Fixable?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
When a similar accident happened to my "89" Vette, 21st century wanted to total it because the repairs equaled over 80% of the vehicles value.
I told 21st Century that I could buy aftermarket or used parts cheaper so, My Vette could be fixed but, the adjuster told me they're required to use new part costs when estimating for repairs.
The adjuster told me to buy the car back and then I could buy the aftermarket or used parts to fix my Vette but, I didn't want a Salvaged Title.
21st Century ended up paying me $10,775 for my "89" Vette since the adjuster noted that it was in excellent shape before the accident. I paid $7000 for it about a year before and used the money to buy my "91" Vette.
Last edited by GKK; Oct 29, 2008 at 02:17 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: LA
I think the car is fixable. I've had to fight with insurance companies over repair or replace cost. Some times you win, most times you lose. Don't be easy on them. If they total the car and give you anything close to the cost of an other Vette; take the money and run. They will wholesale the car to a salvage yard. The parts value likely worth more than a running car.
If they give you a settlement, then shop for parts carefully. Find a good body shop and let them fix it with your parts. Deal with them for a new paint job and be ready to kick in a few bucks of your own.
Kelly Blue book puts your car value at about 10K
If they give you a settlement, then shop for parts carefully. Find a good body shop and let them fix it with your parts. Deal with them for a new paint job and be ready to kick in a few bucks of your own.
Kelly Blue book puts your car value at about 10K
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Well, I did that job for many years..........Can't tell about the back but the front is an easy fix.
Insurance compaines total cars, because its in thier best interest to do so.
They offer x number of dollars and if you accept it.....done deal its thier car.
Now they take your x car and auction it off at a salvage auction.
That way they win on both ends, you get less for your and they net the auction money.
Insurance is a major bidness...........they take your premiums and invest it in the sucker-stock market, again winning on both ends.
The worst the stock market does and it doing extremely bad, the higher the insurance premiums go up.
This is a game that we the people can not win.
Find 3 cars in your area and document thier costs. Your carrier agreed to fix or REPLACE.
Go with the middle replacement cost.
Go out and get an ambulance chaser for your personal injuries.
Lawyers and the insurance compaines are odd bed fellows. Thier both the samething in a different office.
By the way someone owes you a rental car por gratis.
Insurance compaines total cars, because its in thier best interest to do so.
They offer x number of dollars and if you accept it.....done deal its thier car.
Now they take your x car and auction it off at a salvage auction.
That way they win on both ends, you get less for your and they net the auction money.
Insurance is a major bidness...........they take your premiums and invest it in the sucker-stock market, again winning on both ends.
The worst the stock market does and it doing extremely bad, the higher the insurance premiums go up.
This is a game that we the people can not win.
Find 3 cars in your area and document thier costs. Your carrier agreed to fix or REPLACE.
Go with the middle replacement cost.
Go out and get an ambulance chaser for your personal injuries.
Lawyers and the insurance compaines are odd bed fellows. Thier both the samething in a different office.
By the way someone owes you a rental car por gratis.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
That car is not totaled or gone.
Those parts are about $2500-$3,000 - less if you shop around, plus the car needs paint and it will be like new.
They will agree to paint the front 50% and blend the doors and paint the back bumper. I'd try to get them to paint the entire car but they won't go for that. However, I'd come out of pocket and pay the additional $ to spray out the entire car and then you would have a new paint job on the car. Not all things always end in a bad way. Granted, you would prefer to not have a hit car but sometimes if your paint was in bad shape its not all that bad.
Also, depending on your state, you can get a diminished value claim as a result of the accident.
Go to a really good body shop, if you don't you will be disappointed. By the way, high priced does not always mean good quality work.
Good Luck!
Those parts are about $2500-$3,000 - less if you shop around, plus the car needs paint and it will be like new.
They will agree to paint the front 50% and blend the doors and paint the back bumper. I'd try to get them to paint the entire car but they won't go for that. However, I'd come out of pocket and pay the additional $ to spray out the entire car and then you would have a new paint job on the car. Not all things always end in a bad way. Granted, you would prefer to not have a hit car but sometimes if your paint was in bad shape its not all that bad.
Also, depending on your state, you can get a diminished value claim as a result of the accident.
Go to a really good body shop, if you don't you will be disappointed. By the way, high priced does not always mean good quality work.
Good Luck!
This is why I said it was totalled. I bet they are not going to want to pay to fix it. I don't think there is any way in hell he is getting that fixed for less than $8-$9K - which then that will total it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
Years ago the hood was $1600 and the front and rear bumpers are around $500 - cheaper if you shop around. Plenty of nice used hoods on the market for $800 and front and rear bumpers in the $300 range all day long. The rest is paint.
The OP might come back with an estimate for $XXX but that doesn't mean it can't be fixed for $4000-$6,000 all day long.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Oct 29, 2008 at 08:10 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
You have to also, factor in the different States labor rates.
Here in Northern California, the body shop labor rate is $78 hr. Looking at the pictures the hood, front bumper cover, rear bumper cover and one taillight lens cover would have to be replaced not including the exhaust which was also, damaged.
That job would require at least 80 hrs. of labor which is already well over $6000 not including parts.
Here in Northern California, the body shop labor rate is $78 hr. Looking at the pictures the hood, front bumper cover, rear bumper cover and one taillight lens cover would have to be replaced not including the exhaust which was also, damaged.
That job would require at least 80 hrs. of labor which is already well over $6000 not including parts.
Last edited by GKK; Oct 29, 2008 at 10:59 PM. Reason: Re-read post and found exhaust was also, damaged.
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
That job would require at least 80 hrs. of labor which is already well over $6000 not including parts.[/QUOTE]
Look I'm done arguing, I know body work. That car is not totaled.
The damage is $4,000-$6,000, if you want to pay more for it then go for it.
My car was fixed in the state of Florida and State Farm was the insurance company.
Look I'm done arguing, I know body work. That car is not totaled.
The damage is $4,000-$6,000, if you want to pay more for it then go for it.
My car was fixed in the state of Florida and State Farm was the insurance company.
Last edited by xlr8nflorida; Oct 29, 2008 at 10:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Back to the Op's original question, "Fixable?"
Yes, it's fixable. How much it's going to cost and who's going to pay for it, is another question.
Yes, it's fixable. How much it's going to cost and who's going to pay for it, is another question.
Last edited by GKK; Oct 29, 2008 at 11:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 795
Likes: 15
From: Freeport IL
Thanks everybody, so far they have found most of the parts except the stock exhaust system, from cats back, but will find or work something out.
NADA lists the car as $19,500 in value....96 CE/LT4, 58,000mi.
no estimate till all is investigated
Thanks for your input.......This is a GREAT FORUM !
NADA lists the car as $19,500 in value....96 CE/LT4, 58,000mi.
no estimate till all is investigated
Thanks for your input.......This is a GREAT FORUM !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Its a nice car, don't get me wrong but I don't see $20K.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Thanks everybody, so far they have found most of the parts except the stock exhaust system, from cats back, but will find or work something out.
NADA lists the car as $19,500 in value....96 CE/LT4, 58,000mi.
no estimate till all is investigated
Thanks for your input.......This is a GREAT FORUM !
NADA lists the car as $19,500 in value....96 CE/LT4, 58,000mi.
no estimate till all is investigated
Thanks for your input.......This is a GREAT FORUM !
