Gordon wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, I've been told that CA DMV regs say that if a car is donated to charity, it gets a salvage title if it is resold (go figure).

Not true based on DMV regs. When a vehicle is donated, any back fees or penalties that are on the vehicle remain with it. If the vehicle requires a smog test, the donation place is responsible for it, plus any outstanding fees before reselling it to the public. If a dealer buys it, they just sign over the vehicle and the fees, smog req, etc. goes with it. If the vehicle does not require a smog test, the donation place can sell it with a clean title (assuming it has one) and the buyer incurs any fees along with it. If the fees are a large amount, the donation place has the option of salvaging the title and wiping out all fees and penalties. This process is called an "Aquisition"

Bottom line, most donation places will do what's easiest for them, which unfortunately means most older cars get aquisitioned.

Hope that made sense.

Dan