Need Help Please!! Salvage Title 2001 Avalon

[jmr32]

Hi, I am very interested in purchasing this car, but it has had a Salvage title, then Rebuilt title and then Salvage title again according to Car Fax. What does that mean when the title was switched like that on the same day? It is a California car. I haven't seen the car in person yet as I am in another state.

Here is what the owner says, "The Vehicle carries a Salvage Title and is sold AS-IS. The reason the vehicle has been issued a salvage title is because it was involved in a minor accident on the left fender. No damage reached the door, hood, or anything except the fender and lower arm. Both the fender and lower arm of the suspension have been replaced and vehicle is now in original condition. You can also see from the pictures that minor touchup was added to the bottom edge of the left roof post and in the inner part of the fender post for a complete repair to any signs of blemish to the edges in order to keep original paint. All VIN stickers are in place and absolutely no airbags have deployed on this vehicle. Vehicle looks and runs in excellent condition, and absolutely gorgeous " VIN is 4t1bf28b51u117913

What do you think?? thanks for the help.

[Oldengineer]

The salvage title means the car was totaled by an insurance company. My son fell for one of these deals on a Volvo with a salvage title. After he bought it, we found the "rebuild" job was simply awful. Worse yet, it's impossible to trade one of these cars in - dealer's won't touch them. We tried selling it privately,but, couldn't even get any offers at 50% of the price for one with a clean title. Finally, another driver hit it, and, totaled it again. His insurance paid my son off, but, they heaviliy discounted the car from Blue Book value. My advice - punt on this car.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[95cord]

My father in law buys wrecked cars from auto auctions all the time with salvage titles. Usually he can fix them and turn around and sell them for a nice profit. But sometimes they aren't worth the time. do a good overall check on the car and find out how much it will cost to fix the car. and go from there.