Purchasing a Salvage Vehicle

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

"Ingestion" might clarify it too.

No I still would have been mislead. I kept wondering how on earth a shark or a grizzly could actually eat a car, and what underwriter would actually make that a part of their policy.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

omg haha. $35k? HAHAHA that is never in a million years a good idea

Schrderbrau, I think it's probably best you vet your next vehicle purchase through this thread.

Well, we are now looking at Ford Explorers, not salvage (so everyone can chill). Thoughts on explorers?

[Fuzz]

Franklin was pretty bad-ass, but it didn't end well for him.

[calgaryblood]

For that type of money why not go for something nice and reliable like a Lexus or 4 runner.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Personally I dont understand the appeal of a Range Rover. They're boxy looking, ugly, expensive, bad on fuel and (apparently) not reliable at all. But I see them quite often

I think the boxy ones are cool looking, while their new-ish sleek one not so much. Also, you can't underestimate the desire for some people to look like they have a lot of money, and a Range Rover does that.

Also, the Queen drives one. That's a selling point to ballers everywhere!

The few people that I know who've owned them though say pretty much everything that has been repeated in this thread: they suck!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

omg haha. $35k? HAHAHA that is never in a million years a good idea

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

For that type of money why not go for something nice and reliable like a Lexus or 4 runner.

Seriously. An MDX is basically the same car (similar interior space, bit more cargo room, similarly nice inside) but will last you forever and you'll never have to fix it.

Speaking from experience, the RX is slightly smaller, yet has the same head and leg room as the Land Rover and more cargo capacity... and it's even more reliable than the MDX (or for that matter, any other SUV; literally nothing goes wrong, ever ever ever), while being insanely quiet and comfy to drive and if you drive it into something the body parts are relatively cheap - I've replaced a bumper, it was $300.

And frankly, for that amount you could actually get a GX460 if you really want the extra room.

I just don't know why you would ever want to do this.

[Table 5]

As terrible as their reputations are, I'd still love to own a classic Range Rover.

Every once in a while you see some really nice ones that have been fully restored.



https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...r/1837922.html



https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...r/1869023.html

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Eh. I'd own a defender, for sure, but those are prohibitively expensive, and the novelty's just not worth it.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Well, we are now looking at Ford Explorers, not salvage (so everyone can chill). Thoughts on explorers?

I test drove one about 2 years ago. I couldn't get over the enormous gap between my seat and the door. I'm not sure why it's so big (safety maybe?), but I had a hard time leaning over far enough to rest my arm on the armrest on the door. and I'm 6'4"!

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Well, we are now looking at Ford Explorers, not salvage (so everyone can chill). Thoughts on explorers?

I own an Explorer. Bought it new last year and have had no problems (as one should expect). Lots of passenger room, lots of cargo room. Fuel mileage is ok, but it is a big vehicle, so it isn't outstanding. (Like the fact it takes regular unleaded, though).

Honestly, I like the Range Rover look, but there was no way I could pull the trigger on one when they are at least $25k more than a comparably equipped Explorer. To my eye, the Explorer has a similar exterior look, just not the cache of the RR.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I've never gone down the salvage route, but if you're looking to gamble on a car I'd recommend the auto auction instead.

Both my Father and I have bought several vehicles from Regal, Graham and Michener Allen auto auctions. We've gotten lucky, but if you are paranoid about them I'd recommend paying a trusty mechanic 100-200 dollars to join you at the auction and scope out some vehicles prior to the start.

To give you an idea of some prices, we picked up a 99' Audi a6 quattro for 15k in 2004 and when it was written off in 2008 it appraised for 17k.

I picked up a 2006 Chrystler 300 in 2010 and could of instantly flipped it for twice as much. There was a seemingly major issue which turned out to be a camshaft sensor causing the car to turn off at random times. 100 dollar fix and the car ran perfectly for another 3 years before I sold it.

Edit: And if your looking for an Explorer, the auction is a gold mine for them.

[speede5]

SGI has a Vin search tool on their website which is great to have with you on your phone when you're at an auction. It will tell you all the claims registered by SGI. ICBC has one too. I don't know what Alberta has as your private but worth investigating if you want to go to auctions.