Vehicle values

mattdavis11 · 01-15-2007, 02:45 PM

The insurance company is ready to settle in regards to my wrecked Land Cruiser. It was a complete loss.

I would like some advice, input on where to look for replacement values. I checked kbb, and edmunds (wow, big difference in value estimates) but would like to have a better source for a $$ amount. I will most likely get low-balled, and any recommendations or beneficial weaponry would be most helpful.

I'm going to have an awfully hard time finding one that would replace the one I lost. Mine had never seen salt, and had mostly highway miles before I bought it. FJ80's go for a premium around here, if you can find one.

Thnks

Joeaksa · 01-15-2007, 03:09 PM

Matt,

Watch a number of sales on Ebay for like model vehicles, then print out the ending information and take it to the insurance company. Has worked very well for me in the past as long as the price got up to where I felt it was worth.

mattdavis11 · 01-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Thank you Joe,

I have been watching. One major problem is location. I found one in S. Carolina that was 1 year newer with more miles. Was it as nice as the one I lost? Who knows. The buy it now price was lower than I could possibly settle on though.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

www.cruizers.com and www.ih8mud.com both have classifieds and forums to get realistic pricing and info. HTH

Joeaksa · 01-15-2007, 04:38 PM

Matt,

Also keep track of any additions or upgrades you did. Years ago I lost a 911 and the insurance company wanted to give me about half what it was worth. Showed them receipts worth at least $15k in upgrades and they then covered the rest with no questions.

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

LandCruisers are similar to 911's, in that you really need to go to the "enthusiasts" to get realistic pricing. I had my FJ62 for sale this summer for $6500 and nearly everyone who called on it said they had researched KBB and the value was placed at $1500-2800. You couldn't touch a decent LandCruiser for that, much less one that runs..

mattdavis11 · 01-15-2007, 05:44 PM

I've looked at ih8mud, coolcruisers, cruizersdot com, thanks for the heads up. I appreciate the info Craig, and Joe.

The only thing I have invested, or had to invest in the one that is now gone, is a water pump. I did all the work myself. No clicking from the birfs, center lock diffs, the lifters didn't even make a peep, but its all gone now.

I know what the truck is worth, but how do I convince them?

I can't buy a newer one, with 40K more miles, and more problems which sits in my dads driveway for what kbb says mine is worth. I'm not worried about the mileage, though.

This isn't the first L/C, neither will it be the last, but it the first one to be retired out of 7. I do plan to get it back, though.

It will also be my first dealings with another's insurance co. The only way I see it, its my word against their numbers. Should I tack on say 1000- 2000 bucks to get one from the lands of snow and ice, or travel expenses to get one from Cali, Arizona, or where ever? We're sucked dry here. I don't stand a chance.