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I got rear ended and pushed across two lanes into a concrete barrier on the right on a highway bridge in NY - ins. says it totaled my car. I've got injuries, but I want to ask about my car. It was not crumpled, but front L & R fenders, ft bumper & hood, rear driver side quarter panel, 4 rims, and probably whole front end axles & suspension need replacement, in addition to all-around re-paint. She didn't flip over during the crash into me, but I fought the concrete barrier with brakes and left steering which destroyed the left tire and rim. Driver who crashed into me (17 y.o.) and his father who carries the insurance have admitted 100% of fault for "accident" to our same ins. carriers.

I want to get it back and have it restored. Is it worth it if it has a restore title (after salvage title, fixing, and conversion to restore title)? Is it possible to avoid the salvage title somehow, maybe by not letting title change hands to ins. co. and back to me (of course accident will be on record)? She's a bone stock 1996 Civic DX hatchback that had a lot of miles (250k) but ran strong and drove oh so well. I went to see her in the yard and the coolant and engine oil levels are fine. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!

 
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how much sentimental attachment do you have to her?

 
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Thanks for the response! Food for thought. A lot of sentimental value. It was my brother's car since new and I got her at 100k miles 13 years ago. Mine was completely manual - transmission and steering, and stock. At least 10 times a year I got asked if I wanted to sell that Honda hatchback.

 
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An afterthought to your question that was actually an important point to me - it's a classic. The EJ6 shares essentially the same body as the EK9 which is the original Civic Type R.

 
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I think you have your answer right there, bud. I'll be the first to admit I literally broke down and cried when I called it quits on my 2002 Civic (head bolt stripped out when doing an emergent head gasket change), but I was at a crossroads where I couldn't bear nor afford to fight the issues anymore (plus she had rear subframe damage). She was the first car that was mine mine, and she was the platform on which I learned how to work on and love cars (not to mention she came with me to the 4 corners of the US over the course of 15 years and 215k miles)

Scope your local pick-a-part for parts. Fenders and axles can probably be found in relatively good condition. Suspension, might as well go with a cost effective, but good quality aftermarket set (I'm a sucker for Tein suspension). The most expensive part is going to be the rear quarter panel and paint. Rims, find a cheap aftermarket set on craigslist or something and you'll be set there. If you want to keep it, might as well make it "yours." You can still keep it stock-ish looking, but with your own personal flair on it. For now, start jotting down prices and getting quotes. Once you get all that, see how much it'll generally cost you, and see if that pricetag is something you'll want to work with. You'll probably have to settle for the fact that she's gonna be a project car until she's done, and depending on how much it's gonna cost as a whole, it may be quite some time before she gets road worthy.

BUT... before you start all that, see if there is any frame damage. If there is, probably wouldn't pursue a restoration on it. Depending on how hard you got rear ended, you may have some rear end frame damage.

 
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make sure you do this, i had 2 different civics that were in minor accidents and both times the frame was screwed. One in the right rear, one in the left front

 
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Thank you all for your replies and thoughts! I really appreciate it!

I will try to have the frame inspected - it's still in the tow yard. If the frame is bent, I agree she's unfortunately a goner and would be a parts source. If the frame is not bent, I will try my best to have her restored - it's worth it to me (wonderful car to drive and a great piece of Civic history, was never planning to sell).

Thanks again!

 
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Update: Got her back months ago. Inspected, and has front end frame damage beyond the core support. Also, from the crash the steering column broke. I have the car at home after a fight with the ins. company. I got to keep the title, but a vin search will show it was totaled. The KBB value has gone up on 6th gen DX hatchbacks but is still way undervalued compared to street value. I argued this with the ins. company and got a bit more but still not enough to replace her.

Being that the frame is badly bent, I am going to use parts off her for another 6th Gen DX hatchback. Think about Hook's Law concerning the frame -- it's bent pretty badly and bending it back will further weaken the metal. If I got into another crash with her, the results could be catastrophic and deadly. For those arguing a frame can be bent back into shape, I would argue it depends on how much it was bent, how much force it takes to get it back, and importantly how much risk of frame integrity you are willing to take should a crash happen again. I am really upset that I must retire her. I am grateful, however, that I will be able to transfer parts from her to a new-to-me 6th Gen DX hatchback in the future. They are wonderful cars and worth the effort to find.

 
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Exactly, the spirit of the car will live on