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macfantn · May 17, 2010, 08:28 PM

So Saturday night some guy ran a red light, not yellow turning red but red. Hit the front passenger corner of my car damaged the headlight, bumper, front fender and the back fender from where his car spun around. I just paid my car off 2 months ago. Anyone here know how much damage has to be done before they total the car out? I have been hearing different answers.

Also if I do have to buy a new car, I was thinking of trying carmax. Any thoughts on carmax?

Chongo · May 17, 2010, 08:50 PM

If the total cost of repair exceeds the Blue Book value of the car, it will considered a total loss. A garbage truck bumped my mother's '94 Taurus and bent the trunk lid only and the insurance company called it a total loss.

New Cars, Used Cars, Blue Book Values & Car Prices - Kelley Blue Book

reader50 · May 17, 2010, 09:57 PM

May we assume the perp lacks insurance ... or that it's a hit and run?

macfantn · May 17, 2010, 10:06 PM

He has insurance, and his car wasn't drivable anyway so he couldn't run. My car is worth 9k I am wondering if they will total it out or not. I have no clue how much a front bumper, headlight, front fender and rear fender will cost to replace. I am 99% sure there is no engine or radiator damage. Anyone have any ideas what all this will cost to fix? The insurance company told me if it's 75% of the value of the car they will total it out.

-Q- · May 17, 2010, 10:27 PM

Sorry about your bad luck. Don't know what the threshold is for totaling a car, but I've bought a couple cars from Carmax and the experience has always been much nicer than the traditional auto buying experience.

imitchellg5 · May 17, 2010, 10:28 PM

What kind of car do you have again? If there isn't any frame or power train damage, I doubt it'll be totaled out.

torsoboy · May 17, 2010, 10:32 PM

My guess (based on previous repairs to my own vehicles) is that the bill will come out to around $2k, if there is no other work needing to be done.

I have never tried Carmax, but on their commercials I always laugh when they highlight their 30 day warranty. Wowzers... who could go wrong with that type of coverage! lol

macfantn · May 17, 2010, 11:02 PM

2006 honda civic, I don't believe there is any frame damage. Probably just all cosmetic.

Rumor · May 17, 2010, 11:37 PM

Resale value is high on those, and the parts are plentiful. I doubt it would be a total loss. Typically, 75% of the value of the car is considered a total loss.

imitchellg5 · May 17, 2010, 11:40 PM

Yeah, my Accord was within 74% of its value last summer (hail damage), but the insurance man rounded it up because it was in a such good shape (and still is besides the exterior). If you've taken good care of your car, the same may happen to you.

macfantn · May 18, 2010, 10:31 PM

So I'm still waiting on the adjuster to look at my car, should be done in the next day or 2. If I have to get a new car I have a budget of around 20k. Any suggestions on the best car I can buy for 20k or less.

I really only want to buy new. Some cars I am considering are:

Scion xB
Scion tC (I'm 6'3 though so this might be out due to headroom)
Another Civic
Mazda 3

Any other suggestions or comments on these cars?

imitchellg5 · May 18, 2010, 10:34 PM

You're getting ahead of yourself.

I'm 6'4" and fit fine in the tC. But don't buy that, the next generation will be out soon with a much better powertrain.

Snow-i · May 18, 2010, 10:52 PM

Nissan Altima

Laminar · May 18, 2010, 11:57 PM

Jeep Liberty. someone had to say it

AKcrab · May 19, 2010, 01:01 AM

Ca$h will be along shortly.

phantomdragonz · May 19, 2010, 01:37 AM

Toyota or Honda

-Zach

Railroader · May 19, 2010, 06:52 AM

Chevy Silverado.

Eug · May 19, 2010, 09:08 AM

Sux, but out of curiosity: Why does it matter if it's paid off or not?

imitchellg5 · May 19, 2010, 11:11 AM

Bike without a helmet.

SpaceMonkey · May 19, 2010, 11:27 AM

Whatever you get, make sure it can haul several large HDTVs.

Railroader · May 19, 2010, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Eug

Sux, but out of curiosity: Why does it matter if it's paid off or not?

Some people don't feel they own something entirely until they bank no longer has an interest. And he's probably mad that something he owns outright was damaged.

Railroader · May 19, 2010, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Whatever you get, make sure it can haul several large HDTVs.

/END of THREAD]

The Final Dakar · May 19, 2010, 03:12 PM

Dammit, I ever got around to posting "He was probably in a rush to replace his burned-in plasma."

downinflames68 · May 19, 2010, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by macfantn

So I'm still waiting on the adjuster to look at my car, should be done in the next day or 2. If I have to get a new car I have a budget of around 20k. Any suggestions on the best car I can buy for 20k or less.

I really only want to buy new. Some cars I am considering are:

Scion xB
Scion tC (I'm 6'3 though so this might be out due to headroom)
Another Civic
Mazda 3

Any other suggestions or comments on these cars?

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Get something interesting. What is your location?

downinflames68 · May 19, 2010, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by macfantn

He has insurance, and his car wasn't drivable anyway so he couldn't run. My car is worth 9k I am wondering if they will total it out or not. I have no clue how much a front bumper, headlight, front fender and rear fender will cost to replace. I am 99% sure there is no engine or radiator damage. Anyone have any ideas what all this will cost to fix? The insurance company told me if it's 75% of the value of the car they will total it out.

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

Order the parts yourself. Just make sure the condition/color is correct. Bolt in at a friend's house. Rear fender will be $$$ to fix.

imitchellg5 · May 19, 2010, 09:41 PM

Eh, I wouldn't do it myself. These days, all Honda use are horrid plastic tabs to keep the bumpers in place and nearly everything else. They're a pain in the butt to work with. Since the other guy has insurance, let it cover the cost.