Sorry if this kind of post is not welcome, but I really need some advice on this one as I am getting very different responses from dealers on estimates.

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About 2 years ago at the central Florida meet, some jackass using his buddies car ran a stop sign while being filmed by his buddy. His car met head on with mine. In the end, I got screwed and my insurance refused to total at the recommendation of the dealership I brought it to.

Roughly 22,000$ in parts and labor was put into the repair job. Over the following year and half, I went back and forth to make sure every little thing was redone if not done to my satisfaction. Now that its all over with, I personally don't notice any difference in the drive, nor do coworkers.

Basically, I am not sure where to go from here. I have gotten to the point where my long term goals are more important than paying 500 + 180 + gas for an evo. I am looking to get a cheap lower end hybrid to really start saving on gas and car payments.

Should I keep trying to trade in, or try to sell it private? I owe around 20,500 on it still.

Audi offered 23,000 for it 2 months ago. Another dealership just offered 18,000. Should I push back, or am I hoping for too much with trade-in?

Other Details:
2008 MR, bought new and I have been only driver/owner.
11,000 Miles.
Never raced, both on road or track. Never really used as an evo, has been a DD to and from work.
Not Tuned
Mods: AMS intercooler, upper ic pipe (have lower, not installed), short ram intake

Again, if this should be some where else, please let me know. I am not posting this as a For sale, but more for looking for advise.

Thank you.

 

Is it a clear title?

 

By clear do you mean payments done? then no, I owe 20,500 on it still. Which I assume makes private sale much harder, but I may be able to figure something out to get it paid off I knew finding a private buyer had better return.

 

By Clear title, he means like after the accident was it declared a total loss, which would of given you a Salvage Title. I doubt it since you said the insurance fixed it.

 

Oh, then no it was not declared a total loss. Carfax reports the accident as airbags deployed according to dealership that made last offer, but I have not seen the report myself. He stated that it does not show the frame damage, just mentions the airbags deployed.

 

I think 23 would be a fair trade in value since having the accident. I'm assuming they straightened the frame at the body shop correct?

 

I remember you're thread from a few years ago about the accident. Not cool.

In my opinion, my goal would be that I walk away from the car not spending anymore money on it. $3k towards a new car is nice even though it's probably lowball for an MR. I'd take it but that's just me.

Privately selling would be a hassle because of your loan and you'll chase some people off with the accident history, meaning it could be harder to unload.

 

Owing money on a car does not make a private sale harder. I bought and sold both my S2000 and Evo IX with loans on the cars.

 

don't be fooled that investing into a hybrid will yield big savings against it's fuel costs (see the civic hybrid case going on right now).

If you want something cheap with ultimate fuel economy:
-- 5-6yo Toyota Corolla or civic. Many times they can beat out what people get in hybrids if you consider mixed driving.

--Consider diesel? golf or jetta TDI. higher maintenance costs, but superb fuel economy.


Glad to hear you were okay after that accident, definitely doesn't look like it was enjoyable, and best wishes on making a decision that works for you

 

I'm hoping trade in for 21,000. Sending my final offer back with that for the used ford fusion hybrid.

The reason I am looking at a hybrid is because I spend over an hour in traffic in which I never exceed 20 mph. I know the non hybrids are close to even on the highway mpg, but the city stop and go is what I feel I will make good savings on in the long run. If I cannot get the used fusion for what I want, I probably won't be getting a hybrid. I started this hunt by looking at returning to a corolla. I have no intent to spend an extra 10 grand on a new hybrid.

 

I hear ya, I'll never buy new again.

Everybody and everyone I know tells me not to buy a car that has been any sort of accident. My skittle has been in 2 accidents and aside from body damage has never had a problem or given me reason to think it may have been permanently affected.

I'm going to be importing an EVO from south of the border in febuary... I'm assuming a dealer would never admit to a car being in accident, but Carfax should take care of any concerns shouldnt it?

Im selling my SRT privately before I buy the EVO and to be honest, if anyone asks ill flat out tell them that she's been in a couple accidents. I recognize that this will lower the value of the car but if I try to hold on to it in this market then Ill never get my EVO

 

LOL I read you mentioning importing from "south of the border" and a "dealer would never admit to a car being in an accident" and I immediately regionalized that to my current location in Arizona. I started agreeing with what I was reading, then realized you were in Canada

 

Hope your insurance company was making those car payments for the year and a half that you didnt have your car.

 

same here, you should have no problem selling the car privately. Take the customer to your current bank where car is financed, he pays your car off and gets the title and keys from the bank .. oh and good luck with the change from an evo to hybrid

 

While digesting your options, I would find some one local to give you money to swap his or her stock intercooler and piping for yours, as you won't get anything close to your money back for that from a dealer at trade in.

If you're in the mood for a little buyer beware nonsense or if you really believe that the car has been repaired completely, then you could probably get at least 24 for it in a private sale if you're patient. Someone who wants a low-mileage MR won't check CarFax before buying it from you.