Please help - Accident in my FD. They say it's totaled. I say BS. Should I fight it?
03-12-03, 03:08 PM
#1
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Please help - Accident in my FD. They say it's totaled. I say BS. Should I fight it?
The car is a 94 touring model. It was hit in the front on the driver's side. The insurance company is saying $17k to fix it. I say its bullshit. Since both airbags came it will cost (according to them) $2,600 to replace them. They are also saying that the gauge cluster needs to be replaced and that will cost $850. From what I saw the gauge cluster is fine and does not need to be replaced. The stock radiator and intercooler were broken as well. It needs a new front bumper, fenders, hood, and windsheild. I think $17k is way too high, the damage is not minor but it isn't major. Does anyone have any advice for me? The car is irreplaceable. 
Thanks,
-Charlie
Thanks,
-Charlie
03-12-03, 03:34 PM
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They haven't told me how much they will give me for it yet. I don't want to buy it back and fix it because it won't be worth as much with a salvage title.
I was wondering if anyone knew if there was some way to get the insurance company to just give me the money and avoid a salvage title. I know people that work at autobody shops and I do some work myself so I'm sure I could have it fixed and come in way under $17,000.
The engine and turbos have been replaced (about 50k miles ago). I just think that the repair estimate of $17,000 is complete BS. I mean, $850 for a new gauge cluster? $2,600 for new airbags... Who knows what else they are quoting to replace.
Here is the picture -
The driver's side mirror got knocked, not sure how, but the doors are fine. The damage stops at the fenders. Both airbags came out and the passenger one cracked the windshield.
I was wondering if anyone knew if there was some way to get the insurance company to just give me the money and avoid a salvage title. I know people that work at autobody shops and I do some work myself so I'm sure I could have it fixed and come in way under $17,000.
The engine and turbos have been replaced (about 50k miles ago). I just think that the repair estimate of $17,000 is complete BS. I mean, $850 for a new gauge cluster? $2,600 for new airbags... Who knows what else they are quoting to replace.
Here is the picture -
The driver's side mirror got knocked, not sure how, but the doors are fine. The damage stops at the fenders. Both airbags came out and the passenger one cracked the windshield.
Last edited by charliegt; 03-12-03 at 03:37 PM.
03-12-03, 04:45 PM
#7
Front end parts are extremely expensive. IC lists for $1400, headlight assy for $400-500 ea. Hood is $750. Factory fogs are like $850 for the pair. With those types of part prices the car is totalled. Buying used parts the car could easily be repaired. The damage isn't that bad, it is all in the parts price. I bet the labor to fix it isn't that bad either.
Check out this car:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1127922
After:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1128497
R+R labor was done by the owner (removing all the little stuff so the bodyman could do his magic), body and paint work was $1600. Parts were around $2K.
A complete used front end should run you less than $3K shipped. That'll get you most of the expensive body parts you need.
Jeff
Check out this car:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1127922
After:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1128497
R+R labor was done by the owner (removing all the little stuff so the bodyman could do his magic), body and paint work was $1600. Parts were around $2K.
A complete used front end should run you less than $3K shipped. That'll get you most of the expensive body parts you need.
Jeff
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03-12-03, 07:46 PM
#10
Rotary Freak
Is the frame bent? How much are aftermarket nose and hood. Maybe you should get it totalled, then buy it back and repair with non-mazda body kits - that is if there are any you like.
03-12-03, 09:00 PM
#11
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Man, I've NEVER heard anyone say they don't want the insurance money.
You can easily get a cheaper one thats in much better condition then yours would be if you fixed it.
Blake
You can easily get a cheaper one thats in much better condition then yours would be if you fixed it.
Blake
03-12-03, 09:14 PM
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If you're handy and have a garage, I'd just buy it back from them and clean it up for the body shop guys to do their magic.
Who cares if it's going to have a salvage history. You plan on keeping it don't you? If you dont' plan on keeping this car for a very long time, I would just take the money and get another one.
You're not going to make much money fixing it and then selling it.
Who cares if it's going to have a salvage history. You plan on keeping it don't you? If you dont' plan on keeping this car for a very long time, I would just take the money and get another one.
You're not going to make much money fixing it and then selling it.
03-12-03, 09:33 PM
#13
Senior Member
IMO, it's totaled!!! I had a single-car spin out in my '93 in Sep '01. Repairs were replacement of front fenders, hood, front and rear bumpers, and repair of both rear quarter panels. Also, a full repaint. No suspension or frame damage. Mine didn't look as bad as yours.
The body shop estimate for repair was $11.5K. Insurance company initially totaled it based on a blue book of $13.5K. I sent them a list of $13K worth of upgrades/improvements, e.g., larger intercooler, carbon fiber intake, larger radiator, Tokico/Eibach coilovers, M2 brake kit... Note that these were emphasized as reliability and durability improvements. No mention of "performance" upgrades was made. This brought the valure of the car up enough so they authorized repair.
However, when all was said and done, the repair bill was $17K. Way beyond any blue book value. The adjuster told me that once they got into it, they had to get it fixed. If he had known the repairs were going to be that much, totaled it would have been.
The body shop estimate for repair was $11.5K. Insurance company initially totaled it based on a blue book of $13.5K. I sent them a list of $13K worth of upgrades/improvements, e.g., larger intercooler, carbon fiber intake, larger radiator, Tokico/Eibach coilovers, M2 brake kit... Note that these were emphasized as reliability and durability improvements. No mention of "performance" upgrades was made. This brought the valure of the car up enough so they authorized repair.
However, when all was said and done, the repair bill was $17K. Way beyond any blue book value. The adjuster told me that once they got into it, they had to get it fixed. If he had known the repairs were going to be that much, totaled it would have been.
03-13-03, 01:51 AM
#14
Originally posted by turbojeff
Front end parts are extremely expensive. IC lists for $1400, headlight assy for $400-500 ea. Hood is $750. Factory fogs are like $850 for the pair. With those types of part prices the car is totalled. Buying used parts the car could easily be repaired. The damage isn't that bad, it is all in the parts price. I bet the labor to fix it isn't that bad either.
Check out this car:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1127922
After:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1128497
R+R labor was done by the owner (removing all the little stuff so the bodyman could do his magic), body and paint work was $1600. Parts were around $2K.
A complete used front end should run you less than $3K shipped. That'll get you most of the expensive body parts you need.
Jeff
Front end parts are extremely expensive. IC lists for $1400, headlight assy for $400-500 ea. Hood is $750. Factory fogs are like $850 for the pair. With those types of part prices the car is totalled. Buying used parts the car could easily be repaired. The damage isn't that bad, it is all in the parts price. I bet the labor to fix it isn't that bad either.
Check out this car:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1127922
After:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1128497
R+R labor was done by the owner (removing all the little stuff so the bodyman could do his magic), body and paint work was $1600. Parts were around $2K.
A complete used front end should run you less than $3K shipped. That'll get you most of the expensive body parts you need.
Jeff
03-13-03, 07:56 AM
#16
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Wow that does look like a lot of damage...
Should total it. Take the insurance money. Buy the car back and part it out. You'll make some coin.
Buy another FD.
That's why I would do...
Should total it. Take the insurance money. Buy the car back and part it out. You'll make some coin.
Buy another FD.
That's why I would do...
03-13-03, 08:02 AM
#17
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Charlie,
What is the mileage. Do NOT let the insurance company total it. What body shop do you have it at, MAZDA dealer?
What you have is an expensive front end damage. They love to total the front end hits because the parts are so expensive new and cannot be found in good condition used.
If there is no frame damage or the frame damage is minor, tell the insurance company it is your car and you do not want it totaled. Ask them what is the maximum payout before it is totalled. It should amout to somewhere between 80-90% of the car's true value. Tell them to cut the check and you will find someone else to fix it for that price with no add-ons (meaning that you will accept the check as payment for damage in full, no additional supplements to the insurance claim)
What they can do is rewrite an estimate using a repair shop with a lower labor rate ($60 per hour instead of $75 for example), write used parts instead of new (now is the time to buy that 99 front end for $1500-1800 complete)
Worst case scenero, sell the wrecked car with clean title and take that money with your check and buy another one.
It is your car, not theirs. Don't let them take it from you. Letting them total it and buy it back is a waste of time, money, and paperwork. You already own it, why buy it back. Tell them you know they do this all the time and it can be done for you too.
Especially if it is not your fault. Don't let it happen.
Email me direct for more information.
Thanks,
Tim McCreary
mccreary@cove.net
What is the mileage. Do NOT let the insurance company total it. What body shop do you have it at, MAZDA dealer?
What you have is an expensive front end damage. They love to total the front end hits because the parts are so expensive new and cannot be found in good condition used.
If there is no frame damage or the frame damage is minor, tell the insurance company it is your car and you do not want it totaled. Ask them what is the maximum payout before it is totalled. It should amout to somewhere between 80-90% of the car's true value. Tell them to cut the check and you will find someone else to fix it for that price with no add-ons (meaning that you will accept the check as payment for damage in full, no additional supplements to the insurance claim)
What they can do is rewrite an estimate using a repair shop with a lower labor rate ($60 per hour instead of $75 for example), write used parts instead of new (now is the time to buy that 99 front end for $1500-1800 complete)
Worst case scenero, sell the wrecked car with clean title and take that money with your check and buy another one.
It is your car, not theirs. Don't let them take it from you. Letting them total it and buy it back is a waste of time, money, and paperwork. You already own it, why buy it back. Tell them you know they do this all the time and it can be done for you too.
Especially if it is not your fault. Don't let it happen.
Email me direct for more information.
Thanks,
Tim McCreary
mccreary@cove.net
03-13-03, 05:54 PM
#21
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That is total BS FD was in an accident about 4 months ago and I had twice as much damage and the body shop estimated $8,000+ to fix it.
Mine hit a guard rail in the front, side(not the door though) and part of the rear after it hydroplaned. They put in a new bumper, head light, turn signals, front fender, rear fender, airbag, drivers side taillight, fixed the rear bumper, fixed the bent up hood, fixed one of my rims and repainted about half the car and a ton of other little stuff.
If I were you and really wanted to keep this one I would take it to a different shop and have them do an appraisal, body shops general get parts much cheaper than the average consumer.
But thats just my .02 cents
Mine hit a guard rail in the front, side(not the door though) and part of the rear after it hydroplaned. They put in a new bumper, head light, turn signals, front fender, rear fender, airbag, drivers side taillight, fixed the rear bumper, fixed the bent up hood, fixed one of my rims and repainted about half the car and a ton of other little stuff.
If I were you and really wanted to keep this one I would take it to a different shop and have them do an appraisal, body shops general get parts much cheaper than the average consumer.
But thats just my .02 cents
03-13-03, 09:42 PM
#23
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public opinion deems a rebuilt title less because most people dont fix them like they should, but a guy i know has a rebuilt title FD and the ins. co. estimated the value of it when he insured it at 17k. thats not bad, RX7's with a clean title aren't always estimated that high
03-13-03, 09:42 PM
#24
Blow up or win
I hate to say this because I have a general distrust of any insurance company - but: they are right - your car is totalled. Get over it. Way beyond repair.
I can guarantee you that when you get into the front end suspension parts you will be shocked at the cost, and there is NO way this car will ever be repaired to spec. Impossible, for any amount of money. There is ALWAYS hidden damage that will probably escalate the estimate from $17K to $25K or beyond.
Move on. Be glad you're not physically damaged.
You are WAY too emotionally involved in your car to be objective. Tell 'em Dr. Phil sent you.
I can guarantee you that when you get into the front end suspension parts you will be shocked at the cost, and there is NO way this car will ever be repaired to spec. Impossible, for any amount of money. There is ALWAYS hidden damage that will probably escalate the estimate from $17K to $25K or beyond.
Move on. Be glad you're not physically damaged.
You are WAY too emotionally involved in your car to be objective. Tell 'em Dr. Phil sent you.
03-13-03, 10:23 PM
#25
Pretty much everyone that says the car is completely totalled doesn't know anything about bodywork/car repair.
At least take the time to look at the pics I posted...
That car is SO FIXABLE.
Do a search on the user name mcf. Look at the pics of his car before and after. Trust me it was much worse off than your car.
Jeff
At least take the time to look at the pics I posted...
That car is SO FIXABLE.
Do a search on the user name mcf. Look at the pics of his car before and after. Trust me it was much worse off than your car.
Jeff