Flipped Hellcat drivetrain/part out value?
 

Friend recently put his Challenger Hellcat widebody on its top in a low speed, grassy ditch shunt. :( Fewer than 10k miles (pretty sure). By report , one side, top and hood are beat up. He's shook up about it of course.

Local bodyshop sounds to be salivating at the prospect of repairing it. I advised him that if he fixes it, he will own a car with markedly diminished value. Any insight into drivetrain value alone? Other advice?

Bring a Trailer could not be more appropriate.

Nice but not sure I've seen a crashed modern car listed. Have you?

A hellcat crate engine is $20,000. Harnesses, trans, etc. all add to the cost. Thats a start.

I don't think I have, but it's certainly possible. I don't follow them every day. I've seen them sell engines, wheels, and project cars, so I'd think a Hellcat driveline would be of significant interest.

Mostly I was joking about the Bring a Trailer name.

Why not let the insurance total the car? They're supposed to give him the market value of the car plus tax and license, right? That's usually better than selling it yourself. And he could ask for a price to keep the wreck.

Thanks!


I think he's still in shock, to be honest. The whole incident cost him enough points to lose his driver's license. Apparently, his insurance needs damages to exceed value by 70% for it to be designated as a total loss. He's not sufficiently mechanically inclined to part it out himself so there's that too.

BAT was pretty literal at one time. Anymore, not so much.

Aside from the 70% rule I'd be wanting to keep that car. That's one of those things that is gonna be next to priceless when we are all electric. Fix it right at this point or fix it later when it's worth a million.

I'd take the money if they'll total it. Buy another one that isn't going to have a salvage title. Maybe wait 6 months or more for the market to cool off when they're cheaper. Maybe get a Redeye or Demon.

this!

If it goes that way, taking the payout is definitely the way to go. However, could also see his body shop finding a way to make the repairs about 69% of the car’s value. After that, his insurance rates will make the baby Jesus cry.

Is the insurance company aware of this body shop?

It wouldn’t have a salvage title unless it got totaled and he bought it back, but it’ll most likely show a bad accident.

Hellcat drivetrains are quite in demand for older Mopar muscle cars, the good news is that they seem to get wrecked a lot, so the supply is steady. Definite market for the heart/lung transplant.

Unless it is bent, it may not be totalled. The insurance wants to pay as little as possible. On a rare car they are less likely to call it a total loss

Pics?
If this cost him his license what the hellcat did he do?

I'd start by figuring out what the market value is. He could start by pretending it's in perfect condition and getting bids from Carvana, Shift, Vroom, Driveway, and Carmax. Somewhere near the top bid is going to be the car's retail market value- what they really sell for. Let's say $60,000. Then he needs near 70% of that in damage to total it, around $42,000. Fixing it would be the least desirable. Let's say they come up with $39,000 to repair it- maybe he could just take the $39,000 and he needs to sell the wreck for $21,000 to break even.

If they total it, they pay him $60,000 + tax and pro-rated license. Way better. He should make sure they use a good number for the market value. In this case, $60,000 or more is good. He can fight them and ask for arbitration if they hit him low. Just saying the word arbitration will usually increase their offer.

i'm glad the person is okay. that sucks. love to know what maneuver put the car upside down!!

focus on what we know. the dude lost his license.(?)

buying another Hellcat would be damn near impossible. i bet even the "GENERAL" would not insure him. if he did find insurance, it would be so expensive. i see a 1999, Honda Civic in the guys future :) or a skateboard.

Was putting on a show for his passenger/buddy. I didn't ask but believe the charges are reckless driving, exhibition driving, failure to control a vehicle and a construction zone kicker of some sort. Basically, nailed the throttle and lost it while doing a burn out and slid into a grassy ditch (no curb). He's lucky he hadn't gained much speed. He has also bought a new Ram TRX this past summer. Not great. No pics as the car is inside the shop and I didn't have the heart to ask him if he had any to share.

A little bit ago they were trading for more than the original purchase price or lease price. Not sure if this is still relevant but here you go.

https://www.stellpower.com/news-2021/used-dodge-hellcat-prices-skyrocket-amidst-inventory-shortage/

800 hp on the street, what could go wrong?

wow..i had to google RAM TRX..sick! i bet his car insurance company is back pedaling like a mofo..

good luck to your buddy. lost DL? that is gonna make that TRX a big ass paperweight, no?