Does this car look totaled?

m.miller1547

m.miller1547

Active member
The insurance company just informed me that my 13,000 car a year ago is totaled and is paying me 9,500. The accident was on a residential street @ 20mph. They quoted 12,000 in damage. I looked in myself and the only part in the engine compartment compromised was the overflow container from what I could tell. Idk. Doesn't look like 12,000 in damage to me. What u think.
 
Well at minimum that's a rear bumper, rear quarter panel, front fenders, front bumper, hood, headlights, paint for all.

Plus if any suspension or steering parts bent, any hoses, sensors, etc in the engine bay.

Plus if any of the frame is bent.
 
I'm just pissed I'm loosing my *** on a car I just bought. I'm gonna go tomorrow and speak with the mechanic and maybe get a second opinion. I payed cash for this car a year ago.
 
second opinions are key find a local shop like a mom and pop smaller shop and see what they say. Explain your story and see what they can do.
 
what shop said 12k? why is the headlight in the other side missing?
i could see an expensive estimate, specially if the frame was tweaked or suspension work needed. if you see how your hood is popped up in the back, that kind of tells me you might have a tweaked frame. Very important issue, did the air bags pop? if so how many? air bags are up there. In my boss truck we had to replace air bag, air bag module and seat belts, total bill for that was almost 3k in a honda. if you need another shop to get an estimate let me know, you could also take the cash, buy the car back from insurance and have someone fix it.
 
The headlights is missing from other side cause the car caught a large bush while spinning. It was hanging off, but not damaged.. do these cars have electrical fail safes in case of accident? It wouldn't start but I couldn't see y not. The driver door was creaking while opening also. Even if it needed a new front end; I font see it costing more than 6k.
 
front driver door creaking, sounds like tweaked frame. does car not crank or just not starting?

quality body work is not cheap, i painted the side of my convertible and some metal work and it came out to $5000. on the other hand you can get ok work for decent price. Boss truck got the complete front end replaced and it came out to $4500, not perfect work but it was decent for a daily driver.
 
try the carstar body shop close to you for another estimate. They are called metal masters, i had a carstar shop in the north side fix the mini and i was very happy with the work. Carstar network body shops put up a picture a day on their site of progress on your car which helps with seeing whats going on with your vehicle.
 
I had a jetta that I hit a deer with that the insurance company totaled before they even got under the hood. All the parts wildisme said will run 5k new (which is what adjusters quote) I'd be the lights that are missing and their appropriate housings and bulbs probably run a grand. Not to include all the man hours to un-assemble, inspect, reassemble and paint. VWs are known for tons of sensors...I can see it being totaled...out of curiosity who is your insurance through? Im wondering if its the same as mine.

I ended up getting to keep the car, they gave me cash to fix it, sold the car for more cash and bought a new car...keep your head on straight, think things through and it will all work out in the end.
 
Thanks guys. I'm gonna call it a wash. I figure $300 a month of driving for a year is appropriate. I'm getting 9,500.. I'm gonna save it.. wait for taxes and buy a new car. I just can't believe such a minor accident could total what I thought was a quality car. After a convo with my bro; who is a part time mechanic, he believes its worth it to just walk away. Baby #2 on the way.. its time for a mini van anyways. I'm prolly getting more money back on this deal then if I sold it.
 
word of advice, dont buy new. let someone else take a lot of depreciation and buy a car that is a year or 2 old with factory warranty still on it.
 
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