I had a Ford Explorer in high school that had a re-built title, it had been tagged in the right rear corner. You'd never had know it was hit, except a little bit of orange peel and the body shop had lots of pictures and a parts list to accompany it (A prerequisite to buying a rebuilt IMHO). It took a bumper, lift-gate, right rear glass, a fender, and some other related odds and ends, but had no frame or suspension damage. I don't recall exactly how much was paid for it, but it was a good deal.

It was a solid truck, tracked straight, rode well, no issues at all... I'm not saying all cases are that way, I would avoid one with front end damage or has been rolled/wrapped around a telephone pole or something. Although if you are careful, take the time to ask questions, get pictures/documentation and work with a reputable shop then a rebuilt should not be completely ruled out as an option.

 

About 6 years ago I bought a '95 Mustang w/ a salvage title. Car had NYS salvage Title and had passes the NYS Safety inspection, it was a great deal, and my wife REALLY wanted it so I went for it. Everything was great for the first month or so until I noticed extreme rear tire wear. Had it checked at my alignment shop and the rear axle was way out of alignment. After replacing all the rear bushings w/ poly urethane and doing an alignment, it was better but could not get it perfect. Rear tire wear was still faster than the front wear but at least it was livable. Kept it for 3 years before selling it off. Since then if I see a salvage title I won't even consider the car, I've been burned once, never again.

 

Heres a interesting twist on the salvage title saga. I purchased an 04 MCS JCW car. I paid cash and as usual the seller left the sales price off the title. When I went to title the car, I put 2500 on the title as the sale price so taxes would be lower. By the way, I live in Tennessee. The lady at the Motor Vehicle title office told me they either had to go by Kelly Blue Book fair value or I had to have a signed affadavit from the seller atesting as to why the vehicle sold so low. Then she told me that since the car sold so low, there was obviously something wrong with it and they would most likely issue the title as a salvage title....I have never heard this before, but it does sound kinda fishy. I just a few weeks prior titled a MR2 Spyder in the same situation and got by with only 1500 value. She said they are cracking down on people trying to save on taxes and the affadavit and rebuilt title would deter many from understating the taxes.

 

I just picked up a 04 MCS with 46k for $6900 that was in a low flood. The car is immaculate otherwise. Previous owner had already pulled the BC1 and repinned the connectors. It currently is 100% other than foglights, AC and has a DSC light. For the 6 to 7 Grand discount I got....I'll deal with some gremlins. You just have to accept and understand what your buying. This forum will sure make it easier to trace them down.

 

i currently own 2 rebuilt cars, no problems whatsoever, i saw them before and after. cant tell they were ever touched

 

Newer cars, with higher values, aren't totaled until there's a whole lot of damage. Older, inexpensive cars can be totaled by a simple fender-bender that doesn't cause structural (or frame) damage. So newer salvage-title vehicles are usually better to stay away from--and older ones also unless you know what you're doing and know what to look for.

I personally would never touch a flood car from any time newer than about the 1960s. Electronics really hate water, and mold loves it. You can find yourself several months down the road with real trouble, and it's almost impossible to find ahead of time. And especially with modern cars, so much is controlled by the electronics that any electrical system trouble can become a nightmare very quickly.

My general thought is: If you have to ask if a salvage title is a good idea, the answer is almost certainly NO. If you know enough about the car to cope with any problems that may crop up, then you probably don't have to ask the question.