Two things would concern me about a flood car, the level the water in relation to the car and the type of water (fresh or salt). For a salt car I wouldn't even consider it. Salt gets into everything and there is no level of flushing that will remove all of it. If it's salt car - run away. If a fresh water car there are several ways to determine the level the water reached. Most fresh water floods are from the plains states and are a result of massive rains and flash floods. These floods carry large amounts of dirt, silt and other materials. Often you can pull back rugs in the floor pan or trunk and see where the high water mark was. From this you can make up your mind.

A little story -
I have a 1996 900SET that I bought as a flood car. I am familiar with the dealer that sold the car, he only sells storm "damaged" cars and has hundreds on his lot. The vehicle I bought was parked in a large parking lot with one end at a higher grade than the other. When the lot flooded some cars were completely under water, others were still stitting high and dry. The car I purchased got wet almost up to the floorpan (about as bad as driving in rain!). By the time the insurance adjuster got to the lot the waters had receded, and he had no way of knowing which cars flooded and which did not. His decision was to declare a "total loss" of all cars on the lot. I picked up my car several years ago and before handing over the cash, I went through critical fluids (engine oil, tranny oil and brake fluid) and did a once over on the car. Even though the adjusters estimate sheet detailed over $10K in damages (ECU, instrument cluster, 02 sensors, the list went on and on), the car had never been swimming.

At the time I paid $5K under wholesale value for the car.

What I'm trying to say is if you go into this understanding what to look for and how to do your homework, you can save yourself from being burnt by a "dirty" car compared to one that is label "dirty" but is not. I know many people that have bought flood cars and done their homework and would do it all over again. How about a "flooded" Viggen for $14,000, or a $42,000 Mercedes for $19,000? The deals are out there if you look.

Hope this helps

David M

posted by 206.183.14...

• help, which car? 91 9kt or 95 900set(somewhat long), Chris R., Wed, 10 Jul 2002 02:26:18
  • Re: help, which car? 91 9kt or 95 900set(somewhat long), Nigel, Thu, 11 Jul 2002 10:17:46
  • Re: help, which car? 91 9kt or 95 900set(somewhat long), Nickshu, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 14:10:30
  • stay away from salvage title n/m, sean, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 13:35:47
  • What kind of flood?, David M, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 12:53:05 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: help, which car? 91 9kt or 95 900set(somewhat long), Dean, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 11:09:47
    • get the 9000, mark, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 12:50:57
  • How new is tranny? Maybe it has a warranty, DRW, Wed, 10 Jul 2002 07:12:38

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