salvage prius

In my opinion.....no. It's forever marked on the title as "damaged goods".

 

NO. There is NO warranty, always check Carfax first before buying a used Car. It could have been in hurricanes or floods (New Orleans) all of which are not good for electronics.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(derk @ Dec 7 2006, 11:51 PM) [snapback]359128[/snapback]</div>

Wasn't that what Boyd Cottington, the famous custom car builder did jail time for? ... taking salvaged cars to other states that have no reg's on salvaged cars (which ~white washes~ them, so to speak) then re-registering them in your state of choice?

There is a guy here in CA (up in Sacramento, actually) who regularly sells prius's & other cars on Ebay. His feedback is excelent. Remarkably little damage is needed to scrap a car out on the books ... a couple airbags, 2 fenders & a hood replaced, then they're good to go ... at least some times. It's a crap shoot. Mabe save $5 or $6K & get a gem. Mabe get the pig in a poke.

So it depends on how big a risk taker you are. Do you feel lucky?

 

I've looked at some Priuses that I didn't know were salvages until I went to the dealership. One had a bad mold smell. In the end, I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a car I knew was a salvage. As good as the price might be, I suggest you keep looking. I was lucky to find sitting at the dealership, just got traded in, when I meant for maintenance on my former car.

I also suggest getting one that's certified preowned, it certainly gave me more peace of mind.

 

actually, i guess it all depends on how mechanical you are (yes there is still a little you can do) and how cheap it is. i will say, i would have to know why it attained salvage status.

my 04 was totaled and i would not have any qualms at all about getting it at a good price. (i admit, i was unable to find out what it went for when it was auctioned off. needed a dealers license anyway) although it was totaled, the damage was not severe in any sense of the word.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(inventor00 @ Dec 7 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]359138[/snapback]</div>

If you look around enough, there are a few (I only found 2) people that offer warranties on rebuilds and who will show you pictures of the car before it was rebuilt. I just bought a salvage/rebuild '04 from Steve at autobeyours.com. I went with him because he offered a warranty and will show you photos of the car before it was rebuilt, etc. Otherwise, with absolutly no warranty and no idea what the car looked like before hand, its a scary thing since the car might not be correctly repaired and could break down 10 miles from the dealer and then its your problem to fix. When I was looking to purchase, I talked with a friend who is a mechanic who told me that the majority of salvage related problems show up within the first year.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dolphinmom @ Dec 7 2006, 07:00 PM) [snapback]359115[/snapback]</div>

Bought 2005 with 7k on it, saved enough to cover most repairs and 10k later running smooth. Did run the carfax and story checked out. It is a gamble and my heart stopped the day I killed the accessory battery, but jumped it fine and the bars are almost always green. One additional reason was I needed to get carpool lane access and didn't want to risk the delay.

 

Some insurance companies won't write policies for cars with salvage titles.

 

Just buy it if it's really really dirt cheap!!

 

I think the electronics on this vehicle are too complex to take a chance.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lenjack @ Dec 9 2006, 02:09 PM) [snapback]359760[/snapback]</div>

My 06 Prius with hk package was just declared a total loss. 12,000 miles, 6 months old. Got broadsided by someone who didn't stop coming out of a parking lot. Just got salvage values from insurance co. Average is $3000 but one is for $7000 (but not confirmed yet.. I have the option of bidding for the salvage title for one month. I also get my insurance settlement for the total. I bought a salvage car before and it was the best buy of my life. Salvaged BMW 535I. Friend went over it gave me repair costs then did repairs to perfection. Saved 20k, drove car for 12 years 185,000mi before I bought the Prius. No problem with insurance. Resell value will be less but if you plan on owning and driving then not a big issue.
With the Prius if I can find a good mechanic who knows computer system I will buy the salvage, it is a steal as I know the car (it was mine for six months) and I know the crash. It is totalled because the ins co. does not want to deal with it. Whoever gets it will be able to fix, If, the big If, the important caveat in any salvage scenario...'if' they know the Prius inside out, and have a good body shop access. The parts on my car alone are worth about 14,000..so someone, maybe me, will be getting a steal. I know a great body shop guy...so I'm looking for a good Prius 'brains' computer person.
Whoever salvages and restores will lose the warranty (at least from what I read in my agreement with Toyota) That is on the whole car...but not sure about separate systems...like battery..maybe someone knows. But the savings more than cover any cost of future repairs. But you really what to do a perfect restoration so you don't need the repairs...Also my body shop guy warranties his work.
So in a nutshell , if you know the car and know for sure about the restoration...and the numbers work...do it. Also, a salvaged Prius is perfect for a PHEV conversion....cause the warranty is gone anyway.
I hope my baby gets recycled..it deserves to get back on the road....So I am considering the option of savaging it and making it a PHEV with all of the money I get from the 'total loss'....something appealing about turning yesterday's total loss..into tomorrow's gain...hm interesting campaign slogan for '08.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drsurd @ May 4 2007, 09:46 AM) [snapback]435419[/snapback]</div>

How extensive is the damage and what is the estimated repair cost?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ May 4 2007, 09:39 PM) [snapback]435792[/snapback]</div>

Est repair cost is around $16,000. Not sure about extent of damage. The main concern seems to be that if engine and everything in compartment is taken out and put back in again (was hit in drivers front wheel) that if everything was put back in again and the car was not right, then repair cost would escalate above cost of car. So as my above post said it is only a project for someone who really knows the Prius electronics and engine inside and out and has access to a good body shop that will guarantee the work.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drsurd @ May 8 2007, 04:36 PM) [snapback]437787[/snapback]</div>

I'm not a mechanic so I'll defer to one. However, here's my opinion anyway. Since it is hit in the wheel it probably needs suspension parts and a wheel. Possible damage to the thermos. I've read the electrical components need to be pulled when repainting the car to prevent damage when baking. Once things are pulled out more damage is likely to be found and no guarantee the car will drive like new. $16K is 2/3 (or so) the price of a new one. IMO save the effort and walk away to buy a new one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ May 8 2007, 08:57 PM) [snapback]437927[/snapback]</div>

Thanks! Yeah, that's the way I'm leaning.. to let the salvage go to someone who parts it out. ..Although, instead of buying a new one, I'm thinking about leasing a hybrid Camry..until the next gen Prius arrives...working out the math..it may make sense.

 

We just picked up our Red 2006 Prius with 9k. We paid $12,500.00 for it. We purchased it from a mechanic that got it from an insurance salvage. The title says, "Salvage".

The Seller/Mechanic said the car was damaged on the driver side front fender. .. damaging the light, paint and part of the hood. He replaced the hood and repainted the damaged areas. Car looks new. Car Steering is a little stiffer than our gold Prius. But, drives like a Prius.

We also have a used Prius gold colored. We purchase last May for $20,000. The car had 18,000 miles on it. Clean title with the warranty. The car has backup camera, smart key.

The Red "salvaged" prius has bluetooth, backup alarm and camera, map, garage door system on the rear view mirror and voice command and two fog lights on the front bumper.

Question: What is the model Prius do we have? Also, how can we tell if the red one is a touring model... it would be too much to ask?

Can a salvage title be cleared?

Thanks a million for this website... we love it.

aloha, richard

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hawaiiguide @ Nov 15 2007, 05:05 PM) [snapback]540292[/snapback]</div>

you have package 6 which is the highest. as far as touring goes, look at the size of your tires. if its touring i believe you have 16" wheels. standard Prius is 15

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hawaiiguide @ Nov 15 2007, 09:05 PM) [snapback]540292[/snapback]</div>

You cannot "clear" a salvage title. It is there so that when you sell it, the other person knows that it is a "salvage". It should not be a problem for you but realize that when you go to register the vehicle you have to have a salvage inspection performed by someone qualified to make sure the car is 1. Road worthy. 2. Not Stolen. 3. Not put together with stolen parts. 4. Safety equipment is in working order. At least that is how it is done in WI. They may have slightly different procedures in WA. So I suggest you contact your motor vehicle department.