Sad Day - My mechanic dropped my car from his lift
04-26-2013, 08:40 PM
#61
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Ok... The insurance guy said he visited the body shop and had it up on a 'good' lift. Funny, but sad.
It looks like it will be totaled. He said there was a TON of under body shifting. The tank was shifted way out of whack, the rear suspension too.
I gave him what I paid for my current car in the hopes that they just cut me a check.
I have recent knowledge of this from roughly 7 months ago when I purchased a 2K FRC and had it totaled later that day. Here is what I learned:
Now, my questions are:
1. I have a lot of stuff on that car that I paid for recently. I will need to get them off. New shocks and springs all around, new bushings, new alternator, new backup cameras with rear view mirror, ipod kit. Will they be willing to cover the cost of removal or will I need to pay them? Will they let me come by with my tools and wrench it off myself? In my claim, before they paid the claim, I could take off anything as long as I replaced it with working OE parts. after they paid the claim, I could either buy it back and part out what I wanted, or let them take it. Option 2 meant, they owned the car, and I couldn't take anything off it. after the claim paid.
2. What happens with my current auto loan? I am assuming I need to pay them off in full to get the title to the insurance company to have them junk the title. As long as you're not upside down, the loan will be paid off by the insurance company.
3. What if I don't get a fair value for the car? Am I just screwed or do I need to contact a lawyer? I'd bet you get fair market value. That said YOU DON'T ACCEPT THE CLAIM UNTIL THE OFFER IS ACCEPTABLE PERIOD.
This is strange to say, but I'm assuming that you guys have gone through something like this and would have tremendous suggestions.
My last question:
4. Anyone know of any black-on-black, low mileage, 2001-2002 WS6's for sale?
Dazed and confused,
Brad
It looks like it will be totaled. He said there was a TON of under body shifting. The tank was shifted way out of whack, the rear suspension too.
I gave him what I paid for my current car in the hopes that they just cut me a check.
I have recent knowledge of this from roughly 7 months ago when I purchased a 2K FRC and had it totaled later that day. Here is what I learned:
Now, my questions are:
1. I have a lot of stuff on that car that I paid for recently. I will need to get them off. New shocks and springs all around, new bushings, new alternator, new backup cameras with rear view mirror, ipod kit. Will they be willing to cover the cost of removal or will I need to pay them? Will they let me come by with my tools and wrench it off myself? In my claim, before they paid the claim, I could take off anything as long as I replaced it with working OE parts. after they paid the claim, I could either buy it back and part out what I wanted, or let them take it. Option 2 meant, they owned the car, and I couldn't take anything off it. after the claim paid.
2. What happens with my current auto loan? I am assuming I need to pay them off in full to get the title to the insurance company to have them junk the title. As long as you're not upside down, the loan will be paid off by the insurance company.
3. What if I don't get a fair value for the car? Am I just screwed or do I need to contact a lawyer? I'd bet you get fair market value. That said YOU DON'T ACCEPT THE CLAIM UNTIL THE OFFER IS ACCEPTABLE PERIOD.
This is strange to say, but I'm assuming that you guys have gone through something like this and would have tremendous suggestions.
My last question:
4. Anyone know of any black-on-black, low mileage, 2001-2002 WS6's for sale?
Dazed and confused,
Brad
04-26-2013, 08:40 PM
#62
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Ok... The insurance guy said he visited the body shop and had it up on a 'good' lift. Funny, but sad.
It looks like it will be totaled. He said there was a TON of under body shifting. The tank was shifted way out of whack, the rear suspension too.
I gave him what I paid for my current car in the hopes that they just cut me a check.
Now, my questions are:
1. I have a lot of stuff on that car that I paid for recently. I will need to get them off. New shocks and springs all around, new bushings, new alternator, new backup cameras with rear view mirror, ipod kit. Will they be willing to cover the cost of removal or will I need to pay them? Will they let me come by with my tools and wrench it off myself?
2. What happens with my current auto loan? I am assuming I need to pay them off in full to get the title to the insurance company to have them junk the title.
3. What if I don't get a fair value for the car? Am I just screwed or do I need to contact a lawyer?
This is strange to say, but I'm assuming that you guys have gone through something like this and would have tremendous suggestions.
My last question:
4. Anyone know of any black-on-black, low mileage, 2001-2002 WS6's for sale?
Dazed and confused,
Brad
It looks like it will be totaled. He said there was a TON of under body shifting. The tank was shifted way out of whack, the rear suspension too.
I gave him what I paid for my current car in the hopes that they just cut me a check.
Now, my questions are:
1. I have a lot of stuff on that car that I paid for recently. I will need to get them off. New shocks and springs all around, new bushings, new alternator, new backup cameras with rear view mirror, ipod kit. Will they be willing to cover the cost of removal or will I need to pay them? Will they let me come by with my tools and wrench it off myself?
2. What happens with my current auto loan? I am assuming I need to pay them off in full to get the title to the insurance company to have them junk the title.
3. What if I don't get a fair value for the car? Am I just screwed or do I need to contact a lawyer?
This is strange to say, but I'm assuming that you guys have gone through something like this and would have tremendous suggestions.
My last question:
4. Anyone know of any black-on-black, low mileage, 2001-2002 WS6's for sale?
Dazed and confused,
Brad
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pontiac-Firebird-WE-FINANCE-2002-PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-WS6-CONVERTIBLE-AUTO-21K-TEXAS-DIRECT-/370799231073?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item56555b4061#ht_24527wt_1165
04-30-2013, 03:06 AM
#63
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If you just bought a bunch of new parts for it, and you still have receipts for them, I think you can give copies to the insurance company and they will add it in towards the value of the car. That's what happened to me with a previous totaled vehicle.
Also, you should be able to take any aftermarket parts off as long as you replace them with OE parts. (Sometimes you can get away with removing them and leaving the gap, or replacing them with other pieces that arent even OE. Its not the "right" thing to do, but I did it with a previous vehicle, and they never said anything. When I ended up giving them the car, it had a junkyard engine from a totally different car in it, and it was just sitting on the frame. They gave me value based on it being a complete car. Theres no way I was giving them my fully built motor for the low amount they wanted to pay for the total loss.)
Also, you should be able to take any aftermarket parts off as long as you replace them with OE parts. (Sometimes you can get away with removing them and leaving the gap, or replacing them with other pieces that arent even OE. Its not the "right" thing to do, but I did it with a previous vehicle, and they never said anything. When I ended up giving them the car, it had a junkyard engine from a totally different car in it, and it was just sitting on the frame. They gave me value based on it being a complete car. Theres no way I was giving them my fully built motor for the low amount they wanted to pay for the total loss.)
05-07-2013, 11:15 PM
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Well, good news.
I was patient, firm and clear with my requests and American Family came through. They are paying me what I asked for (minus shipping and inspection of an out-of-state car). They are honoring all of my receipts. I cannot be more pleased.
Unfortunately, I think I may sway towards a new Camaro and save some $$ for a z-ta kit in the future when the warranty is up.
I can't thank all of you enough for your insight and encouragement. It was a different experience, that's for sure. I'll keep you posted once I get a replacement.
Brad
I was patient, firm and clear with my requests and American Family came through. They are paying me what I asked for (minus shipping and inspection of an out-of-state car). They are honoring all of my receipts. I cannot be more pleased.
Unfortunately, I think I may sway towards a new Camaro and save some $$ for a z-ta kit in the future when the warranty is up.
I can't thank all of you enough for your insight and encouragement. It was a different experience, that's for sure. I'll keep you posted once I get a replacement.
Brad
05-13-2013, 09:23 AM
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Well
After the "REAL" negotiations with my wife, we decided to get a sedan for a couple years and then look at getting a more vintage firebird at that time.
2013 Kia Optima EX is a pretty nice sedan for the price. It's not a Firebird, but happy wife = happy life!
After the "REAL" negotiations with my wife, we decided to get a sedan for a couple years and then look at getting a more vintage firebird at that time.
2013 Kia Optima EX is a pretty nice sedan for the price. It's not a Firebird, but happy wife = happy life!
05-13-2013, 02:51 PM
#69
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Those new optima's are pretty sweet, on our list as well for her next car, always been a GM but after are current 06GP is due for replacement if GM doesn't do something better in the sedan market we will be buying a optima or sonata
05-14-2013, 11:43 AM
#72
This. Don't take this the wrong way, but chances are your days of having a "cool" car are done. I've seen it a thousand times, and it all started with "well the wife thought..."
05-14-2013, 11:51 PM
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Sorry for the loss...I worry about my car falling off every time it is on a lift and we are pushing and pulling on parts, watching the darn thing move scares the hell out of me!
I traded in my '97 Z28 for a "family" car, was car of the year! 2001.5 VW Passat. What a disaster, after 75,000 babied miles and end of warranty the darn engine started to come apart and cost me $1000 per month for a while. My wife still dogs me about that 'decision'. I guess the moral of the story is, Kia don't sound so bad, I tested a Sorento for a daily driver, really liked it but wasn't cheap!
I traded in my '97 Z28 for a "family" car, was car of the year! 2001.5 VW Passat. What a disaster, after 75,000 babied miles and end of warranty the darn engine started to come apart and cost me $1000 per month for a while. My wife still dogs me about that 'decision'. I guess the moral of the story is, Kia don't sound so bad, I tested a Sorento for a daily driver, really liked it but wasn't cheap!
05-15-2013, 06:43 AM
#75
On a few business trips to Florida recently, I rented a VW and a Hyundai.
I HATED the VW. The brake & gas pedals were literally on top of each other, I couldn't figure out some controls and it was underpowered. Steering wheel blocked the speedo.
I LOVED the Hyundai. Easy to understand layout, powerful and tight, it handled great.
I also drove a Mazda 3 once, total POS. I didn't even feel safe in it.
I HATED the VW. The brake & gas pedals were literally on top of each other, I couldn't figure out some controls and it was underpowered. Steering wheel blocked the speedo.
I LOVED the Hyundai. Easy to understand layout, powerful and tight, it handled great.
I also drove a Mazda 3 once, total POS. I didn't even feel safe in it.
05-23-2013, 04:07 PM
#77
OMG. OMG. OMG. Not trying to be a D, but OMG. OMG. "A pretty nice sedan"? Yes, I'm sure they are, if yo have A VAGINA!!!!! OMG. Again, not tryin to be a D. Good luck on selling the wife on a third car in a couple of years. Bad decision man. Did you guys share the TA or was it just yours?
05-23-2013, 04:17 PM
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