Idiot son wrecked my baby!

[raymwr]

totaled

[Wes]

totaled

Not really. That looks very fixable from the looks of that picture.

[The_Maniac]

Good to hear you're encouraging your son to drive again after the incident. My second winter driving, first year with my Camaro, I spun out and wrapped my beloeved '84 Z28 around a telephone pole. I was heart broken. Now, I had no problems "getting back in the saddle" (matter of fact my parents were happy to see that).

Back then, I never realised how lucky I was that I got out of the car unharmed. Today, I view the situation differently and I do realise, I am very fortunate.



Those pics were of my Camaro back in '98-99. About 1-2 months later, my dad (and I as the go-for) had repaired the mechanical aspect (as the rear axel broke). About 4 months later I had a DEAL from a body shop that fixed it up the rest of the way. I paid for all the parts myself. I drove the car another 3 years or so before the engine spun a bearing. It is now in my garage as I want to completely restore it. My wife and her friends call it the "baby" as no matter what, I won't let ANYTHING happen to it. That is truely "MY CAR". My '04 Monte Carlo is the first car I've owned that comes close to touching me the way owning that Camaro does.

Here's more info and pics from my web site:
http://crzyz28.sytes.net/mycars/84camar ... ident.html

I would say have your son contribute something to the repair of the Bonnie (maybe pay the deductible). And perhaps go with him for some better driving instruction as the bad weather approaches (empty parking lots can be helpful).

[1oldman]

I think everyone has already said everything. Glad your son was not injured. Hope he learns from his experience. Everyone of us was 16 at some time in our life. It's just a car. I'm attached to the old '92 we have, but it's just a car. I hope the insurance treats you fairly and make sure no one at the insurance knows you posted here. Take care - BC

[human]

As someone else said, it's amazing how little it takes to total a car these days. I totaled my '98 Aurora a year and a half ago (I still miss that car!) and the damage estimate was only $2,400. They tried to offer me $3.900 for it, but I held out, threatened to take them to the insurance commissioner (long story) and they finally upped the offer to $5,400--more than twice the point at which the car was "totalled."

At the moment, my '95 Bonneville is "totaled" on paper because it needs a paint job! I went to a body shop to get an estimate and the guy who was writing it up on the computer had to repeatedly dismiss messages that said "Warning: Total Loss Threshold Exceeded!"

I agree others who suggested having your son work and buy his own car. My parents did this with me, even though my dad worked for GM! I had a '68 VW bug that I basically rebuilt from spare parts over the course of a year and a half. The crowning glory was getting the auto mechanics teacher at my high school to paint it for $140 bucks. Spending time tinkering with the car helped keep me off the streets and out of trouble. It also taught me some valuable skills that continue to serve me to this day. Paying for everything myself taught me a valuable lesson about the value of money.

[01bonneSC]

Also make sure you keep good shoes on your car. Maybe he wouldnt have curbed it if you have more tread? I know he took the blame and was out past curfew, but maybe he wouldnt of had to if newer tires were on.

I was lucky enough to take my drivers ed classes during second semester, so I had to learn in the crappy weather, passed with flying colors. My parents made me drive whenever it was raining, day or night, and made me wait a month after my 16th bday, which is in Feb, also.

[John Deere Boy]

Thats a very easy fix... you could probably do it for around $100 in parts from me.

I dunno about the easy part but yeah i'd fix it. When my car was rear-ended (while parked), the other guy's insurance totaled it and i fixed it myself for $350 and pocketed the remaining $2400.

[Ken_W]

Just got "the call" from the insurance guy... He is declaring it TOTALLED. He and the collision shop manager put it up on a lift and got a good look at everything.

In light of the post above (buy it back and fix it yourself) I contacted the shop manager separately. He said it was pretty mangled in there. All sorts of bent metal that would have to be straightened before we could even think about replacing parts. His rough estimate to fix was $4000 MINIMUM, and could reach as high as $6000 after dealing with all the surprises that would likely be discovered.

I will be getting called later today or tomorrow from a different insurance guy, who will inform me of how much they intend to pay for the car.

This leaves me with a very difficult decision; to accept the payment and start shopping for another Bonneville, or buy back the wrecked one from the insurance company and try to fix it at a lower cost, using used parts, etc. Thanks to this club, I know how to get cheap parts, but that may not be enough. I would have to pay to have all the work done, because I am a driveway mechanic and it is wintertime, leaving me unable to do any work. I would also have to pay to have all the metal work done anyway, before I could even start putting parts on. Then, it is possible that some metal damage would not be evident until someone tried to put parts on and realized that they don't fit properly. Then there is the chance that after getting it all put back together, mysterious "gremlins" might plague me for the rest of the car's lifetime.

Maybe this decision will become easier once I learn what the insurance company intends to pay.

Ken_W

[harofreak00]

$4000 minimum? Is that buying all NEW parts from GM?

Unless the unibody is damaged, dropping the damaged subframe and connecting pieces (control arms, swaybar, etc..), and putting in a new subframe shouldn't be more than a couple hundred bucks, from a salvage yard.

I'd buy that car back in a heartbeat.

[Ken_W]

The unibody is damaged, as is the fender and door (these latter two probably can be fixed without replacement). It also needs a new front fascia and wheelhouse liner (I realize these are not big-ticket items, but am mentioning to be thorough). The $4000 min quote probably does include all new parts.

Keep in mind Andrew that

- I do my work outside (no garage available)
- There is now winter weather in Michigan, probably lasting until next May
- The unibody / fender work would have to be done before parts replacement
- I have no way to tow the thing after the metal work was done, so I'd have to pay for towing
- I am not equipped to lift an engine (although maybe I could rent a hoist? Would I have to support the engine while replacing the cradle, or would the body mounts hold it in place?)

Best case scenario as I see it:

- Pay to buy salvage car from insurance company (plus legal fees?)
- Pay to have the unibody and fender metal fixed at dealership body shop
- Pay to have car towed back to my house
- Wrap car in plastic for the winter, and wait until weather warms up in the spring
- Rent hoist to lift engine and install used parts next Spring

While you yourself might be able to get the Bonne running for only a few hundred bucks, I don't see how it would be possible for me. Somebody with access to a warm garage and needed equipment could probably make out well here, especially if they can do their own metal work also.

If you still disagree, please state so and why. I respect your expertise and am eager to hear what you have to say on this.

Ken_W

[PRD2BDF]

I would take the money provided it's a nice amount, buy a replacement BOnneville and a beater Bonneville for your kid. Have him pay for gas and insurance if he wants to drive the beater.

[Ken_W]

Extra info (projects that were not yet completed at time of accident):

- Needs new tires (although I already have bought and paid for them, just not installed)
- Clunky steering I-shaft fix required
- Still has original LIM/UIM gaskets (no problems detected yet at 137K miles, Dexcool replaced with Prestone)
- Both front and rear RH window regulators need fix/replacement
- Traction control / ABS not functioning (lights on instrument cluster)
- Mysterious "ticking" noise heard inside dash (fixable -- see separate thread on this topic)
- Faded black window trim (lower exterior flat strips)
- Has the typical fuel sender worn-arm problem (fuel level gauge cannot be trusted)

These items above are all fixable using info available on this board, but I guess if I buy a new Bonne where everything works, maybe I can get out of having to do that work... (trying to find a silver lining here)

Good points about wrecked car:

- Very nice condition (before it was wrecked)
- Swoopie rims
- Aftermarket heated seats toasty warm
- A/C icy cold
- Ran like a dream (after I replaced MAF sensor)
- 1-owner car before me, well-maintained at a dealership
- No rust (except for fuel door area, of course)
- Fully tuned-up last summer by yours truly

Ken_W

[*B2*]

Maybe Andrew could put together a quote for you(labor+parts)? Although I know he is busy with his own stuff. Worth a shot.

Or consider selling it to him so it gets fixed right.

[The_Maniac]

You may want to just get a quote on fixing the unibody (and anything else you cannot do yourself during the warmer weather). Get some parts prices and decide from there.

When I totalled my Camaro I mentioned earlier back in '99 (I did not have full coverage, just liability, but it would have been a total), that's part of how it was decided what to do. At the time, to replace the Camaro with one of EXACTLY what I would have wanted would have cost more (said and done, it was 6 months and less then $2000 to have it fixed and completely re-painted). Since then, we later replaced the floor pans and I've been through a LOT of stuff with that car and now I dream to completely restore it some day (I need garage room to do it).
BTW - A lot of people said I should have junked the Camaro and moved on along with comments like "it will never drive right/straight again". Even though the shop had to adjust the unibody a bit, that car drives (well, drove) flawlessly!

Now, that's how I would approach you situation. To be honest, given the list of what needs done to fix it, with what is on back burner, if insurance gives you a fair value, I'd take it and run. I think an equal or better Bonnie is out there for you.

[harofreak00]

Since there is unibody damage, I can see why the cost is so high. I'd just part it out at that point. You are too far away for me to even consider looking into it though.

[Ken_W]

I stopped by and had another look at it on the way home, along with the body shop manager. Long story short: I decided to let her go.

So; I am now looking for a new Bonneville.

Will start a new thread about that maybe, and continue posting insurance company info here; like how much they offer to pay on the total loss claim, and what salvage price they put on the smashed car, and any other tidbits that somebody might find interesting.

Ken_W

[01bonneSC]

Might as well upgrade......SSEi

[The_Maniac]

Do yourself a favor, before the insurance company extends an offer, do YOUR HOMEWORK!

Most the time these companies are fair, but after I went through an ugly claim with a company, I learned a lot about this stuff at the time (almost 10 years ago). In Ohio at that time:
- Value had to be either based on appraisal or more prefered two (or more) ads for cars actually for sale in your local market of the same make/model of equal or newer year and similiar options and miles.
- Local market is defined as the nearest to you a car of that type is for sale.
- When using ads of cars for sale, they can only be 1-2 months in age.

I had problems when a guy smashed my '93 Buick Century and we had the same insurance. I was getting low-balled value for it and finally had the insurance give me a copy of the report for cars they valued mine two. Of 6 only one cars used, I called each one and found only one was valid. The others were too old or the dealer said "it sold for more then that". OH and my local market value on a Century was 3+ hours away (that did not add up, bunches of those cars were for sale).

Heck, if you find one you wanna buy that is similiar to the one you lost, that can also help (as that gives you some negiotiation power).

Again, most the time people I know that had cars totaled, everything was fair.... I'm the odd ball...

[Ken_W]

Just heard from the insurance company: $4121 plus extra for tax & title. I was looking for $4300 plus T&T, so at least they are in the ballpark. I am waiting on their paperwork showing how they arrived at this figure, and will decide if I want to ask for more afterward.

Ken_W

[94SilverSSEi]

I would definitely tell them all the work you put into it and break out those receipts and you should be able to get more out of it.