My From Start to Finish 6.0L Build

[RAMurphy]

Hell yeah. I swapped in a complete driver door on my daughters Cruze when it was almost new- some college kid caved it at student parking and didn’t leave a note. Amazing what the ins companies will total a vehicle over isn’t it?

Mark, you are so right. So basically total repairs would need to be less than 50% of the current value of the car. The estimate for repair was just under $4.5K. That was of course before they tore into it. Labor/paint was a good chunk of that cost. I have spent just about $500 in parts - maybe a tad more. Another $100 or so in paint. Of course she get's the family discount for labor - no charge.

 

[Fless]

During the long Holiday weekend (happy belated 4th everyone), I removed the bumper cover, fender, splash shield, headlights and a variety of other components.
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Spent the entire day on Monday straightening the radiator support and various other components so I could get the new fender aligned and mounted correctly. Then yesterday evening I finally got the fender installed. Is it perfect - no, but oh so close. It will work.
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This weekend I will get the bumper cover back on. Painting will happen once the paint gets delivered.

Great work and saving the car. I'm getting good VIBES from this.

 

[iamdub]

Mark, you are so right. So basically total repairs would need to be less than 50% of the current value of the car. The estimate for repair was just under $4.5K. That was of course before they tore into it. Labor/paint was a good chunk of that cost. I have spent just about $500 in parts - maybe a tad more. Another $100 or so in paint. Of course she get's the family discount for labor - no charge.

$4.5K?! Looks like nothing structural or even suspension was affected. No bags were deployed.

Those are great cars, being Toyotas. Good save!

 

[RAMurphy]

$4.5K?! Looks like nothing structural or even suspension was affected. No bags were deployed.

Those are great cars, being Toyotas. Good save!

I was shocked at the estimate, but even if it was lower it would had to of been a lot lower. The year and mileage drive down the value of this car drastically. But, she is a great car and my daughter loves it, it's worth the effort to get her back on the road.

 

[Stonefort]

I am an insurance guy so I am just curious. Not trying to pry! I am a Texas agent - 12 years in.

Did you buy it back from the ins company? Or maybe you just cancelled the claim.

Even though the used car market is nuts - the ins company is obligated to give you enough to buy the same model, trim, miles and condition. Maybe it was a "stated value" policy and not "actual cash value"?

 

[RAMurphy]

@Stonefort We Cancelled the claim.

 

[Stonefort]

@Stonefort We Cancelled the claim.

I got ya. I would have likely done the same. Depending on the state and how they deal with salvage titles....it can easily make it not worth it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

On NJ if you have full coverage and they total the vehicle, you could usually buy it back at a reduced price. 9 out of 10 times it'll have a salvage title tho. If it was me I would've let them total it, buy it back and fix it with the extra $$. Leave it insured for only liability, then drive it til it dies.

 

[RAMurphy]

On NJ if you have full coverage and they total the vehicle, you could usually buy it back at a reduced price. 9 out of 10 times it'll have a salvage title tho. If it was me I would've let them total it, buy it back and fix it with the extra $$. Leave it insured for only liability, then drive it til it dies.

A bit more complicated and a pain in the ass in Maryland and my Insurance company. Easier doing it this way.

 

[RAMurphy]

Bumper cover installed, a few little adjustments yet. Looks pretty good.