What would you do?

[no water]

Hi Guys,

I have a dilemma. And really bummed out. I have recently wrecked my beloved sc and my insurance company wants to total the vehicle. However they have agreed to sell me back the vehicle for around 2k. I will do this regardless. My dilemma is to either fix the vehicle and have a "salvaged" title or try to purchase another and part out this one. What do you guys think? Is a salvaged title a death sentence for resale? The car has a very strong motor and trans. and was in very good shape. Paint is good and interior as well. Seems a shame to dismantle this vehicle.

Is anybody interested In any parts on this vehicle? Motor is very strong with good power and compression, SSI headers, monty 2 in 2 out muffler, top end rebuilt 5k ago.

I am in seattle area. Thanks guys.

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[Christien]

Wow, that sucks. Sorry, and hope you're ok.

How does it shape up financially? Salvage title will absolutely affect value, though less so on a 30 year old car than a 3 year old car. Hard to put a percentage on it, but maybe 25%? If you document the repair closely, including what was originally damaged and how badly, that would really help you sell it some day, I would think. I know if I were looking I'd have no problem buying a salvage title at a discounted price, so long as the documentation for the repairs were there and I could be assured that everything was fixed properly, including (especially) the tub being straightened (if required) and the paint (including prep work) was done properly (to minimize potential for rust).

[G450X]

Sorry for your loss, that looks like it used to be a very nice SC.

Like you stated, at the $2k buy back price from the insurance company, it's a no brainer - do it. It sounds like you have a great engine and many desirable parts. The recently rebuilt engine may sell for $4-5k, the good used transmission for $1k-$1.5k (LSD? add at least $500), the wheels and tires for (?), etc...

To rebuild that chassis or be patient and wait for another good tub and swap the parts is a bit more complicated. A Celette rig could probably bring the tub back to spec, but it would probably be weakened a bit and it will carry the salvage stigma.

Do you have the time, patience, ability, equipment, and location to properly dismantle the 911?

Do you care about resale value? An SC, unless it was owned by, say Steve McQueen, is a modestly priced used 911 with little collector interest (yet). Some people will not touch a car with a salvage title.

If you just want a good driver, and since you know you have a good engine and transmission, I would look for a good used high mile SC that has a tired engine and transmission and perform a swap. High mile no wreck SC's are affordable and you could sell the core 3.0 engine (maybe $2.5k or so) and transmission ($800.00?) and other parts to help offset the cost of the other 911. You could keep what spares you wanted which is really nice.

Another idea - part the 911, take the insurance money along with the money you made to part it out ($8k or so?), and buy another nice SC (or later Carrera).

The easy way out is to sell the whole car ($7k or so?) as is to an enthusiast with a worn out SC engine, and use that money (along with the insurance money) to buy another nice SC or Carrera.

Good Luck, I hope you (or any family/friends) were not injured in the crash - Good health is the most important thing. These fantastic machines can be replaced!

[dsfnctn]

I have a Porsche shop in Seattle and we build race cars and have most of the parts that we take off cars to build race cars that you would need. That looks like a nice car . We can fix that car and have front clip if needed. Call me and we can discuss your options.

Colin
206.612.0444

[fast993]

you can buy the car back and sell the BBS LMs alone and cover the cost.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Just a note on insurance. We have lots of friends and customers who have had to make a claim against their Hagerty insurance policies. Some were relatively minor, others were total loss claims. Every story we've heard reflects a level of professionalism and understanding of the value of these cars that translated to a very satisfactory settlement that happened quickly, and most important, without attorneys.

Not everybody can go with Hagerty because of the annual mileage limits, but if you can I recommend them. -- Matt

[vintagecarlover]

Email sent.

[kt911rs]

Sent email. CASH OFFER! Can come by tomorrow with money and flatbed.
.......I can fix it! My dad is a tv repairman, and has an awesome set of tools!
KT 10 min. away in Sammamish

[CountD]

Buy it back and fix it properly. Who cares if it has a SALVAGE TITLE? That means nothing if you are going to keep the car. Even if you were to sell it, just keep records and photos of all the work and show it to the prospective owner. SALVAGE title vehicles don't scare me off if done correctly. Fix it and keep it.

[dporsche74]

That 911 is saying BACKDATE ME . PLEEESSEE

[andoni510]

Originally Posted by dporsche74

That 911 is saying BACKDATE ME . PLEEESSEE

+ 1, if it was mine...I would back date to an RS or preferably RSR

[urseppos]

What a shame and very sorry about what happened to your car.

If you choose to part her out I would be interested in the Monty Exhaust, dash, all door glass, door trim,etc.

Hope you make the right decision and that it all works out for you in the end.

Let me know either way if you do not mind.

[WANNA930]

Just to clear up some Insurance Co rumors that you hear all the time. First off the Insurance Co does not total your car. The adjuster writes an estimate and when it gets to say 75% of ACV an alert goes off. From there they contact an independent third party Co to do an evaluation on the car.

Most states have laws that when damages reach a certain percentage (usually approx 75%) they have to declare the vehicle a total loss and report it to the DMV. It is the States law.

Most shops argue that adjusters write the cars low so if it above that number there should be no argument. The other reason is your shop tells the adjuster they do not want to fix the car if it is close as they feel there will be open items that will push it over the 75%.

You would be surprised at how many shop will tell you the adjuster did this and he is such an A hole but while the adjuster is there they say the exact opposite as they can make just as much money on an eaier hit and be done with it. Older cars are problems.

That said $2k is a low salvage bid so jump on it. There are tons of people who are building race cars that can care less about the title. Last but not least check that valuation 2x's and make sure they are giving you fair market value of YOUR car not just what was computer generated of cars for sale they have never seen.

Good luck and sorry but I think you will wind up ok with that low salvage bid.