Is this truck a good buy?

[InVOLuntary]

Nothing wrong with a salvage title as long as it's been repaired by a reputable rebuilder. I've been buying them for years and paying a 60-70% of what a comparable vehicle without a salvage title would cost. I've never had an issue. I usually buy very low mileage cars though (less than 10,000 miles).

 

[Biopsyman]

Does it have dual exhaust?

 

[the.one.the.only]

Nothing wrong with a salvage title as long as it's been repaired by a reputable rebuilder. I've been buying them for years and paying a 60-70% of what a comparable vehicle without a salvage title would cost. I've never had an issue. I usually buy very low mileage cars though (less than 10,000 miles).

If you're keeping the vehicle with no intentions to ever sell, go for it. Otherwise, it's foolish. Or if you're a mechanic. Then do whatever the hell you want.

 

[the.one.the.only]

Like the poster above said, many cars at Used Car Emporium have salvage or rebuilt titles. When I was looking for a car for my son, my insurance agent (Allstate) told me that they don't insure vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles. Period.

2003 Ford F-150 XLT Knoxville TN | serving Maryville Oak Ridge Sevierville Tennessee 2FTRF17WX3CB04160

2003 Ford F-150 XLT Knoxville TN | serving Maryville Oak Ridge Sevierville Tennessee 1FTRW07633KA96036

Insurance co won't insure, finance co won't finance. Like I said, foolish. Especially if you are not mechanically inclined.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

For what it's worth, my car is a salvaged title and it's been great. Now that being said, I went by the Car Emporium today and they had some great prices on trucks. I looked at 2 of them and left laughing. One of them was a beautiful F-150 with low miles, $8,500. It had cigarette holes burned in the seats and sputtered to the point of almost dying when I tried to rev the engine. The other was like $14,000 for a 2011 Silverado. Looked nice but after the first truck I got a feel for what kind of place it is. The salesman was hesitant to tell me they only deal in salvaged titles, but finally fessed up.

Anyways I think I'm going to offer 9,000 on the Avalanche. I'm putting down 3250 and going to finance the rest. My question is this, I don't have a credit union. Time is a bit of a factor and my bank (First Tennessee) said they can process an auto loan in 7-10 days. The guy buying my Volvo needs it sooner than that. I have been told you can get the best interest rate at ORNL. ORNL advertises that they partner with several dealerships in Knoxville, and this dealership just happens to be one of them. I really don't want to get molested on interest. Truthfully I'm wanting 4-8% tops. Is this realistic if I go through the dealership? Can anyone vouch for ORNL and their low interest rates?

 

[volinbham]

If you're keeping the vehicle with no intentions to ever sell, go for it. Otherwise, it's foolish. Or if you're a mechanic. Then do whatever the hell you want.

:yes:

 

[Coug]

For what it's worth, my car is a salvaged title and it's been great. Now that being said, I went by the Car Emporium today and they had some great prices on trucks. I looked at 2 of them and left laughing. One of them was a beautiful F-150 with low miles, $8,500. It had cigarette holes burned in the seats and sputtered to the point of almost dying when I tried to rev the engine. The other was like $14,000 for a 2011 Silverado. Looked nice but after the first truck I got a feel for what kind of place it is. The salesman was hesitant to tell me they only deal in salvaged titles, but finally fessed up.

Anyways I think I'm going to offer 9,000 on the Avalanche. I'm putting down 3250 and going to finance the rest. My question is this, I don't have a credit union. Time is a bit of a factor and my bank (First Tennessee) said they can process an auto loan in 7-10 days. The guy buying my Volvo needs it sooner than that. I have been told you can get the best interest rate at ORNL. ORNL advertises that they partner with several dealerships in Knoxville, and this dealership just happens to be one of them. I really don't want to get molested on interest. Truthfully I'm wanting 4-8% tops. Is this realistic if I go through the dealership? Can anyone vouch for ORNL and their low interest rates?

It's my understanding and experience that most lenders simply can't/won't match the interest rates you can get from credit unions. I haven't personally borrowed from ORNL to be able to give you any useful feedback but I can tell you I got a car loan previously from TVA credit union and they were extremely competitive with their rates. As far as for being a member of a credit union it's as simple as signing up for an account and plopping $5 to $10 in it the same day and they'll give you a loan if you qualify.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

For the record, this truck is always a good buy:

 

[YankeeVol]

For a single guy, yea.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

For a single guy, yea.

Or for the guy who needs to get to and fro lowes quickly.

 

[InVOLuntary]

If you're keeping the vehicle with no intentions to ever sell, go for it. Otherwise, it's foolish. Or if you're a mechanic. Then do whatever the hell you want.

I was raised in the car business. My family owned every aspect of automobile business from wrecker services to salvage yards to body shops to retail outlets. I think I know a little about cars lol. When you resale a salvage title vehicle you will sell it for proportionately what you paid for it. If you paid 60% of what a comparable used car sells for that has a clean title, you'll typically get the same 60% when you go to sell it.

I have friends like you, I laugh when they go spend $10,000-$12,000 for a car with 100,000 plus miles when I pay $6,000 for a newer model with half the miles on it. Then I laugh harder when they are replacing everything because it's worn out.

The salvage title was put into place by the automakers to discourage people from buying used cars in general and push them toward new cars.

So you keep buying those new cars and wrecking them and I'll keep buying them and paying pennies on the dollars.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Insurance co won't insure, finance co won't finance. Like I said, foolish. Especially if you are not mechanically inclined.

Since I don't pay $30K vehicles, I don't finance. But, I do know credit unions finance salvage title vehicles every day. Most banks will as well but usually require a higher down payment.

As far as insurance goes, I've owned salvage title vehicles since the beginning of salvage title vehicles and I have never, ever been turned down for a salvage title.

Sheep keep on sheepin'

 

[InVOLuntary]

For what it's worth, my car is a salvaged title and it's been great. Now that being said, I went by the Car Emporium today and they had some great prices on trucks. I looked at 2 of them and left laughing. One of them was a beautiful F-150 with low miles, $8,500. It had cigarette holes burned in the seats and sputtered to the point of almost dying when I tried to rev the engine. The other was like $14,000 for a 2011 Silverado. Looked nice but after the first truck I got a feel for what kind of place it is. The salesman was hesitant to tell me they only deal in salvaged titles, but finally fessed up.

Anyways I think I'm going to offer 9,000 on the Avalanche. I'm putting down 3250 and going to finance the rest. My question is this, I don't have a credit union. Time is a bit of a factor and my bank (First Tennessee) said they can process an auto loan in 7-10 days. The guy buying my Volvo needs it sooner than that. I have been told you can get the best interest rate at ORNL. ORNL advertises that they partner with several dealerships in Knoxville, and this dealership just happens to be one of them. I really don't want to get molested on interest. Truthfully I'm wanting 4-8% tops. Is this realistic if I go through the dealership? Can anyone vouch for ORNL and their low interest rates?

I've been a member of ORNL since the beginning of time, one of the best around.

 

[UTFanForLife]

For what it's worth, my car is a salvaged title and it's been great. Now that being said, I went by the Car Emporium today and they had some great prices on trucks. I looked at 2 of them and left laughing. One of them was a beautiful F-150 with low miles, $8,500. It had cigarette holes burned in the seats and sputtered to the point of almost dying when I tried to rev the engine. The other was like $14,000 for a 2011 Silverado. Looked nice but after the first truck I got a feel for what kind of place it is. The salesman was hesitant to tell me they only deal in salvaged titles, but finally fessed up.

Anyways I think I'm going to offer 9,000 on the Avalanche. I'm putting down 3250 and going to finance the rest. My question is this, I don't have a credit union. Time is a bit of a factor and my bank (First Tennessee) said they can process an auto loan in 7-10 days. The guy buying my Volvo needs it sooner than that. I have been told you can get the best interest rate at ORNL. ORNL advertises that they partner with several dealerships in Knoxville, and this dealership just happens to be one of them. I really don't want to get molested on interest. Truthfully I'm wanting 4-8% tops. Is this realistic if I go through the dealership? Can anyone vouch for ORNL and their low interest rates?

Like other places, the rate will be credit based and also depends on age of vehicle and length of loan. I work at ORNL, but I do not do loans. We have some of the best rates and are very competitive, I have 2 vehicles financed at ORNL myself. All credit unions will be the same way, especially the bigger ones in the area like ORNL, Y12, TVA and Enrichment. All will be about the lowest overall rate you will find.

As far as going through the dealership, ORNL has a fantastic indirect program and if they are partnered with a dealership, then that place should be good to work with.

 

[BAJAvol]

For what it's worth, my car is a salvaged title and it's been great. Now that being said, I went by the Car Emporium today and they had some great prices on trucks. I looked at 2 of them and left laughing. One of them was a beautiful F-150 with low miles, $8,500. It had cigarette holes burned in the seats and sputtered to the point of almost dying when I tried to rev the engine. The other was like $14,000 for a 2011 Silverado. Looked nice but after the first truck I got a feel for what kind of place it is. The salesman was hesitant to tell me they only deal in salvaged titles, but finally fessed up.

Anyways I think I'm going to offer 9,000 on the Avalanche. I'm putting down 3250 and going to finance the rest. My question is this, I don't have a credit union. Time is a bit of a factor and my bank (First Tennessee) said they can process an auto loan in 7-10 days. The guy buying my Volvo needs it sooner than that. I have been told you can get the best interest rate at ORNL. ORNL advertises that they partner with several dealerships in Knoxville, and this dealership just happens to be one of them. I really don't want to get molested on interest. Truthfully I'm wanting 4-8% tops. Is this realistic if I go through the dealership? Can anyone vouch for ORNL and their low interest rates?

You would pay 3.10 possibly as low as 2.10 in interest for a 2003 if your credit score is 730 or above. 7-10 days? Wow thats nuts. Have the dealer do a deal sheet, and fax it to the closest ORNL. Internal underwriters will work on it and are generally quick. Usually same day. You can also do your docs through email, but would have to pick the check up of course. You just have to stop by the closest location. If yoi dont have an account already, just stop by a location with $5. May sure to bring in a recent check stub if you do not have income verification on file with them.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

I was raised in the car business. My family owned every aspect of automobile business from wrecker services to salvage yards to body shops to retail outlets. I think I know a little about cars lol. When you resale a salvage title vehicle you will sell it for proportionately what you paid for it. If you paid 60% of what a comparable used car sells for that has a clean title, you'll typically get the same 60% when you go to sell it.

I have friends like you, I laugh when they go spend $10,000-$12,000 for a car with 100,000 plus miles when I pay $6,000 for a newer model with half the miles on it. Then I laugh harder when they are replacing everything because it's worn out.

The salvage title was put into place by the automakers to discourage people from buying used cars in general and push them toward new cars.

So you keep buying those new cars and wrecking them and I'll keep buying them and paying pennies on the dollars.

Some things are too important to be a cheapskate on. Like the safety of my friends and family. I know a reputable body shop can get things close to right, but for every good body shop there's a bad one.

So you keep rolling around in your damaged goods. I'll continue to pay a premium for the safety of my family.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Some things are too important to be a cheapskate on. Like the safety of my friends and family. I know a reputable body shop can get things close to right, but for every good body shop there's a bad one.

So you keep rolling around in your damaged goods. I'll continue to pay a premium for the safety of my family.

Lol. You keep buying into the BS. Show me one occurrence of a reconstructed vehicle causing a crash. Sheep.

 

[Orangesmokey]

Lol. You keep buying into the BS. Show me one occurrence of a reconstructed vehicle causing a crash. Sheep.

There are plenty of people out there reconstructing cars that do it half-a$$ed and really aren't safe for anyone to be driving. There are also plenty of people out there who reconstruct cars the correct way and are safe for anyone to drive. If you know someone that's doing it the correct way good for you. Personally I wouldn't want a car with a salvaged or reconstructed title because I have seen some of the work people do to get them back on the road and try to make a larger profit off it than fixing the car correctly and possibly taking a smaller profit. :hi:

 

[VolnTitan]

.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Since I don't pay $30K vehicles, I don't finance. But, I do know credit unions finance salvage title vehicles every day. Most banks will as well but usually require a higher down payment.

As far as insurance goes, I've owned salvage title vehicles since the beginning of salvage title vehicles and I have never, ever been turned down for a salvage title.

Sheep keep on sheepin'

It's carrier-specific. I sell insurance for a living. I have about 25 carriers on my platform, when it's a salvaged title that number goes down to about 10-12. Still plenty of options. Progressive could care less if it's salvaged, Esurance will decline you the second you tell them it is. Just one of those things.

 

[Jeepkuntry]

I also sell insurance. I have very few options in terms of comp & collision with a salvage title. Most will write liability and uninsured motorist.

 

[WallyBalls]

Lol. You keep buying into the BS. Show me one occurrence of a reconstructed vehicle causing a crash. Sheep.

I've done plenty of salvage cars in my hustling. You're right, a decent majority of the cars are fine.

I've quit messing with them though for the simple reason that it just isn't worth it when it comes time to sell it. Too many people and too many banks are scared off of them. I don't want to sit on the thing for weeks waiting for the right buyer to come by.

Would I trust one? Yes, if I bought the wreck and took it to my guy. But I'm not the 'drive it til the wheels fall off' type, so I know I'll be moving it at some point.

I will add however, I was still working in parts when Katrina hit. We started seeing a TON of business from Kentucky. Flood cars were getting up there and these backwoods places were "rebuilding" them. In some cases they were washing the titles, in some they were still salvage cars. I sold a lot of interior pieces...but not a lot of airbag parts.

That's why I say I'd only trust it if I bought the wreck myself and knew what needed to be fixed.

 

[InVOLuntary]

There are plenty of people out there reconstructing cars that do it half-a$$ed and really aren't safe for anyone to be driving. There are also plenty of people out there who reconstruct cars the correct way and are safe for anyone to drive. If you know someone that's doing it the correct way good for you. Personally I wouldn't want a car with a salvaged or reconstructed title because I have seen some of the work people do to get them back on the road and try to make a larger profit off it than fixing the car correctly and possibly taking a smaller profit. :hi:

I can understand someone without the not having the personal knowledge or expertise to feel confident in purchasing a car with a salvaged title. I do take issue with someone that insinuates that I'm a "cheapskate" and they care more about their family than I. I would feel like someone would be less accusatory when it's obviously they no nothing about the subject other than media propaganda.

My family has been in the car business for over 80 years, since the 30's. I have seen cars that needed a bumper and fender replaced that had a salvaged title and I've seen vehicles that had the total crapped knocked out of them that had a clean title. A salvage title doesn't mean the car was creamed beyond repair. I usually purchase the cars I buy before they are repaired and that way I know what goes into them. For instance I recently needed a truck. Not a daily driver but just for the times where I needed a truck. I bought a 2004 Ford F150 Supercab, 4X4, pretty loaded up. It was a total with a salvage title. It had 110,000. On the surface it looked like it was killed being hit it the rear from the side. I had to purchase a bed, rear end, drive shaft, bumper, and exhaust. It was literally all bolt on stuff. I had the bed painted and as a project my son and I put it back together over the weekend. I have a total of $6,000 in the truck. Blue book says if I'd bought the same truck used it would have cost me average of $13,000.

What many don't realize that a salvage title has to be presented to the state for approval and issuance of a new title. You have to submit the receipts of all the parts along with before and after pictures. While this doesn't guarantee the vehicle was fixed properly, if you have access to the before pictures, you can make a reasonable judgment as to how bad the vehicle was wrecked and whether it should have been repaired to begin with.

I realize this isn't for everyone but for many it's a great opportunity to get a great car at a great price. Again my problem was with the poster that insinuated that I was putting my family at risk when it's obvious he knows little about what he's talking about.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I've done plenty of salvage cars in my hustling. You're right, a decent majority of the cars are fine.

I've quit messing with them though for the simple reason that it just isn't worth it when it comes time to sell it. Too many people and too many banks are scared off of them. I don't want to sit on the thing for weeks waiting for the right buyer to come by.

Would I trust one? Yes, if I bought the wreck and took it to my guy. But I'm not the 'drive it til the wheels fall off' type, so I know I'll be moving it at some point.

I will add however, I was still working in parts when Katrina hit. We started seeing a TON of business from Kentucky. Flood cars were getting up there and these backwoods places were "rebuilding" them. In some cases they were washing the titles, in some they were still salvage cars. I sold a lot of interior pieces...but not a lot of airbag parts.

That's why I say I'd only trust it if I bought the wreck myself and knew what needed to be fixed.

I agree, I would never do this as a way to make money. I usually drive the wheels off my cars and I'm not concerned with resale value. By the time I'm finished with them most of the potential buyers could care less about it being a salvaged title or not.

Public perception is bad when it comes to salvaged title vehicles. Since many steer away that just leaves more for me. Maybe that's why I haven't had a car payment in 25 years.

Also, on a side note, I would never purchase a car out of Kentucky.

 

[WallyBalls]

My family has been in the car business for over 80 years, since the 30's. I have seen cars that needed a bumper and fender replaced that had a salvaged title and I've seen vehicles that had the total crapped knocked out of them that had a clean title. A salvage title doesn't mean the car was creamed beyond repair. I usually purchase the cars I buy before they are repaired and that way I know what goes into them. For instance I recently needed a truck. Not a daily driver but just for the times where I needed a truck. I bought a 2004 Ford F150 Supercab, 4X4, pretty loaded up. It was a total with a salvage title. It had 110,000. On the surface it looked like it was killed being hit it the rear from the side. I had to purchase a bed, rear end, drive shaft, bumper, and exhaust. It was literally all bolt on stuff. I had the bed painted and as a project my son and I put it back together over the weekend. I have a total of $6,000 in the truck. Blue book says if I'd bought the same truck used it would have cost me average of $13,000.

There's a lot of truth in this. I had little 09 Civic that I used as a commuter car. Bought it with the rear end destroyed, end up putting an entire rear clip on it. Yet, the title was clean. Granted, I told anyone that looked at it the rear end was rebuilt, but since it was a commuter car not many seemed to care.

That said, a few weeks ago I was trying to buy an 03 Accord that needed a bumper cover, a hood, and some front trim pieces...the damn thing ended up totaled. Someone will get a great deal on a car that will go forever, but the title will always say salvage.

Two cars, two wildly different repairs...and two different titles.