Can you believe this will total my car?

[Jeff Williams]

Evie hit something in the road Thursday night. A truck was passing her, and swerved. I think it was a truck tire tread, but there is some red and blue streaks in the damage.

The hood has a nice bent front edge, the bumper has a nice hole in it, the headlight, parking light/turn signal, and fog light are all busted. The front wheel has a bad spot on it too.

The repairs are about $3,600.00 This is overthe book's limit for a totaled vehicle.

I called the claims department and told them I did not want to total the vehicle, the damage was minimal, and that the book value of my car must be off a bit. I am sure that we will come to an understanding, and I will get the car fixed. I just want to get as much as I can for the repairs.

I already have a headlingt, fog light, and turn signal/parking light heading my way from beautiful people on this web site.

I bought a hammer and dolly kit yesterday. When this is settled, I will try my hand at metalwork. If I can get the hood straight, then I can skim coat it and shoot some black on the hood and bumper.

I have a picture of the damage, but it looks quite minimal. If there were a member's ride section still, I could upload it and you guys could see it...

[ScottJackson]

What I've done is just say, "Ok, the car is totalled, but I really like it and want to keep it. Give me the value of the car minus the $$$ that you would get from a salvage yard that you'd sell it to." Everyone is happy with that. You keep the car, it keeps a clean title, the ins. company doesn't have to deal with the paperwork and towing costs. As a side question, how do you like the C5 corvette? I'm considering maybe buying a '98 or so 6 speed one when I get out of school soon. Either that or an E39 540i with 6 speed and aftermarket supercharger.

[maxnix]

Too bad , Jeff. Hope your rates are low.

Show them the maintenance receipts and equipment reciepts. Take the money and get it fixed right. Even if you have to come out of pocket, much cheaper than payments on a new Honda.

[redmanfx]

"Can you believe this will total my car? (Jeff Williams)"

Ohh,.. Trust me, I believe!!

[Jeff Williams]

As a side question, how do you like the C5 corvette? I'm considering maybe buying a '98 or so 6 speed one when I get out of school soon. Either that or an E39 540i with 6 speed and aftermarket supercharger.

Once you drive a C5, you will understand. The car is a marvel of engineering in balance and power. I was looking for a C4 (budget), but raised the budget $10,000 so I could get a C5 after I drove one.

The 1997 to 1999 were relatively the same. The wheels are ugly, the leather was not too great, the exhaust tips had no chrome, and the engine was at 345 HP.

2000 was about the same, but there wer improvements in the wheels (polished thin spoke design), the leather was better, the engine had some small enhancements, and there were some other small changes in the interior.

In 2001, the HP went up to 350, they added PUP cats, added the chrome tips on the exhaust, but started some oil consumption issues. Of course, the Z06 was introduced with 385 HP and a fixed roof. In 2003 or 4, the Z06 went to 405 HP. The base Vette changed little in these years.

The ultimate C5 is the 2004 Commerative Edition Z06, with a carbon fiber hood, polished wheels, the Le Mans Blue paint, and the commerative stripes.

Other things of interest:

The convertible started in 1998Stay away from the F45 suspension - it is expensive (but not as bas as the active Q)Definitely get the Z51 suspension with larger sway bars, stiffer shocks, a power steering cooler, and better brakes.If you decide to get an automatic, get the performance 3.25:1 rear axle ratioThe sport seats are nicerThe rear compartment has a 12 disc changer on someThe A/C has an optional dual zone controlYou can get dual power seats with memoryThe heads up display is a must, but can be added for about $500 if you don't mind taking a saw to the dashPewter is really hard to find stripes for.Black is beautifulAll Corvettes are RedWomen dig them, men are jealous, kids LOVE them, Mustang owners just won't leave you alone

Now back to my Q...

I will negotiate with the insurance adjuster, and provide receipts (I have a 1" binder full). I will NOT let the car go for less than $8,500.00, period!

I will fix the damage (although I may do it myself).

I still need to add the rear diff, the rear spoiler, and the ghost flames.

[ScottJackson]

cool. Thanks for the info. I've actually test drove a '00 vette with auto. It had some good power and felt nice and light, although the interior seemed a bit cheap (easy enough to remedy). I didn't get to take it far an only did a couple wide open throttle stabs. It felt a bit weaker than my '89 camaro with warmed over 350 (vortec heads, stainless valves, roller cam, headers, intake, 10.6:1 compression, 6" rods...) and 2500 stall 700R4 trans. I expected the vette to be faster with its weight advantage, but I guess it was probably down about 100hp from my camaro. I need to find an E39 540i BMW with 6sp and supercharger to test drive. I hear they're faster than a stock viper and I certainly like my E34 540i in every aspect except fuel economy and engine power.

[Mobscene]

cool. Thanks for the info. I've actually test drove a '00 vette with auto. It had some good power and felt nice and light, although the interior seemed a bit cheap (easy enough to remedy). I didn't get to take it far an only did a couple wide open throttle stabs. It felt a bit weaker than my '89 camaro with warmed over 350 (vortec heads, stainless valves, roller cam, headers, intake, 10.6:1 compression, 6" rods...) and 2500 stall 700R4 trans. I expected the vette to be faster with its weight advantage, but I guess it was probably down about 100hp from my camaro. I need to find an E39 540i BMW with 6sp and supercharger to test drive. I hear they're faster than a stock viper and I certainly like my E34 540i in every aspect except fuel economy and engine power.

How old are you? I am assuming your are getting out of college? If you are not 25 or older, good luck on insurance. In arizona nobody will touch you if you are younger then 25. I had a 04 convertible C5 and I ended up backing out of the deal.