Click on image for the eBay listing. Does it ever make financial sense to buy a vehicle with a "compromised" title?
That old dilemma is playing out now with at least two eBay listings for 2014 VFR800s.
The key to the answer is the word "if." If you can confidently say that you're going to keep and use the bike for the long term, then, yes, the huge value depreciation for a salvage title makes sense for you. If you're okay with whatever precipitated the bad title, then that bike may well serve your needs — recovered theft, accident damage, whatever. If you realize that the salvage vehicle will be (a), difficult to sell on, and (b), that your selling price will also be hugely depreciated, then you may be in a position to own a bike with a bad title.
That old dilemma is playing out now with at least two eBay listings for 2014 VFR800s.
The key to the answer is the word "if." If you can confidently say that you're going to keep and use the bike for the long term, then, yes, the huge value depreciation for a salvage title makes sense for you. If you're okay with whatever precipitated the bad title, then that bike may well serve your needs — recovered theft, accident damage, whatever. If you realize that the salvage vehicle will be (a), difficult to sell on, and (b), that your selling price will also be hugely depreciated, then you may be in a position to own a bike with a bad title.
Click on image for the eBay listing. In any case, the guiding concept here is buyer beware. I've owned a few salvage vehicles and each was long-term reliable with no funny noises, handling quirks or dripping body fluids. But they were hard to sell when the time came. Strangely, the older the salvage event, the less buyers seem to care — like the passing of time has ironed out any potential pitfalls. A salvage '78 Honda CB750 seems to be less intimidating than a salvage '14 VFR800. Humans.
In any case, here we have a pair of eighth-gen VFRs saddled with bad titles. The white one is located in Kentucky, shows only 1439 miles, and is sparsely described as "unharmed." It's offered for only $3000 or make offer. A screaming deal, but I would need to know the detailed history of this lost soul. The red bike is in New Jersey and has been listed for quite awhile at $5250 or make offer. I've seen clean-titled 2014's go for not much more than that, so our seller may need a value adjustment, both mentally and physically. This bike has only 498 miles and the seller claims that the light cosmetic damage was fully repaired with only a new gas tank and side panel, and has been inspected by a Honda dealer and the State of New Jersey.
If the vagaries of salvage vehicle ownership work for your situation, then here's two candidates looking for their forever home.
Update: The white bike failed to sell at $3000 and has been relisted at $2700 or Make Offer.
In any case, here we have a pair of eighth-gen VFRs saddled with bad titles. The white one is located in Kentucky, shows only 1439 miles, and is sparsely described as "unharmed." It's offered for only $3000 or make offer. A screaming deal, but I would need to know the detailed history of this lost soul. The red bike is in New Jersey and has been listed for quite awhile at $5250 or make offer. I've seen clean-titled 2014's go for not much more than that, so our seller may need a value adjustment, both mentally and physically. This bike has only 498 miles and the seller claims that the light cosmetic damage was fully repaired with only a new gas tank and side panel, and has been inspected by a Honda dealer and the State of New Jersey.
If the vagaries of salvage vehicle ownership work for your situation, then here's two candidates looking for their forever home.
Update: The white bike failed to sell at $3000 and has been relisted at $2700 or Make Offer.
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