Storm Cars
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Elder User
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From: Central, MA
Storm Cars
What is the truth about storm cars? Common sense tells us that any car that got wet could be a buying mistake? Some cars could have sunk to the bottom of the ocean and some could have just got submerged enough for an insurance company to total them.
There are so many places selling either storm cars or cars that were recovered thefts at very low prices.
Does anyone know someone who ever bought a storm car and found out they made a big mistake?
Does anyone know someone who ever bought a storm car and ended up with a decent late model car that lasted years without any unusual problems?
With the insane prices that some people are trying to get for used cars lately, prices on these salvage cars can become appealing.
There are so many places selling either storm cars or cars that were recovered thefts at very low prices.
Does anyone know someone who ever bought a storm car and found out they made a big mistake?
Does anyone know someone who ever bought a storm car and ended up with a decent late model car that lasted years without any unusual problems?
With the insane prices that some people are trying to get for used cars lately, prices on these salvage cars can become appealing.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
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From: SE Wyoming
Guess it depends on what you mean by storm car, anything that was submerged enough to get inside the cabin would be a mistake to buy IMO, way too much electrical stuff gets wet that way. On the other hand I got a used '08 F250 last year that had moderate hail damage for $7K off the list price before it was hailed on, worked out good for everyone but it also does not have a salvage title.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Any new car that has been submerged/seriously flooded is a no-buy. That would go for almost any year car, with some exceptions I suppose.
Some of these cars are cleaned up and passed off as new. Major screw job to the buyer.
Knowingly buying a flooded car is a false economy of the tenth magnitude.
Hail damage on a known new vehicle from a decent dealer--no problem if that's what you like and the factory warranty is good.
Flooded--forget it. The factory does not want those cars sold, and there is most likley a lot of funny business with the title and no warranty.
IMO makers should be more aggressive in forcing these cars to be destroyed before some a-hole can phoney them up into presentable looking cars and sell the ticking time bombs to the unwary.
Mazda may have gone "overboard" (so to speak) by not even salvaging the tires, but this is what you do if you care about your brand and reputation:
Mazda Destroyed 4,703 Brand New Cars After Cargo Ship Accident
Some of these cars are cleaned up and passed off as new. Major screw job to the buyer.
Knowingly buying a flooded car is a false economy of the tenth magnitude.
Hail damage on a known new vehicle from a decent dealer--no problem if that's what you like and the factory warranty is good.
Flooded--forget it. The factory does not want those cars sold, and there is most likley a lot of funny business with the title and no warranty.
IMO makers should be more aggressive in forcing these cars to be destroyed before some a-hole can phoney them up into presentable looking cars and sell the ticking time bombs to the unwary.
Mazda may have gone "overboard" (so to speak) by not even salvaging the tires, but this is what you do if you care about your brand and reputation:
Mazda Destroyed 4,703 Brand New Cars After Cargo Ship Accident
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Central, MA
Yeah, the flood cars may look atrractive (price wise), but they are really a gamble. I was wondering if any of our regulars here or knew anyone that had either good or bad experiences dealing with these cars.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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ONLY if you buy it just after it's pulled out of the drink so you can SEE the damage and know what you are up against. Then, at a price about 1/4 the scrap price. Afther that, a new interior, and everything else taken apart, cleaned, inspected and reassembled.
JMO, but what do you think the flood waters might have carried into the trans, engine, axle, electronics....
JMO, but what do you think the flood waters might have carried into the trans, engine, axle, electronics....
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
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You should hear some of the horror story after Katrina came. I still hear of cars that are falling apart. They were suppose to demo all the flood cars that salt water got to. Even the ones that had fresh water don't last long. If you are going to buy a used car now, check under the dash for rust, under the seat and everywhere else you can think of. I did buy some tractors that turned out to be fine. Nothing with a computer. JUST MY .02
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I think a storm car could be a decent donor to repair another but it should never relied upon as a DD.
The used car industry is so expensive right now due to a glut in inventory. We've discussed this to death on the 2009 F-150 forum. A fella wants to buy a used 2009 truck and soon discovers that a 2011 can be had for similar money, better financing and stronger incentives.
The used car industry is so expensive right now due to a glut in inventory. We've discussed this to death on the 2009 F-150 forum. A fella wants to buy a used 2009 truck and soon discovers that a 2011 can be had for similar money, better financing and stronger incentives.
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Elder User
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From: Central, MA
The used car industry is so expensive right now due to a glut in inventory. We've discussed this to death on the 2009 F-150 forum. A fella wants to buy a used 2009 truck and soon discovers that a 2011 can be had for similar money, better financing and stronger incentives.
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