[968Syncro]

Hello folks,



So, this is follow up from http://www.968forums.com/index.php?showtopic=5109.



Insurance called this evening; it is their decision to total it. I looked at it also when it was up on the rack.

- Tiptronic reservoir broken, so it needs a whole service, probably includes flushing.

- Something with the left front suspension, my Porsche auto repair shop things it might need a new arm, strut, and misc parts. I saw it out of whack a bit, for example the sway bar was shifted a bit, but nothing significantly broken.

- I guess the trans cooler got dented, isn't leaking.

- new front plastic nose clip, goes new for $1300 - $1400 just for the part.

- basically both side plastic ground effects.

- scraped on rear bumper cap.

- all this stuff need painting.

- no damage to any metal bodywork, airbags didn't go off, so no major impact.

- there was another $1K of misc stuff the Porsche shop had, can't recall exactly.

- insurance guy said a couple wheels need straightening, refinishing (I didn't see any damage).

- I visited both the body shop and the Porsche shop, they gave me a verbal ballpark of $4-5K body and $3K mechanicals.

Pictures I took are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/syncronicity1/968Damage

968 damage



So, what I see is the insurance company jacking up the repair estimates to the maximum degree possible. His estimate was $10K (not final), and concern that when they start the work and get it apart, they'll find another $5K. Ouch, my son ran it into a ditch <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> , although it appeared from the crash site that it probably caught a few feet of air between the near and far side of the ditch.



It also needs rear tires (oops) and 1 new radiator fan motor, has about 138 or 140K miles, all else is good.



So I have 2 options:

- take the total, let it go, they'll send it to auction (here locally I assume).

- keep it and work with the repair folks on a more discounted repair somehow, insurance will pay me the total value minus their assessment of the residual value. I think they are going to come in with a totaled value around $9-11K, but I don't have a firm number. The salvage value he said might be (edit: I have no idea what they want for the salvage value). So that would give me [X dollars] to fix it back to new. Unfortunately I have to convert to a salvage title. And I have to take the risk of higher repair costs if something undetected surfaces.

- option 3: buy flash's car (oops, can't do that!!!)



So, any ideas folks, I loved this car, any comments? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Thanks



Roland

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[sbdrivingdotcom]

My best bet would be:



1) take the cash



2) buy my low miles cab or coupe and enjoy a 6 speed in immaculate condition



3) keep the son in a Volvo until he learns to drive responsibly



Before anyone calls me out, please know that I own a driving school in California. I understand the mentality of a young driver, specifically a male. I feel for your loss but if you want another 968 you should buy one of mine. They are in immaculate condition and I would teach your son some defensive driving skills that will serve him for life.



You don't want a salvage title car because it gives you no options for resale whatsoever. If you're interested let me know. There is no shipping since I live so close to you. Best of luck!

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[flash]

i would be surprised if the salvage value was only 1k - buy backs i have heard of have been between 4k and 6k - that doesn't leave much if the value was only 10k - may not get her fixed for that remaining money, especially considering the amount of paint required (they'll have to at least blend, and likely shoot more panels)



while i personally have no issue with salvage titles (as long as the frame is intact), many people do, so that is a factor - given that it was front end damage, are we sure the frame is intact? - it is very common for the front bumper to mess the frame up in an accident where the front end is damaged



i think i tend to agree though, if those are the numbers, i'd let it go and find another one - i know you need a tip, but they are out there, and you may well find one that is lower mileage and better condition that you expect



it's sad though - i loved that color



it really all comes down to how much you loved that particular car, and what you are willing to spend to make her right again

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[PorscheDude]

I know it sucks, at least know one was injured.

Cut your loses and find a replacement.

There are plenty available if you dig deep enough.

If you have anything special, like the exhaust, try and swap the stock part back on.

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[spectre996]

I agree. Cut your losses. As we all know, p-cars are expensive to repair and unless your going to being paying out of pocket as well, the insurance check won't stretch that far.



On a side note, the driver side rear tire looked really bald (inner edge). Was that a result of the accident?

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[flash]

ok - i've now gone and looked at the pics - not that bad, but still close on the numbers - not sure why they want to replace the front bumper cover - looks repairable to me



reshooting and repairing front bumper cover, and blending front end $1200-$1500

repairing front suspension, alignment, et all $1000

replacing, shooting side panels, etc $1500

tires, front lower apron, misc parts $1500

trans parts service $2k



i would think that you could get that car back up for about $7500

buy back cost is going to be a BIG factor here

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[Ceenit]

Take the cash and buy another 968.



Then...see if the insurance company will sell you the old car for $1k.



At a minimum you have an excellent parts car worth at least 5x that much. And if you or your son are mechanically inclined, you can probably fix it back up for far less than the estimates you receive. It may never again be perfect, but probably look good enough that your son would still love to drive it.

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[968Syncro]

Hi Folks,



Thanks for the all the responses and insights.



Jarrod, sure I'll take your car anyday! I read the excellence article last year (or whenever it was). Just not right now. I could live with the stick.



Yeah, balder tire in the rear, I considered holding back that picture from this group out of embarrassment, since it wasn't from the accident. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



The front bumper has a puncture in one place, about 1 inch square, the body shop was hesitant to try to repair it. The shop I have is high end, called "European Auto", a lots of Mercedes, a 930, even (believe me, they showed it to me) a Ferrari F40 that someone crashed the front body panels, evidently there was debris on the road. Nice aluminum! The front bumper paint on the 968 had some cracks, almost like spider webbing, that they said often hides small cracks in the plastic that will come through again.



Last night after writing the message, and sorting through my thoughts, I was already heading in the direction of not repairing it. I.e. let it go. Many of the thoughts this morning suggested this may be the lowest risk path. The main problem is not letting go of "my 968", the main problem is the couple/tip/silver/light color interior combination.



So right now, depending on buy back, I might take it back and try to sell parts. Junior can go to work to satisfy his consequences. We'll see. Thanks for all the thoughts.



Roland



PS: I already bought a 944 to get around town as a temporary car. '84, only 67K documented miles, really clean. Hey, what can I say, after 20 years I was without a Porsche for 7 days, it was awful. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Eric_K]

It doesn't look too bad, but I can see how the numbers would equal total. The bumper cover certainly looks repairable. Depending on the buy back price - I would buy it back and fix it. Or fix it enough to be a runner and sell it as is and buy another. I hate to see a straight car broken up for parts. (But I can always use parts <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> )

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[PorscheDude]

PM sent on the salvage.



I WANT IT!

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[flash]

roflmao - here he goes..................

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[PorscheDude]

What can I say.....

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[hot968]

[quote name='smokiemon968' post='48311' date='Feb 27 2008, 07:53 PM']What can I say.....[/quote]





Is the interior classic grey? I would be interested in a few parts if it is. I need sun visors that work, one part.

Sorry for your accident these cars are special to every owner and there are fewer arround every year. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/sad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[rxter]

Hell I'll buy the exhaust now. I'll pass on the tires...

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[rxter]

Looks like Synchro is parting it out on 968.net.



http://www.968.net/classifieds/classifieds...ts%20for%20Sale

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[Eric_K]

Ha! Did you notice the dates on those ads?



968.net is unfortunately a ghost ship. Have the forums finally crashed for good over there?

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[PorscheDude]

Most recent ad from July 2003.

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[968Syncro]

Actually, I am still here, haven't put up any parting out for sale ads yet. I have it back at my house now, trying to figure out if I can fix it up and still drive it. I'll have to use a Salvage title in California which doesn't bother me (yet) since I bought it to be a driver, and only want to use it as a driver. I still don't know why the insurance had to total it, somehow they get extremely conservative and add every little bit they can at the highest cost possible.



From what I can tell only the transmission reservoir needs to be replaced, and refilled to get it back on the road (and rear tires) , but of course the body work to make it look good.



Darn it! Something just happened to me with this 968, they are so so good, hard to let it go.

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[flash]

they lean on the conservative on cars like this because it can go crazy, and end up costing more than the "value" of the car - once they go down the path of repair though, they are committed, and have to finish



the car may or may not need all of it, and may well cost less to fix, especially if you can shop around, do any of it yourself, or are willing to settle for some things not being "perfect"



if it is a driver, and you aren't worried about selling it, i wouldn't be worried about salvage title either

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