• Rhaedas@fedia.io
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    2 months ago

    Be wary of titles with salvage too from certain time periods. Salvage cars can work out depending on its situation. I had one that lasted years written off by the previous owner’s insurance because of a bent frame that wasn’t a big deal. Flood is no-go though, way too many things in modern cars that water immersion will damage in short and long term, and hard to detect until it fails.

    • Nougat@fedia.io
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      2 months ago

      I would avoid salvage titles in almost every situation. You don’t know why it was a write-off, you don’t know who rebuilt it, and you don’t know what kind of job they did.

      If you’re already into turning wrenches, and it’s a “special” car, maybe. If you are buying it from the person or company that did the reconditioning, maybe. But most of the time, the write-offs go to auction, somebody buys them, rebuilds them, sends them right back to auction. Then your local fly-by-night used car lot buys them and sells to unknowing retail customers.

      • Rhaedas@fedia.io
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        2 months ago

        It is a big “caveat emptor” flag for sure. I had a bit more info on the car in question than a blind auction, and I’m experienced enough to work on my own stuff. Good additional point, it’s not for everyone.