Never ever rely on Car Fax or others to provide a vehicle health check. CF is a scam / shake down that convinces unknowing car buyers that if a lot does not subscribe to their $ 1,500 per month service, they are hiding something. Nothing beats an in person inspection by a good mechanic.

A " total " only means that it is not economical at a _retail_ level to repair the car. If this car was 6 years old it would be repaired without question and not have a branded title. Same car/ same damage just a some years apart. The type of damage matters more than the cost, a minor side pull and replacing doors is far easier to fix than a quarter panel replacement.

I never worry about if a car has a salvage / R title or not since I keep cars until they are completely used up ( rust ). If you do fix the car, be sure to document the damage with pictures / bills. Real car people are not afraid the repairs needed to get this car going again.

In the end, the market for these cars in any condition is pretty narrow so I don't think you will be losing any $ regardless. It would be a good thing if a R title runs off the Car Fax people as they tend to be unrealistic expecting a new 30 year old car.