Car officially "totalled" ... What to do?

[muttleynfelix]

The Monday after Christmas I was an in accident in my DH's purchased new 1998 VW GTI with 170k miles. The accident was not my fault and the other drivers insurance is paying for everything which is good because we only had liability insurance on the car. We found out today that they are totaling the car which is what we expected. The repairs will cost at least $3400 and 6 days to fix the car and my DH (a car guy) is concerned about what else they might find. If we decide to go ahead and get the car repaired anyway we will get a check for about $3200. If we decide to allow them to take the car, then we get a check for $3900 plus a voucher for sales tax. The insurance will stop picking up the tab for the (crappy) rental car on Thursday.

While we have savings, we really don't have a lot (or any) money to spend on a new to us vehicle. One month ago after 6 months of looking (and 2 years of planning) we traded in my pick up truck for an SUV and while we got a fantastic deal on the SUV, we still decided to finance the remainder at 4%. This leaves our monthly budget super tight. Plus my job has been extremely slow and starting next month there is the possibility I could be laid off 1 to 2 days a week depending on the work load. DH stays home with our 51 week old son (he'll be 1 in a week ). So that is our financial situation in a nut shell.

What would you do? Another 170k mile vehicle isn't the same as one that we put every mile on, but I can't believe they are giving us basically $4k for that car, but there isn't a lot out there for $4k.

The whole thing ticks me off because I was planning on putting another 170k on that car. When we finally bought the SUV, I was like great now we don't have to go car shopping for another 10 years. Grrr on little old ladies who go the wrong way down a one-way street and come to an intersection and think it is a 4-way stop and then try to hug me afterwards.

[kristi28]

Are all of the $3600 in repairs essential, or are some cosmetic? If you can return your current vehicle to drivable for less than you would have to spend to get a new one, that is what I would do. You might end up with a perfectly usable (though funny looking) auto.

However, I have no problem driving around a car with huge hail pock marks (this is what we did when DHs car was totaled in a storm). We drove the sucker for another two years before selling it to our mechanic who is driving it still. Looks funny, but I guess it is still running.

[muttleynfelix]

My DH talked to body shop and it sounds like at least 90% of that cost is essential. The accident did a number on my front end and it needs a new radiator, new front clip, etc, etc. I don't have a problem driving around an imperfect vehicle.

[dragonfly7]

In your shoes, I would take the $3900, keep a close eye out for a cheap, running vehicle, and live with one car until we either found one or saved enough to purchase a better one. It looks like you have the ability for DH and DS to stay home without a vehicle while you go to work, or they can drive you there and pick you up if they need the SUV for errands or appointments during the day.
You might also see if there is someone you can carpool with to work. The last time DH and I had one vehicle between us, he worked an hour away from home, but his supervisor was able to meet us about halfway and take him the rest of the way there and back. If DH had to drive himself, he'd drop me off at work or a nearby store early, and when I got off work, I walked half a mile to Barnes and Noble and read or browsed until he came to get me.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

If the damage is to the actual running of the car, I'd take the $3900 and look for something else.
I, too, have more car payments than I should (don't tell YM ). But, for me, it's more frustrating to have a car that isn't reliable, which might be what happens with your poor GTI.

I can't believe the little old lady tried to hug you!!!

[DVM gone riding]

if the car is drivable as is I would keep it, if not or not worth a lot more then 400 in scrap parts, then don't
I drove my "totaled" car for almost a year and a half after wards and then sold it for 2k to someone else. with extremely minor repairs so that the doors opened and closed right.

If you can do that and then save along with the rest of the money then go for it. If not don't bother! The best way to get a good used vehicle is to buy private party. It might suck but part of the advantage of DH not working right now is you don't need to immediately purchase a car if it takes a month or two not the end of the world.

[muttleynfelix]

Thanks for all the opinions. We each keep going back and forth. There are so many pros and cons to both. DH thinks that it can be gotten running for maybe $1500 and then he and his brother can gradually fix the rest. I don't know how secure I feel about driving it that way to work the more I think about it. So, we'll keep thinking debating. Hopefully the answer will come to us soon.

Oh and Chloe, yeah it was beyond crazy that the lady wanted to hug me. I knew she was sorry and didn't mean it, but that doesn't mean I want to be anywhere near you. Oh yeah and her car had less than half the damage that my car had.

[phil5185]

Is it an option to become a one-car family? Ie, take the $3900 and put it to a better use.

[muttleynfelix]

One car isn't really a long term option. While the insurance mess was being straightened out, I was reliant on DH and DS to take me to work every day and that was a nightmare. I need a car for my job some days (I was actually at work at the time of the accident running some errands) and even though my DH doesn't go anywhere about half the time, we live out in the country with no one around and DH doesn't feel comfortable being at home without a way to get anywhere (unless you count the tractor). So for a couple weeks, I could see us getting by. Longer than that and it would get rough.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Were you injured? Can you collect money from the insurer for "pain and suffering?" Even if you didn't require medical attention, you MAY be entitled to some compensation if you were hurt (headache, sore neck, stiff muscles.)
You said that other people had to give you rides while you were without a car. Have you made a claim for "loss of use" for your vehicle from the insurer? Perhaps they'd be willing to pay that?
It's worth asking .... just trying to get you some additional $$ for a replacement car purchase.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Were you injured? Can you collect money from the insurer for "pain and suffering?" Even if you didn't require medical attention, you MAY be entitled to some compensation if you were hurt (headache, sore neck, stiff muscles.)

This really bothers me. Why should the OP get compensation if there are aches/stiff muscles. All that recommending this does is drive up everyone's insurance costs and turns lawyers into ambulance chasers and people in accidents thinking that they can pad their payout for minor aches and pains (that are not even worth seeing a doctor for).

The OP was given a very reasonable sum for a car that had nearly 200K miles on it, without a quibble, from the insurance company. In fact, a quick look at KBB gave it a value of about $2900 - $1K less.

JMHO

[Jake 48]

I believe a GTI is front wheel drive and since there is damage to the front end, take the 3900, you said DH doesn't go anywhere most of the time, so a used vehicle would work for him?

[Deleted]

I'm sorry your car was totalled. I think I would take the check. I had a car totalled several years ago, had it repaired, and had recurrent problems with it even though it stayed on the road forever.

[muttleynfelix]

We are going to be asked to be compensated for the loss of use before I got the rental. But not for anything else. I think we are going to keep the car for now and make it driveable and then look for something else and once we find something we will probably sell our car or part it out. But this way we don't have to make any decisions overnight. Thanks for weighing in.

[debtheaven]

I would take the money and run.

Yes I do understand that YOU put the mileage on that car, but it is a very high-mileage car at this point, even if you put the mileage on yourselves. As another poster pointed out, your offer is well above KBB value.

I would take the money, decide to live with up to (one, two, three, four max) weeks of sharing a car, talk to the people in your RL and then try to find a decent, low-cost secondhand car. Somebody in your circle may well be getting rid of one.

I'm not sure about this, but I think that if your insurance co decided to write off that car, I'm not sure I'd want to put my baby in it.

Last thought, are you getting a tax refund? I'm sure you had it earmarked for other things, but because this happened, maybe you could add it to the insurance payout and put it towards a better secondhand car?

However, I would get the best car I could buy with the available money, I wouldn't take on a second car loan, I definitely agree with you about that.

[steph08]

I would take the $4k and buy another used car. There actually is a fair amount out there for $4k, you will just have to go older with or without higher mileage. For example, my 1996 Volvo 850 has 177k and would probably be about $1500 if I sold it and is still very reliable and will go, at least, another 100k.

Just a quick search on cars.com revealed 196 VWs within 250 miles of me for under $4k. A lot had mileage under 100k. If I looked at Toyotas, there were 327 listed within 250 miles of me for under $4k.

Just take a quick look on the internet - you might be surprised what you find.

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 16, 2011 22:09:57 GMT -5 @debtheaven said:

I would take the money and run.

Yes I do understand that YOU put the mileage on that car, but it is a very high-mileage car at this point, even if you put the mileage on yourselves. ... I'm not sure I'd want to put my baby in it.

Last thought, are you getting a tax refund? I'm sure you had it earmarked for other things, but because this happened, maybe you could add it to the insurance payout and put it towards a better secondhand car?

It is more than just us putting the mileage on the car. DH has done everything to that car. Plus we redid a lot of stuff on it just over a year ago to get ready for the baby since it was our family car until we got the SUV.

I honestly have no idea if we are getting a tax refund or not. If we do, then yes we would probably put the money towards a second vehicle. I have a couple thousand in savings bonds from my Grandma that I am thinking about cashing in for this, but I'm still undecided.

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 17, 2011 8:09:01 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I would take the $4k and buy another used car. There actually is a fair amount out there for $4k, you will just have to go older with or without higher mileage. For example, my 1996 Volvo 850 has 177k and would probably be about $1500 if I sold it and is still very reliable and will go, at least, another 100k.

Just a quick search on cars.com revealed 196 VWs within 250 miles of me for under $4k. A lot had mileage under 100k. If I looked at Toyotas, there were 327 listed within 250 miles of me for under $4k.

Just take a quick look on the internet - you might be surprised what you find.

Then you live in a very different place than me, because we have been searching all weekend and there is nothing within 100 miles of that has less than 140k miles, is not on the Consumer Reports don't by list and under $5k. We've looked on Auto Trader, Ebay, and Craigslist. Listed on Autotrader this weekend was '91 Camry with 311k miles for $6k. Obviously, that is on the insane side of things, but just an example of what we are looking at.

[Opti]

Have you checked local places and the local want ads too? Sometimes smaller shops may sell cars at a reasonable price. I hope you find something soon.

[singlemomky]

Because the insurer totaled the car, one thing to consider is whether your state will have to inspect the car and certify that you can drive the wrecked car once it is repaired.

I second that you need to check into the requirements of your state. My car was totaled in Dec '09 and the title became a "salvage" title which was a whole other facet to the equation. In Kentucky you cannot legally drive a car that has a salvage title.

[muttleynfelix]

We were told we don't have to get a salvage title on it.

[steph08]

Jan 17, 2011 9:33:27 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Jan 17, 2011 8:09:01 GMT -5 steph08 said:

I would take the $4k and buy another used car. There actually is a fair amount out there for $4k, you will just have to go older with or without higher mileage. For example, my 1996 Volvo 850 has 177k and would probably be about $1500 if I sold it and is still very reliable and will go, at least, another 100k.

Just a quick search on cars.com revealed 196 VWs within 250 miles of me for under $4k. A lot had mileage under 100k. If I looked at Toyotas, there were 327 listed within 250 miles of me for under $4k.

Just take a quick look on the internet - you might be surprised what you find.

Then you live in a very different place than me, because we have been searching all weekend and there is nothing within 100 miles of that has less than 140k miles, is not on the Consumer Reports don't by list and under $5k. We've looked on Auto Trader, Ebay, and Craigslist. Listed on Autotrader this weekend was '91 Camry with 311k miles for $6k. Obviously, that is on the insane side of things, but just an example of what we are looking at.

Bah, that really sucks!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

It might be worthwhile to look outside your local area.

Are there friends and/or family in other areas of the country where they have access to more cheap used cars? It might be worthwhile to call on their help too.

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 17, 2011 12:42:25 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

It might be worthwhile to look outside your local area.

Are there friends and/or family in other areas of the country where they have access to more cheap used cars? It might be worthwhile to call on their help too.

My brother (he lives 450 miles away) was looking for a similar type of car with the same budget and bought one a couple months ago and he and his wife ended up going 3 hrs away.

I'm broadening my search some. I'm really not excited about driving 2 to 3 hrs away for something we may not get, but my brother gave me some pointers if we end up doing that. Looking pretty closely at maybe a Hyundai or Kia. My DH is so picky about cars, but that is a good thing because he makes sure they last forever.

[kgb18]

Muttley, I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Just my opinion, I would take the money and get something new (or new to you). I had a VW that got creamed in an accident. It was newer though. It had $5k in damage and they didn't total it. I always had problems with the car from the get go, but it was so much worse after the accident. Cars are never the same after a bad accident.

[Deleted]

I had a VW that got creamed in an accident. It was newer though. It had $5k in damage and they didn't total it. I always had problems with the car from the get go, but it was so much worse after the accident.

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=1625#ixzz1BM3kU1jI

My friend had his VW crushed in an accident. He had to fight hard to get it repaired with genuine VW parts - apparently they don't always use them. I own a VW so I can see how that would be problematic.

[dragonfly7]

I second looking at local, small dealers. DH's family buys their vehicles from their long-time mechanic. When the Mitsubishi, purchased used from said mechanic 10 years ago, finally dies, we will likely drive the five hours up there to buy another from him!

[Deleted]

I'd take the cash and be a one car family, if there is an emergency or urgency, could your DH use a taxi? If you may be home 1 or 2 days a week I would definitely say have one car while you look for another one. It took some doing for my DF and I to get used to being a one car family and I have had to rent a car a couple of times but it really was worth it for us.

[chicg]

I don't know much about the car-market, but Muttley, I'm glad everyone is okay. I would not put any more money into the totalled car. I'd take the insurance payout and purchase something with that, even if you have to add $1-2K of your own cash and drive a few hours to find a deal. Maybe make a weekend trip out of it? If you might be laid off for a few days a week, I'd try to make the 1-car situation work until you figure out your new salary and that will give you time to search around for a good car as well. Sorry this happened to you, I know it's a pain to deal with!

[muttleynfelix]

Jan 18, 2011 10:24:46 GMT -5 @gin1984 said:

I'd take the cash and be a one car family, if there is an emergency or urgency, could your DH use a taxi? If you may be home 1 or 2 days a week I would definitely say have one car while you look for another one. It took some doing for my DF and I to get used to being a one car family and I have had to rent a car a couple of times but it really was worth it for us.

LOL sorry Gin. Taxi? What is that? We live in the boonies. If there was an emergancy I would have to go home (or the taxi would come from the town I work in and I would probably beat it home). During the day, the closest person to our home on most occaisons is over a mile away. Since our closest neighbors moved out without putting their house up for sale in AUgust (possibly being forclosed upon, none of the other neighbors know what is going on either) and our other next door neighbor is an over the road truck driver and he and his wife split ... there is no one down on our end of the road 90% of the time. OUr truck driver neighbor is home maybe 4 hours a day if he comes home at all.

DH and his brothers brought our car home from the shop yesterday and tore it apart and they don't think it is that bad. We're going to get it running as cheaply (but legally) and then come up with a plan to replace in the next year or two .