I'll say it again, if they are going to pay off your balance of $10k and then give you $8k on top of it, take that offer and find yourself a new SC that hasn't been damaged. That extensive repair will show up on and pre-purchase check (carfax) and diminish the value of your car considerably. Unless you plan on holding onto this car forever, but even then. Getting $8k to put towards another car, in a situation like this, is a blessing in my opinion. If they're going to total it out, consider that a blessing. And I say that only because the cost to repair is so high.

But I feel for you, sorry you're in this situation. I backed into my garage as it was opening the other day and ripped the shark fin antenna off my LS 460. That bummed me out quite a bit but I'm sure this is much worse.

 

Just went through this with a 2001 Porsche Boxster S. Before I settled with my insurance company, I got a bid on the wrecked car from a local Porsche-only wrecking yard. Their offer was above the insurance company's salvage value, so I kept the car, my insurance sent me a check that deducted their salvage value, and I then sold the wreck to the salvage yard. I took the money (plus a bit more) and bought my Lexus (2006 SC430).

Have they told you what they value you the car at? In my case, both the insurance company of the at-fault party and my insurance company made repair estimates, which were $13k and $15, both above the car's value. However, in the settlement, they included the sales tax on the value (that I would pay to buy an equivalent car), the unexpired portion of my registration (license) fees, and the new title fees.

As others have said, don't try a get it repaired, for all of the reasons they have mentioned. If you register it in California, it will have a salvage title. Sorry about the upside-down picture, in the preview thumbnail and my library it is right-side up.

 

I understand. I am getting a second opinion from another body shop who will not nickle and dime me on parts. I have been knowing this shop for years. They are a well known shop my brother knows. I do not plan to sell the car as it is my dream retire car. Classic, rare to me. They booked my car at 19k. I will see what this shop has to say and let you guys know. They are also sending out another estimator due to discrepancies in the 3 estimates.

 

Update on my car. Well, I found another body shop to fix her up. It's coming along.



Out the paint. Time for re essemble.





Flatten out trunk Floor





Driver side

 

Question. I previously toot car to the first body shop and they were instructed
To tear my car down to further assess damages. Well, when I decided to
Not let them repair the car, they never returnedt trunk carpet. Now I sm working with insurance
Company to replace. �� Does car with run
Flats come with a jack ?




Complete floor and side panels missing.

 

I am happy yours is fixable.. Not even 8 months into owning mine.. My beautiful ride destroyed yesterday.. some dumb **** made a left right in front of me, and my car aint getting fixed!

 

less than 3 ft more and I would not have been typing this.. my top was down and bricks of hell would have rained down - I managed to get the roof closed right after impact.. It sure was a solid little car.

I managed to get most of my bags out of the car, which you see sitting on the sidewalk there - I was on my way to work. Then I find out I was under-insured, and the other driver who is with Fred Loya insurance and they are going to try screwing me like everyone else. He was 150% at fault...

 

aflygurl - yes cars with RFs come with a jack and a tool set. Good luck with the insurance companies. Wow, this has been going on for a while now.

SC430fun - so sorry to hear that you've joined the Crunched Club. I'm guessing that they are going to declare it totaled. Any update on the insurance declarations?

 

Finished product




Finished product. I'm satisfied.

 

Still waiting to see if they will pay my trunk interior totaling 2k.

 

So sorry for your loss . Glad your ok.