Rep Power: 0

So on Friday at noon, a snow bird here in Florida took the wrong exit on the highway and plowed into me while trying get back on. It wasn't my fault, the police cited the other driver and they have admitted guilt to my insurance. They seemed nice and I'm not worried about them being difficult to deal with, and hopefully their insurance is the same. I decided to go with my insurance because they're much easier to deal with and they'll be waiving my deductible once the other insurance company concludes their investigation. Tomorrow I'll be getting a rental until they either declare the car totaled or reparable. Here are some pics:




As you can kind of see, most of the damage was to the front passenger side of the car. They side swiped me and left damage pretty much down the entire passenger side. It popped the tire and split the wheel, leaving the car inoperable.

Definitely Damaged: front bumper, passenger side fender, passenger side door, rear quarter panel, back bumper, passenger side wheel and tire.

I didn't test whether the passenger door would open, there weren't any fluids leaking and the engine would start and run. I couldn't tell whether there was damage to the suspension or axle.

My car was a 2004 Honda Civic Coupe (VP) with 108k miles and a manual transmission.

I am going to find out on Wednesday if it is a total loss, but I have a feeling they're going to want to fix it. Trouble is, I think I would prefer having a check for a new car. The transmission was kind of difficult to get into reverse and I generally drove that car pretty hard, so it could have more mechanical problems in the future. If they say it should be repaired, I wouldn't mind having a brand new looking car. There was some previous damage to the bumpers and body panels that will be nice to have repaired, but I would like to have power windows and locks. Also, the timing belt needs to be replaced and will cost $500.

What I'm ultimately asking is: Do you think this car will be totaled or reparable?

Also, does anyone have any advice for me? This is the first time I've been in this situation, and I'd like to make the right decisions when dealing with it...

The car is still in the tow yard, and what I've been planning on doing from here is having my insurance take care of it. My insurance has already gotten a recorded statement of fault from the other driver and finished their investigation. If I've left something out, let me know.

 
Rep Power: 353

It depends. If the damage is only to the fender and door, they will fix it.

However, if you have damage to your subframe and to your control arms, it's most likely going to be a total loss.

 
Rep Power: 0

I was able to pull it over to the side of the road, and they were able to drive it up the flat bed of the tow truck even though it felt really rough. Would it still be able to drive if the control arm were bent?

 
Rep Power: 196

that sucks that you got in a wreck, but that's great that they admitted guilt and everything. I feel like that doesn't happen often.

I'd definitely bet that they total it. In my experience insurance companies won't fix a car unless it's damn near brand new. My dad's late 90s corolla with ~100k was totaled out over a quarter panel and passenger door.

You figure paint alone for the entire side of your car is probably >$1000 at a shop then add front quarter, new door, and body work on the rear quarter panel and it's gonna approach a significant portion of your car's value really quick.

 
Rep Power: 0

that's what i was thinking. it's not worth that much to begin with (around 7k maybe?)...

 
Rep Power: 193

I found myself praying for a total loss with my 2001 after it got hit haha. If it's just purely cosmetic it wont be totaled, But if anything mechanical is damaged id be willing to bet they'll write it off

 
Rep Power: 0

They just got it to the repair facility today. I find out tomorrow or Wednesday if it'll be a total loss. I'm so impatient it's almost psychotic. I want to know if I can get a new ride!

I think they'll say it's reparable, but if that wheel was hit hard enough to bend or snap something I don't think there is a chance.

 
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double post

 
Rep Power: 193

Haha i was already looking for a new car an hour after mine got hit

 
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yeah they told me today there was about 3500 in damages, and it's going to be repaired and ready to drive again by next friday. i'm kinda pissed. i'm going to be getting back a less valuable car that will be harder to sell in the future.

 
Rep Power: 353

not necessarily. the resell value on your car is already low (if the buyer knows what he/she is look at) because you have a VP. your residual value wont drop too much lower.

if you sell it in 2-3 years it'll still be worth prob around 4k

plus, if they repaired it right, it should be good as new (well, at least the parts they repaired/repainted)

 
Rep Power: 0

the back bumper was cracked prior to the accident, and i might ask them how much it would be to fix it. other than that, i'll need to get the timing belt changed and then re-tint the windows. once the tires are worn enough it'll be time for new wheels.

i just don't want to wait two or three years for power windows and locks. it's getting embarrassing...

 
Rep Power: 196

Dang, that kinda sucks that they decided to repair it. I guess it's just a little bit too new. My car probably would have been totaled with the same damage since it's an 01.

At least it'll be good as new and you'll pretty much be in the same position as you were before. No jump in insurance rates or anything since it wasn't your fault and you won't be out the deductible.

But yeah not having power locks sucks. Mine were broken for 6+ months and I didn't realize how much I missed them until I finally replaced the actuators.

How hard is it to convert to power locks/windows? too expensive/time consuming?

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, I don't know the limit that they call it a total loss but I had to be close as hell...

I called someone to quote how much it would be to have a remote start system installed with connectivity to my android phone and they said it would be about $1000 for the conversion to power locks and the alarm system. Just to convert the doors to power was around $500 - I think. To me it's not worth putting that kind of money into it just for a convienence and I don't have the tools or the patience for a DIY like that.

I think I'm just gonna ride it out while I build up my savings. I'm lucky enough to have it totally paid off, and my bills are low and income is high, so I should be able to stack some serious cheese until I get rid of her.

 
Rep Power: 353

total loss is when the cost of the repair exceeds the "value" of your car.

so in this case, your car is worth more than the $3500 it cost to fix it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Have you priced a DIY kit from AutoLoc? If you're interested in doing something like that yourself...

 
Rep Power: 0

makes sense...

no i haven't looked into it to much. i looked over the DIY on this forum (or maybe another), and i just didn't feel like putting in the time and money. i won't have the car too much longer...

 
Rep Power: 188

If they would have totaled it, you could have gotten a new door, side fender, bumper from a scrapyard pretty easily. I can see that you're not attached to the car but if you were you would have that option if they totaled it. Totaled doesn't mean unrepairable.

I don't know how the paperwork works, how you would keep the car after they total it.

 
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so i got the car back today and it looks amazing. they also replaced the timing belt, water pump, thermostat and did a synthetic oil change for $468. they said the car was in excellent condition from a mechnical point of view.

overall i'm pretty happy about how things went. while i want power locks and windows, this car is my baby. i'll be ok driving her around for a couple more years at least.

thanks everyone for your input...

 
Rep Power: 257

i hate not having power windows also. did you see those universal power window motors that bolt rite onto the splines to the handle ???

 
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no, if i were to do something like that i would just pay someone to do it right.