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Letterman7
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004
Posts: 3198
Location: Downingtown, PA
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 Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 6:20 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| There are a lot of reasons for a rebuilt title. Having no access to those photos, I can't form an opinion on your particular car. However, I literally just finished the paperwork and picked up car from the PA Enhanced Inspection Station today having to do the dance for a reconstructed title. Why? Because it's a 2010 HHR panel with 50K miles on it. Yes, to most people it's a disposable vehicle - cheap and easy on gas, which is why I bought it to keep my 3/4 ton truck for days that I really need it. Anyway, back in March the HHR was hit in a parking lot by a driver not paying attention - whacked the passenger rear quarter, crumpling the tail light area. Their insurance refused to pay for used parts (i.e. a donor vehicle) since the cost to replace the quarter exceeded the book value and new parts were no longer available. So.. instant total. Since it was worth it to me to have it fixed, I took the insurance company's check that we agreed a value on, retained the car, and had a buddy of mine work his magic to straighten everything out. So, yeah, there are definitely levels of "rebuilt title" and what it represents. Try to do a PPI with a reputable shop that can recognize poor repairs. And not all states will allow a salvage title on the road - PA is one of them. |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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I don't think ANY state allows a salvage title on the road- however rebuilt titles are fine as long as they have been inspected, just different states have different rules regarding what you must do to get it registered.
Anyway found out this evening the car is already sold to some other schmuck so I won't be worrying about it, there will be others, with a clean title and maybe the 3.6R! (And Everett yes I must have that color!  Only available on limited production runs of the 2013 and 2017 models.)
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1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
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EverettB 
Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000
Posts: 69829
Location: Phoenix Metro
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| Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| sb001 wrote: |
| the car is already sold to some other schmuck so I won't be worrying about it, there will be others, with a clean title and maybe the 3.6R! (And Everett yes I must have that color! Only available on limited production runs of the 2013 and 2017 models.) |
Yeah, if it's one thing I learned is another one always pops up, usually right after you bought this one. 
I understand on the color, there are a couple "modern" cars that I totally would go for a specific color, limited edition or not
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finster
Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2012
Posts: 7951
Location: north o' the border
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:07 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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would be interesting to see what is being discussed.... 
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:15 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Glenn wrote: |
That's not totaled... this is.
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It’s the “LIE stop short while texting” Special
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:26 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| ach60 wrote: |
Car with a rebuilt title is only as good as the person's skills that rebuilt it.
You show me a car with a rebuilt title with minimal damage, and It's got a rebuilt title.
My guess is it already has been rebuilt once.
Also at auction, some dicks buy damaged cars, clean them up a bit, hide critical damage, and then flip it a a rebuilder.
Watch a bunch of this guys video's and you get the idea. Vehcor knows what he is doing.
Link
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All that work for a car that should have been turned into 100 toasters
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 22431
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 3:37 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Glenn wrote: |
That's not totaled... this is.
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I thought I saw that car on I-94 Friday in Detroit. If not it sure looked like it, as it passed us by in the left lane. 
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| sb001 wrote: |
I don't think ANY state allows a salvage title on the road- however rebuilt titles are fine as long as they have been inspected, just different states have different rules regarding what you must do to get it registered.
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California allows salvage titles on the road.
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Emily's Owner
Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2004
Posts: 978
Location: Canby, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2021 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| OB Bus wrote: |
| sb001 wrote: |
I don't think ANY state allows a salvage title on the road- however rebuilt titles are fine as long as they have been inspected, just different states have different rules regarding what you must do to get it registered.
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California allows salvage titles on the road. |
I'm pretty sure Oregon does too, my bus has a branded title and they re-up the tabs every 2 years (her damage was cosmetic but expensive). I laid the bus on her passenger side in a ditch at 55mph (long story) and pretty much destroyed the body from headlight to tail light from the beltline down...
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 3:22 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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Geeks. It is much easier to fix Emily than Margaret. Glad you are still with us.
Any pics you can share ? ( Emily, of course  )
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:07 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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I think people are misunderstanding what I meant-
no state allows a currently salvage titled car to be driven on the road. Only after it has been repaired, and given a "rebuilt" or "reconstructed" or "revived" or whatever title. Then yes, no problem.
EDIT: The guidelines for Oregon actually say that a salvage titled car "may not be operated on the highways of the state." I suppose that may be a loophole if you want to drive around city streets or back roads.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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Erik G
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Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13281
Location: Tejas!
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:37 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| sb001 wrote: |
I think people are misunderstanding what I meant-
no state allows a currently salvage titled car to be driven on the road. Only after it has been repaired, and given a "rebuilt" or "reconstructed" or "revived" or whatever title. Then yes, no problem.
EDIT: The guidelines for Oregon actually say that a salvage titled car "may not be operated on the highways of the state." I suppose that may be a loophole if you want to drive around city streets or back roads. |
and again, any bit of research at all would tell you that is not true. It's a matter of wording. California absolutely allows salvage title cars on the road. there isn't a "rebuilt" status in California. It's Clean, Salvage, or Junk |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 11:15 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Erik G wrote: |
and again, any bit of research at all would tell you that is not true. It's a matter of wording. California absolutely allows salvage title cars on the road. there isn't a "rebuilt" status in California. It's Clean, Salvage, or Junk |
I did my research before I posted that. Thus, the reason I used the term "revived" in my post, which I had never heard of until I researched salvage title laws in California.
Read up:
https://www.carinsurance.com/salvage-title-california.aspx
So, in California while salvaged vehicles may be deemed not road-worthy, a revived salvage vehicle may be registered and be driven on the roadways. It is likely when you hear about "salvage" vehicles being bought and driven by people that it is really a "revived salvage" auto. As you know laws in California require the registered owner to have insurance on their motor vehicle.
Now, far be it from me to get into a huge debate about this-- I'm just going by what is stated here. However don't accuse me of not doing "any bit of research at all." If what is linked above is wrong (and you sure seem to be saying it is,) then your complaint is with the writers of that article, not me.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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Erik G
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Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13281
Location: Tejas!
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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when a salvage CERTIFICATE car is fixed, and inspected, CA DMV will issue a salvage TITLE. there is a differance. The title will not say revived, it will say salvaged (upper right hand corner). Yes you do have to do this in order to put the car on the road. doesnt mean the car was fixed corretly, etc. It's just a piece of paper
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Zundfolge1432
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Joined: June 13, 2004
Posts: 12468
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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About 25 years ago I was looking at cars in a salvage yard here and expressed interest in a 57 oval. When I inquired about the title the man told me he could get any kind of title from Louisiana, including clean and green problem free for a small fee.
Things have probably tightened up since then but there are still too many crooks out there. The car fax everyone loves can also be manipulated, I’ve seen it done. I’m just skeptical to a fault.
People are incentivized to not report an accident because it devalues the car and raises premiums. Then there are the guys that buy two cars and make one or weld a roof section with bondo. What can we do? I try to look for 1 owner local stuff that has all the records. 😀 Look for the unicorns if you have time. Honestly this is a terrible time to be a buyer, prices too high. I’m going to sell a 2006 Tacoma that retails between 14 to 18k now.
I paid 9k for it 2 years ago😀 |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Zundfolge1432 wrote: |
About 25 years ago I was looking at cars in a salvage yard here and expressed interest in a 57 oval. When I inquired about the title the man told me he could get any kind of title from Louisiana, including clean and green problem free for a small fee.
Things have probably tightened up since then but there are still too many crooks out there. The car fax everyone loves can also be manipulated, I’ve seen it done. I’m just skeptical to a fault.
People are incentivized to not report an accident because it devalues the car and raises premiums. Then there are the guys that buy two cars and make one or weld a roof section with bondo. What can we do? I try to look for 1 owner local stuff that has all the records. 😀 Look for the unicorns if you have time. Honestly this is a terrible time to be a buyer, prices too high. I’m going to sell a 2006 Tacoma that retails between 14 to 18k now.
I paid 9k for it 2 years ago😀 |
This is why I consider my bug a "unicorn" of sorts, because my folks bought it new and dad was a receipt hoarder. 
Funny how though, when you are trying to negotiate a price on something like that and bring up the fact that you have service and repair records dating back 50 years, it suddenly doesn't seem that important to most folks
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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Emily's Owner
Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2004
Posts: 978
Location: Canby, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Geeks. It is much easier to fix Emily than Margaret. Glad you are still with us.
Any pics you can share ? ( Emily, of course ) |
I didn't take any accident pic's (it was pretty awful), and all I banged up was my left knee pretty hard against the steering column, and was pretty sore from being sideways for a bit. Bless her, Emily went rocketing along sideways, hit the end of the ditch, bounced back onto all 4 tires, and came to a rest in the wide grassy median of a subdivision entrance... no one saw it happen  . So once I stopped crying, I drove her home.
My mechanic, Harold Dick, wasn't surprised that it was only cosmetic, he said buses are pretty tough The insurance company was a bit pissy when I made them fix her.
Just looked at my title - it says "Totaled - Reconstructed" so I must be okay.
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Xargaret
ITMC - OG Den Mother
What (and I cannot stress this enough) The Actual Fuck?!
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2021 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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Bringing this thread back up, to say that I did indeed find another brilliant brown pearl 2013 Outback (sorry, no pics  ), this one with the 3.6 engine and the regular 5 speed automatic (the 6 cylinders had not gone the way of the CVT yet in 2013.)
Which leads me to another issue: I bought the car with one almost new tire (on drivers front) and 3 very worn ones. Now I know the rule regarding even tread wear on all 4 tires on an AWD car, and I had planned on getting the other tires replaced yesterday evening. But, I had a family emergency literally right after I bought the car, that forced me to drive about 200 miles away (mostly interstate) without having time to change the other tires. I'm getting them replaced tomorrow before driving back home- have I done any damage to the drive train? Not hearing any weird noises or anything, but are there any other telltale signs that I might need to look for?
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22670
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| Quote: |
| Just looked at my title - it says "Totaled - Reconstructed" so I must be okay. |
My favourite car penter has that same notation on his birth certificate.
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mark tucker
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Joined: April 08, 2009
Posts: 23937
Location: SHALIMAR ,FLORIDA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:46 am Post subject: Re: opinions on cars w/ rebuilt titles? |
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| florida side thier totaled titles can never be retitied....well unless you retitle it. there are ways around everything. the guy who bought my bug tried to give me back the title Alabama dont use them. I still need to track down the tittle for one of my vw's pans, somewhere up in indaina or wisconsin or mitchagian...I think....the last owner was little help,he could not find it,and could not remember the shop that makes the shortened pans...or much of any thing. his kids were to help build the car...after the divorce...and..one picked up a gitar and the other turned out to be gay and didnt want nothing to do with cars...so i have a car with no tittle... |
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