[handersonray]

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking in the market for a used car and have come across a 2006 Toyota Tundra that I am considering for purchasing. The car has a salvage title and it is priced at $8,500.

I would like to get some advice from the forum members on whether or not this is a good buy. The car has a V-8, 4.7L engine and seems to be in good condition from the pictures I have seen. However, I am a bit concerned about the salvage title.

I understand that a salvage title means that the car has been in an accident or suffered some sort of damage that resulted in the insurance company deeming it a total loss. While the car may have been repaired, there could still be underlying issues that I am not aware of.

So, I would like to ask for your thoughts and opinions on whether or not it is worth purchasing a car with a salvage title. Is there anything I should be looking out for in particular when inspecting the car? Would it be better to spend a bit more money on a car with a clean title?

I appreciate any advice and insight you can provide. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[festerw]

Salvage or rebuilt title? That makes a big difference, rebuilt means it had an inspection after repairs to make sure it's done correctly.

Mine is rebuilt but Toyota had put a new frame under it after the repairs were done so I didn't have any worries about damage there.

 

[Professional Hand Model]

How many engine miles?

Why was it Salvaged Titled?

Condition of Frame/Rust?

How many prior owners?

 

[ChubbyDBLcb]

How long has it been on the road since the repair?

 

[frankorbinsr]

Salvage or rebuilt title? That makes a big difference, rebuilt means it had an inspection after repairs to make sure it's done correctly.

Mine is rebuilt but Toyota had put a new frame under it after the repairs were done so I didn't have any worries about damage there.

Yes, I've bought salvaged vehicles before and they were extremely worth every penny. That is why they sell cheap. Yours is a really nice find and it will go but you must find out wehat was the cause for a salvage title, Accident, frame and rust is good go for it but if there is electrical problems from fire or worse flooding then stay away from it.

 

[WillE03SEQ]

Good advice above. I personally have a 2003 Sequoia that now has a “cosmetic” salvaged title due to a fender bender. The insurance recommended repair shop quoted $5k and insurance ran the value on my beloved vehicle with 300k plus miles and “totaled it”. I took the money and did the repair on the cheap and that was 3 years ago. I could probably get $8k plus for this well maintained 4x4. There is a difference between cosmetic and structural damage salvage work. Structural damage most definitely needs to be inspected during repairs to have clear title.

 

[kenneeds]

Hello everyone,

I am currently looking in the market for a used car and have come across a 2006 Toyota Tundra that I am considering for purchasing. The car has a salvage title and it is priced at $8,500.

I would like to get some advice from the forum members on whether or not this is a good buy. The car has a V-8, 4.7L engine and seems to be in good condition from the pictures I have seen. However, I am a bit concerned about the salvage title.

I understand that a salvage title means that the car has been in an accident or suffered some sort of damage that resulted in the insurance company deeming it a total loss. While the car may have been repaired, there could still be underlying issues that I am not aware of.

So, I would like to ask for your thoughts and opinions on whether or not it is worth purchasing a car with a salvage title. Is there anything I should be looking out for in particular when inspecting the car? Would it be better to spend a bit more money on a car with a clean title?

I appreciate any advice and insight you can provide. Thank you in advance for your help.
View attachment 166475
View attachment 166476

Be aware of a couple high dollar repairs on the 06 Double Cab. One, determine if you can when the timing belt was last replaced. Two, this truck will eventually need the master cylinder replaced, as the OEM unit will leak into the brake booster. There are no aftermarket master cylinders available and the OEM unit only comes as an assembly that includes the brake booster. The master cylinder is a 2 piece unit. The front section, where the reservoir mounts can be purchased, but the rear section is the problem and cannot be purchased as a stand alone part. Both of these item can eat up $3000, or more, unless you can do them yourself.

 

[Ray Kane]

pull up them carpets and look for flood damage

 

[wetcat]

Also research which state you're doing this in. I had a Land Cruiser totaled out and easily got it back on the road in California. When I moved to Georgia, they wouldn't recognize California's opinion and forced more mods to get it titled in Georgia. It turns out Georgia is the toughest of all the states to get a salvage vehicle legal again. Never would have guessed that!

 

[Kirby]

I ALMOST had a salvaged/rebuild title Tundra.... my own. 2000 SR5 2wd. what appeared as minor damage to the front right, once the shop took it apart, found some underlying bends in the Radiator support and some other minor stuff, but it all adds up. Insurance said "total loss" . . . and gave me a low ball value of my truck. Long story short - I got them to revalue to a higher price and the result was truck being changed from total to "repairable" . .WIN for me.

In your case, I would ask for the WHY it was totaled, if you can't get pictures of the damage, ask for the collision repair place - get info from them, extent of repairs, pictures to just look at would be great. Depending on damage - I would consider buying it. IF you can't find out the WHY..... it is a HARD PASS on the truck.

 

[henrisecondlife]

Looking at the two pictures, this truck is in very good conditions in & out but my first question will be why does it deserve such a salvage title. What type of accident was it involved in? And what are the repairs cost involved. The insurance will base the classification of the title on the repair cost versus the value of the truck most of the time, in my opinion. Beside the millage, flooding I will try to find out if the salvage title is a result of a frame damage.
$8,500.00 2006 tundra, it is a good looking truck as long as the frame is not bent. But that also can be fixed. I have seen worth at the same price. Mileage definitively is also a factor.
Now i am quiet sure on how a salvage title will affect the insurance cost?

 

[Evil666Joe]

I was a used car dealer for 20 years in California, I did quite a few salvage vehicle revivals. Is this truck coming from an auction, private party, or car lot?
I'd agree that the flood vehicles I've worked on were full of weird issues, unless you're going to take every electrical connection apart to clean & inspect, it's likely to give you problems, at the worst time or place.
I bought a few Toyota 4wd's, 2wd's & always did good making them road worthy again. One of the best 2wd xcab pickups I got was from a salvage auction, it didn't have wheels under it when I got it.
How much are the same trucks with a clean title bringing in your area? $8500 sounds like a good deal, I don't see many access cab models in my area for that price. You might be able to get some maintenance history with the VIN at toyota.com, a carfax report would be money well spent too. Good luck with your decision.
As for the insurance, generally it won't cost more to insure, but it's hard to get full coverage on them.

 

[ChubbyDBLcb]

Be aware of a couple high dollar repairs on the 06 Double Cab. One, determine if you can when the timing belt was last replaced. Two, this truck will eventually need the master cylinder replaced, as the OEM unit will leak into the brake booster. There are no aftermarket master cylinders available and the OEM unit only comes as an assembly that includes the brake booster. The master cylinder is a 2 piece unit. The front section, where the reservoir mounts can be purchased, but the rear section is the problem and cannot be purchased as a stand alone part. Both of these item can eat up $3000, or more, unless you can do them yourself.

06 had 2 different boosters. A rare expensive one similar to the land cruiser and a more common affordable booster.

 

[2TundraMan]

Like Wetcat said above, pay attention as I believe the definitions of these terms depends on the state. "Salvage" and "Rebuilt". I had an '02 which somebody blew a light and hit me head on, it "totaled" the truck, but I fixed it myself for less than the insurance check and drove it for 10 more years. I held the same title the whole time. What did the next title say after I sold it? I don't know. Ask what happened, and ask the CAR FOX to see if he will tell you what happened to get the salvage tag.

 

[Evil666Joe]

Another thing you don't hear too often is that some vehicles are "stolen" certain parts removed will cost enough to total. I had a friend that bought a ton of Iroc Z28's back in the day, those were easy to total, take the wheels, stereo, front seats, punch the ignition lock, take the battery, whatever else underhood that's overpriced & you're well on your way. I bought an iroc like that, from the documents found in the car I'd guess it was stolen by owner for financial reasons. It was a nice car when I put it back together.