Wrecked FD - Repair it or total it and start over?
 

So last saturday I lost a fight to a tree thanks to a motorcycle in my lane. I had the vehicle towed to my house where it has been appraised and the damage estimated. The appraisal is being contested as the mileage was listed as unknown and the insurance company wanted to pay me out $9000 for my 45k mile FD. After I resubmitted the mileage, recent maintenance, and local cars for sale for a new market value assessment, I reviewed the damage estimate. The damage is just over $12,000 which includes checking the frame for straightness, new fender, roof skin and roof frame, windshield etc. Now here's where it gets tricky. A vehicle is considered total if the damage sustained is more than 75% of the vehicle's value. If they re evaluate my FD's market value to "x" amount, then they can repair the vehicle and not brand the title as a salvage. My issue is, should I get it repaired? or should I see if I can get a full payout, buy it back, part it out, and start over with a new FD? Any opinions are appreciated. Also, if anyone knows and supreme super awesome body shops in the SC area please let me know :P

Matt

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That is beyond repair. Total it, buy back, part out.

That FD is toast :(

Buy back...this is collapsed.....with repair car isn't the same and you don't know what an eventual other hit can do...

Seems like thus far the consensus is to buy it back. The entire driveline is still straight and perfect. Its just the passenger side is annihilated. Even if it can get repaired, hypothetically speaking, and the frame was NOT bent, would everyone still advise me to buy it back and part it out? I will have more information to come and to post back once I get the full re evaluation.

Thanks for the advice thus far,

Matt

As far as the buy back that obviously depends on how much the buy back price is.

What would you consider a decent buy back price? The motor and driveline are solid and low mileage. I have tons of brand new OEM parts into this FD as well.

dude that car is done for.

if the price is good buy it back and part it out.

If you can buy it back for $2500.00 or less it would be worth parting out. Assuming you have space. There is probably $8-10k worth of stuff on the car if you part everything and advertise everything here on the forum as having 45k miles.

This is an obvious case of asking advice in hopes that someone says what you want to hear. Be careful in listening to that one guy that might say that it is a good idea to fix it.

I am sorry about your car but even though the frame may not be bent, your car har suffered some serious structural damage by having its roof caved in like that. I sure as hell wouldn't fix it.

I'd personally buy it back to part out as long as the price is right, as mentioned already. However if you can, look everything over very well first to make sure driveline parts are still in good shape. I bought back a wrecked car once with a driveline that I assumed was still fine, but upon tearing it out I found a few pieces that had been broken from the impact. Cast aluminum parts don't take much to break, so just make sure to do a thorough inspection.

Real problem here is that your car (all car) has suffered sudden decelaration (a lot from what I see)

Frame can be intact but WELDING???

You have to X-ray it to be sure that these point don't have micro-fracture that can suddently broke during driving.....

Same thing for engine block-->no visible problem but metal can be "ruined" inside.

or tolerance in bearing, shaft and etc.....



For my safety I NEVER drive again this car (frame) (ok for engine......worst thing that can happen can't harm you)

Well. I'm convinced, as long as I can get a decent buy back price, Ill go for getting paid out. A part out thread will be available as soon as everything is settled. Thanks!

Matt

Yep, buy back and strip that sucker for parts. You can buy another decent car and swap everything into it and sell the extras. It'll be a decent amount of work, but with some hard work you can make a car that's even better than what you had.

I've been wondering if the owner was on this forum, that pic has been up EVERYWHERE. Really sorry to hear about it, I'm glad you're OK though!

Dale

just turn it into a convertible with a flip down windscreen.

Ouch. Not even close to fixable IMO.

Wow! That car is done. I'd start over

yea i saw this all over facebook as well.


i would have taken the hit from the motorcycle guy. like that vette did in kill boys still frame photos.

take a big check, buy it back, buy another one. keep what you really want and part the rest.

I would get some guys from the forum to get you copies of bills of sale from comperable fds on the forum. One with slightly lower miles. Same. And a touch higher. There should be no reason to take a small settlement.

You will never get that thing back to where it was. RIP old red. TOTAL IT! Start over...

Oh No matt! I am sorry to hear this has happened. I would personally buy it back if it is under 2k, then part it out and get some money out of it. Otherwise, I would not even bother touching anything.

Good luck and i hope you get a good pay-out.

-Eric

Damn that sucks, glad you are ok tho, just get the check from insurance and start it over.

Sent you a PM about an R1 roller I have in Smithfield NC.

Ncaudio your inbox is full :P

Yea I'm glad I was the only one in the vehicle. Ill keep everyone updated on the payout and turn out. Thanks for the advice!

I've heard this car is a celebrity now. Apparently it's on Facebook, s2ki, rx8club, and I'm sure it's ok more @.@

Matt

If your calling it totaled and the left front unibody section from the pillar to the front is good then ill take that section off your hands