Frame Damage
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 28
From: Ocala Florida
Frame Damage
Coming home from work a young college student (female) sandwiched me between her SUV and another SUV. My 2005 Vette suffered rear frame damage and the girl’s insurance company is paying to have it fixed.
Here is my question:
1. Would you (as a Vette owner) buy a Vette with repaired frame damage? YES or NO
2. For those of you that say YES, what sort of price reduction would you expect because of the frame damage?
Thanks
Here is my question:
1. Would you (as a Vette owner) buy a Vette with repaired frame damage? YES or NO
2. For those of you that say YES, what sort of price reduction would you expect because of the frame damage?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
Oh wow. If it is done by a shop with a good reputation and you had pictures and documentation I would say...........it depends. lol
Two cars side by side and one had frame damage would be like this for me if they were the same car. No frame damage 20k, frame damage, 12k TOPS.
Two cars side by side and one had frame damage would be like this for me if they were the same car. No frame damage 20k, frame damage, 12k TOPS.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,265
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
You have two options if they dont total it out.
1. Get it fixed and keep it forever and drive it till it dies.
2. Get it fixed by a shop, document and take pictures. Go after her insurance for diminished value (because it is) and take a small loss on it.
Thats about all I can offer you bud. It sucks.
1. Get it fixed and keep it forever and drive it till it dies.
2. Get it fixed by a shop, document and take pictures. Go after her insurance for diminished value (because it is) and take a small loss on it.
Thats about all I can offer you bud. It sucks.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
I wouldn't even consider buying a car with frame damage. Maybe 5k for it. I'd tell her insurance company they just bought a car. Major asset depreciation. I'd hire an attorney & the driver & her insurance company would be buying the car at top dollar. I'd kick some *** on this one.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
I wouldn't even consider buying a car with frame damage. Maybe 5k for it. I'd tell her insurance company they just bought a car. Major asset depreciation. I'd hire an attorney & the driver & her insurance company would be buying the car at top dollar. I'd kick some *** on this one.
They call it diminished value, not asset depreciation and most certainly he would get it.
The insurance company doesnt have to buy the car just because you dont want it and you give it some crazy low ball "worth" number.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
I went through this a few years ago with a Corvette. It was on the verge of being totaled and the diminished value would have been so much pay out that they just said screw it.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 2
From: Danielsville Georgia
"frame damage" That can cover a lot of territory. It depends on what is damaged and what the repair is. There was a Z06 advertised on here that had a salvage title. It had 'frame' damage. Photos of the damage were posted. It was the section that involved the end of the front section of frame that held radiator and such. It was relatively minor repair. But according to insurance that section was said to be non repairable and totaled the car. Car was nice. So what is damaged on your 'frame'. How much time is allowed for the repair? Any photos of the 'frame' damage?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
I agree. I'd push the diminished value. I was rear ended by a drunk driver 2 years ago. Not in my vette. (Which by the way, you hit my vette, you better run). The opposing agent & I argued every detail. The last conversation I had with the opposing agent, was, this is how it is and this is what your going to do, or talk to my attorney. He shut up. In the end, the county prosecutor asked me if I had any other costs. I did. Diminished value being one. He got it. As "Larry the Cable Guy" says, "Git er done". Lol. The drunk driver had his 3rd offense in 4 years. He is no longer driving & is still on a government paid vacation. Moral of the story, the opposing agent will try to manipulate you. #2 don't f*ck with a vette owner.
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
Depemds on how it was fixed. Corvette frame rails can be replaced with new ones and I would have no problem buying one that was fixed in this manner. But it the frame was straightened the old fashoned way I wouldn't touch the car.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
I saw a vette on eBay that had frame damage. This was around Jan of this year, when i bought my vette. The car had a salvage title, was repaired & the pics looked good. The seller couldn't give the car away. If I recall correctly, it was a base c6 & sold for less than 10k.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 128
From: Coventry RI
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '25
I have a good friend with a large front end and frame straightening business. They straighten frames everyday of the week and you wouldn't believe how many of these end up on dealers lots with no car fax history reports at all, and they look perfect to the average buyer. Just last week they did a C6 Z06 that was hit pretty bad. Personally I would not be afraid to drive a car that has been properly repaired but I would also pursue the diminished value route mentioned above, if it was my vet that was hit.