Tips on Buying Cars: rebuilt title, jim sears, flood cars

Question
I'm looking at a 2002 Honda Civic with 89,000 miles original owners. Owners have all maintainence records but says car is a rebuilt tittle( do you think they meant title). Is so what is rebuilt title?

Answer
Hello Cait.  A rebuilt title means that the vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company in the past, and has been rebuilt. You really need to find out how extensive was this damage, and how it was, and who did the repairs. There are a lot of former Flood cars out there from the Hurricane Katrina. I would stay away from those. They make good cars for parts, but cars that were previously flooded are sure to be electrical nightmares and corrosion problems down the road regardless of what the owner tells you! NEVER pay close to the retail value for a vehicle with a rebuilt title. Please have this car checked fully and beware! Best of luck---Jim Sears.