Need estimates or advice

GITY UUP · 06-10-2002, 01:26 PM

Unfortunately I was in an accident yesterday in my 2000 GT. I'm fine and wasn't hurt, however, the person that hit me hit my rear drivers side quarter panel and lower bumper and bent my axle. She made a left hand turn right into my car and I was going straight through the intersection. I jumped the curb and spun around twice on grass before I was able to get straight and back onto the road. Does anyone on this board know if I would have frame damage from this accident? She also totalled the rim on the rear driver's side, bent the axle as I already mentioned and I scratched both rims on the passenger side from going up or coming down the curb it all happened so fast I don't remember. Also, would anyone have an idea as to the dollar amount of the damage and if so at what point does the insurance company total the car? If I do have frame damage, what will the car drive like when I get it back? I was ready to smack this lady when I got out of the car and to top it all off she wasn't even ticketed for failure to yield the right of way. I've already asked my insurance company to get OEM Ford replacement parts, but I don't know if the car will be the same once I get it back. I'm really PO'd and any advice or help as to price or post collision issues with the way the car will drive if I get it back would be greatly appreciated from you guys.

Signed,

A totally upset GITY UUP

Torinalth · 06-10-2002, 05:03 PM

you are looking at over 8k of damage. axel, wheels, panels, paint, frame (there WILL be frame damage if the axel bent), any inserts in the ford, bumper, and interior pieces that were damaged. with labor, materials, and the like it will scale passed 8k, unless it is a lot less than I am imagining it being, a pic would help.

Torinalth

GITY UUP · 06-10-2002, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the input. People I've been talking to today have also said about $8 to 10K which makes me nervous as this amount puts it into the "total" range from the insurance companys standpoint. The car was towed to the bodyshop late this afternoon from the towing company. The owner of the bodyshop said he would call me tomorrow or Wednesday after one of his workers took the car apart to assess the internal damage with the estimate. And yes, the damage is as bad as you imagine. I'll see if I can't get some photos of the car later on this week to put on this site

Torinalth · 06-10-2002, 09:24 PM

at this point you WANT them to total it. if they patch it together it is going to have problems. a squeek here, brake problems there, control arms breaking.... vibration at 85 MPH etc. too much stuff goes wrong after that large of a repair job.

Torinalth

gilmoujr · 06-10-2002, 09:37 PM

I completely agree! I had a 2001 GT Prem that had a student rearend it and did $13k (maxed out by the body shop). At a value of $22.5k it may have been difficult to total the car (which I requested - rather required). Luck has it that the body shop owner is a race fan that hated to see my pony crippled the way she was. Another benefit to me was that the insurance rep was in the market for a pony not too unlike mine (outside the damage). After all was said and done - the car was paid off and I made $750 (Ford A-Plan with 0% financing helped that along). Although I was inconvenienced a bit. I came out okay. I hope that you get the treatment that you (and your car deserve). Good luck!

GITY UUP · 06-11-2002, 11:16 AM

Yes, hopefully it will be totalled from the numerous buddies I've talked to in the Northern VA Mustang Club that I belong to and from what you guys said on this board. I'm going to the bodyshop to get some photos of the car tommorrow (Wednesday), so I'll probably post them on Thursday or Friday. I'm now waiting for the phone call from the bodyshop today with the estimate. I just think of all of the labor that I've put into this car and it makes me sick to think that the car might be a write off. I don't think I can ever get back the money that I've sunk into the car. I've looked on Edmunds and they give me anywhere between around $18.6K trade in and $23k dealer retail for a fully loaded vert with 17k miles on it.

GaryDawg · 06-11-2002, 03:46 PM

Same thing happened to me. I had a '96 V6 and lost control and jumped a curb then jumped a ditch... the frame and the axle got bent... They kept the car for 8 weeks before finally totalling it. Each week the expected cost to repair got higher and higher... I think that at a point the insurance company would rather total it, take possession of the car and sell it out of state to recover some of their losses. My car didn't look that bad but they totalled it instead of fixing it.

The insurance company barely paid off the car.

The upside was that the car pay off made my credit look really good and I bought a new GT 'vert afterwards...

Unit 5302 · 06-11-2002, 07:12 PM

I doubt they will total it. You'll need about 70% of book value. If it's a $17k car, you'll be looking at about $12k to total it.

Stroked408 · 06-12-2002, 08:48 PM

I am in the south part of Dallas,and there is some crazy driving around here,I am serious about this question is it price to fix it that totals it or is it chassis structure damage that says if it is total? This subject has always been a dark side of the automotive world with me,and I am curious also,sorry to hear about your bad luck that sucks when someone runs into you,and you were minding your own business

Ramin · 06-17-2002, 02:09 PM

Man I feel for u. If I were u I would fight all the way for a new car.Tell them that these cars are not unibody and that they have two seperate peaces under the car that is why u need subframes.Right from the beginig u should ask for a new car.Dont ask for Ford parts because that should be done with out even asking for it.Demand a new car and even say something like u will take them to small claim court if u dont get a new one.I really wish u the best of luck.

blue00gt · 06-17-2002, 05:28 PM

It's not necessarily true that it would never drive the same, but it takes a good shop to fix a car with frame damage the right way and my experience tells me that a good shop is hard to find and it is impossible to tell ahead of time unless you have dealt with them before or know someone who is knowledgable of the business. I wrecked my '00 when it was fairly new to the tune of $13K - bent the K-member, killed all the front suspension, and the frame. It drives perfectly well now - no vibrations, alignment problems, or uneven tire wear. BUT I had to have it fixed TWICE to get it where it is now. The first shop that 'fixed' it had it for 7 months and after I got it back I could see that the wheelbase wasn't even the same on both sides and the frame was still bent. I uncovered some fraud that the first shop committed (re-used damaged parts that were on the repair estimate and even had receipts to show purchese, except for the fact that they returned the parts after buying them!). After threatening the first shop I was able to get it fixed at another shop that a good friend of mine recommended, and the car is flawless now.
I don't know if all insurance companies are the same, but for mine the damage has to be over 2/3 of the cars value for it to be totalled, so yours probably isn't.

GITY UUP · 06-17-2002, 07:06 PM

Went to see the car Saturday, it turns out that my drivers side rear axle took most of the damage. The whole rear end has to come out of the car they also couldn't remove the rubber bushings (one inch circular black bushings) at the top of each axle from the old rear end so they had to order those new bushings also. I saw the new Ford rear end that the bodyshop ordered and it was manufactured in April from the tag that was on it. They are taking the rear end to Autosport in Sterling VA this week where my car will get new 31 spline Strange axle shafts, the cradles for the axles and a new rotor and caliper for the rear drivers side they dont know if the gears are damaged but the differential was bent. The car took no frame damage although they did put the car on the frame machine for 3 hours to pull the rear fender and it looks surprisingly good. BUT, I'm still skeptical that there was no frame damage???? Does anyone have an opinion on this????? They are also putting a new rear bumper cover on it. It also turns out that I cracked my rear decklid when I was hit so they had to order a new rear decklid from Ford. I was going to take pictures but the car was already painted the rear fender at least. The bodyshop is still waiting on the deck lid and the bumper cover from Ford. The estimate as it stands now is $7,500 and the other persons insurance (Kemper) is covering everything although I basically had to throw a fit to get new parts on the car. They also have to replace 3 rims and my rear driver side tire. I hope the car is normal when I get it back. I should have it back by the end of next week. Thanks for all of your input and support guys, this board is just super as far as advice is concerned and I appreciate it.

Gary

Ramin · 06-17-2002, 07:39 PM

Another reason I say to ask for a new car is even if they fix it as good as new when u want to sell the car usually peoples first or second question is "has the car been in an accident?"

Stroked408 · 06-17-2002, 08:03 PM

Hope you well in getting your car fixed or replaced whatever avenue you decide to take.

If you stay with what you have,this style is caveman big time but if you want to test the track of your car,drive through a puddle of water and observe the tire tracks,if you see 4 sets take it back,if you only see 2 sets you should be fine.

Hope it works out for you.

Ramin · 06-17-2002, 09:32 PM

Did u get hurt? At least r u suing the *****?

06-10-2002, 01:26 PM	#1
GITY UUP Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 43	Need estimates or advice Unfortunately I was in an accident yesterday in my 2000 GT. I'm fine and wasn't hurt, however, the person that hit me hit my rear drivers side quarter panel and lower bumper and bent my axle. She made a left hand turn right into my car and I was going straight through the intersection. I jumped the curb and spun around twice on grass before I was able to get straight and back onto the road. Does anyone on this board know if I would have frame damage from this accident? She also totalled the rim on the rear driver's side, bent the axle as I already mentioned and I scratched both rims on the passenger side from going up or coming down the curb it all happened so fast I don't remember. Also, would anyone have an idea as to the dollar amount of the damage and if so at what point does the insurance company total the car? If I do have frame damage, what will the car drive like when I get it back? I was ready to smack this lady when I got out of the car and to top it all off she wasn't even ticketed for failure to yield the right of way. I've already asked my insurance company to get OEM Ford replacement parts, but I don't know if the car will be the same once I get it back. I'm really PO'd and any advice or help as to price or post collision issues with the way the car will drive if I get it back would be greatly appreciated from you guys. Signed, A totally upset GITY UUP __________________ I eat Chevys, fart imports and crap Mopars....

06-10-2002, 05:03 PM	#2
Torinalth Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chapel Hill, NC - USA Posts: 188	you are looking at over 8k of damage. axel, wheels, panels, paint, frame (there WILL be frame damage if the axel bent), any inserts in the ford, bumper, and interior pieces that were damaged. with labor, materials, and the like it will scale passed 8k, unless it is a lot less than I am imagining it being, a pic would help. Torinalth __________________ When you finally shut down the car, just sit back and remember the run.... win or lose, you know it was a surge of adreneline

06-10-2002, 08:11 PM	#3
GITY UUP Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 43	Thanks for the input Torinalth Thanks for the input. People I've been talking to today have also said about $8 to 10K which makes me nervous as this amount puts it into the "total" range from the insurance companys standpoint. The car was towed to the bodyshop late this afternoon from the towing company. The owner of the bodyshop said he would call me tomorrow or Wednesday after one of his workers took the car apart to assess the internal damage with the estimate. And yes, the damage is as bad as you imagine. I'll see if I can't get some photos of the car later on this week to put on this site __________________ I eat Chevys, fart imports and crap Mopars....

06-10-2002, 09:24 PM	#4
Torinalth Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chapel Hill, NC - USA Posts: 188	at this point you WANT them to total it. if they patch it together it is going to have problems. a squeek here, brake problems there, control arms breaking.... vibration at 85 MPH etc. too much stuff goes wrong after that large of a repair job. Torinalth __________________ When you finally shut down the car, just sit back and remember the run.... win or lose, you know it was a surge of adreneline

06-11-2002, 11:16 AM	#6
GITY UUP Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 43	Thanks for all of your help guys Yes, hopefully it will be totalled from the numerous buddies I've talked to in the Northern VA Mustang Club that I belong to and from what you guys said on this board. I'm going to the bodyshop to get some photos of the car tommorrow (Wednesday), so I'll probably post them on Thursday or Friday. I'm now waiting for the phone call from the bodyshop today with the estimate. I just think of all of the labor that I've put into this car and it makes me sick to think that the car might be a write off. I don't think I can ever get back the money that I've sunk into the car. I've looked on Edmunds and they give me anywhere between around $18.6K trade in and $23k dealer retail for a fully loaded vert with 17k miles on it. __________________ I eat Chevys, fart imports and crap Mopars....

06-10-2002, 09:37 PM	#5
gilmoujr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dexter City, Ohio Posts: 60	I completely agree! I had a 2001 GT Prem that had a student rearend it and did $13k (maxed out by the body shop). At a value of $22.5k it may have been difficult to total the car (which I requested - rather required). Luck has it that the body shop owner is a race fan that hated to see my pony crippled the way she was. Another benefit to me was that the insurance rep was in the market for a pony not too unlike mine (outside the damage). After all was said and done - the car was paid off and I made $750 (Ford A-Plan with 0% financing helped that along). Although I was inconvenienced a bit. I came out okay. I hope that you get the treatment that you (and your car deserve). Good luck!

06-11-2002, 03:46 PM	#7
GaryDawg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 202	Same thing happened to me. I had a '96 V6 and lost control and jumped a curb then jumped a ditch... the frame and the axle got bent... They kept the car for 8 weeks before finally totalling it. Each week the expected cost to repair got higher and higher... I think that at a point the insurance company would rather total it, take possession of the car and sell it out of state to recover some of their losses. My car didn't look that bad but they totalled it instead of fixing it. The insurance company barely paid off the car. The upside was that the car pay off made my credit look really good and I bought a new GT 'vert afterwards... __________________ '98 Rio Red Mustang GT 'vert (clicky) See my "User Ride"...

06-11-2002, 07:12 PM	#8
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	I doubt they will total it. You'll need about 70% of book value. If it's a $17k car, you'll be looking at about $12k to total it.

06-12-2002, 08:48 PM	#9
Stroked408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 131	Lucky so far I am in the south part of Dallas,and there is some crazy driving around here,I am serious about this question is it price to fix it that totals it or is it chassis structure damage that says if it is total? This subject has always been a dark side of the automotive world with me,and I am curious also,sorry to hear about your bad luck that sucks when someone runs into you,and you were minding your own business __________________ Deeper,Harder,Faster Stage Deeper Launch Harder Go Faster

06-17-2002, 02:09 PM	#10
Ramin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 10	Man I feel for u. If I were u I would fight all the way for a new car.Tell them that these cars are not unibody and that they have two seperate peaces under the car that is why u need subframes.Right from the beginig u should ask for a new car.Dont ask for Ford parts because that should be done with out even asking for it.Demand a new car and even say something like u will take them to small claim court if u dont get a new one.I really wish u the best of luck.

06-17-2002, 05:28 PM	#11
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	It's not necessarily true that it would never drive the same, but it takes a good shop to fix a car with frame damage the right way and my experience tells me that a good shop is hard to find and it is impossible to tell ahead of time unless you have dealt with them before or know someone who is knowledgable of the business. I wrecked my '00 when it was fairly new to the tune of $13K - bent the K-member, killed all the front suspension, and the frame. It drives perfectly well now - no vibrations, alignment problems, or uneven tire wear. BUT I had to have it fixed TWICE to get it where it is now. The first shop that 'fixed' it had it for 7 months and after I got it back I could see that the wheelbase wasn't even the same on both sides and the frame was still bent. I uncovered some fraud that the first shop committed (re-used damaged parts that were on the repair estimate and even had receipts to show purchese, except for the fact that they returned the parts after buying them!). After threatening the first shop I was able to get it fixed at another shop that a good friend of mine recommended, and the car is flawless now. I don't know if all insurance companies are the same, but for mine the damage has to be over 2/3 of the cars value for it to be totalled, so yours probably isn't. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

06-17-2002, 07:06 PM	#12
GITY UUP Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 43	update Went to see the car Saturday, it turns out that my drivers side rear axle took most of the damage. The whole rear end has to come out of the car they also couldn't remove the rubber bushings (one inch circular black bushings) at the top of each axle from the old rear end so they had to order those new bushings also. I saw the new Ford rear end that the bodyshop ordered and it was manufactured in April from the tag that was on it. They are taking the rear end to Autosport in Sterling VA this week where my car will get new 31 spline Strange axle shafts, the cradles for the axles and a new rotor and caliper for the rear drivers side they dont know if the gears are damaged but the differential was bent. The car took no frame damage although they did put the car on the frame machine for 3 hours to pull the rear fender and it looks surprisingly good. BUT, I'm still skeptical that there was no frame damage???? Does anyone have an opinion on this????? They are also putting a new rear bumper cover on it. It also turns out that I cracked my rear decklid when I was hit so they had to order a new rear decklid from Ford. I was going to take pictures but the car was already painted the rear fender at least. The bodyshop is still waiting on the deck lid and the bumper cover from Ford. The estimate as it stands now is $7,500 and the other persons insurance (Kemper) is covering everything although I basically had to throw a fit to get new parts on the car. They also have to replace 3 rims and my rear driver side tire. I hope the car is normal when I get it back. I should have it back by the end of next week. Thanks for all of your input and support guys, this board is just super as far as advice is concerned and I appreciate it. Gary __________________ I eat Chevys, fart imports and crap Mopars....

06-17-2002, 07:39 PM	#13
Ramin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 10	Another reason I say to ask for a new car is even if they fix it as good as new when u want to sell the car usually peoples first or second question is "has the car been in an accident?"

06-17-2002, 08:03 PM	#14
Stroked408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 131	Good To Go Hope you well in getting your car fixed or replaced whatever avenue you decide to take. If you stay with what you have,this style is caveman big time but if you want to test the track of your car,drive through a puddle of water and observe the tire tracks,if you see 4 sets take it back,if you only see 2 sets you should be fine. Hope it works out for you. __________________ Deeper,Harder,Faster Stage Deeper Launch Harder Go Faster

06-17-2002, 09:32 PM	#15
Ramin Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 10	Did u get hurt? At least r u suing the *****?

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