Buy salvage title and rebuild

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CuylerTech

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2015 Big Horn Mega Cab 4x4
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Looking to go up to a 2500 from my 1500 and came across a 2015 2500 6.4/Bighorn/4WD crewcab for under 24K with less then 2K miles on the clock. Problem is it was totalled out by NJ due to the headlight catching on fire and starting a small fire in the engine bay. Both headlights were toast and there is visible paint damage to the hood and one fender from the heat. Current owner replaced the headlight harness and the upper rad hose that got burnt in the fire. From what i can see, its between 2-4K to make it like new again. Local dealer offered to buy my truck for 21K as it sits now. Worth it to deal with getting it fixed/inspected to be road legal again or any other opinions? Thanks!
 

Burla

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Resale value might suck, might be hard to get full coverage insurance, dunno.

But that is a lot of truck for 24k.
 
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CuylerTech

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Resale value might suck, might be hard to get full coverage insurance, dunno.

Gonna call in the morning and check, dont think it will be an issue but ill have to see.
 

WilliamS

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Just know you own that truck, branded titles are hard to trade down the line.

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Burla

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Trust me it's an issue insuring those.
 
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CuylerTech

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Just know you own that truck, branded titles are hard to trade down the line.

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I dont plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. Will probably drive it till the wheels fall off lol.
 
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CuylerTech

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Trust me it's an issue.

My current carrier from what ive read seems to be fine with rebuilt title cars. but wont know till the morning.
 

WilliamS

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It's a solid deal, but there are hurdles. Like burla said, insurance, some financing unless it cash transaction, as well it won't have any warranty and let them lie, it likely can't be warrantied.

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CuylerTech

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It's a solid deal, but there are hurdles. Like burla said, insurance, some financing unless it cash transaction, as well it won't have any warranty and let them lie, it likely can't be warrantied.

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I was planning on paying cash for it so financing wont be an issue. Not too worried about the warranty either. Never used it on my 1500 even when i have the bumper to bumper.
 

WilliamS

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I'm being 100% honest, if there were deal like that down here, is buy it.

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CuylerTech

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I'm being 100% honest, if there were deal like that down here, is buy it.

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I wasnt looking for a new truck but came across this and its making my head spin. Bought my 5500 2 weeks ago too lol :roflsquared:
 

mtofell

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Problem is it was totalled out by NJ due to the headlight catching on fire and starting a small fire in the engine bay.

Seems like a small amount of damage to total it. There's always the chance there is more to it or something else going on. Maybe have an inspection done on it. Those guys are amazing at picking up on things commons guys like us wouldn't - repairs, water damage, etc, etc.

That's a lot of cabbage for a branded title truck.
 
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CuylerTech

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Seems like a small amount of damage to total it. There's always the chance there is more to it or something else going on. Maybe have an inspection done on it. Those guys are amazing at picking up on things commons guys like us wouldn't - repairs, water damage, etc, etc.

That's a lot of cabbage for a branded title truck.

im definitely bringing it to a 3rd party for an opinion, It sold from what i found for 46K back in Sept of 2016 + it has wheels/tires and a new exhaust on it so probably closer to 50Kish worth of car new.
 

reek

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im definitely bringing it to a 3rd party for an opinion, It sold from what i found for 46K back in Sept of 2016 + it has wheels/tires and a new exhaust on it so probably closer to 50Kish worth of car new.

what's the option list? My 2015 2500 crew cab 4x4 big horn 6.4 was 51K got it for 38K. May not be as great of a deal depending on cost to fix and pretty much a "dead end" investment. but details when you get a chance, very curious.
 
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CuylerTech

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what's the option list? My 2015 2500 crew cab 4x4 big horn 6.4 was 51K got it for 38K. May not be as great of a deal depending on cost to fix and pretty much a "dead end" investment. but details when you get a chance, very curious.

Here's the truck Car - IdealAuto
 

sbarron

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I wonder what brand aftermarket headlights caused the fire.



I doubt it had anywhere as much to do with the brand of headlights as it did with someone's **** wiring job adding HID's or LED's.


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CuylerTech

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I doubt it had anywhere as much to do with the brand of headlights as it did with someone's **** wiring job adding HID's or LED's.


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From what I've found out it was El cheapo Chinese HID's that caught on fire.
 

Andrew09HEMI

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My 2014 6.4 big horn with 18k miles cost me $36k. And there is nothing wrong with insuring them. Ive had 4 salvage vehicles, one I rebuilt and NEVER had issues insuring them on full coverage. Being a newer truck, if it passes state inspection to get rebuilt title, you wont have an issue. Be prepared to replace full wiring harness as if it got hot enough, it could have burnt some further back out of sight.
 
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