Help!! I need advice.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Help!! I need advice.
My ex cut every wire under the hood of my 1989 Corvette...is it worth fixing or should I sell it for parts? He also busted the seat and window controls inside the car. Was previously repainted and had new rims installed. The shop that did the paint job..did a great job it appeared however, since then some areas have started to peel away. Under 85,000 miles and no engine problems at all ..ran great! This car was my baby, a gift for my 30th birthday. I am 50 now and don't know what to do. Maybe it's time to look for a new baby?? Please help!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
You have to decide if it is worth fixing. You can buy an under the hood replacement wiring harness. You can buy replacement seat and window controls. You can have the car repainted.
What does your insurance company say?
What does your insurance company say?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Unfortunately, at the time it happened ... The car was uninsured due to money issues. :-( Do you have an idea what rewiring would cost ? Is it something I could possibly do myself? I am definitely not a mechanic.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Solder and shrink wrap, and patience doesn't cost much. If the car isn't being used, that is. Also, a replacement harness is on ebay all day long. Personal choice.
Replacing it will just present a new set of problems.
Replacing it will just present a new set of problems.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Your kind of making this sound like vandalism. In the event that is the case then call the cops first and make them create a report, then get some estimates from professionals.
Destruction of private property worth over 100 dollars is a felony almost everywhere, so take your police report and estimates to the district attorney, and make life genuinely hard for the ex.
That's what I woukd do anyway, but I like making trouble for those who deserve it.
Destruction of private property worth over 100 dollars is a felony almost everywhere, so take your police report and estimates to the district attorney, and make life genuinely hard for the ex.
That's what I woukd do anyway, but I like making trouble for those who deserve it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Assuming it was in a locked garage and only 2 people have the key you might prove who did it. It is certainly worth a shot. Go for criminal first if the DA thinks a valid case that can be won. After that rake him over in civil court for every nickel you can get.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Your kind of making this sound like vandalism. In the event that is the case then call the cops first and make them create a report, then get some estimates from professionals.
Destruction of private property worth over 100 dollars is a felony almost everywhere, so take your police report and estimates to the district attorney, and make life genuinely hard for the ex.
That's what I woukd do anyway, but I like making trouble for those who deserve it.
Destruction of private property worth over 100 dollars is a felony almost everywhere, so take your police report and estimates to the district attorney, and make life genuinely hard for the ex.
That's what I woukd do anyway, but I like making trouble for those who deserve it.
file a report, and if you can prove who did it to the extent it would hold up (in court), sue for damages!BTW, where was the cutting done? Was it all under the hood, or was it under the dash, or both?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,729
Likes: 5,613
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I hope you called the police and took pictures, throw him in jail for destroying American treasure which Corvette's happen to be today.
Show no mercy.
Show no mercy.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 604
From: Minneapolis Mn
By Ex, I assume you mean an Ex Husband. Is his name on the car or not?
Was it part of a divorce settlement? Do you have 'proof' he did it? Did he have any reason to be on your property?
If he had no right to the car nor to be on your property and you can prove he did it - sue the sob and make him pay through the nose. That's just plain juvenile, like the lowlife that broke out my van window the other week. If I had any idea who did it, he'd wish it had happened to him instead but that's another story.
Remember too a judgement isn't just for today, if he 'can't pay' at this time, if you can get a judgement anyway. It will show up on things like his credit bureau report and is good for something like 7 years, if he gets in better financial shape you can then go after his assets in most states.
I'm no lawyer but I use to be a loan company manager so I had a fair amount of experience with judgements and non-paying lenders.
You can get console parts including switches. You can also get a different under-hood wiring harness or see if you can splice the old harness back together. And though I don't recommend it for certain reasons, a nice 9 mm can be very persuasive with vandals.
Was it part of a divorce settlement? Do you have 'proof' he did it? Did he have any reason to be on your property?
If he had no right to the car nor to be on your property and you can prove he did it - sue the sob and make him pay through the nose. That's just plain juvenile, like the lowlife that broke out my van window the other week. If I had any idea who did it, he'd wish it had happened to him instead but that's another story.
Remember too a judgement isn't just for today, if he 'can't pay' at this time, if you can get a judgement anyway. It will show up on things like his credit bureau report and is good for something like 7 years, if he gets in better financial shape you can then go after his assets in most states.
I'm no lawyer but I use to be a loan company manager so I had a fair amount of experience with judgements and non-paying lenders.
You can get console parts including switches. You can also get a different under-hood wiring harness or see if you can splice the old harness back together. And though I don't recommend it for certain reasons, a nice 9 mm can be very persuasive with vandals.
Last edited by hcbph; Sep 6, 2016 at 10:58 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Remember too a judgement isn't just for today, if he 'can't pay' at this time, if you can get a judgement anyway. It will show up on things like his credit bureau report and is good for something like 7 years, if he gets in better financial shape you can then go after his assets in most states.
If someone is feeling particularly ambitious you can also record a judgement at the county register of deeds and it will attach to any real property (real estate). Its possible a cover page will have to be attached to the judgement with an explanation, which is no big deal. Typical costs are 14 bucks for the first page and a dollar per page after that. Seems like you can record it also as a UCC (uniform commercial code) statement and attach personal property as well, although you may need to reformat the document as a cover page and include that cover page with the actual judgement, also depending where your at you may need to record a UCC statement at the Secretary of States office....good luck to the OP.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Sep 6, 2016 at 11:13 AM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Under the hood and the sad thing about it was I didn't even know what has been done till after I had the car towed to my new residence. There was no insurance on my car so I couldn't drive it. NEVER in a million years did I expect what I saw when I opened the hood.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: NJ
I am in South Jersey....no sense in trying to sue or put judgments on him..he is losing everything we ever had ....its such a sad, sad situation. I just can't fathom how someone could be so cruel. I guess I have to decide if I want to sell it for parts or refurbish it.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
Keep It
If you loved the car - keep it. I read of so many trying desperately to track down their old cars. I just went through boxes of file cabinets to find an old tag receipt to get the VIN to a Z-71 truck I used to have and miss badly and want back. I've had 5 corvettes I wish I still had including a 68 327 4 speed car. If you love it, and it'a paid for, get a used harness. People are parting these out all the time. You can fix the seat and stuff later. You had this car for 20 years, it's part of you. You will miss it probably as you said you loved it. Keep it. Its paid for. Think of the repair costs in monthly payment terms mindset.. You'll have it paid off in a few months spending 200 dollars or so per month. My advise for what it's worth.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
What was cut and where it was done makes a big difference. You also might want to have the entire car checked out, your ex may have done more damage that is not so readily apparent. Where in south Jersey are you ? My wife has an 89 Vert so I am pretty familiar with them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 781
Likes: 73
What was cut and where it was done makes a big difference. You also might want to have the entire car checked out, your ex may have done more damage that is not so readily apparent. Where in south Jersey are you ? My wife has an 89 Vert so I am pretty familiar with them.