Seats Stolen, replacement options?
Yup. The loan would want payoff. If that leaves you without the buyback or seats, push to get it repaired. I'd hate to see it parted out *especially since I'd only want the seats for my '15 
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 345
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From: Chicago, IL
Well the are still scheduling another estimate but there's a chance it is totaled. If it is totaled, since I am in Illinois I can't even buy it back as that's against Illinois statute. Only cars 9 years and older can be sold back. Pretty unfortunate situation all around. I guess I could somehow hunt for it at auction? Dunno.
Exact. Make a deal with them to not total. You know it won't cost you $20k to fix it. You can get a really nice set of wheels/tires/TPMS sensors for <$3k, good used seats for <$2k, and you can find wiring harnesses for probably a few hundred bucks. Pay a shop $1k to fix it. You're in for well under $10k.
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Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 345
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From: Chicago, IL
Well they attempted to total it but thankfully I argued with them on the FMV of the payout which brought me above 75%.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
If you can get a set of seats with the weight sensor you won't need to screw with the wiring.
I believe any seatbelt buckles will work with yours as well since <2015 have 2 of the 4 wires set, it's going the other way that sucks.
I believe any seatbelt buckles will work with yours as well since <2015 have 2 of the 4 wires set, it's going the other way that sucks.
Evolving Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 205
Likes: 18
From: Race City USA
Well they attempted to total it but thankfully I argued with them on the FMV of the payout which brought me above 75%.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
...so why aren't you looking at getting some well taken care of stock Recaros off ebay or something? They'd be at your door in about a week... I'm confused.
-asher
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 345
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From: Chicago, IL
Ive been checking ebay for a couple weeks since the theft and all I see are seats that have blown airbags. Haven't had much luck seeing any good listings. I'm guessing I'd be waiting for a while and that there's a shortage, or else why would someone have stolen my seats in the first place.
Evolved Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,538
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From: Houston
You don't need that side airbag to put them in your car. Until a few years ago those airbags didn't exist. If you get the sensor as part of the harness you should be fine I am guessing or just put in the capacitor to trick it into thinking it is there.
If they do total loss the car, they will offer to let you buy it back for very cheap, 500-1000 which they will just deduct from the payout they give you. The car will be salvaged from that point though. You can take that money plus the car and do what ever you like with it at that point. Replace the seats, and i guess wheels?, with what ever you want and just take it to the dmv and have it inspected and re-registered as a salvage car. Then keep what ever money you have left over / pay off your financing if you still owe on it. You could part the car out, combine that money with what the insurance gives you and buy something else. You have alot of options if you do end up crossing that threshold. Also you do not have to buy the OEM seats, if you want some nice aftermarket seats you can use the money they are going to give you for OEM seats to get what ever you want and pocket the left over. You are under no obligation to actually replace or fix anything after the insurance pays you out.
EDIT: If you have a lender they will require proof that you fixed the car. Also you may want to double check your state laws incase of any weirdness about insurance payouts.
EDIT: If you have a lender they will require proof that you fixed the car. Also you may want to double check your state laws incase of any weirdness about insurance payouts.
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: West Coast
Maybe it depends on the state. Here in CA they offer to let you keep it cheap. At least from the people I have known that have had that option. Also there is no way a branded tittle evo would sell for 15k at auction. Think about it, someone has to buy it, repair it, sell it (as a salvage tittle w/ no financing available), and still make enough profit to be worth their time. General rule of thumb i have heard is to pay 1/4 to 1/6 what you expect to sell the car for at auction.
Last edited by Biggiesacks; Apr 3, 2017 at 05:49 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 90
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From: West Hartford CT
Well they attempted to total it but thankfully I argued with them on the FMV of the payout which brought me above 75%.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
Now i'm contemplating putting 2015 Evo X (non-recaro) seats into my 2011 just so i can get it up and running again, quickly. Anyone know how I can work around the wiring of the seat airbags to effectively downgrade my seats?
Thanks.
There's not much of a work around, you just have to buy the 15 seats, install them with their weight sensor bracket, underseat airbag blackbox, and seatbelts. (im assuming the thieves also stole your weight sensors) You would also have to take the car to the dealer so that they can mate the new weight sensors and airbag box to the car so airbag light does not stay on.
Maybe it depends on the state. Here in CA they offer to let you keep it cheap. At least from the people I have known that have had that option. Also there is no way a branded tittle evo would sell for 15k at auction. Think about it, someone has to buy it, repair it, sell it (as a salvage tittle w/ no financing available), and still make enough profit to be worth their time. General rule of thumb i have heard is to pay 1/4 to 1/6 what you expect to sell the car for at auction.
as far as selling for 15k, absolutely. I've bought cars from auctions before, looked at getting an evo again to use as a track car. like I said, 2011 evo with missing seats and wheels is selling for 15k min. The Evo isn't really the car people buy to flip, they buy it to keep for themselves. you buy cheap (under 10k fixed sale price) cause like you said, no financing.
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,690
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From: West Coast
I actually bought my evo 8 at auction with fender bender level damage, that cost me less then the cost of decent wheels and seats to fix. Paid ~8k for it with 19k miles and it was only a year old at the time. Couple things you have to remember, you have no idea what in total might be wrong with the car, there is no test drive and there is no warranty. Just to linger on that a second, you get no manufacturer warranty with the car. Also you have to jump through hoops having it inspected and re-registered. Is there someone who might pay 15k for the car at auction, sure there is a sucker born every second, but they shouldn't.
I actually bought my evo 8 at auction with fender bender level damage, that cost me less then the cost of decent wheels and seats to fix. Paid ~8k for it with 19k miles and it was only a year old at the time. Couple things you have to remember, you have no idea what in total might be wrong with the car, there is no test drive and there is no warranty. Just to linger on that a second, you get no manufacturer warranty with the car. Also you have to jump through hoops having it inspected and re-registered. Is there someone who might pay 15k for the car at auction, sure there is a sucker born every second, but they shouldn't.
And yes, I know all the downsides of buying cars at auction, I've bought a few
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