Write off? Is the end?

[Stephen03]

Well just finished doing the connecting rod bearings among other things. Finally time to enjoy my car after all the work and some guy leaving a McDonald's takes me out!

Would like to repair but it looks pretty bad. 100% not at fault and have been authorized to take it in for repair. Keep in mind the insurance company hasn't seen any of the damage. So will see what the shop says. Thinking a new door, fender and quarter panel will be a start to getting it back in shape.

Changed the wheel out and bent the sheet metal back for a test drive. Alignment is off a bit but the new rear wheels are a bit smaller and might effect it slightly. Couldn't see any obvious damage underneath.

Anyone think it can be fixed or written off?

Thanks,

Stephen

[kdjones2000]

That body is done, at least from an insurance standpoint.

Sorry to hear.

[djnolan]

Breath deeply, one nostril at a time.

If you have collision insurance, you should be able to make out pretty well (financially). They should total it and offer to sell the car back to you. You should end up with around $5k to work with to repair it. In an afternoon you can replace the door and fender yourelf for around $500 in parts. The quarter will probably need a body shops expertise and tools. Looks like it already had a nice paint job, oh well, one more time?

[drkshdw]

Insurance will total that car, no question about it. And they will NOT give you what it is worth. They might offer you $2K for it but fight it. Use the August 2017 Excellent market guide to get the most out of the settlement. Provide receipts to up the value even more. And when a price is agreed upon, buy the car back and keep the goodies (engine, sport seats, etc) from your car to put into another (or sell for proceeds for a 951). See this thread on RL for appropriate values and good luck!

https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/999808-imo-most-accurate-valuation-article-august-2017-excellence.html

[thomasryan]

you might get an appraisal.....and a roller.

[pfarah]

Ouch, sorry to see that.

[IdahoDoug]

Bummer - glad nobody was hurt from the sounds of it. This is a strong chassis in that respect. Agree - definite total. A lighter hit damaging only the skin of the quarter panel would be one thing. But you've got damage to the place the door latch lives. That's more than the skin and requires a LOT more work and disassembly to repair. Bummer.

[v2rocket_aka944]

toast, insurance will give you enough $ to go back to McDonalds.

[Tarek307]

totaled by insurance but you should BUY IT BACK for peanuts and fix it!

[OPRN]

That is definitely not the first time that 1/4 panel has been hit. That said it is repairable, it all depends on how much money you are willing to spend or what your skill levels are.

Whether or not to let it go, keep it and fix it or keep it for parts is a personal choice very much depending on how comfortable you are with doing your own work. I can't see any insurance company wanting it back on the road on their dime.

As far as getting it back on the road after a right-off, check and see how many hoops you have to jump through to re-register a right-off. In my part of the world not only does the body and frame need to be straight and rust free, all steering, suspension and brakes must be within at least 80% of new!

Find out who is authorized to do the inspections in your area and talk to them.

Lets face it, our governments, insurance industry and auto sector all have a vested interest in getting our older cars off the road and they do not make it easy to keep them running.

[944 Ecology]

Anything can be fixed, given enough time and money and manpower.

With an attitude like that, we could put a man on the moon.

[azbanks]

You should be able to get much more than people have posted here. If they aren't willing to pay the money to fix it properly, they must give you enough $$$ to by a similar replacement.

The key is to NOT be in a hurry. The insurance company wants to get you to settle quickly.
They will lie, cheat, steal to get you to settle. If you don't like the deal they offer, just tell them no. Eventually they will really, really want to get it off their books.

You can also involve your state department of insurance if you don't get a reasonable deal in a couple months or so. The insurance companies do not want that level of hassle.

My 86 turbo got totaled back in 2011. I got more than double the insurance company's original offer. They started at $6K and ended up over $13K and I kept the car.

[Stephen03]

Ended up being a write off but I fought with the insurance enough they changed their mind. So will be getting fixed.

[IdahoDoug]

Hey, that's cool - you fought for your girl and you get to keep her. Values on 944s seem to be rising. A buddy recently got $16k for a 90 convertible at a huge collector auction. It had over 100,000 miles.

Doug

[azbanks]

Congrats!

[OPRN]

Super! The damage is really not that bad.

[Stephen03]

$10 000 in repairs and it is almost done. Just got to get another $650 from the insurance for a new wheel and turns out there's a fuel line recall from 1990 I never got.

[Stephen03]

Had to do some work myself though.

[jhowell371]

Minor job there. A friend owned a body shop and in 1981 built a 924 out of two wrecks, One totaled in front the other in the back. Brazed and spot welded the two good halves together. I found it in a junkyard 30 plus years later still in one piece Glad you got your baby back

[jeff968]

Nice! I would love to have seen photos of your journey with the fix. I have a quarter/tail panel to replace on a 968 project. Enjoy