My ZHP does not have a salvage title. It has 122K miles. A used Walker Mower of the same age (2004) sells for about the same price as my lovely, well maintained ZHP and the Walker Mower's original sticker price was about $9500 vs my ZHP's approximate $52,000 list price (convertible with navigation, back-up sensors, cold weather, etc. goodies).
I long ago resigned to be an owner and not a collector. If a ZHP convertible like I own with more than 100K miles now sells for about the same price as a Walker Mower of the same vintage, it is the market assigning values to the two assets. It is tough fighting market perceptions. Getting back to the salvage title aspects, 1) if one is content to be an owner and not a collector, 2) the vehicle's damage is not impinging on its performance or safety, 3) the car is going to be driven, utilized as a BMW should be for one's personal pleasure, 4) the amount invested to purchase and maintain the vehicle is not a significant drag on the prospective buyer's present and future lifestyle, and 5) the prospective buyer can handle owning a vehicle that will perpetually have a diminished value in the eyes of prospective buyers, then I say buy the car for a heavily discounted price and enjoy it to the fullest.
Here's two quotes from Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner for Behavioral Economics and a heck of a guy at figuring out what makes all of us tick:
"Nothing in life is quite as important as you think it is while you're thinking about it."
"I would not advise people to buy a car or house without making a list. You will probably improve your intuitions by making a list and then sleeping on it."
2004 CiC 6MT Silver Gray (A08) Black Interior 1 of 51 Made
Intravee - Navigation - Back-up Sensors - Cold Weather Package - Home Link Mirror
Winter Hardtop, too - A Sweet Ride