Title Wash Warning

[Bonkers]

Hey guys, just a heads up.

On ebay right now is a Red 1997 GTS that was involved in a sideswipe, was totaled, and is now rebuilt. Nothing in that is particularly bad, but the current seller is advertizing in the sale that the new owner can "wash" the title and make it whole again.

Buyers beware, this car is now logged onto my list and will soon be entered permanently into the IVR as a salvage.

VIN is · 1B3ER69E9VV300404

Auction is here: Bad Auction

 

[REMIX]

He claims the airbag didn't deploy, yet he recently bought a Viper airbag on Ebay. Wonder what that was for.

REMIX

 

[ViperJoe]

"This auction is a "PRIVATE AUCTION" to protect my customers and myself. I want to avoid that some clever persons contact my bidders to sell them their own stuff."

This above is what he says in his auction. YEAH RIGHT! It's so no one can contact the bidders and say you're getting ready to buy a pig in a poke!!! He says he has a Yellow car coming up soon, wonder what's wrong with that one?

 

[plumcrazy]

scary stuff.

 

[George Murray]

Bonkers -

Nowhere does it say in that ad that the title will be washed. It simply states the car can be "registered the same way as a clear one." For example, in Virginia, the title would be branded "salvage rebuilt," and is a negotiable title. The "salvage rebuilt" brand is simply a statement advising all interested parties (banks, buyers, insurance companies) of the car being a salvage vehicle. My guess is that Florida has a similar brand on salvage rebuilt vehicle titles.

In any event, a CARFAX check will show the salvage history of the car. The majority of Viper buyers will conduct such a check. This particular seller isn't hiding the car's history. One does wonder about the airbag purchase, however...

Best to all, George

 

[Bonkers]

I'm not attacking this post, just throwing the regular flags...

My guess is that Florida has a similar brand on salvage rebuilt vehicle titles.

I wouldn't hold your breath on that one George. Florida can be a little.....vague about its title laws most of the time. So much so that I just tell people there are 48 more honest states to buy a car from.

In any event, a CARFAX check will show the salvage history of the car.

Again, not always. Carfax has proven itself over and over again that it's really not concerned with being 100% accurate. This particluar car may show up but I have documented 133 others that I'd be happy to play roulette with.

One does wonder about the airbag purchase, however...

The seller, Mario, contacted me about this thread and auction yesterday. He said he would revise it, and I'm under the loose impression he means well. He also stated that the Yellow RT is also a salvage which *may* be the reason for the airbag purchase.

I just wanted to make a point to the newbies on the board about something important - a clean title and carfax may mean squat. I specifically know of a dealership in Florida that has sold five, utterly demolished Vipers in the past two years all with had clean titles. I am currently tracking over 400 true vehicle histories and I can assure you these cars are prime canidates for wash because of value and rarity.

You want paranoia - 134 cars are now on my watch list. Simple math says that a single person over the course of two years has collected bad histories on 1% of all vipers. Thats only spending about an hour a night on dial-up AND only counting the cars that were reported by honest people. I'm currently looking to confirm another 20 that I've heard rumors about. There are several on that exoticwreck site that I also would like to know more about.

Before you buy, check carfax, check with me, but most importantly get someone you trust to get the car up on a lift and do a thourough once over.

-----off my soapbox...

 

[dansauto]

They should start a new forum and label it "Ask Bonkers"

 

[Buckeye Viper]

They should start a new forum and label it "Ask Bonkers"

bwahahhaha

 

[Triple7]

After my '99 GTS was totalled last month I called on some cars my insurance company was using for comparables. One of the cars was a salvage titled rebuild. That dealer tried to get me to get my car back from the insurance company (after a statment of total loss had already been issued) so that there would be no salvage title. He said he would give me more money than the insurance company would give me. I mentioned this to my insurance adjustor and they said that I could have my car back and that it would not have a salvage title. I declined, I want a salvage title assigned to the car so a future buyer will know. Bonkers you can add this one to your list. 1B3ER69E2XV503718. I am currently looking for a used Viper and I hope I can avoid a rebuilt wreck.

 

[BillS]

Bonkers you can add my previous Viper to your list. I totaled it on 11/6/2002... 1B3ER69E6VV301171. I bought back from the insurance company and resold it. Car is now back on the road.

 

[Bonkers]

Sent both of you a PM. Thanks.

 

[JGK95]

Observe the fit and finish of the hood from the face forward three quaters view. You'll notice that the lines at both the front fascia to the hood differ in two places as well as from the hood to the rocker panel. Accident: Driver's side front quarter panel to side.

Jay K.