Im looking at a 98 4x4 truck with a rebuilt tittle they say it was hit in the pass side front and fixed, how do i know its ok?????

Thanks

 

For starters have a good body shop look at the frame. I would also take it to an alignment shop as well. If it had frame damage just step back and walk away. If you have it checked at an alignment shop and it is out of spec and they can not get it back in to spec walk away. If the side of the car that was damaged is where it is out of spec walk away

I would also ask to see the repair bill. If you can not get it get the name of the shop that fixed it and ask to see the repair bill.

Does it have new tires? How long has it been driven since the accident? If it ahs been 10-20k since the accident and it has used tires that look like they are warring evenly then the hit probably did not get the frame or the suspension. IF it has new tires be suspicious. IF it was just repaired I would also be leery.

Do you plan on keeping what you by or will you be re selling it? IF you re going to re sell it the salvage title will make it a problem (like what you are going through now) There are so many of these out there that you can easily find another one.


Bottom line it is a tough call. you could be getting a good truck at a good price or you could be getting a truck load of problems (literally)

Respectfully


Dean

 

I'll offer a bit of info from a Texas perspective. I was looking into buying a Dodge PU that was fairly new and very low mileage with a price that was too good to be true. I was warry, so I ran a carfax report and sure enough it was totaled in Tenn, and rebuilt somewhere in between. The title history report showed several transitions between junk, salvage and rebuilt status in both states. I also had Chrysler dealer run the VIN and look into warranty coverage since it was low mileage. Their records show it was also totaled, so therefor they disclaim any warranty whatsoever.According to the laws I could research, if a vehicle is totaled by an insurance company, it can only be retitled as a salvaged vehicle after that. Some states even prohibit them from going back into service in their state, so they usually end up in some other state where they try to pawn them off. One side note on the process. Since it is an older vehicle whose value is lower than a new one, even a small wreck may result in an insurance total, so the damage may not have been too significant. Bottom line, like Dean said, be very warry, check everything out 40 ways from Sunday, and unless it is cheaper than dirt cheap (and I mean WAAAAAY below wholesale value), look elsewhere. If you buy it, be advised that you will likely not be able to get rid of it without almost giving it away. In this age of carfax reports, everybody including dealers have access to the info, and many states have implimented the "Salvage title" laws so there is no chance of hiding what happened like it used to be.
Dialtone

 

If this were a 2000 or newer and you were paying over $20K I might be a bit more concerned but since the vehicle is almost 8 years old I'd be inclined to consider it. Main thing is what would you be paying for it and what does one without a salvage title cost. If there is enough spread betweeen prices, it may be worth it. As long as it runs well and tracks straight, I would not be afraid of it. Since it is a 98, there aren't any warranty issues to be concerned with. I would try to learn more about who did the restoration. It'sw possible they may warranty their work for some nominal period of time.

As far a resale value -if you plan to keep it for more than two or three years, it will be nearly worhtless by then - salvage title or not - so I wuld not let that dissuade you. Somebody buying a $3,000.00 Explorer will hardly care whether or not it has a slavage title, especially is you have two ro three years under your belt with it and records of any and all repair work you have done to it during that period.

If I liked it, I'd have it looked over and if it checked out, I'd buy it.

 

its like a 98 4x4 truck reg cab for 5600.00

 

That price is over average wholesale for an XLT with 80K miles (you did not give details, so I used this as a basis) Way too much for a Salvage/ Rebuilt titled vehicle. Using the specs above, average wholesale (TRADE IN) was $4500 according to Kelley Blue book for my area. Assuming all structural items check out, I would not give more than 3250-3500.
Just my opinion
Dialtone

 

I'm with Dialtone - too much money and I also agree with Dialtone on what should be offered. $3,500.00 max. I wouldn't be afraid of it if the price were right but for that money, you should be able to find one that been well taken care of and hasn't been smashed. Be patient, you'll find a good one.