[thstone]

I have purchased several vehicles in California with salvage titles;

Rule #1: Never, ever, ever believe what the seller says about a salvage vehicle unless they can prove every word of it.

Rule #2: Insurance companies are never stupid when it comes to claims. If the car was totaled by the insurance company, there was a pretty good reason for it.

Rule #3: Re-read rule #1.

With being said, salvage vehicles can be very good deals but you have to approach the car as a mystery with no witnesses. Your job is to determine the state of the car (what was the extent of the damage and was all of the damage repaired) and what your risk is going forward (was it repaired correctly). This must be done completely unemotionally because if you fall for the car you'll lose all of your objectivity and take on way too much risk. The key is to have the most extensive PPI imaginable performed by a real expert. You've got to know exactly what you're getting into before you buy it.

If you can do this and are willing to risk several thousand dollars if you get it wrong, then you might get a great deal. If you can't do this or can't live with the financial risk, then run away.