Hey guys, I live in fresno california and there are literally almost no reasonably priced cummins around. Theres a guy with a 2wd 96 salvage title with 170k on it. Has some injectors and a plate thats bout it. there are some cosmetic problems, paint blemishes, power seat on driver side doesnt work etc. Hes asking 5k for it, what are your thoughts. I never like getting into salvage title but eh.

 

My bad its a 1994!

 

KBB says like 3400 in excellent condition. I dont wanna lowball the guy but the truck has been up for a while, if i were to offer him say, 2900 or 3000? I could begin a real truck with that few grand i saved.

 

Car dealer said my 00 is only worth $6000. Front end complete will have to be done ~ $1,000. What else to make it the way you want? Go read about the 12V problems & deduct for what isn't done.

 

you cannot go by dealers opinion. years ago i took a '92 dodge w/ cummins to a dealer for an appraisal, 4000 dollars was his numbers......i sold it to a private party for 13,900.00

 

I have no intention of selling or taking a dealer's word. My point is 1) salvage title devalues a truck. 2) most trucks that aren't someone's toy have serious amounts of deferred maintenance. 3) He won't know what the items are unless he goes to the 12V forums. 4) He's looking at a minimum of $1000 for the front end unless it has been redone recently. 5) Don't fall in love or he'll over pay.

I've used a bank's loan value as a pricing tool because banks don't take risks & consequently value below retail.

 

What are other 94s selling for there? IMO a salvage title take 15%-20% off the top? If KBB is $3400 I think your plan is pretty good. Like was said, don't fall in love or it could cost ya.

 

No he repaired it himself, hes a local mechanic that is self employed...soo...i dont know, i know of or have heard of most of the quality mechanics in my area and this guys name wasnt on the list. I drove it, drove straight and everything. But I dont want to go dump money into performance and such then if i were to sell it get nothing back just because its a salvage title.

 

You won't get anything back for enhancements anyway. Don't buy it if you don't intend to keep it. What is the reason for salvage? Any documentation?

Stock without gauges, KDP, 2wd, salvage & he's about 3k high. Lay out 20 Ben Franklins on the hood & see if he coughs up the title. Gotta get some concessions for what you don't know. Let us know what happens.

 

Someone said that they should take 15-20 percent for salvage, that said insurance companies will pay full value on a salvage value if you aren't the person that crashed it the first time.

 

It was hit between the passanger door and bed, frame wasnt touched, he replaced the door and bed. I drove it, drove straight had power. But I know even if it is a good truck Ill never have an resell to it. so im a little scared.

 

In my region, a salvage title is a huge drawback. I wouldn't say don't get it, because if it drives nice, and you have it checked, it probably is a sound truck. But, be prepared to possibly take a loss in the future. If the price is right, and you plan to keep it, then it may be a great find.

 

How did he come by the truck? Did he get it at auction?

If he repaired a slavage vehicle doesn't he need the state to sign off like an inspection to clear the parts he used? In Michigan the person reconstructing the vehicle has to produce receipts and serial numbers for all the parts used to repair the vehicle.

If it is just sheet metal, mechanically it should be sound. Still, $5K for a 2wd 1994??

We looked for 8 months and found our 1998 4X4 with 180K miles for $4,000 and it is a Florida truck...