o.k.
so after looking at vehix.com, autotrader.com, yahoo.cars.com, etc,

it looks like a running, complete, CLEANLY titled '05 gt with a stick can be had for as low as the mid $14's.

there are a few i have come across, which are SALVAGE titled, and from the pics, (at least) appear to be thoroughly fixed.

i am looking for a running, but guttable, s-197, as cheap as possible, to campaign as a camaro-mustang-challenge car, in the NASA race series.

the two salvages were "wrecked", so the insurance must have totaled them to be on a salvage title.
one was described as getting new bumpers, new front fenders, and headlight assemblies.

so, HERE IS THE QUESTION:

these 2 salvages are about $14K +/- a few hundred.
about 500 less than a cleanly titled one.
how much more do y'all think i should aim to haggle them down for the title problem.

of course i wont tell them i am transforming it into a race car, but instead play up my worries about getting raped on the price on the back-side, once i eventually decide to sell it

thoughts??
doc

 

I would suggest a trip to Texas.
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=473034
Unless you're buying way below blue book value -- 50% or more and know what the car has been through, don't buy salvage.

 

well, kbb for the milage in EXCELLENT condition is 20k,
so 14k is at 75% to start
10k is 50%
and the car CANT be said to be excellent, good at best, i am sure, PLS it is a salvage,

i guess i am just trying to see how reasonably i should expect getting down to the 11-12k range.

 

You are talking About KBB RETAIL.
Salvage is never retail.
15K is high for wholesale on '05 GTs.
14K s/b your starting point. Reality is 8K max for salvage car.
11-12K don't bother, keep looking. Find a clear title with higher miles.
Stop asking for trouble with a salvage. They always need more work than they seem to.

 

I work at a large Ford dealership in the NW. We never pay more for than 50% of KBB wholesale for a salvage title car that we take in on trade. And when we do take one in, we send it straight to auction and don't even try to put it out for sale on our lot with our good name on it - way too much risk to our reputation.

If you're just going to make a race car, then a salvage title GT makes sense as long as you inspect the car thoroughly and believe the repairs to have been done properly. Just don't pay more than 50% of the going KBB "private party" value, based on miles & equipment.

 

I also work for a dealership and I agrree 50% of the actual cash value for a car with a good title should be the max you pay. I certainly would start much lower though.j

 

In my opinion 50%, and have it check at an autobody shop for quality of repairs and measurements that the car is back to original specs.. you will go crazy trying to track a car thats not "square" and can not figure out the funny handling issues.

I believe you need a certain level of a racing license, but have you considered a Ford body in white, and buying an unfixed wreck and swapping the motor/trans/rear-end.. and I imagine you would be upgrading suspension anyway.