Buying a totaled vehile

[aczlan]

In NY, you can put a "totaled" vehicle back on the road, but you have to take it through a state salvage vehicle inspection (mainly to make sure you don't have stolen parts on it). However, if the owner is buying it back from the ins co, it may not be titled as a salvage vehicle (I had a car for sale that was hit sitting by the road and the drivers ins co paid me for the car, but didnt want it, so I kept the title and as far as I know, it was never listed as "totaled" in NYS).

If it were me, I would remove the inside trim panels on the quarter panel and push it back out from the inside(bottle jack and some wood?). You will probbaly be able to get most of it out that way and then pickup a couple of doors in the right color.

If you go to sell it, be sure to tell the whole truth about its past... I was looking at a Suburban this spring where the seller claimed that it had "just been in a fender bender but the ins co had totaled it" and he had fixed it "like new". The only problem was that a vehicle history report showed that it had been totaled down in TX, then sold at a salvage auction (most of the front end was smashed in from the auction pictures), then registered in NY where it was totaled again a year later. If it had been as he claimed and he had pictures to prove it, I would have bought it, but not with how he was (mis)representing its history.

Aaron Z

 

[WM75Guy]

OnStar may not support that year of vehicle--if it matters. I know they dropped support for a 2003 Buick a couple years ago. Something about compatibility and probably not enough revenue from that age class of vehicle to continue support.

Had the same issue with my 03 GMC. They have an analog OnStar system. When analog cell service went away so did analog OnStar service. You can prepay for 3 years worth of OnStar and they will switch it out for a digital system for free. No refunds if you cancel but you can transfer it to the new owner if you sell it.

 

[Toddao]

I would fix the taillight, and just drive as is , good deal
Be creative paint or get a sticker of a large band-aid to cover the damage!, lol

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[maxamillion125]

I talked to a friend who bought his totaled car back and he said the Insurance company never had him surrender his title. He thinks if he ever sells it then the new Title will be a salvaged one. I'll look into this on monday and figure out what our state laws are. The OnStar system must not be analog because it's currently working fine.

 

[turnkey4099]

Guys I'm not really concerned about the resale value or Salvage title. I plan on keeping the car not trying to flip it. I know the car's history and its mechanically sound and was treated very well. The doors open and shut fine. I need the 3rd row seating for our family of 5 and also get something to pull my Ford 1710 tractor with I might look around for a rear door to throw on there and paint because I can do that myself but the quarter panel is gonna require A LOT more work and welding so I'll probably leave it alone.

Listen to what is being said. DO NOT BUY it unless you check to see if you can register it for road use fist!!! Most states, once totaled it is all but impossible to get a 'roadable title'.

Harry K

 

[ultrarunner]

My brother's 1968 Mustang was stolen and recovered... insurance declared it a total loss because the entire interior was removed except the headliner...

He bought it back for $400 and we spent the next couple of days putting in a new interior...

It does now have a salvage title and he was required to get a brake and light inspection...

 

[Pete Judd]

My son had a Justy, that was bumped in a parking lot. a small dent in the quarter panel. The persons insurance company payed him and let him keep the car, but with a wrecked title. A small dent in the body was just to much for the Ins Co to deal with for a 500 buck car.

 

[maxamillion125]

Listen to what is being said. DO NOT BUY it unless you check to see if you can register it for road use fist!!! Most states, once totaled it is all but impossible to get a 'roadable title'.

Harry K

I just called the DMV and if the vehicle is older then 5 years it gets branded as a totaled vehicle retained by the owner NOT a salvaged vehicle and I keep the original title. There is no salvaged title and the vehicle is perfectly legal to drive and there's no inspection or any other hoops to jump through. If I ever sell it all I have to do is let the person know that it's been branded as a totaled vehicle by the Insurance company.

 

[k0ua]

OnStar may not support that year of vehicle--if it matters. I know they dropped support for a 2003 Buick a couple years ago. Something about compatibility and probably not enough revenue from that age class of vehicle to continue support.

The older cars had analog cellphones in them. There are no more analog cell phone support on any carrier that I know of. Therefore no Onstar support as the radio cannot use the digital towers.

 

[k0ua]

Whoops!, looks like Repowel beat me to it... teach me to read ahead....