what can i/should i do about this?
 

im in the process of buying a 92 rs but they say they dont have a clear title for it. is there anything i can do?

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

Nope If its not clear, It could be salvaged/ a manufacturer buyback, etc. In other words the car has had problems in the past.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

so it wouldnt be worth buying even if i wanted to restore it?

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

I wouldn't go that far. I know someone who got a Fox-body mustang (yes I know) with a salvage title and he did some work on it and its a running driving car with not many problems now. Restoration means fixing all the problems and making everything factory new again. At least that is my definition of it. So unless the car is hot.....I would say just because it has a salvage title doesn't mean it can't be restored. I've seen cars with clear titles as complete basket cases being restored.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

even though it would be a complete basket case, it has the clean Title. There are many wrecked cars that have been fixed and not salvaged and these cars will always bring more money than those of a salvage titled fixed car. For say, you have 69 camaros. one of them is a clean title which is in ok condition and the salvage is in great condition.Which would probably bring more money? The clean title one because it doesn't have the history. Also people would rather have a clean title car, especially for resale.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

Thats a good point. But if one doesn't care about resale value or wants it for a personal project then because it has a salvage title doesn't mean you should shun the idea of buying it. Especially if you are going to tear it apart and rebuild it anyway. If anything you might get a better deal actually acquiring the car in the first place. I am just saying better to buy it and rebuild it than let it end up in the crusher. In the end its up to the indidvidual, my grandfather got cars out of the junkyard and made them run again for the family car. Mom recalls driving cars without fenders on them. LOL.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

well i don't plan on selling it. its a running rs with a six in it. they are only asking 500. im not gonna go with a full restoration. but i do wanna pull the six from it and set it up for a 350, repaint it and do some interior work on it. which brings up a question: i know ill need a new transmission but will the stock rear end suffice? i absolutely fell in love with it when i saw it but i dont want to buy a car thats been wrecked.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

You stated in the opening post, "a clear title", so I'm responding to that. A clear title is a title that has no liens against it. A new car has a lien on it if you buy from the dealership and finance it. The title isn't in your name only and other debts are required to be paid off first. If this car does not have a clear title, you may buy the car for $500, but that may be what the owner wants and the lienholder might have a $2000 lien on the car. You could owe more than the car is worth. That is the definition of "clear title".

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

Thanks for clarifying Scott got some problems out of the equation.

Chris Regarding the title of the car, If you have questions about the cars history, mileage, and if it has a salvage title. Try running a Carfax report on it. It pretty much tells you everything what has happened to a vehicle over time. It will also tell you if the car has a lien against it, is a true salvage title, or was a manufacturers buyback.

On any cars that my family has bought we have always run Carfax reports on them. It is great insurance to know what your buying.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

I have read in the past that insurance companies will run the history check for you, no charge. Check with your current carrier.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

I have bought and titled salvage titled cars in Texas. Since the car is old and your not paying much for it one big problem doesn't apply. That being insurance companies won't insure it for the same value as a nonsalvage title car. Bought one 83' Camaro that got to the yard running and bought it that same day. Drove it for two years without a problem, it's now my race car. Having salvage title doesn't mean it was wrecked, it means it's been through a yard in some way. Check it for signs of damage. You can buy cars with nonsalvage titles that have been screwed with more than salvage title ones.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

I think the big question here is why they don't have a clear title. They aren't saying that the car has a salvage title. Maybe they lost it. Maybe they bought the car and never got a title. Your local DMV or Licensing agency would be more help than we will. They can outline the steps you need to go thru if the title is lost or was never transfered from the last owner ... or last 3 owners ... whatever. First find out why there is no clear title and then call the DMV.

Re: what can i/should i do about this?
 

ok dudes i really appreciate the suggestions/advice.