Posted on 10/01/2022 11:51:58 AM PDT by moovova
Thousands of cars are damaged or destroyed by floods every year, but don’t assume all those vehicles end up in a junkyard.
Some are repaired and resold in other parts of the country without the buyer being aware of the car’s waterlogged history. In fact, Carfax says were 378,000 flooded cars were back on the roads in 2021, and Hurricane Ian is certain to see many more damaged cars added to the high-demand used-car market. (snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at consumerreports.org ...
A battery fire should dry them right out...
"I'm not gonna try it, you try it...let's get Mikey!"
One of the best deals I ever got was a 1988 911. It ran for months. Bought it for 13k, sold it at 25k.
Remember when porsches were that cheap?
“It was only driven to church by an old grandma”
Since these rehabilitated cars almost have to be sold as used, the question becomes “Does the lower price and the rehab still make it a good deal?”
I got a great used low mileage fleet car for a very low price because the original operator smoked cigars in it. Is a cigar smell that dissipates after a few weeks enough to dock $1000 or more from the price? I think so.
Rehabs vary a lot, which is why you should always have a trusted mechanic examine the used vehicle before purchase. Just their telling you it was a flood vehicle gives you huge haggling power.
Last but not least, both the government and the auto makers are cramming all sorts of unnecessary and invasive crap into automobiles. State governments should pass laws that permit consumers to opt out of such crap by requiring makers to provide crap-free versions of their products on request.
Imagine how this crap would be affected by floodwater. And they expect consumers to pay for its replacement.
It’s hard to grasp what would happen to a Hybrid or an EV let alone all these electronic laden late model vehicles.
Was it a flood “victim”?
Remember when you could open the hood of a car, look down...and see the ground?
I wouldn’t be completely opposed to buying a flood car. An older model in a recent flood would probably be ok depending on the price. Older means there’s probably not as much of the government-mandated garbage on there...and maybe less non-submersible electronic stuff. I’m not talking about a grandma-Oldsmobile either, but something classy.
I lived next to two spinster sisters growing up. The one gal had a 1957 BelAir in mint condition. Garaged, to church once a week, if that. I would remind her that I wanted to buy it. Came back from college one year, went next door - she had sold it “To a nice Christian man.” Ugh.
Her sister still had the 1964(?) Impala in great condition too - but she drove it a bit more.
Probably all for the best. As a college kid I wouldn’t have taken care of it and would be kicking myself now.
It’s all the electrical connections that were submerged in salt water that will cause all the problems. Modern vehicles have dozens hidden in all sorts of places.
Bought an ‘07 F150 sight-unseen during Cash for Clunkers (average auction price jumped from $11.5 to almost $20K over that summer, all in the name of unionizing GM and Fiat, I mean, Chrysler). No disclosure, but turns out it was a VT two-year lease and had rust issues from the day we bought it — found out 6 mos later.
Kept an eye on it, but rust is cancer, and we had to give it up this summer. Got 13 years out of it — not bad for a flood car, but, boy, it was accelerating by this summer, frame rusted through in two spots, body panels, etc. Sold it cheap to a mechanic in Maine who said he’ll use it as a snow plow, as that way he won’t have to worry about rust — already has it, lol!
Rust just isn’t something you want to worry about.
I might buy a flood car, but it would be pre 1980 probably and have to have some awesome paint.
I might make a Porsche exception.
One of my coworkers bought a new 911 in the late 90s and decided to get stereo upgrade, installer drilled through wiring harness
He had pictures of the whole car stripped dash and interior out so dealer could put in new harness.
He said final bill was 25k
Naval jelly ?
In most cases no as they have salvaged titles...
Probably should have. Naval Jelly on a Torino:
https://youtu.be/Naq24GNlEAs
Hi.
Well, water (fresh or salt) doesn’t play well with car electronics.
My brother’s wife was driving on Bayshore (Tampa) one fine “no name storm” day and viola, no more new Mercedes 500.
.
Family still talks about that one.
5.56mm
WATCH OUT ARKANSAS! It is quite a scam here to get a new clean title for $45 for a flooded or wrecked and repaired car from out of state!
I thought you might enjoy post 18.
5.56mm
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