Typical dumb accident...I guess it happens to everyone...but a few cars ahead of me slammed on their brakes to a complete stop and the guy in front of me had to partially swerve out of the lane to not hit the guy in front of him, and I ran into him after jamming on my brakes. Sucks, I've had this car for almost 3 years without single problem, besides typical maintaince.

I'm almost 20 and in NJ insurance sucks, so I had only comprehensive and not full coverage since it would have been about double. The place that it got towed to basically told me that the work alone was more than the value of the car...he said airbags alone would be 3500-4000? Anyways, since I don't have coverage the guy basically said I could take my car as long as the radiator wasn't leaking or I could sign it over to them. So obviously I took my car after making sure my radiator was okay and drove it a few minutes to school. I've never been in a serious accident before but what do you think I should do? Car has almost 140k on it...but ran perfect since I took care of everything on it? Think this is worth fixing?

http://community.webshots.com/album/210539597fvUzFY

Thanks in advance, I know I should just be thankful that I didn't get hurt...but i'm just in complete disbelief that this happened to my baby.

Mark

 

If it were me I'd get what I could and shoot for a V8. If it's still driveable and runs fine its a selling point.

 

Ahh, that ain't bad, new fender, hood and nose. The rad support took it very well and its very repairable. Air bags ain't no biggie.

I work at a GM dealership with an in house collision centre and have seen MUCH worse that has been worth fixing.

 

Thanks...

you think I should sell it as is or try to get it fixed? I figured I'd probably need a new full front clip, etc. By looking at it...how much in damages are we talking though? This is a 95 V6 with a 139k on the clock...runs very good though.

Moving up to a V8 would be nice....

If I can't do that, I'm just going to try to buy a cheap car/truck beater that's decently reliable and save up for some for either a newer Z or SS, which I've always dreamed of, or a generally nicer truck or something.

 

Dude, That isn't bad at all, and since it is still running and doing burnouts and I guess that is good. Don't just sign it over to that guy! he can make out like a bandit, fixing it up and selling it, and he knows it! If you need a vehicle right away then I understand trying to sell it, or somethig but that should be easy to fix the most costly part will be painting it! but hell even that wont be bad and you can do it how you want it done. If I was in your situation I would fix it myself. it looks like you will need a bumper support (optional) bumper cover, fender, hood, and pass. side light assembly. that should be all and you can probably find what you need cheep at a junk yard or on ebay!

No matter what you decide, good luck!

 

Mark,

Check your PM's

Ed

 

I'd park it in the garage and start selling parts off it. You'll be surprised how much money you will get for it. I'm completely guessing on these prices, but they should be pretty close...

the doors are worth $150 each bare.
the door glass is worth $50 each.
the hatch is worth $75
the tail lights are worth $30 each
the rims are worth $150
the door panels are worth $75
the glove box lid is worth $20
the center console is worth $30
the seats are worth $150
the t-tops are worth $200
the dash cover (if it isnt cracked) $45
the steering column $80
loads of misc. interior parts $100

I bet you could get a couple grand for parts that are easy to remove.

 

Part it. If it was an LT1 I'd say fix it...not trying to make fun but its not worth it.

 

What he said.

 

Thanks a lot for the responses, they mean a lot. I know that the worth of this car is the main obstacle...with the miles, etc, I know it's only worth a few thousand dollars in the first place. I'm still tempted to fix it though I guess...but the part of damage that I don't think you see is the whole part before the radiator that's painted under the hood where the lights are in front of...that's completely bent up...and that may cost some bucks.

And I never even considered signing the car over the the shop...I made sure the radiator wasn't leaking and I gave them a check, got my keys and left.

I'm still just sorta in disbelief about the whole thing. I know a little about cars and all and what I don't know I'm willing to learn and I know mechanics, etc who are my friends.

With that part bend in front of the radiator do you still think it may be worth salvaging? I know its going to need everything up to there...the parts around it under the hood are all bent...the battery has even been pushed from the front and what was in front of it is now on an angle. It's definitely going to need a new front bumper, front quarter panel, lights and everything behind it that sorta got crushed up. I'm not sure how the whole front quarters and bumper connect to the frame and if that is bent up how much trouble it will cause if i do try to salvage it.

has anyone done a similar part out and how much did you come out on top? I almost had the car perfect...I knew the catalytic converter needed swapped and was going to put a new one on this week, but just got done putting a new starter on it, etc. Sucks how it happens, but I know I should just be happy that I didn't get hurt.

Thanks again guys.

 

that's nothing. I got T-boned last winter.

pics here:

http://www.1105design.com/images/firebird/

 

You could get it fixed yourself for 600 or so.

You can find a stock hood for $100... there's plenty of them available. Used fenders - ~$70... might even find matching colors. The nose is a little more expensive, but no big deal. Airbags- check ebay ~200 for both, but can be found even cheaper. You will also need a few modules... if you search around you will find everything pretty cheap. Looks like you were attached to that car... I would fix it if I were you. It will be less work than parting it out. But then again, if you want a V8.......

 

Also...since I've never parted anything before...what do you do with it when you've parted a bunch of **** and have this hunk of metal sitting in your garage that you can't do anything with?! That's what I'm more worried about.

 

Just curious... how much did the repair cost you? Was the quarter replaced or fixed?

 

Call the local salvage yard. They will come and get it.