[Norm K]

I don't know the Avalon market but wouldn't be surprised to learn that it's a "back of book" car, meaning that it's not worth what the online services are telling you.

Also, although I might have missed it while scanning the thread, I didn't see any information about the car other than the tale of damage. Obviously, miles driven, pre-crash condition, equipment, etc. all play a part in value.

Good news is, as I think someone mentioned, without insurance involvement there should be no salvage title issues that would diminish the car's value. That's not to say the seller shouldn't disclose that there was some damage but, if performed correctly, the repairs should have only a minimal negative effect on real-world market value.

Given the almost inevitable cost and time overruns on even seemingly small and simple projects, I'd estimate a self-repair at a couple of grand. Therefore, if the car is worth (again, we're talking real-world, at least somewhat easy to sell pricing) five grand to the market and a guy needs to make a decent return on his time, I'd say an eleven year old Avalon in non-driveable condition is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of a grand to maybe fifteen hundred dollars.

_