Rebuilt Salvage Title Tacomas

Hello everyone,

I'm really getting serious about getting a Tacoma and only want to spend about $20,000.

I don't NEED another vehicle but I'm looking for something more practical than my lifted YJ on 37s. Not too family friendly and I'm wanting to drive my own vehicle and not only in her Highlander.

My options seem to be a mid mileage 2nd gen Tacoma Double Cab, or a 3rd gen REBUILT double cab. I've owned a rebuilt title F350 before and it operated flawlessly.

There are tons and tons of 2016 double cabs out there for around $20-21k.

Are the updates worth it for a rebuilt title? Is the 3.5l a no go considering I could get a clean titled 4.0l?

Surprisingly I've found a lot of dealers that only sell rebuilt salvage titled vehicles...and they're pretty expensive still. Very weird to me. What do you all think? I know the majority will say go clean title, but for those who aren't deathly against it...?

 

Generally speaking I’d never buy a rebuilt or salvage titled car. There is a reason why it’s cheap and there is a reason the insurance company already wrote it off. If the insurance company decided it wasn’t worth fixing then how could someone acquire the car and fix it properly? No one is doing anyone a favor and believe me, they’re a cheap for a reason.

Just my two cents.

 

No I understand. And you know the crazy part, they're not cheap. I mean, compared to a clean title yes. But they're still $21-26k!!!!!!! Why, how?!

For example:

https://www.pkwyautosales.com/inven...a-Tacoma-2WD-Double-Cab-V6-AT-SR5-Mckinney-TX

https://www.myautosource.com/invent...d-sport-rwd-crew-cab-pickup-3tmaz5cn8hm027146

 

There is a couple around here Twin cities MN. An 17 Super White DCLB OR 20k in miles asking $25K, and a 18 Bar Red DCSB OR 19K miles w/scoop hood asking$25k and change. Both are on Minneapolis craigslist for reference. MN has very strict state inspections on rebuilt titles

 

How are the rebuilt title vehicles going for so much?

I even thought about this one:

https://www.carlislegm.com/VehicleD...PreRunner_(GS)-Waxahachie-TX/3471983643#close

But I like the 3rd gen headlights more. Whatever though.

 

The other thing I forgot to mention is you might not care about having a branded title but you’re going to get grilled by everyone else when you try and sell it at some point. Unless you make it a wheeler trail rig (which your not) then I would steer clear of it.

 

Perhaps salvaged Tacomas drive better than new ones.

 

I should have known to not ask this question lol

 

Because if the repairs are done correctly and professionally then the brand on the title doesn't lower the value all that much on a newer vehicle. If it's the truck you are looking for and the dealer can provide documentation of the damage and repairs then don't be afraid of it. Obviously you should have it checked out to make sure they didn't cut corners, and the brand on the title is a negotiating point that you can use to your advantage. I've put several hundred thousand problem-free miles on rigs that I bought wrecked and rebuilt myself.

 

Offhand I can only think of two reasons why a vehicle would have a salvage title:

1.) it can’t be fixed
2.) A proper repair would exceed the value of the vehicle.

 

There is no way these small dealers that operate out of a tin can shacks won't cut corners. Yes, the truck looks good on the outside but the inside is what matters the most. If you really want a cheap truck, buy one from the salvage auction and rebuild it to your liking, IMO.

 

I'll probably buy a clean title. The idea of a 2017 with 20k miles @$20k just seemed enticing. I've had my luck with rebuilt titles in the past but just wanted to see how the online community felt since there are SO MANY rebuilt title Tacomas available right now.

 

Better make sure your insurance will cover a Salvage title in the event of an accident,a lot of them will not give you FULL coverage on a Salvage title.

 

Just pass on it, don't skimp on a big investment like this. A clean title 2nd gen will be 10x better than a salvaged third gen.

 

If it was totaled for hail damage, I’d consider it for a beater, liability only, vehicle.

 

I bought a salvaged flood truck from a company who all they do is sell salvaged flood vehicles. 2017 tacoma v6 manual access cab sport with 10k miles for around $25k. I've had the truck for about 5 months so far with 0 issues. Some rust on the suspension but i plan on upgrading that anyways within the next couple years. I would recommend if you're mechanically savvy

 

You should fly over to Washington DC and buy my 2013 DC 4x4 lol and take a road trip back home.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/md-va-2013-trd-or-4wd.628257/

I kid but I’m also sort of dead serious.

No rust. It’s a Georgia truck only been up in DC for one winter.

 

if covered in hail damage... hail yeah i would buy it. cosmetic stuff is expensive and can total out a vehicle.

 

Why not you can save a lot of money. If you are capable of doing the work yourself, this is a great idea. Now there are areas of damage that you'll want to avoid and those are obvious upon inspection, never buy a flood car or truck, hail damage to name a few. If you dont plan too sell it and want too hold on too it what's wrong with having a branded title as Rebuilt.. Half of the hot rods and classics are branded.

 

I’ve owned several salvage/rebuilt vehicles. I’ve had a Viper, a Vette, a Porsche and now a gen 3 Tacoma that were all salvage rebuilds. I do all the work myself so I know exactly what I’m sitting on going down the highway. I would say on average I payed about half of what a new car would be including parts. I’m in PA and here we have to take any salvaged rebuild through a pretty exhaustive inspection process. (enhanced inspection) I can’t really say the value was effected much at resale. It used to be that a car with a rebuilt title was automatically worth 50% of what the same vehicle would be with a clean title but that’s definitely not the case today. If you’re handy, and there’s no frame damage I say go for it. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to drive some really nice cars that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise.