines of xzibit...

yo dawg, i herd how you like ports and reports, so i put a port on your report so you can report while you port...

Re: Salvage Title
 

My suburban has a salvage title, because it was wrecked and the insurance totaled it. But the original owner has the option to buy the vehicle back and then he fixed the damage and able to resell the vehicle with a salvage title.

I also have a friend who bought a salvaged title escalade from new orleans after hurricane katrina hit. He got it from a dealership knowing full well that the interior had flood damage. But also got it Cheap that way.

I know a guy who owns a bodyshop and he goes to salvage auctions and buys wrecked cars, fixes them and then sells them on a regular bases.
Parts are cheap but its easier for insurance companies to total them out then to fork out the money to get them fixed. Especially with the value of car after the cash for clunkers.

So my 2cents is if you can get a straight driving salvaged titled truck in like new condition vs paying brand new sticker price then do it. :)

Re: Salvage Title
 

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I've searched every dealer inventory in the state and no one in Nebraska has what I'm looking for... I guess everyone wants half-tons now.

My only concern is that whatever truck I buy will be around for a long time - 8 to 10 years. I just don't want to get it home and have trouble with it a couple years from now.

Re: Salvage Title
 

Before you buy it take it to a reliable mechanic or bodyshop to look over the frame etc. to make sure youre not buying a lemon

Re: Salvage Title
 

Boog is right...if they don't take the truck to a service center that scans the VIN, it doesn't really reflect on the Carfax.

Damn N2Trux....that's funny and you are right on target. I will never forget yelling "Shut up John" at every game I watched with him at the mike.

That said I am gonna miss him....gonna take some big shoes to fill his slot.

Re: Salvage Title
 

uif it has a salvage title the damage was reported and carfaxs should pull it up

Re: Salvage Title
 

In John Madden's big voice "BOOM! "

Re: Salvage Title
 

If you are going to keep it for a long time then it could be a great deal for you. The longer you keep it, the less the salvage title will affect it when you sell. Think of it this way. Let's say the salvage title makes it worth 2/3rds of book price. So it if books at $20,000 today, you can buy it for $13,333. You gain almost $7,000 from book. If you sell it in 10 years and it only books for $6,000, then you can sell it for $4,000. You lose $2,000 off book.

If the seller is being up front about the salvage title that is a good thing. I have owned three cars that were previously salvaged. All three were repaired right before I bought them. All three were great cars. I never had a problem related to salvage part of it. I would have no problem buying another salvage car. The one instance in which I would not buy a salvage titled car is if I thought I was going to buy it and sell it soon after. I would only buy one if I planned to keep it for quite a while.

Re: Salvage Title
 

I have driven multiple "salvage" vehicles for the last 10 years. Figure out the reason for it being salvaged, get someone who knows exactly what to look for to check it over and make sure the price on the vehicle is no more than 60 - 65% of book. Put it this way, I wouldn't pay $18,000 for a truck that booked at $21,000 but was salvaged. I'd pay the extra and get one that's never been wrecked. On the other hand, $12,000 for a $21,000 truck that's fixed right would be a great deal....... Jerry