The bottom line is I'd like a Type R, but the 18k area is just a little high, and almost every week I see a Type R with a "salvage" title here in CA for around 12000-15000 dollars. Now, I call them and they are usually some kid who just talks so damn fast its as almost if he has something to hide. I am always cautious and critical of everything they say to make sure their "salvage" title is legit as possible as there two ways you can receive a salvage title in CA (maybe more): Theft and a Major Accident reported to the insurance.

Basically, I have found a 2000 PY Type R for like 12000 w/ 60000 miles. That throws somewhat of a red flag. Oh, btw, this car has a JDM front end with HID's. And is in perfect condition, yata yata. Its all very interesting and sounds like a great deal, but the bottom line is I don't want to chase cars all around my area, spending 2 hours at a time to end up looking at a car with front, side and rear damage that was only supposed to have the seats and gauge cluster stolen!

Heres another example with an original engine. Does that seem a little low, even for a salvage with 70k miles?

1997 R- 68000 miles with/ JDM front end HIDs- $10000 THEFT RECOVERY. Original Engine.

Now I know most of you are going to say use your best judgment, and obviously I am going to use my judgment, but I would like to know those who purchased Type R's with salvage title's and their experiences.

I hope to eventually become a Type R owner, and I know you get what you pay for but thanagain, these could just be really great deals.

Let me know what you think.



Modified by SavageNation at 1:18 AM 12/3/2004

 

I have a salvage title in mine from a collision, and there isnt anything wrong with it. Got mine in Florida. Not sure other than that on what to tell you. You seem on the right track though, just depends on how much you want to spend.

 

I guess the key things to keep in mind with buying any car that has a salvage title...

Can you live with the fact that there is a title on there stating that you can NEVER get full Blue Book Value?

Does the car drive straight?

Consider asking the seller to let you take the car to an automotive specialist, to ensure that everything is mechanically sound. While you're at it, see if you can sneak the car on the dyno to see if it's making power around where it should be.

Good luck to you.

 

The dyno recommendation is definitely a good idea! Never thought of that.

 

Also inquire as to why the car is/was salvaged. Several cars have been written off by insurance companies due to the price of OE ITR replacement parts; ie. interior namely.

 

I agree. The only salavage titled car that I am interested in is the Theft Recovery. I wonder though, if it was "stolen" and recovered but had body damage if they still call it a Theft Recovery?


Modified by SavageNation at 8:17 AM 12/3/2004

 

I bought mine, a 98 ITR with 38k and the original engine/trans etc. Mine had the rims, seats, front end, wing and rear bumper cover taken. Bought mine from a fellow H-T member. He had replaced all the stolen parts with parts from another totaled ITR

I would buy another non-accident theft recovery in a heart beat!

The car is in my avatar.

 

salvaged title do to theft is fine as long as it was repaired with out short cuts like wise with one that was in an accident i would diffenetly lean more towards one with a salvage title ......

 

i agree as long as the car was not involved in an accident than id go for it
stolen parts can be replaced but an accident ***** up the integrity of the car IMO

 

That is a beautiful cleaner shrimp you have in your avatar. I used to have a 90G Reef with 2-400w Halides, PC atinics and 150 lbs of Mano Live Rock (half as dense as Fiji) 1lb Fiji = 1/2 lbs Mano Rock. Beautiful Tank. 6 Line Wrasse, 2 Yellow Tangs, One Blue Tang, SPS, LPS, and my favorite was the Mandarian Dragonette. God, I wish I still had pictures....HD crashed. Anyway, thanks for the input!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SavageNation &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">72' Porsche 911T </TD></TR></TABLE>

Must post pics!

 

Also, check with your DMV and insurance company to make sure you can legally register, insure and drive it in your state.

 

I bought mine salvage Title, it was in an accident almost 3 years ago. Only 29k miles. for $14.5k

If it's a clean title, it probably worth $19.5 k.. so I saved about $5k, it's totally worth it if you are keeping the car.

So far, I put 4 k miles on it... and couldn't be happier. the car runs great.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SavageNation &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but the bottom line is I don't want to chase cars all around my area, spending 2 hours at a time to end up looking at a car with front, side and rear damage that was only supposed to have the seats and gauge cluster stolen[/i]</TD></TR></TABLE>

Every body part has the original vin# on it, if it hasn't been replaced. Short of taking it to a body shop to be sure, looking for that vin# is a good sign the car is original and not a wreck. Most of the ones you mentioned have replaced front ends, so more likely they have been in a fender bender at best.

Your real bottom line should be is this a vehicle you want to play with or an investment. IMHO, I would pay more to get one that is right, rather then affordable.

 

there was a post about buying R/theft title cars in GDD not to long ago. basically if the car was fixed right(quality parts, checked on a frame machine etc.) and not thrown together it will be fine. i've seen more non R-title cars just thrown together after accidents by body shops so they can turn them around to make the quick buck from the insurance company, so dont think just because it doesnt have an R on the title your getting a great deal. the only way you know your getting a good straight car is if your buying it directly off the first owner( granted he honest about the cars history. theft cars are generally ok to buy because if the thevies are professionals they actually drive the car normal and take it apart by unbolting stuff rather than a bunch of kids beating the crap out of the car and then removeing the radio with a backhoe. i've been dealing/rebuilding/parting out salvaged cars for the last 20 years, and this is the stuff i seen. i got my car 4 years ago from a salvage yard near philly for 8300.00, i bouight it sight unseen for the swap then when it came to the shop it wasnt that bad so i fixed it. i havent had in problems or issues with the car because it was put back to right, i never owned a car this long and have no plans on saleing it. so really as long as you dont plan on tradeing the car at a dealership theres still a chance you can get some nice money back out of it from a private party. good luck

 

me...crashed and totalled once before i got it. then the interior was stolen after i bought it and it was totalled again by the insurance company (13,000 in damage). now its rebuilt (again) and sitting in my garage with a blown motor

 

I bought a theft recovery ITR with a salvage title out of Ft. Lauderdale Florida and was very happy with it while I owned it.

 

my R is theft recovered. I'm becoming very annoyed with it at the moment. last night the motor shut down on me while i was on the freeway. there's also a lot of other misc problems with the car that i didn't notice until i bought it.

my advice is to drive the car for a few hours before you make decision and confirm that you're happy with it.

 

My 98 is salvage because of theft.

The seats and head were taken. So that will automatically total out an itr because of the dealer cost on the seats and head are out of this world.

Mine had origonal motor/tranny and all vin'ed body panels.

If you are going to get a salvage car make sure there are no cut wire or wires that have been repaired and that all body panels are vin'ed to the car.

Just use good judgement.

 

Well when I have checked the CarFax on a few cars with salvage titles it says this:

Salvage Title - A Salvage Title is issued on a vehicle damaged to the extent that the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation exceeds its fair market value; or a vehicle that has been declared a Total Loss by an insurer or other state or jurisdiction. Some states treat Junk titles the same as Salvage but the majority use this title to indicate that a vehicle is not road worthy and cannot be titled again in that state. The following ten States also use Salvage titles to identify stolen vehicles - AZ, FL, GA, IL, MN, NJ, NM, NY, OK and OR.

This is a little difficult to interpert. My questions is this. For CA Specifically, can you receieve a salvage title for a Theft Recovery that needed OEM replacement parts. I guess I am asking if the "Total Loss" portion of the actual theft when the car was stripped exceeded a certain amount if they give it a "Salvage Title" and not a "Theft Recovery Title." I am confused by the last sentence and what meaning that has. Can anyone clarify? (or attempt to )

 

What about if the vehicle has a JDM Front End Conversion? Im my opinion, people put the JDM Front End's on when they get into a front end collision and when they get the insurance money they finally have some cash for the bling I would guess I could take it to a body shop and they would be able to determine whether or not the frame is straight.

Don't they have instruments to check for frame damage?

 

I have two salvaged R's. I put them together with the intent to keep them myself. The first one i built required around $16,000 to build. The second has taken me to $18,500. The first is bone stock with 37,000mi on it. I bought the theft chassis for 3700, 8500 for a wrecked one, and 3800 to put it together. My point is: I would be suspect of R's that seem to good to be true. If you want it back as close to original as possible you are going to have to pay good money. Of course this is in my opinion.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by -=Zeqs=- &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess the key things to keep in mind with buying any car that has a salvage title...

Can you live with the fact that there is a title on there stating that you can NEVER get full Blue Book Value?

Does the car drive straight?

Consider asking the seller to let you take the car to an automotive specialist, to ensure that everything is mechanically sound. While you're at it, see if you can sneak the car on the dyno to see if it's making power around where it should be.

Good luck to you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good call also take it over to a good alignment shop that you trust. They can tell real fast how straight the car is..

I rebuilt mine..

 

^hot rebuild

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EkNineSpooner &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">^hot rebuild </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks but she is on her second life these days..