There will be thousands of new and used cars on the market from the flooded Gulf Coast. Read the rip below. CARFAX is providing free flood search.
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If in doubt, make sure SELLER provides a title search at his expense to prove ownership and history. This is a private party public service announcement with no connection whatsoever to carfax or any other exploitive capitalist enterprise. If you do buy a flood salvaged car, its worth 30% of the Blue Book wholesale used car price, tops. If the seller tells you it cost more than that to "restore" the car, tell him its tough shit and his loss, not yours.
Don't Get Sunk by a Flood-Damaged Car
>Sep 28, 2004 5:43 pm US/Eastern
>
>In the market for a new set of wheels? Before you buy, beware: you could
>end up getting soaked by a flood-damaged car down the road.
>
>Anytime flood waters rise, consumers should watch out for the ripple
>effects. Hurricanes in Florida can mean flood damaged cars for sale right
>here in Pennsylvania -- and car buyers may never know.
>
>Cars floating down the street one day could end up in used car lots all
>over the country; and if you think you couldn't end up with a vehicle that
>was once up to its hood ornament in floodwaters, Consumer Attorney Susanne
>Kimberland says think again.
>"It could go to a number of auctions before it ends up here --and you
>might never know it was damaged." -- Susanne Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
>It's called "Title Washing." A car that's flooded in a state that requires
>a flood damage title gets sold at an auction in a state that doesn't
>require flood damage titles. From there, the car goes on to another
>auction before finally going to a used car dealer who may or may not know
>the car had once been underwater.
>
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>Avoiding Flood-Damaged Automobiles
>Source: The Better Business Bureau
>Watch for discolored, faded or stained upholstery and carpeting as well as
>watermarks and musty odors
>
>
>Make sure the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter,
>radio, heater and air conditioner all work
>
>
>Check the trunk, glove compartment and under the seats and dash for signs
>of mud, rust or water damage
>
>
>Make sure all dashboard gauges are accurate and don't show signs of water >
>
>Since wet wires can become brittle after they dry, try flexing some wires
>under the dashboard to make sure they don't crack
>
>
>Check the title -- specifically looking to see if it's stamped "SALVAGE"
>or it came from a flood-damaged state
>
>
>Ask if the car has been damaged by flood water
>
>
>Check the dealer's record with the Better Business Bureau
>
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>Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy
>
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>Kimberland says buyers can protect themselves by looking out for some
>telltale signs of problems.
>"Take a look and see if there are water lines on the floor, in the trunk
>of the vehicle. See if there is dampness... You may also notice there is a
>musty odor or mildew in the car itself. Those are all indications there
>could be flood damage." -- Susanne Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
>Prospective buyers should also make sure to ask about the history of the
>car; and if possible, check CARFAX, a service that includes lemon checks,
>odometer checks and checks for flood damage titles. It's worth the effort
>to avoid a car that could be nothing but trouble.
>"Once you end up with some type of a mold and mildew, that's almost
>impossible to get rid of. You may have issues of corrosion. You'll have
>issues with all of the mechanical systems that have been affected." --
>Susanne Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
>CARFAX is now offering free flood checks for anyone shopping for a used
>car; consumers who want a more extensive history can get one for a
>one-time fee of $20 or $25 for a month's worth of shopping.