Buying salvage cars for parts

[fishski]

Thanks Husker. Copart was the site I saw. I live in a state where I can go and inspect the cars from about three states if need be but mostly interested in staying in my state. There seems to be a fee to "join" the site to bid and a $250 fee per car or 5% which ever is higher. For what the cars I've been looking at are selling for this is not a huge deal. Again my interest is strictly for personal fun. I can't see striping parts off and selling. Although I probably could make some money my intention is not the money making side.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by fishski

Thanks Husker. Copart was the site I saw. I live in a state where I can go and inspect the cars from about three states if need be but mostly interested in staying in my state. There seems to be a fee to "join" the site to bid and a $250 fee per car or 5% which ever is higher. For what the cars I've been looking at are selling for this is not a huge deal. Again my interest is strictly for personal fun. I can't see striping parts off and selling. Although I probably could make some money my intention is not the money making side.

If you have the ability to view them yourself, that would make bidding a whole lot safer and cheaper. Here in fly-over territory, the closest Copart auctions are 725 mi away in Dallas.

And KRAM - rebuilding cars can get in your blood. When I was a teen, my dad and I did it as a hobby. It stays with you.

[78F350]

For my own entertainment, I have bought a few cars through Copart. I have almost bought with IAA a few times.

I know Hondas pretty well and started out with an Accord 4-door that had a timing belt break. I picked up a used engine and dropped it in over a weekend. It turned out to be a good car. I ended up selling to a it co-worker for enough that it covered my actual cost, but wouldn't have covered my time if I counted it as 'labor'.

My 'water damaged' Boxster winning bid was about $2,200. Fees and about 300 miles transport put it well over $3k. Leather seats were pretty much trash. All of the electronics were good except for the immobilizer box. I hit eBay for an immobilizer+key+DME from the same year & model. New Battery.
Thinking everything is good, I insert the key and turn, being careful to keep my head away from the airbag. It actually started! ...and sounded terrible as it pumped more smoke out the back end than I have ever seen come out of a car. The engine was trash.



I bought a front end collision damaged Boxster for about the same deal and put that engine in.



The 'water damaged' car is pretty much my DD now. It still smells a bit musty on a rainy day, so I will probably replace the carpet.
For less than I paid to get my salvaged '01 on the road, I could have easily found a non-salvage car in need of some TLC. I do enjoy having the collision damaged car behind my garage as a parts source though.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

And KRAM - rebuilding cars can get in your blood. When I was a teen, my dad and I did it as a hobby. It stays with you.

I did a lot of mechanical work when I was younger and had the time, but hated the grime soaked fingernails, chics don't dig them either.

I also based what I said because my day is full with just my job. Some times I don't get home til 9 to 10pm and I start at 9am.

The OP may have the time on his hands to do so.

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

I did a lot of mechanical work when I was younger and had the time, but hated the grime soaked fingernails, chics don't dig them either.

My dad was good at both mechanical and body work. He said to me once that he preferred body work over mechanical work because he didn't get his hands as dirty. As a teenager, I didn't care but I understand what he meant now that I'm older.

[itsnotanova]

I'm not sure I can add much that hasn't already been said.
It's gambling buying from either Copart or IAA. If you know what you're doing you make some good $$, but sometimes you're just dealt a bad hand. There's ways to get your feet wet without spending too much cash but you'll find your best deals on craigslist (when you can find them).