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?

A pulley, tuning and a 150 shot of nitrous and it is a 9 second truck. (with slicks, not the greaseball tires for off road stuff)

Did his passenger survive?

Maybe he can sell the T-Rex for big money in this market.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1633545148.jpg


No injuries, just a fortunate and true story for the rest of his life.

His wife will drive it and they use it to tow their boat. His insurance bill will be tough to best.

Some are occasionally available to buy off the lot around here. No insight into dealer mark-ups though.

oof...thumbnail :(

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1633545583.jpg

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Still would get smoked by a plaid and what is its Nürburgring time?


You can look around copart for ones in a similar state of damage. I am not sure if you can search prior closed auctions without a membership though. Probably the right place to get the data though

There is a huge aftermarket for the stolen drive trains as well.

The steps FCA has put in place to keep them from being stolen before leaving the plant/parking area is impressive.

Exactly. It would not be difficult at all to get sideways in that car, catch a tire on something or go in a ditch and put the rubber side up. The acceleration on those is absolutely insane. :eek:

I did a day at NJMS with a bunch of exotics this past summer. The field had C8s, 488s, Mclarens, Lambos, etc. the only 2 cars the instructor warned us about were the Hellcat and GT500.

I would find it hard to believe that a unibody car could go on its roof, and not have a tweaked frame. Perhaps those have an integrated roll cage?

Maybe he can be excluded from the wife's policy to keep the insurance "affordable" while he drives a hooptie.

10 minutes with a sledge hammer put a few Roadkill stickers on it and call it fixed

Have to hope all options are on the table. Time always tells.

Those cars, and that Ram are vanity cars. If I had that kind of money I would buy a new Suburban or Yukon XL K2500 and be much happier. I would have more comfort and could go diving, skiing or hunting with a couple friends with all the gear we need.

^^^

Pretty funny to be a member posting on a Porsche message board and be looking down your nose at vanity cars. :D

if you saw my 911 you would know vanity has nothing to do with it

You could do just as well with an old Subaru for a lot less.

The TRX is a very capable off road truck and tow vehicle.

The last time I went diving in Mexico I had 3 passengers in my 93 Suburban. We had all our diving and camping gear in the truck with nothing on the roof. The truck was 4wd and the last 17 miles was dirt and can be knarly if a hurricane has blown thru in the last couple months. I took the 3rd seat out before leaving and the back was full of gear. I wouldn't try that trip in any Subaru.

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