Totaled my '86 coupe, need suggestions

jet911 · 01-19-2007, 12:37 PM

Hello all!

I posted this on Rennlist as well.

A very sad day Yesterday (and today). Yesterday on the way to work, I was cut off on the freeway. In an effort avoid hitting the idiot, I had to crank hard to the right going about 60 mph. The rear of my P-car swung around and I found myself sliding sidways. I'm lucky enough to maneuver the car between several cars as I'm sliding to the right through two lanes of traffic. My luck ended as I plowed into a GMC truck's rear bumper (the last car I needed to get by). Major impact was to the driver door and the rear quarter panel (not much left). It appears there is structural damange as well. Anyway thank god no body got injured.

So here's the deal.

1986 Coupe, 99,900 miles (just getting ready to turn 100K). Engine is strong, tranny is fine, wheels, seats, etc., are all okay.

Insurance company is going to total the car. They are offering me $19,612.95 or $16,612.95 and the car.

I'm thinking about taking the $16.6K and the car. I think I can part out the car and do okay, plus help out some folks in need of parts. In fact, I started the car (starts right up - like always) and it was driveable (slowly).

What do you guys think? I recently saw where a good 3.2 engine went for $7.5K. If I decide to keep the car and part it out, it looks like I could easily recoupe the $3K. The only problem is my location being in SLC where there is not a hugh market, thus I would need to ship parts.

Opinions Please!

Regards,
Jim
'86 Coupe (Crashed)

carnutzzz · 01-19-2007, 12:40 PM

List the wrecked car on here for $8k and be done with it!

bigrubberjeep · 01-19-2007, 12:44 PM

Part out the car for sure, 3.2 go for at least 4K with questionable past

915 tranny go for about 2K I think plus all the little extras that could pay off well.

The wheels alone might net you 2K

stormmaster · stormmaster's Garage

If you would be willing to sell the cooling fan I would sure be interested....I know that is only one small part but I am sure you can get more than your 3k back from selling it off in bits and pieces. Send me a PM and let me know

Paul T · 01-19-2007, 01:05 PM

Sorry to hear. Agree with the others, take the $16k and the car, if you don't a little hassle parting out, should make out better in the long run.

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Yeah the engine is would probably sell quickly at $4,000, and if you had good compression numbers ect the price would go up. 915 trans sell usually for 750 to 1000 on used pelican (it seems that way to me at least). The fenders would be worth another couple hundred. The gauges, seats and all the interior goodies are worth some money too. You would do better financially buying the car from them. It might be a bit of a pain in the butt though because it is going to mean a lot of trips to UPS and in the end you will have this big hunk of metal in the driveway. Good luck and I am glad you are OK. If i was still living in Durango I would consider driving up and buying the car from you.

Rich

P.S. I'd love to buy the oil cooler from ya.

1911Guy · 01-19-2007, 01:16 PM

If it's Grand Prix White and the engine cover without a tail is still in good shape, would you consider parting it out?

unimog406 · 01-19-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Anyway thank god no body got injured.

thats the important part. I'am with the guys on the car, you can easily make that money in parts. I could even be interested in a few of them....
-Bob

mtelliott · 01-19-2007, 01:22 PM

I'm not looking for your parts. But I am interested in how you survived the wreck. I'm commute 30 miles each way on the highway. I often wonder how I would fare in a wreck. It sounds like you fared well which I'm glad to hear.

Going from 60 to a dead stop has got to be scary. What saved you?

Michael

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

I dunno, I'd counter at $17500 with you keeping the car. Don't forget they OFFERED you $19,612.95 or $16,612.95 and the car.

Never take their first offer.

mmasse · mmasse's Garage

Sorry to hear that!! I would also go for the car plus the $$.

BTW, if you get the car and sell the parts. I would like to be in line for the fender oil cooler. :-)

Good luck

rouxroux · 01-19-2007, 02:00 PM

No-brainer....$$$ plus car.

BoxsterGT · 01-19-2007, 02:20 PM

I have an 86 Coupe w 47k miles & perfect CarFax.
Two owners, Burgundy w Burgundy int.
I would like to sell you mine & take yours in trade.
If interested, I can send pics.
len@autosportengineering.com

beamonk · 01-19-2007, 03:22 PM

Keep it, there are many needy pals on the list.

therotman · 01-19-2007, 03:25 PM

Take the cash and the car. Go find your next car, buy it and take all the parts off your wrecked car that you can use/upgrade and sell the rest.

jet911 · 01-19-2007, 06:08 PM

Thanks for the responses. I'm leaning toward taking the cash and keeping the car. I'll decided over the weekend.

mtelliott: I think I was very lucky. I've done some auto crossing so I think that helped me keep control of the slide to an extent. I also braced for the impact as I knew I wasn't going to get by the GMC. 50 more feet and I think I would have straightend her back out as I was starting to bring the rear back around. I'm very sore. The HWP officer repeated several times how lucky I was. I was!

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Vultures are out early....geez, the body isn't even cold.....counter offer and take the car and the money.

If you are a fair wrench...part out the wreck, buy an early car and stuff the 915 and the 3.2 in it....have a blast.

overman · 01-19-2007, 07:11 PM

If you are a fair wrench...part out the wreck, buy an early car and stuff the 915 and the 3.2 in it....have a blast

+1... good luck!

jorian · 01-19-2007, 07:22 PM

I've heard from many that parting a car is a lot of work and if I wasn't sure I would at least double my money (6K rather than 3K) I would take the 19K. If the car was really in good shape up to this point I think you could easily clear 6K. As others have stated 16K or 19K is only the worst you can do without negotiating. As an aside (and I'll probably get flamed) I think totalling an older 911 is the only way to get your money out. 19.6K for 86' coupe seems like full retail.

scca_ita · 01-19-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jet911

What do you guys think?

Opinions Please!

Regards,
Jim
'86 Coupe (Crashed)

Take the $16K and sell the car out right for $6K-$8k. Buy something new to you and move on.....

Otherwise you will be selling $50-$100 items for the next 2 years. I know because I have done this with a 930 for the last two years. I make ok money in my day job but I find it silly to be having to find boxes to pack and ship items for $50 - $100. Not worth the time.