I have to get a "commuter" car once my vortech kit sells... I've been looking at a few misc hondas, acuras etc. I saw a few with "rebuilt titles" for cheaper than usual
It seems I can get a better deal if I settle for a rebuilt title.

Anyone know about these?

I know they had repairs done, how can you tell if it was a total, or just a good ol' fender bender? Carfax?

Anyone ran into issues with the insurance company owning a rebuilt tile?

 

most rebuilt titles are car that have been totaled. i have a friend thats rebuilds them most of the car were totaled because the air bags deployed with no major damage

 

I guess looking for welds in major places is adead give away.. car drives/brakes straight...

Any way to tell if the airbags are not "empty"?

 

Just look for paint differences...

 

i used to work for progressive, so i know a little about rebuilt titles. so basically, if the cars damage is more than what the car is worth, the insurance will pay off the title owner and sell the car to co-part. the owner has the option to buy the car back at what co-part will buy the car for. also, if you buy a rebuilt car and get insurance on it, you'll end up paying the same amount, but if you happen to crash it, then the value you will get is likely to be 40-50% of the value. Not all savlage or rebuilt titles are bad cars, if the person went through the proper channels of getting the vehicle repaired.

 

my z is a rebuilt. nice to save tax cause u can say its worth anything ive owned 3 rebuilts.

 

Decided to stear clear of rebuilt titles...

 

I have a buddy who works in a body shop. He says that if the damage is more than 60% of the car's value, it gets considered totaled. So sometimes it doesn't take much at all to total a car, expecially if parts are expensive. He's the one that helped me inspect my Z when I was buying it. I used to be against rebuilt cars but after looking at the Z, I decided I rebuilt title was worth the 3k bellow blue book price. As long as all of the welds and everything is repaired correctly, it just as good as any car.

My Z is my first rebuilt car but I know it wont be my last. I just know to inspect everything to make sure there's no hack repairs.

 

I've saved so much buying rebuilts, I've even made money off them.