3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-01-11, 11:50 AM
  #1  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable

So I recently had a small off road excursion in the FD. If I had managed to avoid having an intimate moment with a street sign, all I would be replacing is a set of side skirts.

The damage to the car is all surface damage (Driver fender, driver evo-r headlight bucket, shine side skirts) with the exception of the driver side headlight area.

This was a fairly low speed impact. I was not cited and FHP said, "If you hadn't hit the sign we would have said just go home."

Now, I have a complete untitled car that I can cut and weld in a perfectly good replacement section from. For those who have experience in insurance adjusting and perhaps body repair, what are your opinions based on what you see below (images).

Thank you.
Attached Thumbnails Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable-fd-aftermath.jpg   Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable-fd-aftermath2.jpg   Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable-fd-aftermath3.jpg  
Old 12-01-11, 11:55 AM
  #2  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (5)
 
Tem120's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Damn man I'm really sorry to hear about this cant really help as I dont know much but still goodluck with the repairs
Old 12-01-11, 12:38 PM
  #3  
AponOUT!?

iTrader: (31)
 
theorie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 3,521
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
Wow that sucks. Sorry to hear about the damage. You could go crazy and do a full tube front end, but that won't be street legal by any means. lol
Old 12-01-11, 12:47 PM
  #4  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,438 Likes on 1,509 Posts
OUCH!

I imagine that shouldn't be too bad to fix. I'd get a body shop to repair the structure, you can easily handle bolting on a new fender, hood, front bumper, etc.

They may also need to put it on an alignment rack and make sure the frame rails are straight. Looks like they should be kosher though.

Get it back on the road before DGRR!

Dale
Old 12-01-11, 12:51 PM
  #5  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I was already in negotiations to buy a second FD. The SSM would be the beater and the other the "pretty" car.

In all seriousness, I added up the price of all the parts new + shipping and the body shop I know who would fix it and it was like < $4000 and I have a $1000 deductible so...
Old 12-01-11, 12:53 PM
  #6  
In the burnout box...

iTrader: (32)
 
mono4lamar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York
Posts: 4,453
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Have a good body shop do it. I could personally salvage that piece without welding a new piece in and personally nobody would ever even know it. Again, PAY FOR IT...
Old 12-01-11, 01:03 PM
  #7  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (5)
 
Tem120's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by Gringo Grande
I was already in negotiations to buy a second FD. The SSM would be the beater and the other the "pretty" car.

In all seriousness, I added up the price of all the parts new + shipping and the body shop I know who would fix it and it was like < $4000 and I have a $1000 deductible so...
damn looks like insurance is the way to go then . aslong as they dont deem the car a total loss .. because of that..
Old 12-01-11, 04:38 PM
  #8  
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Polak Graphics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That headlight area is one of the hardest to get aligned.

Im pretty sure you wont, but just don't settle for anything less than laser straight or itll bother you every time you look at the car.
Old 12-01-11, 06:10 PM
  #9  
Batman
 
Matt535's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tasmania, Australia
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also, if the headlight bucket frame isnt exactly straight again, the damned panel gap around the flip-up headlight cover might be thrown out of whack.

I think we can all admit to fiddling with the headlight cover attaching screws to get the cover to line up with the hood, fender and front bumper evenly..
Old 12-01-11, 11:24 PM
  #10  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Buy the parts new from Mazda, they are cheaper than you think and the repair will be better. The FD front end has an extremely tight fit with bumper, headlights, hood and fender.
Old 12-01-11, 11:37 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

iTrader: (20)
 
Sephek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cali.
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
^^They sell part of the front end?
Old 12-02-11, 06:16 AM
  #12  
Lives on the Forum

iTrader: (126)
 
allrotor93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 6,703
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Turbojeff should bring back sone of his rebuilds
Old 12-02-11, 08:39 AM
  #13  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,438 Likes on 1,509 Posts
Yeah, you can actually buy the sheet metal from Mazda. Price it out. Good body shop can cut the spot welds and spot weld the new parts on.

Dale
Old 12-02-11, 08:56 AM
  #14  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Once again. I have a FULL, straight, untitled FD that is completely stripped in one of my storage spaces. If I go down the cut/weld road, I'm good. =)
Old 12-02-11, 09:23 AM
  #15  
Classy

iTrader: (17)
 
evot23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Why do you need 3 FDs? Get the "pretty" car and build that up to be your DD. Part out the rest!

You planning on tracking the beater any time soon?
Old 12-02-11, 02:41 PM
  #16  
It's finally reliable

iTrader: (18)
 
MOBEONER's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: NEW YORK CITY
Posts: 3,512
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts
Me personally - It would bother me the fact that the car has been crashed and repaired, i use to own a mint low mile rx7 years ago but since It was crashed and repaired ( although u couldn't tell because of the excellent body shop work) I just had to get rid of it and start fresh...
Old 12-02-11, 05:28 PM
  #17  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (5)
 
Tem120's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
I cant be arsed with small tidbits like a fender bender .. my car was crispy parts of the car are still crispy from an engine fire. .. cant go throwing something away if its been repaired properly in my opinion .

also if you go the insurance route , and they plan to weld in parts from a car , than have then forward you the money and use the parts you already have . and profit around 4k is the estimate ? , 1k to body shop , 1k to deductable , and 2 k that were supposed to go into materials into your pocket!

I have no idea howmuch the body shop will charge in labor though just letting you know.
Old 12-03-11, 11:35 PM
  #18  
Do it right, do it once

iTrader: (30)
 
turbojeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Eugene, OR, usa
Posts: 4,830
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 8 Posts
Don't cut a good FD shell for a few hundred bucks of parts. The pieces you need are available new.
Old 12-04-11, 12:41 AM
  #19  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I wouldn't call it a GOOD shell!

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-vehicles-107/epic-fd-shell-967519/
Old 12-04-11, 08:13 AM
  #20  
Registered User
iTrader: (61)
 
purerx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 7,334
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Glad to see you are okay Kevin. Didnt you get into an accident a few weeks ago too?
Old 12-04-11, 11:11 AM
  #21  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
B - Yea that time someone in a Lexus backed into my front bumper. I believe it is the Spirit of Saint Wankel giving me signs that I need a "pretty" FD and a beater FD.
Old 12-05-11, 09:54 AM
  #22  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
So...another good experience with insurance.

Adjuster came out. Met him at the car, politely greeted him and explained I had taken the passenger side fender out so he could compare the sides. Apart from that, I said I would stay out of his way unless he had specific questions.

His first question was, "Do you know how much the part are worth that you are looking to replace?". I had prepared a sheet with all parts and prices printed out along with comps of similar cars selling. His words, "I've never had someone prepared like that in 15+ years of doing this."

He asked a few questions, took pictures, made small talk and then made his adjustment.

Long story short: $5500 for repairs and handed me a check. I told him I was pleasantly surprised as everyone else I spoke to kept talking about totaling it. His reply was, "Yea, people at the office hear 1993 and bumper and fender damage and automatically assume it is a Mazda 626 or Honda Civic. They don't understand the value of some of these older sports cars."

Good Day.
Old 12-05-11, 11:35 AM
  #23  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (5)
 
Tem120's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Miami
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by Gringo Grande
So...another good experience with insurance.

Adjuster came out. Met him at the car, politely greeted him and explained I had taken the passenger side fender out so he could compare the sides. Apart from that, I said I would stay out of his way unless he had specific questions.

His first question was, "Do you know how much the part are worth that you are looking to replace?". I had prepared a sheet with all parts and prices printed out along with comps of similar cars selling. His words, "I've never had someone prepared like that in 15+ years of doing this."

He asked a few questions, took pictures, made small talk and then made his adjustment.

Long story short: $5500 for repairs and handed me a check. I told him I was pleasantly surprised as everyone else I spoke to kept talking about totaling it. His reply was, "Yea, people at the office hear 1993 and bumper and fender damage and automatically assume it is a Mazda 626 or Honda Civic. They don't understand the value of some of these older sports cars."

Good Day.
awesome i'm GLAD it went well! LOL you can add Miata to that list as well . I had a fender bender last year in my 99 miata , and they just said totalled! didn't even come take a look they just said its over . get a new car !

so I'm really glad to hear they didn't send the car off to rebuild land .
Old 12-05-11, 11:42 AM
  #24  
Classy

iTrader: (17)
 
evot23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Awesome Kevin...should crashed that thing months ago lol
Old 12-05-11, 11:50 AM
  #25  
1.5 Goodfella's Tall

Thread Starter
iTrader: (97)
 
Gringo Grande's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I already tried with the Lexus backing into me. =(


Quick Reply: Trying to avoid making your cars more valuable



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:09 AM.