Does this Marauder look totaled?

[Ozz]

Wrecked my Marauder Monday night (see picture). I don't have an estimate yet but my insurance company called to warn me last night that it may be totalled... I don't see it because the suspension, engine, radiator, etc were not effected. It appears to be sheetmetal, facia, radiator support and head light damage for the most part.

Go ahead and guess on my repair quote also.

Thanks,
Neil

[FordNut]

Not totalled.

[merc]

If they offer more then 15,000, then total the car and get one with a used blower installed. :help:

[baltimoremm]

The insurance companies figure in their potential salvage returns when considering a total loss. They also consider potential supplemental items once it gets to a shop and torn down. It may not look like a total based on the initial estimate, but once they do their cost comparison, those other two factors might push it over the top.
Parts and labor arent cheap, especially if there is damage to rad/AC condenser/wiring/air suspension pump/etc, all of which require Mechanical labor rate, rather than the body labor rate.

[ckadiddle]

Airbags go off? Did you damage the rear end also? If it is front end damage only I would say no, not totalled. If I am seeing damage to both ends, then , yeah, it may be gone.

I did horrendous front end damage to mine, looked much worse than yours, 9500 bucks worth, and it was not totalled. However, the airbags did not deploy due to fairly light impact at low speed and only front end was hurt. When I got out of the car and looked at the damage I was pretty sure it was a goner. Shows what I know.

[Ozz]

No rear damage (I think the trunk lid was open when I took the picture). The drivers air bag went off but not the passenger or seat bags.

I was told that in Michigan if the repair cost is more than 75% of the value than they can total it. I don't figure my '03 w/ 55k miles on it is worth much more than 12k... if that.

UPDATE: NOT totalled - $7,722.88 to fix it. Estimated completion: 2/15.

[Bluerauder]

Go ahead and guess on my repair quote also.

Thanks,
Neil
$4,600 plus airbags and someone stole your wheels.

[Ozz]

Yea, the nice wheels are in my garage... I figured if they totalled it I would have a nice set to sell but they're going to fix it.

[ckadiddle]

Double the time estimate they gave you on completion. Certain unique Marauder specific parts like the front bumper cover it may take them a while to get shipped in. Unless they have worked on a few Marauders before they won't realize that.

Oh yeah, one other thing. Unless your state requires front license plates, ask your body shop NOT to put holes in your front bumper for it. Unless you want some kind of front license vanity plate.

[Raudermaster]

Glad it's not totaled. What did you hit anyway?

[hot-rauder]

glad its not totalled.... claims adjuster might have just thought it was a GM due to your wheels lol

[Ozz]

I hit a chrysler minivan in the right rear. His van didn't look that bad. He was able to drive away.

It was in a place where 3 highways merge together. It was raining so some were going 80 while others were going 35. I happened to be merging from the right and the car in the front of the pack was going 35. The merge lane ends soon so I merged one lane and started to accelerate past the line of slow moving cars on the right. As I passed the front car I noticed it was covered with graphics. I was trying to read them. When I looked forward again I was about 1 car length from a slow moving minivan. It was too late to stop. I think he cut me off but I can't be sure.

[hot-rauder]

I hit a chrysler minivan in the right rear. His van didn't look that bad. He was able to drive away.

It was in a place where 3 highways merge together. It was raining so some were going 80 while others were going 35. I happened to be merging from the right and the car in the front of the pack was going 35. The merge lane ends soon so I merged one lane and started to accelerate past the line of slow moving cars on the right. As I passed the front car I noticed it was covered with graphics. I was trying to read them. When I looked forward again I was about 1 car length from a slow moving minivan. It was too late to stop. I think he cut me off but I can't be sure.


Another reason not to have bumper stickers.:shake:

[magindat]

Mine was a similar injury, but on the other side of the car. It's fixable.

Make sure they are experienced with cars with a FRAME. Yours is likely 'diamond' and will probly need to be pulled about a 1/4" or so. Frame work is a lost art. Make sure you talk to the ACTUAL GUY who will check the frame. Just checking the frame is about 1 to 1.5 hrs work.

[ledzilla]

A year ago I messed up the front left of my MM because of some person who had no concept of how to make a left hand turn. I had to get the entrire front radiator bracket, left headlight, and left turn signal replaced, along with the left fog light. Add in labor and repainting it cost less than $2K, and that was done at one of the best body shops in DuPage County. If there's no severe structural damage to the frame, I'd venture a guess that the repair bill could easily stay within four figures.

It looks like, what... New hood, new fender, new bumper, headlight, turn signal assembly, fog lamp, radiator bracket, paint... No, definitely not totaled. If the insurance company says it is, they're lieing so they don't have to pay out. Cheap bastards.

[hot-rauder]

Mine was a similar injury, but on the other side of the car. It's fixable.

Make sure they are experienced with cars with a FRAME. Yours is likely 'diamond' and will probly need to be pulled about a 1/4" or so. Frame work is a lost art. Make sure you talk to the ACTUAL GUY who will check the frame. Just checking the frame is about 1 to 1.5 hrs work.

Trade Schools, at least the one i went to, are still teaching it... now its a different story as to wether or not the guy will actually check it:shake:

[magindat]

Trade Schools, at least the one i went to, are still teaching it... now its a different story as to wether or not the guy will actually check it:shake:

Mine was 3/8" diamond after a smack like that. No she's straighter than stock. Super-good old school frame guy! He said the car is super well documented for frame measurements due to the fleet use...

[hot-rauder]

Mine was 3/8" diamond after a smack like that. No she's straighter than stock. Super-good old school frame guy! He said the car is super well documented for frame measurements due to the fleet use...

and that it is probably one of the only CARS left with a frame lol

[OneBADLsE]

Its amazing how much the wheels really make that car...You dont appreciate it till you see MGM GS hubcaps on it

[Ozz]

I took it to a reputible Ford dealership since it's basically a Crown Vic w/ a fancy engine, facia and rear bumper. It was the only F/L/M dealership on the insurance company's list of 'preferred' repair shops (all the others were Colex locations). The advantage to choosing one on the list is that the repairs are guaranteed for life. We all know how guarantees go but I am hopeful that if it isn't right when I get it back that they will live up the their committment and fix it on the insurance company's dime.

I just called to make sure that they would check the frame, etc and she assured me it was part of the proceedure. They are mailing me the estimate/work plan so I will look it over and investigate further if needed.

On the up side, no more stone chips on the hood, and that scuff on the bumper that the previous owner put on it will be no more. :)
I will have to buy a new Silverstar headlamp and fog lamp to match the right side and I'll have to put the leaf screen back in but I am hopeful that the result will be good...

[Ozz]

yea, yea, yea, I know those are the ugliest hubcaps ever.... :rolleyes:
I went without the first winter but my hubs were rusting so I thought I should cover them. I would have went with cop caps but needed the special lug nuts... ($$$$)

Anybody got something better to pass along for a recently much poorer (deductible, car rental, ticket, etc) MM owner?

[hot-rauder]

yea, yea, yea, I know those are the ugliest hubcaps ever.... :rolleyes:
I went without the first winter but my hubs were rusting so I thought I should cover them. I would have went with cop caps but needed the special lug nuts... ($$$$)

Anybody got something better to pass along for a recently much poorer (deductible, car rental, ticket, etc) MM owner?

lug nuts from a Ford Ranger are the same ones

[Aren Jay]

Have it totalled, buy it back, fix it and mod it happily.

[03blackvegas]

Don't count on it being done on 2-15.

[jgc61sr2002]

Good luck with the repairs.:D

[JamesHecker]

It might be to your benefit to remove this post if you are not in a "no-fault" state. Just a suggestion.


I hit a chrysler minivan in the right rear. His van didn't look that bad. He was able to drive away.

It was in a place where 3 highways merge together. It was raining so some were going 80 while others were going 35. I happened to be merging from the right and the car in the front of the pack was going 35. The merge lane ends soon so I merged one lane and started to accelerate past the line of slow moving cars on the right. As I passed the front car I noticed it was covered with graphics. I was trying to read them. When I looked forward again I was about 1 car length from a slow moving minivan. It was too late to stop. I think he cut me off but I can't be sure.

[Ozz]

Michigan is a no fault state... no worries - I can speak freely. ;)
The only risk is that the other driver's insurance company can sue mine to recover his deductable (up to $400 max) I think.

I just printed out the police report and it is totally wrong... I am considering contesting the ticket.

[CRUZTAKER]

Fastmerc (Mark) hit a retaining wall last winter on black ice doing 70mph.
His entire front end was wiped off and to the right.
Makes yours look like boo-boo ding.

I say not EVEN close to totalled.

[SamF]

Double the time estimate they gave you on completion.

Mine didnt look as bad as that. Initial estimate was about $8K and about 5 weeks...3 months later the final tally was well over $12K....it looks good tho :D

[Ozz]

I got the car back on the 8th - they only worked on it for 7 buisness days - and it looks very good. They used a front end from a donor MM (the vin sticker is still on the fender - I'll have to get someone to run a carfax on it to see how it died). I really can't tell anything ever happened to it - other than the fresh coat of paint. The new paint appears to be better than the original thin coat that was put on it at the factory.
So far, I would definitely recommend Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, MI for body work.

[ckadiddle]

Gotta love that new paint!

[Ozz]

Yea, there is still the faint smell of carnuba wax inside the car too...:D

[ckadiddle]

I don't really recommend repaint by mishap method! Sometime when your car is clean, run your fingertips lightly over the factory paint panels, then the recent body shop painted panels. You will be amazed at how much less crap there is in the new paint. Less bumps, lumps, pimples and dirt.

[airborne_mp84]

Wrecked my Marauder Monday night (see picture). I don't have an estimate yet but my insurance company called to warn me last night that it may be totalled... I don't see it because the suspension, engine, radiator, etc were not effected. It appears to be sheetmetal, facia, radiator support and head light damage for the most part.

Go ahead and guess on my repair quote also.

Thanks,
Neildepends on if the frame is damaged but doubt it