Car with a salvage title

[Foxtrot X-Ray]

Originally posted by tireburner163:
I found a 1992 Camaro RS that I would like to buy, but it has a salvage title. The car appears to be in good condition on the outside. I know it has been re-painted. I was thinking about taking this car to a mecanic and getting him to see if the frame was straight and if all of the suspension was good. Is there anyway I can find out why the car has a salvage title(through the motor vehicle dept., exc.). Should I even bother with a car with a salvage title.

It occurs to me, nobody actually answered the question.
Call the DMV with the Car's Vehicle Identification Number.
This number is in several places on the car. Don't trust the one on the Dash. If THAT'S been replaced, odds are that the VIN plate is from the doner car.

"A car with a salvaged title has been totaled"
Wrong-O, George.
We've had Theft Recovery Vehicles with with NO DAMAGE AT ALL with Salvage Titles.
All the salvage title means is that the Insurance Company has PAID the claim on the car.
A $35,000 300ZX with $200 hail damage is NOT totalled, is it?
The Lexus we just sold a week ago with the stereo and wheels stolen isn't totalled, is it?
Some states will allow the title to be upgraded from Salvage to Previously Salvage, and some will allow you to upgrade to Clean.
Check *ANY* car you are looking at to buy.

"First of all, I wouldn't pay $5k for a RS Camaro with a clean title"
Niether would I. I don't like Camaros.
But none the less, the costs I posted *ARE* direct quotes from the NADA guide, so our opinions of a particular type of car aren't of much bearing.


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