Stauf

iTrader: (2)

...TOTALED in the back of an auto body shop.( EDIT: No longer totaled!) From the hands of a driver going 10-15mph. The car, which I had owned for 5 months to the day, was in mint condition, and was the car I had wanted for years. I was making a 1/2 mile trip down to the gas station when the driver, with an EXPIRED license, decided to make a left hand turn INTO me while I was crushing along at 35mph. I tried to swerve, brake, whatever I could to avoid her, but no such luck. She slammed right into my driver side front tire and fender. Her Volkswagen continued to slide down the entire side of my car. The police responded, and it was clear that it was no fault of my own. Tow truck shows up, and tow driver and police both said the same thing, "It doesn't look to bad. I'm sure it can be fixed" But, I knew this was going to be a fight.
6 days later, I get the call from the insurance adjustor I had been dreading, " The car is a total loss". Knowing the book value of 3rd gens , this was not a surprise to me, but I figured I would fight. " What do you mean?", I asked. He says, " The damage is more then the car is worth. The value is $2200." Well, that's it, I lose it on the phone telling the guy that I just bought the car and have receipts showing what was paid for the car. I was asked to calm down and fax the receipt over to him so they could "investigate" this some more
Another week goes by and I get an AUTOMATED phone call telling me that a check in the amount of $5295 is being sent to me.( Still not close to what the receipt said)
So now I am the proud owner of a damaged 91Z ( which is still mint except for the one side) that has a salvage title. The shop is working with me to get the repair cost down, by myself supplying some of the needed parts. Now, after the repairs, comes the task ( jumping through hoops) to get the state to amend the salvage title, and let me drive the car again.

What a nightmare 3 weeks can cause, and I'm sure it won't get easier.

MassD

iTrader: (1)

Part it out and buy a new one man, its sad to say but with a salvage title youll be wasting good money on bad money.

gt4373

Which One Was It The Coupe Or The Convertible.

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

I know its a bummer I see this all the time a great car but the value is so low that all it take is a bump and its over

timberjake

Just a waste of money just by one bump

scottmoyer

Do yourself a favor and ignore the book value. Do not accept their payout! If you cash their check, you are accepting their low offer. Get quotes for comparable cars with similar mileage of "sold" cars on eBay and also get autotraderonline.com pricing. You can also contact some collector car dealers and speak with their online sales team and provide them pictures and see what they would pay "wholesale" and what they would sell the car for. Let them know the insurance company is low balling you.

Lastly, the person who hit you should be paying for your car. They need to satisfy you. If you are not satisfied, you have grounds for a law suit. Going through your insurance for this can cause you more issues down the road. Good luck.

ternandes

iTrader: (7)

83Z28/L69

I say lawyer up! Sue the living crap out of the other driver and their insurance company.File it BIG too. Good luck and don't sign or accept crap, until you are happy.

ternandes

iTrader: (7)

Yes! The more I think about it, the more I think that since the other party was more than just at fault, you should demand satisfaction.

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

The car in question was the coupe. If it was the vert, I would have taken the money and ran. The sad thing is,aside from the body panels ( fender, door, and lower quarter panel) the only damage is to the fron wheel. According to the estimate the wheel damage consists of upper and lower control arms, spindle, and wheel bearings. Thats a afternoon in the driveway repair. I have already been looking at similar cars on autotrader, ebay, and other sites. The LOWEST price I could find for similar miles, specs, and condition is $9900.00. Most fall into the 11k-14k range. I have already been thinking about sueing,but im not sure how New Jersey s "No-Fault" laws will affect it.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

So sorry for you that this happened. Horror stories like this always seem to be anothers fault, no license, underinsured if at all. So many idiots out there, I have a couple close calls a month. Irresponsible drivers just pulling out on me. Cell phone in one hand, burger in the other, all while checking themselves out in the mirror.

scottmoyer

Why are you looking for the lowest price? Get an average price. If you can find 3 or 4 comparable cars in the $11k-$15k range, tell the insurance company you'll settle for $13.5k if your happy with that.

No fault insurance rules don't apply to vehicle damage claims in NJ. No fault is supposed to cover personal injury medical issues regardless of who was at fault. Did the police issue the other driver a ticket? Did the other driver apologize for hitting you? These are both beneficial to you if they occurred.

If you contacted your insurance about this and are working with them on the payout, tell them to hold off and you'll get back to them later. Contact the other driver's agent, tell them the story. Let them know the estimate value for repair based on a quality repair, not a cut corners repair, and see what they will do. If they play the "car is only valued at" game, have them show you where they got those numbers. A totaled vehicle payout is supposed to be enough $$ to purchase a similar car in the same condition/miles. If they can't provide the $$ to replace the car with a comparable car, then they need to repair your car. It's on them because their customer hit you. This should cost you absolutely nothing. They should also provide you with a rental car while your car is being repaired.

By going through your insurance, you will have to pay your deductible, which you won't get back, and your premiums could go up because they won't investigate it. They may just pay out. Lastly, if you did talk with your insurance company, tell them that you do not authorize them releasing accident information to CarFax. CarFax pays them for the report and you don't want your car listed as collision damaged.

jer4251

iTrader: (6)

that would made me sick. I would not settle for anything less than what I had invested in the car. going by some of the current 3rd gen prices you should be getting a good bit more than what they are telling you. the value of these cars is actually going up and will continue to increase. getting older and harder to find in good shape. hold out for a better payout. and then keep the car, rebuild it and enjoy it.

Barlow8869

iTrader: (1)

i sure hope you did not cash that check

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Check is just sitting on my desk and it will stay there until this is settled. With it now being winter, im not in any rush to get it fixed. The funny thing is, I havent actually talked to anyone in terms of accepting the payout. I have made numuros calls to insurance company and have yet to get a call back. I am now in the process of filing a complaint with New Jerseys insurance advocate.

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

yeah man..that car is marked for life whether you get the salvage title amended or not..it will be on permanent record that it was severely damaged so even if it can be fixed to look like it gloriously did before the wreck...it will be just that...a fixed up wreck..you will never get your money back out of it even if it is brought back to showroom condition...anyone looking to purchase that car for what you have into it will quickly wash their hands of it after they see the vehicle history report..
I would say forget the lawyers and court headaches that will possibly end up being not only costly to you but could also have a disappointing ending..you got close to $5300 for it and you still have the car..part it out or find another car and transfer parts over or fix it and drive it if you just want it for personal pleasure..

Barlow8869

iTrader: (1)

don't know if you were looking to sell it or not after it is fixed, but if it were me, i would just take a lot of pics of the damage, and pics of it being torn down for repairs, then pics of it after it was done, to document everything that is done to it ... and remember, if the insurance company pays for all the repairs, you still only have what you paid for it when you got it invested into it ... but if you never plan to sell it, i wouldn't care what the title said ... dont know about you, but i didn't get mine to sell ... also, try to fight it getting a salvage title, if you can prove the car is worth more than the damage cost to repair, it was not totaled then

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

A car with 24k miles.... thats not a car you buy to joyride all the time. Thats a car you buy to keep 20 years and flip when the time comes. This car will never be that car again.

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Well, persistence and arguing paid off. Finally spoke to someone worth while at the insurance company and they have changed the decision to total the car. So clean title is still on the baby. Now the work of getting the car repaired. I have been in touch with the body shop and they are having a difficult time locating a replacement door. GM no longer make them, There are no aftermarket vendors that make steel doors, and no door skins. So it looks like I am going the way of eBay or CL to obtain the door. Any ideas for retaining the original door stickers/labels?

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

Have you looked in the classifieds on this site I'm sure you will find one here and I have had great luck buying from those guys

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

I have checked,but the issue is location. I really would love to help these guys out but not gonna drive states away

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/exte...ody-parts.html
Try this guy,he's in NJ

ThePain

THIS TIMES A MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can sue the **** outta that woman.

Now again, don't give up on the insurance, drain them for every bit the car is REALLY worth, and if at the end it's still low, you take her to court for the rest.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

http://www.ecsvin.com/license.php

http://www.autodatalabels.com/

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I looked though the classified and didnt see this guy!

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Great. Thanks

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

I have a super clean power window door if you are still looking for one..pm me your email and zip for pics and shipped price.

John4649

Man I'm sorry to hear about you car I know how you feel somewhat mines a 87 66k original miles just painted white and the neighbors kids moved their yard well their to lazy to pick stuff up or at least avoid it they hit some trash and it's completely ruined the passenger side paint with chips and scratches

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

PM'd you
Thanks

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

Hey Stauf,
Sorry for your troubles. You have to get another appraisal ! My 89 GTA had some serious damage, insurance co was generous, Appraised around 8 to 9K, was able to get repaired. Classic car appraisers, second opinions ..

Hey - do you live in Vincentown ? I see a red vert and a red coupe just off 206 .... by the 4 way stop .... is that you ? I go to Ft Dix often.

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Sorry not me, but that owner seems like a really cool guy. I am about an hour and a half northwest of ft dix. Although, I have been down in that area doing some jobs in the summer

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

Ahh, I work in Dix (contractor) often too.

Hope you get the car worked out. Try to find a shop you can work with, I had to round up the parts and they fixed/painted. But they weren't up to hunting and searching for body parts - understandable.

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

any updates stauf?

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Car is still sitting at shop. I have given them all parts that were needed. Doner door and fender have been stripped and primed and car has been moved into the shop. New suspension components have been installed ( to replace damaged ones ). I have told the shop that I am not in any rush to get the car, as it will just sit for the next few months anyway due to the weathet. Because of this, they are giving me a NICE price break on the work. I am thinking about another few weeks before the car is back in my hands. But, as long as the work is done correctly, they can take their time

gbeaird

iTrader: (1)

Hopefully they've checked the frame/body. A hit like that has the potential to bend the back of the k-member and it's mounting boss. You'll also want to check the upper strut mount surface to make sure it hasn't been tweaked.

Good luck with the restore, you did good getting used parts, as many of the repros don't really fit well. They're also usually made out of lighter-grade steel. Great for a race car, not so great for a 20K mile survivor.

Many years ago I was in a head-on with an idiot in a Volvo in my 1972 4 speed Trans Am. The repairs were about $3000 at the time, which was about 1/2 the value of the car at the time. After getting it repaired (new fender, bumper, front facia, spoilers, inner fender, core support all I got lucky and got off a take-off of a totaled car, and a frame straightening), I entered it in our local ISCA Autorama, and took first in class (Late Model Restored, IIRC). A couple of years I sold the car to a collector for $8000, which was a pretty healthy sum back then. So all's not lost with your repairs.

Stauf

iTrader: (2)

Between the shop, and myself I am pretty confident that the frame is still straight. All of the panels that were not damaged still lined up as straight as the should be. When I got hit one of the first things I did , at the accident site, was to pop the hood and look at the strut mount, inner fender, core support and of course the engine compartment. From the naked eye, in all my rage, it looked good. Once the body shop got the car the looked it over and except for the minor suspension damage, it was limited to body panels. Once the get all the parts on the car and it can be driven, we will see if there are any hidden issues. I will say that the only good thind that came out of this is, with the extra mony I have left from the insurance, I can get the clear coat redone on the back wing. (Which has been bothering me since I got the car)