⚠ Forum Archived — The THSCC forums were discontinued (last post: 2024-05-18). This read-only archive preserves club history. Visit thscc.com →  |  Search this archive with Google: site:forums.thscc.com your search terms

THSCC Forums

Tarheel Sports Car Club Forums
It is currently Tue Apr 07, 2026 10:06 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:46 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am
Posts: 2230
Just got the insurance estimate back on my car. For those that don't know, a deer ran into the side of my car Saturday night. The damage was literally only $200 short of totalling the car. That said, is there any reason I should bitch and try and get them to total it? Honestly, I like the car, and for the $ they would give me, I'd prefer to have just have my car back together. The damage consists of headlight, fender, complete front door assembly, rear door outer shell, and respraying the front bumper and hood. There is no visible damage to the B pillar.

A lot of bodywork for sure, but its just bodywork. The front wheel was untouched, so no suspension damange to worry about. The engine on the car is great, 180k miles and doesn't burn a drop of oil, clutch replaced at 145k, shocks are still good (and still under koni warranty). The fact that I have owned the car since new has value to me as well, as far as knowing it was maintained well.

Is there anything I'm not thinking of, any reason I should try and push that estimate up another $200 to get the car totalled? To me, it seems like the best of both worlds. I get almost the entire car repainted (and the bumper and hood had a LOT of rock chips), and no salvage title, but I wonder if I'm missing something.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:02 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 11:18 am
Posts: 1731
Location: dp in the making
Just for reference the body shop called me to price parts. It just wasnt the door... It was the headlight, fender and both doors(is what they priced not sure if it was all needed or not, just know what he asked me for).

IMO, that is very close. Most times when a body shop gets into a car that is hit, there are generally stuff that is found after the estimate is done!

Good luck either way!

_________________
[color=#FFFFFF][/color]http://www.usedmiatapartsonline.com for all your used miata parts needs
http://www.wagnersauto.com for your salvage needs
2000 miata se Estreet,going to rally
2004 mazdaspeed miata bsp #77
shifter kart also(someone buy this $1500)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:06 am 
Offline
I err on the side of being stupid
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 10:15 pm
Posts: 4743
Location: Greenville, NC
insist on writing it off and buy it back from the insurance company if the $ works

#winning

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:27 am 
Offline
Stalker's boyfriend
User avatar

Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2003 2:35 pm
Posts: 2858
Location: Looking for Chuck on the Intraweb
Ryan Holton wrote:
insist on writing it off and buy it back from the insurance company if the $ works

#winning


x2

I wouldn't care about the "clean title" especially considering you aren't worried about the damage and have no interest in getting rid of it. Once you do, a "clean title" isn't going to be worth much, considering the car won't be worth much. - AB

_________________
'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:35 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 23, 2003 9:49 am
Posts: 1682
Location: In my underpants
Is that process as simple as it sounds?

_________________
Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:10 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am
Posts: 2230
Yeah, how would that work exactly. I don't know for sure what values they use, but say the value on the car is $6700, if its a total loss, I get a check for that minus deductible, and can buy it back for salvage value (10%ish, right)? If thats the situation, then I get $5500 and keep the car as opposed to $3200 and keep the car w/ a clean title. Do I understand this right? Sounds like I might want to push them in that direction.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:19 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm
Posts: 1350
BriceJohnson wrote:
Yeah, how would that work exactly. I don't know for sure what values they use, but say the value on the car is $6700, if its a total loss, I get a check for that minus deductible, and can buy it back for salvage value (10%ish, right)? If thats the situation, then I get $5500 and keep the car as opposed to $3200 and keep the car w/ a clean title. Do I understand this right? Sounds like I might want to push them in that direction.


The times (that's right, plural) I've bought back my totaled Miatas, it was a few hundred dollars. The 1996 I bought back for $420, and the 1994 I bought back for $400 or $500... can't remember exactly.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:29 pm 
Offline
Token nudist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2003 11:42 am
Posts: 2623
Location: Lost in Eastern N. Carolina
I think it depends on what you want to do going forward. If for the money you will get if they total it can you get a car that you will be happy with? Or will you be happier with your car fixed.The body shop will probably fine at least $200 of stuff they can bill for so you can probably get them to total it.

I've know Insurance companies that will want more than the 10% for a salvage car to buy it back but you can see what they offer

_________________
1990 Faded Reddish CSP Lite Miata
2002 Electron Blue Corvette Z06
2005 Mazda 6 Wagon
2003 Nissan Pathfinder DTV (Dog Transport Vehicle)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:52 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am
Posts: 2230
I'm kind of inclined to just go ahead and get it fixed. Sure, I might end up better off financially by having it totalled and buying it back, but in the end, my plan is to fix the car, so I'm sort of just trying to figure out if I should try and screw the insurance company over or not. I guess you could also call it "sticking it to the man" though. I think for karmic reasons, I'll just fix it. If other things are found once they tear it down, thats a little different. Thanks for all the advice.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:22 pm 
Offline
I HATE hatchbacks!

Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 11:03 am
Posts: 11818
Location: Carolina Beach, NC
They will find other things. They always do, and at some point, they won't total it an pay the repair bill.

Total it now.

_________________
In need of car.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:28 pm 
Offline
Got Powah?
User avatar

Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm
Posts: 4724
If it's purely cosmetic damage like you suspect (sounds like it is if there is no broken glass and the wheel is fine) then I like your idea of "yay free paint job!". I say get it fixed and enjoy your shinier car, like you said it's been with you since new and if you're tied to the make/model, you won't find another one that has been cared for for the price.

On the other hand, if you have the upgrade-itis bug, this is certainly a perfect time to do so by getting it totalled.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:50 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:05 pm
Posts: 2474
Location: 21st century digital boy...
Come to think of it, the last few cars I've owned (except Rodney's new HS machine :thumbsup: ) have been vehicular punching bags and it really hasn't been that bad of an experience. This sounds like it's purely bodywork, so that's a great thing.

The Si had very serious tree damage prior to my ownership, the S2k, well it was battered before and during my ownership, the IS300 took a $10k rear-ender on 40W, and my current ITR has been repainted on >50% of the panels. I'm one of the few that feels bodyshop don't really want to over$ee any missing opportunities to fix as much as they can maximizing their revenues, especially these days. Just be patient with the repair as it'll take a while so you guys will probably put a few more miles on the MCS unless you have/opt for rental coverage.

That said just fix it if you don't plan to otherwise use the payout for a newer more pricey car. What else could you get for around $5k that is as reliable with a known history anyhow? Not much, unfortunately...

Good luck and glad no one was hurt!


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:28 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am
Posts: 2230
Apparently the insurance company seeing an estimate that close to totalling the car prompts a visit from the adjuster, who is looking at the car now. We shall see.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:27 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am
Posts: 2230
So the latest is that I'm getting a check for $3400 to cover the repairs ($3900-$500 deductible). Actual repairs will likely cost me a little less, depending on how I decide to do a couple things. The car remains with a clean title, and should be fixed by the time I get back from my California trip.

_________________
2012 MX-5 Sport SUV


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Any reason not to repair?
PostPosted: Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:38 pm 
Offline
My stiffness is only an illusion
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:49 pm
Posts: 4658
Location: on line looking at car ads
congrats Brice! Be like driving a new car....

_________________
Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group