My '93 Touring FD caught fire on 2/11 and the insurance has informed me it's a total. No exterior damage whatsoever.

I'll be buying back the car, hopefully very cheap, and getting it fixed at Rotary Performance in Dallas. Roughly $8k to fix.

What have you gotten out of insurance for your "totaled" FD?

Just trying to see if it's going to be economically feasible to fix it, or just move on.

Thanks.

 

The "book value" is low on FDs. It might help your case if you get ads of FDs (autotrader, ebay) to show the true market value. Scan the recent posts as several people are in the same position you're in right now.

That sucks about your engine fire. A fear that lurks in the back of every FD owners demented mind.

 

But if you buy back a "totaled" car and fix it, aren't you stuck with a "salvage" title that will automatically reduce the value of your car by 1/2? If so, will it make sense to invest $8k in the car?

 

Damn. That's a very good point. Well, if he decides to keep the car and not sell it, it won't matter. Damn though, that does complicate things.

 

Yea my **** got totalled and I had to fight like a drunk Irish man to get 13000 for it.I got a better fd a month later but I wish I would have bought my 1st one for spare parts.

 

I'd say so, because even with a salvage title, there is going to be an enthusiast somewhere who will not care as long as it is in good shape.

 

i heard that if you go out of state, register the car over there, and then bring it back, it'll show up as a clean title.

 

Thanks guys. I agree the book values suck. But the numbers may still work. Have to check on that "salvage" title thing for sure.

I sent all receipts to the adjuster (new engine 12k miles ago) and included a 1993 FD search within 150 miles from my zip code from autotrader.com. Average price: $17,760 (list included 4 cym's)

But here's what I hope to do.

Cost to repair: $8k
Cost to buy back: ?? (2k-5k?)
Settlement Check: 15k-17k (I'm probably dreaming)

Which leaves me with a couple grand to spare.

Current mods are:
aluminum AST
Bonez CLutch
downpipe
greggy sp cat back
k&n
silicon tied hoses
cross-drilled brakes
hawk hps pads
17" OZ Monte Carlos

New items if I have extra cash:
tokicos
power fc
air intake

But I've actually been considering selling (or just not buying it back) and getting a '92 NSX. However, I've had my FD for almost 6 years and absolutely love it!

Quite the dilema eh?

 

damn i got screwed. I only got 12k for my totaled fd, ain't nobody fixing that car. I'll post pics (as soon as I get my scanner fixed), that will make all of you cry, trust me I did!

 

True, but the amount of taxes and fees you have to pay for changing the car's state license twice is more than not worth it.

 

it would be a rebuilt title (completely different from a salvage), it might be possible to eventually change the rebuilt title to a good title, but it all depends on estimated damage, the damage costs dictate what kind of title, the out of state register thing might not work, i've heard conflicting views on that

 

I would imagine that totalling out an FD would be easy. Mine is about to get back from the collision shop, and the damage done to it was cracked left rear rim, scraped (needing repair) right rear rim, crushed muffler, damaged rear bumper (only in right rear corner). The original estimate was $4,500. Its because Mazda is a frekin rip off. They want $598 for a new rim (Got one fron RP for 200), around $450 or so for the exhaust (got used apexi N1 instead, shop is installing that)...and all this is for something minor. A cant imagine what a big accident would cost.

 

I don't like hearing about people trying to manipulate the title like some of you are suggesting. That's straight bull **** and none of you would like to find out that's what you actually bought! Why don't you just go rob a convenience store? Goes around, comes around.

 

You should learn how to work on the car yourself...

$8K to fix an engine burn with no exterior damage sounds like a little bit much. I fixed an engine burn car in Dec/Jan using the solenoid rack, injectors, ACV, wiring harness, etc from a blown motor. You could go to a wrecking yard and buy a complete running motor for $3K or so including core charge and then sell the block.

Cleaning the title isn't easy and it definetly isn't legit. That stuff shows up on Carfax anway so all you'll do it set yourself up for a lawsuit later.

If your interested in selling it before you fix it PM me.

Good luck.
Jeff

 

If it is your car, tell the insurance adjuster to cut you a break. If they are going to total the car, usually the damage exceeds 80 or 90% of the book value. Tell them you have too much time in the car to let it go. Tell them to cut a check just under the "total" value and you will fix it yourself or find "cheaper rate mechanical shops" to do the work. This way, they don't have to go through the hassle of totalling it, and you keep the car with a clean title. Remember though, they will offer lets say 15000 and they total the car, or give you a check for 12,000 and you keep the car. (something close to that). It is your car, don't let them take it away from you.

Tim