re: Are cars that sat in the flood up to their windows salvageable?

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As long as it completely dries out and you change the oil and the gas before you start it, you might be OK

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It better have a carburetor.

Lot of salvage title cars are flood damage vehicles.

As others have said if it gets into the computer and electrical system it's a mess. I would rather have a vehicle that had been wrecked and totalled with a salvage title over a water damage salvage.

If the insurance wants to total it, take the money and run.

No.

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Put it in a bowl of rice.

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Post of the day nominee. Have an upvote.

the insurance Co will total it if water reached the dashboard (in my experience)

Flooded cars can be great deals if the water does not make it to the engine and the car doesn't have electric seats. Rip out the carpet and put in new seat tracks and you are good to go. If it goes up to the windows I wouldn't mess with it because the water made it into the engine.

Your insurance company will total the vehicle

If no insurance if it will start drive it

I'll give you a different answer.

I've actually thought about this. If I were to buy a vehicle in the condition that you describe, to feel comfortable driving it I'd do the following.

Change the fluids in the engine and transmission. The engine is effectively sealed. Oil can't get out and to an extent, water can't get in. If the water got high enough to get in the engine, I'd change the fluids, pull the spark plugs and spin it over a few times. Also, I'd pull the fuel tank and flush the fuel system.

Most computers are sealed so getting them wet isn't a big deal. Like others have said the wiring may be a big deal. You an buy wiring harnesses for most of these cars. BUT!!!! Most new cars use Packard or Metripack connectors outside of the passenger areas. These are waterproof. Your engine compartment should be fine. You may have to change your relays BUT they are probably solid state and should be fine.

You may have to change the interior out of your vehicle. Even that isn't a big deal. I changed the carpet in my wife's SUV in one afternoon by myself. I had to tear all the seats/console/trim out to do it. It was actually pretty easy. Most of the stuff is probably plastic so it can be washed with out an issue.

Any electric motors may give you trouble. I'd pull them clean them out and spray with a good dielectric spray to keep them serviceable.

So, if you are really handy you can do it. That being said, I wouldn't give more than about 6k on a 30k vehicle to make it worth it and at that price, it's more cost effective to part them out. The price will probably be higher than that.

Honestly, if I can find a jeep that's been flooded, I might buy it anyway.

I wouldn't take the chance on one.