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Hi everyone, I'm a long time reader but first time poster. I wanted to know if anyone had some advice about my situation.

I have a '97 Civic LX with 141K. The car has no modifications and was recently in an accident. As of now, the insurance company deemed the car's worth at $4800, barring any changes when the second reviewer (Estimatics) confirms the amount.

The car has been sitting in a body shop for the past week as this process was moving along, and the estimated repair is $3000: two airbags, windshield, hood, fender, headlights, and certain parts in the engine bay. New airbags would increase the cost to $5000, but would allow the car to be covered under comprehensive coverage as well (used airbags negate this coverage). I don't care how much it costs to fix as long as it's within what the insurance gives me.

The car was in fine condition before the accident, and drove fine afterward. I have no interest in buying a new car because I don't trust people, but admittedly how can I trust the repair shop as well? Is this car, which hasn't been damaged before, worth fixing, or is it better to junk it and start anew? I'm willing to bite the bullet in either case. Thanks for any help.

 
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you hit a SUV or truck? most of damage is in higher places, so frame *might* be OK

 
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As long as the frame hasn't been crumpled, i think you'd be safe to have it fixed.
Looks like only the support bar has been damaged.
Bumper just looks fallen off, not caved in.

 
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Kennykid2002: You're right in that just the support bar took some damage, whereas the frame was unscathed thankfully. My biggest worries stem from these airbags and parts inside the engine, so I'll have to get a proper assessment done while there.

sdaidoji: I hit a 97 Chevrolet Lumina going some 30 mph. I can't really remember how fast, but it was trying to accelerate on a yellow.

Lesson learned: don't assume people will go on yellows, and airbags will launch anything in front of you into your body! Thankfully I wasn't eating/on the phone/smoking or anything.

 
Rep Power: 292

Doesn't look like there'd be much damage inside the engine bay.
Perhaps your radiator, fans and just the stuff towards the front of the hood.

And always be safe than sorry.
Some of my friends learned never to drive with one hand at the top of the steering wheel anymore.
Airbag launches and they smack themselves in the face with their own fist.

 
Rep Power: 196

Dang that sucks. It looked like the car was in really good shape before.

One thing you might want to consider when deciding whether or not to fix the car is if you will ever want to sell the car. If you buy it back from insurance and have it fixed, it may still drive great and be a good car for you, but if you ever decide to sell the car its value will be significantly decreased. Salvage title vehicles are harder (if even possible) to secure loans for and more people will be hesitant to buy it. Just something else to consider.

If you use the money and find another clean (and clean titled) car, it will maintain its resale value and you have the chance to get more back from your $4800 insurance check.

 
Rep Power: 254

Im going to say total loss.

Would be better if you shower under hood photos to be 100%.

 
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I've decided to junk this car. A good 15 years, but I'm ready to move on. I have to get over the sentimental value of the car. Thankfully, I have money saved up so I will buy a cheap new car and keep that till it falls apart.

After the negotiation process, I will leave with either around $3800 to let State Farm keep it, or get around $3200 to keep it and do whatever I want. The repairs would be $3400, and that's if the body shop doesn't find anything else wrong with it.

I'm not interested in going around and finding another body shop to do it "on the cheap", nor am I capable of / have the means to store the car and sell it for parts. I also don't trust independent mechanics to rebuild airbags properly. It's an unfortunate situation, but I have to be realistic and move on.

04 Honda Civic: The car still runs, but unfortunately I don't have a picture of the engine bay. Here is a list, however, of the parts that need to be repaired according to the shop:

Front bumper
Grille (molding and emblem)
Headlights
Hood (panel, catch)
Radiator support
Fenders
Windshield
Airbags
Paint

 
Rep Power: 257

yeah green means go yellow means slow the **** down red means stop.the only legal way to get through a yellow is if your already halfway through the intersection.also in some major cities like new york you have to stop completely for a yellow. didn't we learn this in drivers education.

 
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That's the way I learned it.

Sorry about your car. Best decision you ever made was cutting it loose though. You'll get another car that you'll end up getting just as attached to.

 
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I got a ticket for being mid intersection..NYC gay

 
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If the person in front of me had continued driving, I would have been going through a red light, you know, like one of those cars that barrels through an intersection veering left at a red light. (it was a turn bay)

When I hit the person, I was in shock that it had happened. All I thought was "this car is totalled", "I can't believe I just destroyed this car", "I'm going to be late for my interview", and "this airbag powder smells bad". I've gotten over the shock, but I won't immediately forgive myself for ruining a perfectly decent car. I'll get over that feeling later...