GLUTTON for punishment question

There's nothing that I won't or can't stay away from if it has cylinders that kind of work; damaged goods appeal to me if I can fix them. That said, there are cars coming on the market that are claimed to be Flood/Water salvage. Detailers for the insurance companies have cleaned them up to show as new, but we need to know what damage could water do if it rose 12", 18", 24"? The idea of fresh or salt water is a clear one, and I think I'd stay away from salt water damage, but what items are at the 12/18/24" LEVELS that need replacing? Anybody lived through one of these re-builds? Rough idea of costs to rebuild?

I’ve got a friend who has done a couple of flood motorcycles and cars. A few things he’s come across: Depending on your State laws, it can be impossible to transfer title all electrical at or below water line will likely be toast or should be replaced. MCs this is relatively low risk, Porsche tends to put and run everything on the floors however. Water seems to have a way to find it’s way into mechanical items too. Think bearings, bushings, etc Wiring...corrosion often starts but doesn’t affect anything...for a while. Then you chase electrical gremlins for all time, particularly with cars with complex electrical systems like modern Porsche’s that can see minute drops in voltage.

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As someone who used to frequent the salvage auction, I can tell you that all flood cars are fresh water floods, especially the cleaned ones.

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Since the car has been detailed, it might be hard to learn how far up the water went, but I'm taking a battery and will charge the system to see what works and what doesn't. If door locks and windows don't work, then water got too high, IMO. If they do, then maybe the engine is good and that would be enough to justify the purchase. Hate to part out a perfectly good-looking car, but the hard part is not getting more than an hour to make a decision about it. Since the car has been sitting for a few months since it flooded, there will hopefully be some tell-tale signs.

Run away water has a way to migrate and many future headaches it’s really better to buy an accident car parts can replaced “easier “ but really nothings cheaper in the long run i have bought 2 cars that were theft recovery and luckily my cost pain was slightly over my high estimate and I still have them

This is kind of a "moth to a flame" kind of thing, and I've placed a bid on the car that can't be withdrawn without costing me. That said, a road trip is always fun and I'll be inspecting the car before I put any more money up. Worst case scenario is that I end up parting the car out without being able to use the engine, but I agree that a water car is terribly iffy. That said, my trip will include looking at a front end damaged car, too. I'll know more in a few days.

As of this morning, I've been out-bid, so that burden is off of me. I'll be able to go look at the car, taking a battery pack and moisture meter with me to see whether latent water is still in the floorboards. The battery pack should allow me to test electronics, and assuming that water didn't get to the dashboard (photos show clear lenses), my interest will be power seats and power windows. Check oil dipstick for milk, and air filter for moisture. If all of those check out, I'll likely bid on it. Thoughts anybody? What else should I pay attention to?

Looks like each Copart yard has it's own set of policies, and this yard does Not allow any testing of flood cars; it's a total guess on the buyer's part. If that's the case, then it's just not worth driving 500 miles to look at something that's been cleaned up, but no way to test seats, windows, nothing. Rats.

From the manager of the lot: You can view it but no jump box. Flood vehicles are strange things. Many have no issues at all however we have seen them catch fire due to a short or airbags go off unexpectedly though it is rare. We would rather err on the side of caution and keep everyone safe. Looks like water cars are out of the question if we can't check them out.

"Moth to the flame" tends not to end well for the Moth. Best of Luck.

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