So I drive a 2011 Mustang and I hit a car going about 15-20 mph. The damage was done to the front end of the car. Air bags (suprisingly) deployed. The biggest problem is is the dealer said that the front frame is damaged and that piece will need to be cut out and a new piece will be needed to weld into place. The damage is not too bad, but the insurance company appraiser said it is 14 grand!! The rule is if the damage is 70% of the value of the car then it is considered totaled. Well, the value of the car is around 20,000. We've talked to a few people, and the damage should be less than 14 grand. So now I have two options: 1) take the value of the car and walk away..pay off the remaining balance and buy another car. $19,000 (approx. value) -$6,000 (remaining balance) =~ $13,000 2) get the insurance company to fix the car but they will never offer collision insurance on it again. But is this safe to drive w/frame repair? 3) get salvage value for the car, repair it (obv for less than 14 grand) and then sell it. $6500 (salvage value approx) -$8,000 (true estimated repairs) +$16,000 (hoping to get this for a 2011 mustang, with accident, ~20,000 miles) =$14,500 I really don't care about making money. I just want my car, however it is obvious that the Insurance company is trying to total the car so I would be forced to buy a new one, and then my insurance rate will sky rocket. What is the best choice?
I'd be hesitant to drive a car with a damaged/repaired frame. How long did you plan on keeping this car, had the accident not occurred?
Get it fixed, I had an Explorer once that got $22,000 in damage on a $36,000 car, frame bent and everything, was in the shop for 3 months, but it ran like a champ after and had no issues. DD
If i get it fixed, the insurance company will never cover collision again on that vehicle. Should I still consider it?
Salvaged titles are tricky...selling and insuring. So that removes option 2 and 3 leaving you with option 1. Not trying to downplay the "value" of a salvage vehicle. If you know it was done right and plan on driving it until the wheels fall off then they are usually still good cars. But as a general rule, you don't want to own one. Oh and your insurance is going to do whatever it's going to do no matter what option you choose.
Option 1 is probably the safest route to take. Take the $13K, put it towards a new or slightly used car. Low balance, low payments. You don't want to drive an uninsurable car and if you try to salvage and resell, there's no guarantee you'll get what you think you should, especially if the buyer can't get collision coverage either.
I agree about selling the salvaged car. When I was car shopping, anytime i saw the word salvaged..i immediately closed the window on that site.
I'd total that thing out, its resale will be crap and it might ride weird. You should have faked an injury to recoup a little extra money. Its standard procedure.
I need a good recommendation for a body shop. Preferably on the East Side. My right headlight got messed up. Turn signal and light still work but all the stuff around it is busted out. Also, there's a significant dent, but I can still turn and nothing is leaking. Thanks guys.
If it was a front end collision at 15-20 even 25 mph more than likely it's only your core support and bumper supports (accordion looking things) they are welded in place but don't add any structural rigidity. 2011 Mustangs have so much frame strength redundancy built in it won't affect drivability. In other words the car will be fine to drive from a safety perspective. Get the $14,000 from the appraiser have the car towed to your house and then get appraisals from other body shops. I have good friends at Ford dealerships that can get the car right. You can email me thru the board if you like.
As you should because you don't know how the repairs were made. I've seen places remove the air bag light and not replace the air bags. To an unsuspecting buyer it still looks nice but wait until you get in a wreck - ouch. For a repair/reseller the more money they spend putting the car back together, the less money they put in their pocket. Now again - if it's done right it's ok to a degree - but how do you as a buyer know? How does your buyer know? And salvaged cars have 1/2 the resale value even if you do find a buyer. Since the money is that close - option 1. And yes it's ok to shead a tear goodbye.
very scary thought. can't believe people no such low morals as to not replace an air bag which can save someones life. and yes...shedding a tear, i shall do :'( first accident in my life that is my fault. i take full responsibility and feel terrible
Option 1. This happened to me also. Totaled the **** out of my mothers car (according to the insurance company) but it was still repairable. We did option 1, it's worked out great.
