How does one buy a recovered theft or otherwise drivable suv

Ideally looking for an SUV that's covered in dents or totaled from hail-damage but otherwise structurally sound vehicle.

The plan is to have a later-model SUV that can be used in the woods without worry about paint, scratches or dents but still have three rear shoulder belts and be younger than my kids!

CoPart or local rebuilder yards?

There is a place in south-Middleboro that seems to deal in theft recovered vehicles. They rebuild them, and re-sell.I forget the name of the place, but it is right up the road from my inlaws so I will check when I get by there next.

In reply to Mazdax605:

Is it Zents?

One of them, I think there's two brothers next to each other?

Edit: Zion is the name I was thinking... Hank is one brother, the other brother has the place next door.

In reply to yamaha:

Is it a "thing" to go to these places and just ask "how much for the 2004 Tahoe over there?"

I just don't know the first thing and don't wanna get the evil eye or worse.

ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to yamaha: Is it a "thing" to go to these places and just ask "how much for the 2004 Tahoe over there?" I just don't know the first thing and don't wanna get the evil eye or worse.

While I have never done it, I don't think it would be frowned upon at all. They are a business and you are asking to buy something from them. While maybe not their 'normal' product, if they can make a few bucks but not have to do any work that's probably something they would at least consider.

EDIT: all of my cars are always 'make an offer' cars, and even personally I wouldn't be mad if someone asks me how much they would need to pay to take one off my hands. You may not like my price, but I don't mind you asking.

If you're looking for one that was totaled by an insurance company, you'll likely have to go third party. Most companies use either CoPart or IAA, the two big salvage auctions. Those insurance sales aren't typically open to the public, only to dealers or salvage yards. You can likely find a dealer who will bid for you, for a fee.

Craigslist? There is a filter for salvage titles.

There is a place I pass on my commute that only deals in rebuilt/rebuildable vehicles, but everything always seems massively overpriced for what it is. I have no idea how they sell anything

In reply to Klayfish:

Hmmm, I could do a fee. But again, how does one even start that conversation? And with whom?

I used to know a guy who's family owed all the McGee dealerships up here (Ma, south shore) and said for (small charge) I'll find you anything you want.

I got a Grand Wagoneer that way but that connection is long gone.

Try a craigslist search for the model you want and "hail". Seems like the biggest reason around here a vehicle is totaled while drivable.

ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to Klayfish: Hmmm, I could do a fee. But again, how does one even start that conversation? And with whom? I used to know a guy who's family owed all the McGee dealerships up here (Ma, south shore) and said for (small charge) I'll find you anything you want. I got a Grand Wagoneer that way but that connection is long gone.

http://ww2.copart.com/Content/US/EN/Support/How-to-Buy/Find-a-Broker

I'm sure IAA has a similar webpage, but frankly am too lazy to look it up at the moment.

Govdeals.com? A local Sheriff's Dept just auctioned off a bunch of impound cars so maybe check local government websites for sales.

I'm thinking around here we don't get many hail damaged vehicles, to me they would be good choices, minimal real damage and cheap price. Otherwise totaled cars are likely to have of bunch of body/mechanical damage that got them there. I think if you want hail damage look for places in the Midwest. I have never gotten into an insurance auction but did have access to used car auctions for a while. Those are some tough cars going through there. It seems the dealers all dump their worst case cars there. I have driven by a place on RT 79 in either Lakeville, Taunton or Acushnet, think it is south of where 79 crosses RT140, that has insurance cars parked every where, maybe they can point you in the correct direction. Good Luck.

copart does have a hail filter...

97 expedition (expected sale price 700-800): http://ww2.copart.com/us/Lot/33682484?searchId=32077330