Jercrank

Hey guys I'm new to the corvette world but do have a little knowledge ov vetted just being a car enthusiast in general.. However I'm curious too see your opinions on buying salvaged title cars, my neighbor is selling a 2002 electric blue zo6, it has 48,000 miles and is in good condition ( visibly) I've driven it before and it's very smooth.. He said he would sell it too me for 13,000, which seems very cheap. He also has has the car since 2005, it was salvaged a year after being built. Any help is appreciated!

jrose7004

It may be just me but I wouldn't buy a car with a salvaged title.

SSTG

I wouldn't either. Part of the reason being it takes such a hit on resale as this one is.
Two, it narrows the prospective buyers big time.
If you want to run it till the wheels fall off? Then it might be a good deal for you.

jrs01vette

If its what you have always wanted go for it as long as your not going to sell it cause resale on salvage cars aren't good

Jercrank

Yea, that was part of my hesitation.. It's def a gamble but honestly for 13,000 I may as well keep it and just drive a zo6 for a few years... Like the guy above said.. Untill the wheels fall off lol.... But even if I drive it for a year I don't see how I couldn't sell it for less than 11k... There's not a zo6 anywhere for less than 10k salvaged or not

CQRT

I'd tend to avoid a salvaged car - - they're all over the northeast post-Sandy.

But even at $13k, that Z isn't cheap enough for the hit you'll ultimately take IMO . . .$10 tops.

Crosis

I tend not to think only of money, but of reliability and safety as well. A salvage car will be a net loss of money but really anyone who buys a car thinking it will appreciate is just fooling themselves. They key is WHY it was salvaged. If it was a Super Storm Sandy car and its salavaged because the interior got wet then it may be ok. However if its a salvage because it was crashed then maybe not. That also depends on the situation. In your case, it was salvaged as a one year old car so if that salvage was from a wreck then it was a serious wreck with huge damage. A 15 year old vette could suffer a front end collision that only involves replacing a hood, bumper and fender and still be totalled without any frame, engine, suspension or air bag involvement. That one again would be at least a reliable and safe rebuild. Yours may not be safe or relaible because it was likely F'ed up bad. I would investigate more before deciding.

BADBIRDCAGE

OK I will take the devil's advocate position for purpose of discussion. I am not addressing resale value as it is immaterial. You buy a used car it isn't for resale value.

The car is an 02 that was salvaged in 03. It was repaired, is still on the road 10 years later and,according to the OP, drives well.

As we know you don't "straighten" a hydro formed chassis. The General makes replacement sections that can be welded in for repair purposes. When that repair is properly performed what is the problem?

Jercrank

That was my thought, I just was searching for valued opinions. It's pretty much either hell no or why not your getting awesome bang for your buck... I honestly will prob never resale it...it's ready for pickup today.. So I'll post pics of my new ride of I buy it... Thanks for your input fellas

Vetteman Jack

I tend to shy away from salvage title cars, but if you can get a good enough deal on this one and it all checks out OK, might be a decent driver if you plan to keep it a long time.

norman00

One problem with a salvage car is the type of damage. If it was flooded, the damage usually turns up years later as the wires and hidden components rust away and deteriorate. If it was collision damage, and it looks good and drives good, the risk is low this late in its life if quality parts were used to make the repairs. It could be a cheaper way to enjoy a decent car. Just know you won't get much when you want to sell it and very few buyers will come calling. Bottom line, a salvage car is a roll of the dice. Sometimes you can win.

Zoldier

I'm in the process of buying a salvaged Z06 as well. If I was looking for a daily driver I wouldnt be doing it. Instead I'm looking for a track/autocross toy that I will probably strip to an extent. A Z06 for $11k simply for that purpose seems good to me. If I bought anything else, not salvaged, I would still run into the issue of having a stripped track car and wouldnt get my money back anyways.

Till the wheels fall off as someone mentioned.

BADBIRDCAGE

Klaatu Barada Nikto

Jercrank

Thanks for your input fellas... After all this info i have decided too pick the car up tonight! . Little bday gift to myself!

Johnz02Z06

Enjoy it! FYI here are all of the post in the C5 section that has "salvaged" in the title

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sear...rchid=34253364

norman00

Nicely done.

bladex10

For $13k, If it drives good and straight, no misaligned panels or anything. I'd buy it and drive it until it has 300k miles on it.

Phanni

You need to do a bit more research if you're looking at a salvage car. Find out why it was given a salvage title. Also find out who did the rebuild, and just how much effort he put in to it. For instance, if it was a flood car, did he change out all the computers and all the wiring harnesses, or did he just get it running. If it was a collision car was any frame damage involved, and if so how much.

A $13,000 2002 Z06 that is cosmetically in good shape and runs well and straight would be a bargain if you paln on keeping it. You could easily part it out for more than that.

lxconv331

For a few thousand more you can get into a clean title Z, It would have more miles but there out there! I bought a 03 Z last year out of FL with 103k and paid $14k clean title & car-fax, no issue's, just needed tire's & was very happy with it! Stay clear of Salavage cars,,,

Phanni

Just keep n mind, most people that say "stay clear of salvage titles", have no experiene actually owning one. as I said, they require more research, but they can be great buys.