BigBadWhitey

Ive been looking around for a C6 for myself, and it seems in my price range (sub 25, closer to 20 the better!) and a person can get into an average 05 for about that price. However, a person can get into a rebuilt 06/07 for about the same price, with less milage. Now my question is, how safe would you feel doing this?

jackcasa

What do you mean by "rebuilt?"

BigBadWhitey

Car was damaged and whoever insures the vehicle issues a rebuilt title to it after being damaged.

jackcasa

Ok, and thanks. I would not be comfortable purchasing a car on a "rebuilt title." Just MHO.

BabyBlueVert

You would want to verify the nature in which the car was driven and cared for long before the accident. Then, either take the repair shop on their word, or, know enough to verify everything was done right, personally.

You're bottom line is that you're responsible for ensuring that the car is ready for purchase, whichever route you take.

Completely understanding the scope of damage first is important. Then, determine if all repairs were done correctly.

Occassionally, you can save big. Could be a great track car. Think about resale. Any hesitation, and you'd probably sleep much better steering away.

widgetsupply

I think you mean reconstructed title. I was thinking about a Jeep Wrangler with a reconstructed title and asked my insurance agent about it. He said that State Farm would insure it like a regular car, but the value would be affected, rightfully so. He also said that a lot of the other insurance companies had more of an issue with them, so you might want to check on insurance prior to purchasing.

Z06Aspirations

I've purchased a bad apple before although it wasn't a Corvette. I've learned from that experience to do it once, and do it right. I personally would not purchase a car with a rebuilt title. With that said, if you're even thinking about buying the car you are going to have to do a lot of due diligence/research on the car.

RLSebring

Depends.

I have bought many salvage Corvettes. And contrary to popular belief there are a lot more private Vettes wrecked than ZHZ rentals.

Just about everybody lumps ALL rebuilts in the same category. Most will say "Run Forrest Run"...

You need to determine if you can handle driving a rebuild or not. It's mostly psychological knowing it's been damaged in someway. As you have seen the savings can be substantial.

My last two "Rebuilds" consisted of a 2008 Coupe with 1500 miles that hit a deer. Insurance company totaled the car. Very minor fix actually and an 08 Vert, theft recovery, that was stolen off the dealers lot. The thief's took the engine and abandoned the car.

It's currently my daily driver. Started with 10 miles 14 months ago and now has 30K and racking them up. It's the one in my Sig.

So Lock it over, have a reputable body shop check things out and decide. It really is that easy.

AORoads

Pretty much the good and the bad in this one above.

C7-Beast

I purchased a salvaged titled 2002 Z28. It was a flood vehicle. After the work was completed the car ran great for the 6 years I owned it. I never had one issue. I recently sold the car and the last time I spoke to the new owner he was still very happy with the car.

As long as you have someone good repairing it and you are not worried about resale value it can be a good option. Also keep in mind that the insurance company will happily insure the car but if you have a total loss you will not get much for the car. If you do this you should consider "agreed upon value" coverage when shopping for insurance.
Not all companies offer it but many do.

LMBTom

I'd feel completely safe as I'd check it out first. Make sure everything works well mechanically and electrically as some rebuilders will cut fairly big corners and you may find out later that you need to spend big $$ because something was left out or some severe damage was covered up.

I was going to buy a rebuilt c5 about 3 years ago. I was able to look under the carpet and interior panels as the guy was in the process of putting them in - it had more rust and corrosion on the body and mechanical parts than my old '94 firebird with 10x the miles that lived near the beach. The owner was confident that it hadn't had water damage... I had to walk away from that one as he was obviously lying.

I'd feel more confident buying a car where the guy tells me the extent of the damage, and the little problems that still exist (especially problems that will take you weeks to find normally), rather than buying from someone who says the car is "perfect" and is not too sure what happened to it.

bearphoto

In Ca, thats called a "salvage" vehicle. Basically a car that has been wrecked or damaged in some way that the insurance company calls it a "total". Then someone buys the car, rebuilds it and resells it.

So depending on what/where the damage was it could be a good deal. In Ca, salvage vehicles cannot be financed as they are a "risk" vehicle so you must pay cash. Insurance company might want the vehicle inspected. Where you have an air bag deployment from a crash, usually an insurance company wont fix the car, usually. sometimes they do. As the air bags are very expensive to replace along with the sensors, sometimes they dont get replaced even though it appears they were. Use extreme caution if you personally will be inspecting the air bags. If not connected right they can go off, rare but it can happen.

For me, i'd rather not have one with a salvage title. they are hard to resell too.

VettinFan

Personally, I would not purchase any vehicle with a 'Salvaged' title. Even though the price may be lower, I'm not willing to take the possible risk associated with these type car's.

As I've mentioned several time's before, there are just to many pre-loved Vette's, being sold at excellent prices that have a clean (no damage) title.

JMHO. Good Luck

not08crmanymore

NO. Whatever you pay for it will be to much!

Vinnie T

Sounds like a "salvage" title and I'm not sure I'd touch it with the proverbial 10 foot pole unless I knew what the full extent of the damage was, who rebuilt it, and how. Even then, I'm not sure I'd bother given the perfromance capability of these cars. It kind of boils down to how much you value your life vs. the discounted price might be able to get this car for.

usraptor

If the seller can document what the actual damage was and that doesn't cause you to run, then have a good reputable mechanic and body shop check it out. With older cars, it doesn't take a lot of damage for the insurance company to "total" them. If the damage was mostly cosmetic and was repaired correctly you might find a good bargain. But as has been stated, some insurance companies won't insure or will insure for a lower value, and some finance companies won't give you a loan on a "salvage" title. Just don't rush into anything and do your homework first. My son's car was just totaled after an accident with strictly cosmetic damage. He bought the car back from the insurance company and had the repairs done. Good as new.

OregonC6

You face kind of the same problem as any used performance car buyer. It may LOOK great and even drive great BUT you have really no way to know what may or may not be lurking under that pretty exterior. With no warranty it could end up costing you a lot.

Or....you might have no problems....or you might suffer a catastrophic failure of frame or something else and barely escape with your life.

The risk factor is just a lot higher I think than with a never totaled used C6 ( or anything else for that matter ).

The other thing to keep in mind is that buying a used performance car of any kind in any condition or mileage is always a gamble. Some cars are abused without mercy but kept in great cosmetic condition. You can end up with toasted clutches, transmissions, even engines......

saplumr

Buying a salvage car that may or may not have been "cleaned/reconstructed" properly and correctly with the potential for serious mechanical or health related issues? NO THANKS!

Easy Rhino

If and only if I had the history 100%, had it checked out 100%, had cash saved for the 'what ifs' and WAS NEVER TO GOING TO SELL IT. Very hard to get decent money for a clouded title at time to sell.

RLSebring

I guess my main difference is I buy them and repair them myself rather than buy one repaired. I ( and many others on the forum) have sold many and had no problem selling. Usually get about 15-20% less than market value because of the title even though the car may be superior in many ways to a clean titled car.