Rear-Ended in my Cayman -- Advice?

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

So, as though my coming weeks weren't already hectic enough.

Today is my brother's 30th birthday. It's also my fiancee's bachelorette party (we're getting married in a month and a half). Today I also went to do the paperwork and put a deposit down on my first house...

... and then on the way home, this happened.

I was waiting to turn left into a supermarket parking lot, at a dead stop with my blinker on. Needless to say, she got a ticket. Everyone is okay, and, yes, she has insurance.

The engine did cut out when she hit me, and there was smoke at the initial impact. The engine did start afterward, and idled okay, but it sounded different; I suspect some exhaust components were damaged. Interestingly -- again, weird timing -- I had a Fabspeed Maxflo cat-back exhaust already on the way.

What really concerns me: I noticed that my passenger floor mat was a little bunched up after the collision, and when I went to push the seat back to straighten it out, the engine compartment wall was pushed up against the passenger seat; yes, it looks like the engine compartment subframe was pushed forward.

Of course, this happened on the Saturday of a three-day weekend.

So. What am I looking at here? I am planning on having the car brought to Automobile Associates of Canton in CT, but what are the chances that the car will be totaled? And if it isn't, can I really expect it to ever drive like new? I'm pretty much at the end of my rope here, so any insights you could give would be appreciated.

syncroid · 09-05-2015, 05:07 PM

Looking at the gap of the rear lid, I am going to say it is totaled Sorry, It is what is in the frame work that counts.

Cajundaddy · Cajundaddy's Garage

Sorry, I hate it when this stuff happens but we all get our share from time to time.

Don't overthink this. Have the car evaluated by the best Porsche collision repair shop in your state and trust their judgement. If they say it is totaled, get a good settlement and pick out a nice new one. If they say it is repairable, make sure they understand you want a no-issues repair and the insurance co is responsible for taking care of the bill. You should also be entitled to a comparable rental while the car is down. Good luck!

afterburn 549 · 09-05-2015, 05:14 PM

You need a real shop, not a bondo shop.
I would have Porsche look at it too.
At lest your OK, And the situation will be too.

Steve Carlton · 09-05-2015, 05:17 PM

What's the realistic market value of the car? If the damage is around 70% of that, it'll probably get totaled. Good luck getting diminished value.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

I paid around $30K about a year ago... thinking about the damage, it's the bumper, rear lid, tail light, maybe the rear fender, the spoiler mechanism, the exhaust shields, the exhaust itself, and maybe the engine compartment subframe. I think the suspension is probably okay.

I have some expensive goodies in the engine -- an IPD plenum, GT3 Throttle body... what are the chances of me getting those back if the car is totaled?

syncroid · 09-05-2015, 05:48 PM

If they total the car, they get the car "as is. " if you want it back, buy the salvage rights from your insurance company. Keep what you want and part out the rest.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Moreover, if the car ISN'T totaled, will it still drive the way that a Porsche should? How will this affect resale?

Arizona_928 · 09-05-2015, 06:17 PM

Depends on the frame straightener, and how well the tech does the job. Imho you want to salvage, buy back. If you don't want to part it out, just swap out the aftermarket with oem before they collect the car. Hopefully the lady had enough property insurance.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Excuse my ignorance, but what does it mean to "buy it back" from the insurance company? I'm struggling to understand why I should pay a dime to get my own car in a situation that wasn't my fault. Or am I misunderstanding what "buy it back" means?

mikester · 09-05-2015, 06:30 PM

When they pay you off for totaling it they own the car now, you buy it back from them.

What a bummer man! My cayman was backed into a few months ago. Very sad when I came home to see that and no note!

Arizona_928 · 09-05-2015, 06:38 PM

^^
You'll negotiate a full price for the car as whole before the accident. Once you come to an agreement they'll ask if you want to buy it back, and they'll deduct whatever salvage value they place on the car. The cool part is you can negotiate the salvage price. You then take the title to get salvage branded, and the insurance company issues you a check. It's not as fun as it sounds.

speeder · speeder's Garage

If they total it, (and let's hope they do), they pay you the total value of the car and now it's theirs to do with what they want, which will be to try to recoup some of their loss. If you want to keep the car, (which still has some value), you need to buy it back but it will be cheap.

You cannot have your cake and eat it too, ie. be paid the entire value of the car pre-collision AND keep it. Make sense?

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

I think I'm getting it. So basically, if they total it, I will get a check for the car's value. Then, I have the option to buy it back as a salvage, for fairly cheap. At that point, though, repairs will be up to me, and would come out of my pocket... But I could choose to part out the car if I wish.

Is that accurate?

Arizona_928 · 09-05-2015, 06:53 PM

Pretty much ^^

creaturecat · 09-05-2015, 07:06 PM

ouch. nice car.
sorry for your loss.
time to upgrade.
start shopping.
: )

cashflyer · 09-05-2015, 07:10 PM

Some companies, like AIG, are no longer allowing direct buybacks.

They require that the vehicle go through a salvage auction, where you will bid against other people who either want to scrap it or rebuild it. It gives them the maximum for their "investment" and prevents you from lowballing or colluding with an adjuster.

masraum · 09-05-2015, 07:12 PM

I vote that it's time for another car on the ins co dime. I hate dealing with a car that's been dinged.

creaturecat · 09-05-2015, 07:15 PM

good point CF
similar methodology in the Great White North.
Canuckistan. land of socialism.

John Rogers · 09-05-2015, 07:34 PM

I am not sure if Conn. is like CA, hope it is not but I would suggest to get a lawyer, see several doctors for all those pains in the spine area and head aches you now have and get a good settlement for your trouble, not just the car repaired/replaced. The other person's insurance company is sure to say.....if you had not been there my client would never had hit you! Make sure to get phone records checked to see if they were on the phone and/or texting or if any sobriety tests were done? Sound mean, yeah I guess but you just got shafted in the right rear!