Advice needed after an accident

[NonaDAbove]

OK. It's been a very bad week. Thursday morning on the way in to work, the big guy got t-boned by a minivan coming out of a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot. I skidded into a late-model Impala.

The damage: passenger side: both doors, b-pillar, rocker panel. Front end: probably a whole front clip. Air bag deployed. I'll post pictures if anyone wants to see the carnage.

The insurance company has been great, but the early discussion is that it will be totaled. (If so, floor mats available if I don't find another Marauder.)

My dilemma: The odometer just ticked over 100,000. The car was totally mechanically sound, and still runs. Nothing is leaking. I'm debating buying it back as a salvage if they total it, and having it repaired. I'm hoping you guys could give me some opinions, let me know if I'm crazy or whatever.

Thanks, guys.

[MOTOWN]

With the amount of damage you described you may be better off buying another one, glad your ok!

[NonaDAbove]

Thanks! My right thumb got jammed when the steering wheel jerked in my hand, and my back muscles have been sore for a couple of days, but otherwise physically OK. Mentally, I'm pretty depressed.


With the amount of damage you described you may be better off buying another one, glad your ok!

[88LTDCV351]

I'm more a "restore em, don't crush em" fan, but sorry for your loss.

[guspech750]

Glad you are ok and the Marauder did its job protecting you. As far as cost goes, I do not know.

But as few and few of these great Marauders disapear, I myself would probably want to try and save it from disapearing.

[MyBlackBeasts]

With the side damage I would not repair it.

I would seriously consider buying it back & parting it out myself. I think you would make some good coin - depending on the salvage byback price.

Sorry for your loss, good luck.

[NonaDAbove]

I appreciate the opinions so far! And thanks for the concern about how I am. Believe it or not, the ONLY person who did not ask me if I was OK, was the woman who hit me. Hell, she didn't even get out of the minivan until the policeman called us together to tell us how to get the police report. And then she said, "I didn't even see any other cars."

All I could think was, if you had turned your head towards the blaring horn in the lane you were pulling into, you would have SEEN the 2-ton car coming at you!

[NonaDAbove]

I appreciate the sentiment, and that's a good suggestion, but I don't have the room to store it. I'm an apartment dweller. Besides, breaking it down part by part and selling it off is a heartbreaking proposition.


With the side damage I would not repair it.

I would seriously consider buying it back & parting it out myself. I think you would make some good coin - depending on the salvage byback price.

Sorry for your loss, good luck.

[lji372]

With the amount of damage you described you may be better off buying another one, glad your ok!

+1 on just get another

2ndly dibs on mats


3rd let a member here buy it off the ins company at your price. I'd rather one of our guys make a few bucks than a salvage yard. Just my 2 cents

[NonaDAbove]

lji372, I'll respect the dibs!


2ndly dibs on mats

[NonaDAbove]

Here are the damage pics.

IMG_0336.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33 002&stc=1&d=1361070336)
IMG_0337.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33 003&stc=1&d=1361070336)
IMG_0342.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33 004&stc=1&d=1361070336)
IMG_0343.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33 005&stc=1&d=1361070336)
IMG_0344.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33 006&stc=1&d=1361070336)

[Krytin]

I would say that looks a lot worse than it really is as far as structure goes - depends on how bad the door pillar is. I would consider fixing that if I had the $$'s.

[MyBlackBeasts]

I appreciate the sentiment, and that's a good suggestion, but I don't have the room to store it. I'm an apartment dweller. Besides, breaking it down part by part and selling it off is a heartbreaking proposition.

Find out the salvage price from the adjuster & post here. You may find a mm.net member willing to buy from you as a lateral sale.

Don't feel bad, the transplants will keep other MMs on the road longer. Some good will come from the aftermath.

Sorry for your loss. I'd be in jail for assault/etc. for what her stupidity caused. How much you want to bet she didn't see you from being on phone talking/texting!!!

[Shaijack]

Yes see what the buy back price is and post it.

[NonaDAbove]

Find out the salvage price from the adjuster & post here. You may find a mm.net member willing to buy from you as a lateral sale.

Don't feel bad, the transplants will keep other MMs on the road longer. Some good will come from the aftermath.

I'm going to find out the buyback price, as well as get a repair estimate from the shop. If the frame isn't bent, I don't know. I guess it will depend on the price. If it is, I guess I'll see what interest there is here at the buyback price + buyer pays transport. The repair shop is a Lincoln/Mercury Dealer, so I trust their work.


Sorry for your loss. I'd be in jail for assault/etc. for what her stupidity caused. How much you want to bet she didn't see you from being on phone talking/texting!!!Actually, I'm pretty sure she was yakking with her kid in the passenger seat, or she just assumed the world would stop for HER.

There's a specific reason I do not own a gun. At that point I may have used it, then I'd be in trouble. I just kept my mouth shut and glared at her. I'm still not sure how I didn't react to the "I didn't see any other cars" comment.

[lji372]

There's a specific reason I do not own a gun. At that point I may have used it[/QUOTE]

+1

even when you get an estimate good luck getting parts. I recommend everyone here get an agreed value insurance policy on their marauder

[SC Cheesehead]

I would say that looks a lot worse than it really is as far as structure goes - depends on how bad the door pillar is. I would consider fixing that if I had the $$'s.

If the frame's not bent, then the damage is primarily cosmetic.

Toughest parts to find replacements for will be the front and rear bumper covers.

[yjmud]

front cover is easy to find rear not so much the aftermarket front fits fine

[NonaDAbove]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions, everyone. I'm still not sure what I going to do, but I feel I can make a more informed decision now. The insurance company stated they want to settle this by Wednesday. I'll make my decision not too long thereafter, and I'll keep everyone posted about what I decide.

[CBT]

Keep it, strip it. Save floormats.
See a doctor, go to therapy for your injuries, in 10 months when you still ache, sue her and/or her insurance company.
In the event she has no insurance, use those floormats you saved to wrap the body in.
You're welcome.

[AConvertedChevy]

I have had similar accidents, but managed to always keep the body from harm. At least you are in one piece!


PS: DIBS on the seat covers.... or whole drivers seat if side airbag is intact.:D

[lji372]

Keep it, strip it. Save floormats.
See a doctor, go to therapy for your injuries, in 10 months when you still ache, sue her and/or her insurance company.
In the event she has no insurance, use those floormats you saved to wrap the body in.
You're welcome.

hey, i had dibs on floor mats:bigcry:

[GAMike]

Gonna have to agree with Motown here..... It would be one thing if you had facilities at your disposal to store/repair the damage.......

Negotiate your best settlement from your insurance co. and go take a look at what is available.... Glad you made it through in reasonable shape. This sorta thing happend to me back in 2008. I know how you feel :(

[yeahSHEPASSEDU]

Damn, that damage really ticks me off. Glad you're ok but, u will feel a lil more sore in a few days. My idiot friend was driving me home(really ill) in the snow(2010 dc storm) and i awoke to a hard jerk/bump. My poor baby suffered a torn/smashed front bumper and rt fender and crushed head lamp. Woo, that oem ford bumper cover was every bit of $1400. Total repair was $3800. I wanted all ford parts.

Dibs
rear rt passenger rim
Lcm
Eatc
Arm rest
Mini spoiler
Hood insulation(whatever)

[ctrlraven]

See a doctor, go to therapy for your injuries, in 10 months when you still ache, sue her and/or her insurance company.

My accident dragged out for about 17 months before settling. My back and left arm nerve damage still bothers me today and my accident was over 7 years ago.

[NonaDAbove]

OK, The insurance company totaled it. They stopped counting the damage at $10,211. So, here's where I am:

The insurance company has placed the salvage value at $1607.11. To make the purchase, the outstanding part of the loan will need to be paid off first, which is a hair over $5000.00. I don't have enough to cover that, so I'll need help from whoever wants to buy it. (I'm not looking for someone to help pay off the loan, just to put up money to close the process, which will be IMMEDIATELY refunded when I get the insurance check.)

The car has 100,481 miles. Interior is clean and in good shape. Small hole (around the size of one of the smiley faces) in the seat bottom leather on the driver's seat. Crankcase is filled with Royal Purple. Car comes with Performance Friction pads that have about 4,000 miles on them. Rear rims have kdwses on them with about 6000 miles.

My sell price for the car is: $1607.11 plus the buyer pays the transport. My conditions are: I get to keep my coil covers, oil cap, Diehard battery, K&N intake. I'll find the original coil covers and provide a replacement oil cap if requested. (I'll include the SCT and the tune since they can't be transferred to another car.)

Here's the other snag: I'll need to let the insurance company know by Thursday morning before storage fees start adding up.

I'm going to set up Tapatalk for my iPhone tonight and check in frequently tomorrow if there's any interest. PM me with contact info if you're interested.

And thanks!

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Do you know if the rockers are pushed in behind the doors, and did your damage appraisal state whether there was frame damage?

[Vortech347]

Let it go. I've parted out cars before. With you owing 5k on it still. Its not worth it at all for you and the work that will be involved. Find another MM. You can find nice ones now for 11-14k with low miles.

[jb513]

Glad your OK... If you part out, I got dibs on wheels and exhaust tips.

[lji372]

am i understanding this or are you in a negative situation on this car? if the pay off more than covers the 5g's tell them pay the bank and pay you the rest less the 1600 bones. i don't see the problem.
at the very least argue what they are paying out. there's usually wiggle room.
if you don't mind sharing what are they paying out on a 100k mile marauder?

[NonaDAbove]

am i understanding this or are you in a negative situation on this car? if the pay off more than covers the 5g's tell them pay the bank and pay you the rest less the 1600 bones. i don't see the problem.
at the very least argue what they are paying out. there's usually wiggle room.
if you don't mind sharing what are they paying out on a 100k mile marauder?

The remainder of the payments total out to just a bit over five grand, with the interest credited for paying it off a year early. I'm actually going to get about $3700 back on this, as they're valuing the car at about $8700. I'm going to contact them and try too get the investment in the performance tune back, as I'll want that money if I get another Marauder. What ever they give me, they're going to get out of the at-fault driver's insurance anyway.

[NonaDAbove]

Oh, and the issue is that the loan has to be repaid to the bank before the title can be released and sold as salvage. So the procedure is:

1. Lien holder gets their $5000. (The insurance company won't front this.)
2. Lien holder releases title to insurance company.
3. Insurance company can now sell title as salvage for $1607, which would be by send me a check for the $8700 minus the $1607 salvage fee.

[lji372]

:confused:

hmm so if you don't pay the five the insurance will never have to pay you the 8700??
also for 1600 plus the transport there's not much left if anything for profit for an every day joe.

what insurance company. I want to know who not to use if you paying off the loan is the only way they pay you off.

[Vortech347]

Seriously, take the check, ditch the car. It won't be worth it.

[NonaDAbove]

Seriously, take the check, ditch the car. It won't be worth it.That's the plan now. Really don't have any other choice.


I want to know who not to use if you paying off the loan is the only way they pay you off. It's not the insurance company. The lien holder always gets their money first. It happens either way, whether I buy back the title, or release it as salvage.

If I let the car go, the insurance company pays off the remainder of the loan, then whatever value is left gets paid to me. Had I decided to keep the car, the lien needs to be paid first, then I get reimbursed for the full value of the car minus the salvage cost.

Blame the banksters for that.

[PRCARGUY]

If you do part it out, dibs on your rear tires.

[NonaDAbove]

If you do part it out, dibs on your rear tires.

Keep your eyes on eBay, there was a company in western PA selling kdws's at a discount, because they were stamped "this side in" on the wrong side. Those are the tires that are on the car, and there was nothing else wrong with them. If I can find who it was, I'll PM the info to you if you like.

[NonaDAbove]

I went today and collected my stuff from the Marauder. Got my coil covers, oil cap, locking lugs (I had Gorilla lugs) and the K&N. They were going to give me $90 for that, but the value of it plus the new new filter it would need is less than the $250 a new costs, so I kept it.

So a deposit to the bank for a bit over $3600 and I'm Marauder-less. At least I got the chance to say a final goodbye.:bigcry: