2002 Q45

[M35 Eagles fan]

So my 2002 Q45 w/127k miles was involved in a bit of a fender bender recently and suffered some front end damage - bumper, left front fender, grill, hood and the kicker...both headlights @ $1300+ each to replace.

The estimate to fix the car is coming in at an amount that my insurance company wants to total the car instead of repairing it. The car was/is in great shape minus the front end damage and still runs just fine. I'm debating what to do - take the check and give 'em the car or take a smaller check, keep the car and fix it.

I was planning on keeping this car for another 2 yrs or so and running it towards 200k miles but my plans have been derailed by a little white Kia!

Thoughts or advice on which option to take? It seems crazy to me to have the car totaled but is it worth fixing a 9 year old car with 127k miles on it and whatever other maintenance it'll need vs. buying a newer used M35 or maybe another Q45 if I can find one?










Modified by Q45 Eagles fan at 6:32 AM 2/24/2010

[seldomseen]

You should be able to get it repaired within a reasonable price if doing so means that much to you. Check ebay for parts from a salvage yard or just have an experience body shop work some magic on the bent up parts.

[M35 Eagles fan]

You should be able to get it repaired within a reasonable price if doing so means that much to you. Check ebay for parts from a salvage yard or just have an experience body shop work some magic on the bent up parts.

Easier said than done. I've been searching for headlights and the cheapest I've been able to find them is $1100 each. The rest of the damage really isn't that bad or expensive to fix.

[solidglobe]

i would be interested in the projector lenses out of the broken headlights. if you decide to sell shoot me a price . i want to use the projector lamps for a custom project im working on in the future. thansk

[Q451990]

How much is the repair estimate vs. their estimated value of the car? If you're close and they have priced all OEM new parts, you might be able to allow them to use salvage parts to get you under the ceiling. I always lean toward letting them total the car because I'm so picky about paint matching and work done outside of a factory - but that's just me...

Your damage doesn't look too bad. If you can live with the potential salvage title - you could always let them total it and pay you for the car, buy it back, and get it fixed yourself.

Heath

[xerexabante]

Check out lkqonline.com or search ebay lkq. good luck.

[Skibane]

SIMPLE SOLUTION: Slap a Maxima front end on it!

[M35 Eagles fan]

How much is the repair estimate vs. their estimated value of the car? If you're close and they have priced all OEM new parts, you might be able to allow them to use salvage parts to get you under the ceiling. I always lean toward letting them total the car because I'm so picky about paint matching and work done outside of a factory - but that's just me...

Your damage doesn't look too bad. If you can live with the potential salvage title - you could always let them total it and pay you for the car, buy it back, and get it fixed yourself.

Heath

The estimate is just under $8k and that is without opening taking anything apart under the hood so there could be damage unseen. The insurance company is offering a payout of $10,500. I've looked online for less expensive parts to bring the bill down but haven't had much luck at all. Both headlights are broken and need to replace at a list cost of $1364 each. I've found 'em online for about $1100 each. Still a crazy price for headlights!

I have wrestled with the decision to take keep the car and take less money but worry about other damage as well as having a 9 year old car with 127k miles and knowing there will be some maintenance and I'm sure other repairs that won't be cheap coming up. At this point I'm leaning towards taking the payout and buying a 2007-8 M35 if I can find one in the right color and option package.

-Bryan

[Q451990]

Sounds like their offer is in line with retail value, and you've figured out your strategy...

Heath

[Q45tech]

Due to appreciation of YEN, the problem can only get worse in the replacement parts arena.

Keeping an old import [low volume of sales] lux car requires SPECIAL MINDSETS................in accident avoidance and stocking up on SAME COLOR wrecks for parts. Storage Space is a must.

Over the years I've used dozens of Q45 as donors for this and that and NEVER had an accident in the vehicle.

[qship96]

"NEVER had an accident" ?????? Just recently you posted about replacing your hood and fender because paint was failing due to poor repaint from old accident damage repair, no?

[maxnix]

I think he was hit while parked. Can't avoid eveything no matter how hard one tries.

[coubaby]

Im looking to buy the right headlight if your selling. just send me a email: [email protected]

[jamm220]

i would buy that car back from them in a heart beat. Doesnt look like much damage.....check car-parts.com there are alot of q45 parts on there