Ok guys, I need some help. I'm sure a few of you have been through this before. An 82 year old woman smashed up my baby this past Monday. Her insurance is taking 100% liability, thank god. No official estimate yet, but it's not totalled. $12,000-$15,000 worth of damages. I really don't want this car after it gets fixed. I'm worried about all other problems that will come as a result of the body and mechanical work. I want to trade for a IX right after I get my 2004 VIII fixed. I'm lightly modded with the usual. No big mods, so I could just take off all existing ones in a few days or so. What would you guys suggest I do? Keep the VIII and pray that it's okay? Or just get a IX and be done with it? I only owe about 16 on the VIII and I figure to get at least 24 for my 04. So that's a pretty decent down payment on a IX. What do you think?

 

Where is the damage at?

 

Damage is all to the front end. New hood, fender, headlight, bumper, my varis cf lip, intercooler, radiator, etc.

 

how many miles do you have?

 

People are funny always wanting to get rid of there cars for a after they get a little messed up. If the frames not bent fix it who cares .

 

Talk to the agents at her insurance company that are handling the claim. If the value of the repairs is close to the value of the car, they may work with you to have it totaled.

If not, I was in a similar situation about 10 years ago. The insurance agent did not want to total the car. I made the mere mention of contacting a lawyer, and they caved and had the car “totaled”. I wish I had done this with my first car that was in an accident (again, not my fault). The driver’s side door on that one never closed right again after some woman ran into me and spun my car 180 degrees.

 

You referred to the car as your baby, so it sounds like your attached. Now your baby has been gangbanged by the football team, and you don't know if she'll be the same.

If you really like the car, and the unibody is pretty straight, and transaxle/tc/driveline looks undamaged, get it fixed. The front end will have new sheet metal with no door dings or rock chips, and shiny new paint. You could probably do a few upgrades too.

A really good body shop could make it better than new. The only downside to this plan is that a crummy body shop or hidden damage after the vehicle is fixed, would further add to your misery.

If you really don’t think she’ll be the same, and they don’t want to total it, work with the adjuster. The insurance company pays retail bb when they total a vehicle. If you get it fixed, and try to trade, the damage will probably show up in Carfax if the accident was reported. You’ll probably get less than normal trade-in. The dealer will probably take it to the auction, instead of putting it on the lot with a certified used sign. You could haggle with the adjuster, take a little less than retail bb, and still be better off than trading. In California, you are also reimbursed for sales tax and reg.

Somethin' to think about.

 

how did she smash the front end up did she slam her brake and you hit her in the *** or did she swerve in to your lane or something?

 

Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate it. She made an illegal left hand turn across two lanes of traffic and we collided. I actually hit her more than she hit me, but she didn't yield to me. The frame is bent pretty good. I was unaware that insurance adjusters give blue book RETAIL value. I just checked on kbb.com and my car, which only has 12,000 miles on it, retails at $30,000. Check if you don't believe me. I will definately be speaking to the adjuster once I get an official estimate if the damage is close. And it's at a pretty good shop. Mitsu dealers shop.

 

GET A NEW ONE! I dont want that to happen to me, but if I were in your shoes I would went out and get a 9.

 

A) take the insurance check.....
B) sell the car on ebay....

C) Put A & B together and go buy a new one

 

Even if they repair it 100%, it will never as before....

 

Yup..Cannabis is 100% correct, once crashed always crashed.... the car to "you" will always feel weird and different. the car will never be the same like new NEVER! stay away from crashed cars!

 

if insurance totals it, he has to buy back the car from the insurance co

 

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