How much is my 2000 GT wagon Worth?

[SativaMan04]

Hi Guys I am going to get a different car and want to sell mine. How much do you think it is worth?

Salvage Title 00 GT wagon 5spd White.

135,000 miles
California car.

Rebuilt Engine: HeadGaskets, Timing Belt, Waterpump, All Seals and gaskets, New clutch, new engine mounts, new tranny mount, new whiteline rear diff mount, new axles, new tie rod ends, new steering rack bushings, thermostat, spark plugs, and fuel filter. I have reciepts for everything. All work done at 125k.

Suspension: Stock

Body: White, Paint is ok the hood is fading. Some Scratches here and there. GT model so it has the side skirts and dual moonroofs.

Upgrades: Comes with JDM front bumper and bumper beam (not installed) JDM L7 Grille (installed), White JDM Wing (installed) Tint All around. 35% F 15% R

BAD: The front moonroof cover only opens 1/4 of the way. The rear cover moonroof only opens when you open the whole moonroof.

Any opinion would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

[Huffer]

$3000. $3500 if the paint isn't too bad. General market isn't going to know what the JDM stuff is. The aesthetic of the car is what's going to count to them. If it looks good from 3ft, and has minor issues, then it will probably be bought by someone going to college who doesn't need to worry about a moonroof.

[SativaMan04]

Thank You Huffer. I had a feeling you would be the first to answer. I just can't stand having a salvage title car. I need a clean title, just in case anything happens. FYI I have my emergency fund. Working on babystep #2. Woohoo!! Ill post pics up this evening of the car.

[harrymaneuvers]

I would say no more than $3500 at best... and I live in the area. I am on CL religiously as well.

[Airgne]

since the sal title i wouldnt say more than $2500 even with all the work. the only thing wrong is the title. the question is why did they sal the title?

[SativaMan04]

Thanks Guys. It's Salvage because of theft.

[Huffer]

If youre only selling because of a salvage title, dont. Insurance on a same year car without the salvage is likely to be higher. Keep the car, drive it into the ground over a long time or until your needs change. You'll save more in the long run.

Congrats on baby step1!!!

[Wiscon_Mark]

I agree with Roger - if it's worth that little, you'll save far more money keeping it for several years rather than putting the same miles on a new car (and lose lots of money in depreciation that way). The car is barely broken in anyways, it has lots of miles on it. My advice would be to never use the moonroof, that way the motor can't stop working on you when it's open...

If you lived in this area of WI, you'd get 4,000 to 5,000 for it I bet. I've seen older cars with more miles sell for 6-7k around here.

[Dead91silvia]

Ok, all of you are WAY off!

In Seattle, that car is worth minimum, $6000. Clean title or not! A complete peace of crap is $4500-5000 with a rebuilt title, needing work. One with a blown motor here is worth $1500-2500...

I would say if she is a good runner and driver, minimum $6500! Your best bet is to look on Craiglist and Auto trader. Kelly Bluebook is BS, a car will sell for what some one is willing to pay.

I'm not joking! If you sell this car for $2500, I'll fly my ass down and give you cash and drive it home and sell it here for 7K! I paid $1400 for my 2000 GT needing a motor, among other things

[Dead91silvia]

Another thing to remember also. Salvage/re-built/branded title vary from state to state. People in WA dont care if a Subaru has a bad title, as long as it's got a solid drive train, thats all that matters.

Re-sell your JDM parts. Huffer is right about no one having a clue about it... Stock parts will make the car worth more anyway. no one wants a modified car. If you have proof of the damage, that helps if its just a theft recovery. My BD was an insurance re-build, but has a clean title.

I'm trying to understand what the problem is you have with a salvage title car?! Just means you have a nice car, but the paper that comes with it is not top notch. I have seen cars hit by a fright train, that have clean titles, but I have also seen cars that have just needed a bumper come back with a branded title. There is nothing wrong with your car.

If your worried about insurance companies covering it, shop around. If they ask why it has it, tell them someone stole the wheels and sound system.

No joke though, You cant find a decent 3rd gen Legacy for under $6000. This means one that is a good daily. I found a 2001 GT sedan for $6500 that has rust problems and for Seattle, thats BAD! That car is worth only about $4000. Most are over 150K and GT's are hard to find. Outbacks are all over up here though...

Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now.... Just hate to see someone give up on a good car, just for paper work when you car get a clean title car thats in worse shape...

[Bhatman]

Its definely worth more than what you said. Especially in the bay area. There's a guy out in Fremont who specializes in salvaged subies and they usually go for 4500 to 6000. Btw what did you do to the bilsteins you had?

[SativaMan04]

Thanks for all your opinion guys.

Well the main reason I am sellingbecause I've had problems in the past with cars on liability. My friend totaled my car and it was on liabilty. I took a huge loss financially. Then I got another car and it was a salvage and while I was stopped at a stoplight it suddenly caught on fire and burned down my whole front end. Another huge loss financially. I really want a clean title car for peace of mind.

Fast forward to now. I really wanted a BH 5spd legacy GT and when I was in the market it was the only GTfr sale. I look online all the time and it's really hard to come by a Bh GT thats a 5spd. If you do, it probably needs work or the cosmetics aren't that great.

I found a really clean 02 BH thats has the engine rebuilt, headgaskets, timingt belt, water pump, fuel pump, all seals, brakes, clutch etc. Its a clean title the paint, interior, and the way it drives is 9/10. They are asking $6500 for it. I checked it out and its a perfect example of a clean BH.

Soo if I can sell my car for $5000 - $6000. I'll pull out a loan and buy this BH. If I can only get $2500 - $3500, I don't know if losing out on $3000 is worth it. The only way I can justify that is by telling myself that its full coverage and I paid $3000 for a paint job.

PROs: 1) It's a clean title, just in case something happens, I get insurance money and peace of mind.
2) It has all the same repairs that my car has and more.
3) Paint and interior is really sharp! All functions work including dual moonroofs and covers open all the with ease.
4) It drives and runs really strong and feels better than my car.
5) In the long run when I swap the motor out for a WRX motor and if something happens I get insurance money.

CONs: 1) What if I cant sell my car for $5000 - $6000
2) If I can only get $3500 for my car, I would have to pay off $3000 on the loan
3) If I swap a wrx motor into my salvage legacy and someone steals it or I total it I wont get any insurance money.
4) It has 157k on it, but since its rebuilt i figure itll last another 150k with regular maintenence.

I know that I might be acting on impulse or maybe thinking a little childish, but i'll think about it and let you guys know what i decide.

Thanks for all your opinions.

The bilsteins are still on my car.

[Dead91silvia]

Food for thought...

My sister drives a 2000 Honda Accord, re-build title, full coverage. Was hit in the front, needed hood, fender, headlights, bumper, core support.

My brother in law drives a 1996 Toyota 4Runner, re-build title, full coverage. Theft recovery. Missing stereo, wheels/tires, body damage to rear hatch.

My BD. Insurance re-build, full coverage. Original damage was front bumper, bumper bar, core support. I then T-boned a Ford, another bumper, head light, grill, bent frame. Got full replacement for damage.

My brothers 1998 Toyota T-100 (he is the original owner). Clean title, rolled when it was 6 moths old. Only original body panels, driver x-cab corner, rear cab panel, Left bed side. Had $26K damage, still fixed and clear title.

Point is, You have a car with a theft recovery history. Thats nothing in reality. I helped my old boss install 2 new frame rails in a 2006 Volvo s60 that never was sent to insurance. Car looked fantastic, but it had major damage at one point. If your car is solid, keep it and know the work you have already done. If your worried about having insurance cover a swap thats done on a car, they wouldn't anyway. They would cover replacement of an original motor. It's just like sound systems. NEVER say you have a $300 aftermarket cd player, the OEM Subaru one cost like $600 new so why even say anything?!

I have a mother that worked 30+ years in insurance, I picked her brain a lot... haha

[Huffer]

In your previous ownership cases, were you using the same insurance company, and did you have full coverage policy or just liability?

[mycargoesvroom]

Honestly I don't see what the big deal is about driving a car with a Salv title as long as the work done was quality. Especially in a 12 year old car...

So basically you want to sell your car, which you know runs/drives well, to buy a different car which you know nothing about, has way more mileage and is pretty overpriced? Doesn't sound like a smart move any way you look at it. Oh, and since you have a loan on it doesn't the finance company require you to have full coverage insurance? I thought that was always the case so the finance company can protect itself in the case of an accident.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Oh, and since you have a loan on it doesn't the finance company require you to have full coverage insurance? I thought that was always the case so the finance company can protect itself in the case of an accident.

Yes, I think he mentioned that.

[mycargoesvroom]

Sorry I'm a bit confused, I thought he said his current car was on liability.

[Wiscon_Mark]

No, you're right, it's not really very clear. Since he still owes 3000 on it, though, I think he's just concerned about not getting much more than the salvage title is worth, full comp or no.

[SativaMan04]

Sorry I'm a bit confused, I thought he said his current car was on liability.


My current car is on liability because it is a salvage car. I actually called my insurance company and they said i could put it under full coverage, but if my car gets totaled they would only pay 20% of what my car is worth.

I don't have a loan on my car. Bought this baby cash.

[SativaMan04]

Honestly I don't see what the big deal is about driving a car with a Salv title as long as the work done was quality. Especially in a 12 year old car...

So basically you want to sell your car, which you know runs/drives well, to buy a different car which you know nothing about, has way more mileage and is pretty overpriced? Doesn't sound like a smart move any way you look at it. Oh, and since you have a loan on it doesn't the finance company require you to have full coverage insurance? I thought that was always the case so the finance company can protect itself in the case of an accident.


Basically I want a clean title BH GT 5spd. I've had bad luck in the past with my cars on liability. They got totaled (which wasnt my fault) and I took a huge loss financially. My friend totaled one of them and my other caught on fire at a stop light. I went to test drive the car and it runs amazing. Engine is rebuilt, brakes are new, paint is immaculate, interior beautiful, It's callling meee!! I might take a 2-3 grand hit if I end up getting this other BH and selling my car for 5grand, but at least i'll be happy and satisfied. siiiigghh.....

[SativaMan04]

Food for thought...

My sister drives a 2000 Honda Accord, re-build title, full coverage. Was hit in the front, needed hood, fender, headlights, bumper, core support.

My brother in law drives a 1996 Toyota 4Runner, re-build title, full coverage. Theft recovery. Missing stereo, wheels/tires, body damage to rear hatch.

My BD. Insurance re-build, full coverage. Original damage was front bumper, bumper bar, core support. I then T-boned a Ford, another bumper, head light, grill, bent frame. Got full replacement for damage.

My brothers 1998 Toyota T-100 (he is the original owner). Clean title, rolled when it was 6 moths old. Only original body panels, driver x-cab corner, rear cab panel, Left bed side. Had $26K damage, still fixed and clear title.

Point is, You have a car with a theft recovery history. Thats nothing in reality. I helped my old boss install 2 new frame rails in a 2006 Volvo s60 that never was sent to insurance. Car looked fantastic, but it had major damage at one point. If your car is solid, keep it and know the work you have already done. If your worried about having insurance cover a swap thats done on a car, they wouldn't anyway. They would cover replacement of an original motor. It's just like sound systems. NEVER say you have a $300 aftermarket cd player, the OEM Subaru one cost like $600 new so why even say anything?!

I have a mother that worked 30+ years in insurance, I picked her brain a lot... haha

Thanks a lot Deadsilvia. I called my insurance company and they said I can have my car on full coverage, but if it gets totaled they would only pay 20% of what my car is worth. I appreciate the help! Ur mom ROCKS! hehe :smt028

[SativaMan04]

In your previous ownership cases, were you using the same insurance company, and did you have full coverage policy or just liability?

In my previous ownership cases, i had liability and I was with 21st century. Now I am with freeway insurance. Sooooooo much cheaper!

[Dead91silvia]

Thanks a lot Deadsilvia. I called my insurance company and they said I can have my car on full coverage, but if it gets totaled they would only pay 20% of what my car is worth. I appreciate the help! Ur mom ROCKS! hehe :smt028

no prob... But I think you got a crap company if they say they are only covering 20% of the cost of the car... Unless thats with the deductible, and that would be a freaking high deductible!

I should do a tread of how to deal with insurance companies...

On my BD I have a $1000 Deductible for collision. This covers my car when I'm at fault. They pay everything buy $1000. So if I have a wreck in a parking lot and my damage is $1300, They will fork out $300. Now if I totaled my car, they will pay what the car is worth, minus that $1000.

I have one that is $500 on my BH GT, thats like yours... My blue book is about $7000 on the car...

I also have comprehensive. That covers my car for fire, theft, falling tree, hail, flood, anything that can happen thats outside of getting hit by another driver. I have I think a $500 on all my cars. My 2 Subies and my Toyota truck. The only time I never have it is isf the car is worth less then $1500....

I have always had full coverage on most of my cars. It's just better knowing if I get it stolen, engine catches fire, or a tree blows over in a wind storm, its covered...

I had one non fault accident with my BD about 4 years ago, 3 months after getting the car. I fought with the other persons company to get the proper funds to fix my car to what it was before. Lucky I knew how to fight them and they knew I was playing hard ball.... I got a check for $3900 for some front end damage, without the car getting totaled...

I'm so doing a tread on this! haha! :smt023

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm so doing a tread on this! haha! :smt023

You should. They don't teach this stuff in school (at least not where I went) and I'm betting not a lot parents want to talk insurance to their kids (and not a lot of kids want to listen to their parents talk insurance).

[SativaMan04]

Yah, they're a pretty cheap insurance company.. Who would you reccommend? I'll check them out.

[Dead91silvia]

Yah, they're a pretty cheap insurance company.. Who would you reccommend? I'll check them out.

Depends on where you are...

I have had Pemco for the last 2 years. Done me good. Had Hartford for almost 14 years and they where great, but they got spendy... Just shop around. Most of the time, the ones that are hella cheap, are not that great when it comes to paying out on a claim...