Would you buy a rebuilt salvage title truck?

[TommyDale]

Found a 68 chevy truck that I like, seems to run good, normal things need attention such as rocker panels and other minor things. I probably wouldn't buy a newer car that had a rebuilt salvage title, but is it that big of a deal on these older trucks? Thanks.

[diggerbob]

It hurts resale value but other than that, I would not run from a vintage truck with a salvage title. A lot of these old trucks have had cab swaps which in many states would require a salvage title.

[67 chevelle]

It would not deter me , but having to acquire a rebuilt title is another story , especially in my state

[truckster]

As long as you realize how it affects the value (insurance included) I don't see why not.

I've owned rebuilt title cars that have been really nice, but I rarely sell my cars.

[TommyDale]

Insurance was another issue I was worried about, im sure its harder getting coverage for one that has a rebuilt salvage title, and probably more expensive.

[68is4me]

I think it would depend on what you are going to due with it. I would always assume the someday you are going to sell it. You might say that you are going to keep it for ever, but life plans have a tendency to change.

If you are going to a full resto and stick a bunch of money into then I would pass. If you are going to use it as a daily and stick some money here and there then I would not be afraid to buy it.

I just think that if you try to resell it, the next buyer might not like the salvage title idea on a 20k truck.

Just my .02

[TommyDale]

Originally Posted by 68is4me

I think it would depend on what you are going to due with it. I would always assume the someday you are going to sell it. You might say that you are going to keep it for ever, but life plans have a tendency to change.

If you are going to a full resto and stick a bunch of money into then I would pass. If you are going to use it as a daily and stick some money here and there then I would not be afraid to buy it.

I just think that if you try to resell it, the next buyer might not like the salvage title idea on a 20k truck.

Just my .02

My only plans for the truck would be fixing a few rust issues, painting it myself (im no painter either), swapping out the seat and maybe adding carpet and new door panels. Thats about the extent I plan on putting into the truck if I decide to buy.

[James the III]

most of these trucks and most older cars would be labeled as salvage titles..
as they are rebuilt, So it's kinda silly worrying about it..
The hobby is strange this way..
a restored truck is worth x a salvage rebuilt is worth 1/2 of x
a original not restored, clean truck is worth 1/2 more than x..

the value difference of a salvage rebuilt and a restored rebuilt.. is a hobby quirk that will never make sense.. As most restored vehicles have had more replaced than the salvage repaired.

[demian5]

You can rebuild anything that caused it to go salvage. Bent frame? Get a used one that isn't bent. It won't hurt resale on something like this. Heck, most of the ones on the road still, have more rust and need so much work that they would be salvage status!

A 2001 S500 Mercedes? that is a different story.

[scooterpimp]

Wouldnt sweat it. Where im from they stamp exceeds mechanical limits on any older or high milage vehicle anyway.

[Orange67]

Insurance probably won't be more expensive, but they would probably use that against you should you ever have need to use it.

I wouldn't shy from it, if the money is right. Heck, looking at my 67, 50 years old, original paint (REALLY not good btw) body needing normal stuff, rockers in and out, fenders and besides beat up, it probably LOOKS like a rolling salvage yard.

[57taskforce]

Mine K20 is a salvage. No regrets from me.

[palallin]

Mine has a clear title from Day One, but, considering how little is left of the original truck, it probably ought to have a salvage title.

[Trevor]

Short answer: Yes I would !

Long answer;
I bought a 2-year old 'rebuilt' titled '96 Mustang Cobra way back and it turned out to be the best bargain ever simply because nobody, except me, was willing to take a chance on it.

I happen to know a little something about vehicles and after looking it over thoroughly, I found absolutely nothing 'wrong' with it (it had been stolen and not found until the insurance company had written it off their books).
I was right to buy it, and I owned that car for 15 TROUBLE FREE years ... well ... until I totaled it but good.

So would I buy another vehicle (to keep, not with the intention of reselling in the foreseeable future) that otherwise checked out ?
Yes yes I would - WITHOUT HESITATION !

[pritch]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

It would not deter me , but having to acquire a rebuilt title is another story , especially in my state

I heard that. I had to get one for a Trazer I built long ago. Seems like I had to stand in every single line they had at the DMV. Probably even a couple they just invented to mess with me. But at the end of a long day, they made a new VIN tag to replace the one on the door and gave me a matching title-'Utah Reconstructed Vehicle'. Seems like it was #0042 or 0049 or something. I figured not too many folks ever spent the time to do it. Wish I still had that truck

[Grumpy old man]

Too many clean trucks with clean titles out there to be messing with title issues from day one .

[El Dorado Jim]

salvage title is no big deal if you get the truck for a good price..

[fecklessgadfly]

I had a salvaged 2000 Dakota in '02. KBB was $23K, had $10K in it.

I have an '03 Sierra with a salvaged title now, 205k miles, no major issues.

I've never had a problem with insurance, or even with getting the rebuilt title on the Dodge. (did have to wait for an inspection)

Salvage title doesn't bother me, if you know why it was salvaged and can verify the repairs. (I stay away from flooded vehicles)

On these older trucks, it's even less of an issue because repairs are so common and easily inspected. If you find the right truck, get it. Just know that there will be a slight dip in value compared to "clean" titles.

[CaptRMW]

Tommy that thing is a ticking time bomb especially if it is a short bed. Stay as far away from it as possible. PM me the address and contact info and I will do the whole state of Alabama a huge favor by removing it from the state promptly. I am just a few hundred miles away and I can be there this afternoon. Don't bother calling the bomb squad as I have had lots of experience handling these pesky old trucks. Capt. Roger

[TheCougarine]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Too many clean trucks with clean titles out there to be messing with title issues from day one .

This right here, there are so many trucks with clean titles I don't see any reason to buy one with a rebuilt title. The truck would have to be pretty amazing as well as being dirt cheap for me to consider buying it with a rebuilt title.

[bill3rail]

That is bargaining power for what you offer!

[James the III]

Originally Posted by TheCougarine

This right here, there are so many trucks with clean titles I don't see any reason to buy one with a rebuilt title. The truck would have to be pretty amazing as well as being dirt cheap for me to consider buying it with a rebuilt title.

How many long bed trucks are now short bed trucks with questionable work??
with a clean title..
At least the salvage titled vehicle had to have the repairs inspected..

a new truck with a replacement bed and not much else will have a salvage title..

Most are nothing but recovered thefts..

I find it odd. that people have no issue with a clean titled truck that was made from 3 trucks.. but a salvage title scares them..

Fun fact..
A guy with a 70 c-10 and dily driver insurance that gets hit and needs a fender/market light and grill, and paint time, it's totaled and will get a salvage title...
does a replacement fender and grill scare you away from a truck??

[TheCougarine]

Originally Posted by James the III

How many long bed trucks are now short bed trucks with questionable work??
with a clean title..
At least the salvage titled vehicle had to have the repairs inspected..

a new truck with a replacement bed and not much else will have a salvage title..

Most are nothing but recovered thefts..

I find it odd. that people have no issue with a clean titled truck that was made from 3 trucks.. but a salvage title scares them..

Fun fact..
A guy with a 70 c-10 and dily driver insurance that gets hit and needs a fender/market light and grill, and paint time, it's totaled and will get a salvage title...
does a replacement fender and grill scare you away from a truck??

It has nothing to do with fear of a truck with a rebuilt title, thats silly. The fact is a rebuilt title takes away at minimum half the value of a truck and makes it significantly harder to sell if for some reason you had to. Thats plenty of reason in my opinion to just get one with a clean title since there are plenty of them out there. So as I said, it would have to be really nice and dirt cheap for me to buy one. If one needs work you're going to quickly have way more in it than it'll ever be worth.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by TheCougarine

It has nothing to do with fear of a truck with a rebuilt title, thats silly. The fact is a rebuilt title takes away at minimum half the value of a truck and makes it significantly harder to sell if for some reason you had to. Thats plenty of reason in my opinion to just get one with a clean title since there are plenty of them out there. So as I said, it would have to be really nice and dirt cheap for me to buy one. If one needs work you're going to quickly have way more in it than it'll ever be worth.

Welp I put more value in my enjoyment of using the vehicle than what I might get if and when I sell it..
If I worried about what I might get at time of selling it..
I'd never bother putting money into it..
To many are in the hobby for the wrong reasons.. and enjoying the vehicle doesn't seem to have any worth to these types..

[fecklessgadfly]

Originally Posted by TheCougarine

... The fact is a rebuilt title takes away at minimum half the value of a truck ...

Closer to 10%-25% in my experience. Sure, you can get them for half if you're the one doing the rebuild, but the resale value of a complete vehicle doesn't take that big of a hit.

Every salvage titled vehicle I've sold has been within $2000 of KBB and all have been sold for over $5000.