Forgot to mention, although the windshield is cracked at the corner of impact, both doors and hatch open and close exactly the same as before the incident with no catching or dragging. I'm hoping this indicates that only the crumple zone is compromised.

The insurance company stated that the front corner would need to be cut off and a new corner welded in its place.

I won't be supportive. The value is what it is. I wouldn't repair it. If you want to value a particular niche vehicle then you get specialty insurance. I'm headed there soon.im afraid you're going to lose this battle in my opinion

Do you know the condition of the transmission, driveshaft, transfer case, etc? If they're in working order and most of the damage was to the frame, it might be worth it to just part the car out. Could potentially be a decent donor car for a GST-X conversion or for just those who need parts.

JackStieben said:

Do you know the condition of the transmission, driveshaft, transfer case, etc? If they're in working order and most of the damage was to the frame, it might be worth it to just part the car out. Could potentially be a decent donor car for a GST-X conversion or for just those who need parts.

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From what I can tell, the engine and drivetrain are unscathed. I was able to drive the vehicle home with no coolant or oil leaks and no vibrations.

If you can do it I would total it, buy it back and part out the shell. It takes more effort but you'll make the most money this way. Scrap value as a salvage is likely almost nothing on a car this old. The only people it's worth something to is us. The car industry doesn't see it as a viable salvage for anything as it's too old.

pauleyman said:

If you can do it I would total it, buy it back and part out the shell. It takes more effort but you'll make the most money this way. Scrap value as a salvage is likely almost nothing on a car this old. The only people it's worth something to is us. The car industry doesn't see it as a viable salvage for anything as it's too old.

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If I were to pursue this route, have I dug myself a hole by arguing that it is worth more? I'm unfamiliar with the process.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to money and if the sentimental value is worth more than the dollar value to you. anything can be fixed with enough money, and your car is at least still in one piece. if it were me, being stubborn as I am, I'd probably just take the plunge cause I would wanna keep my car

The insurance actually valued that car at 5k? Thats impressive. In my part of the country even the awd's aren't worth much 2-3k tops for a good condition one. Anyway, call the insurance and ask them how much they would give you if they total it out and how much they would take off for you to buy it back. Then either part it out or find a shell to swap everything into, or turn it into a race car and tube the front end.

Well, if you have full coverage, the insurance is just going to cut you a check for the repairs, correct? I hate destroying a dsm as much as the next guy, but I would take the check and part it out, or find a donor with a bad engine/transmission. You'd spend a lot more time and effort trying to fix that bent crumple zone, than you would finding a rolling chassis and doing a heart transplant. You've done enough damage that it may never be right again, even after all of the repairs.

I think it's fixable, but I can see them wanting to total it also. If you really want to try and save it you should go speak with the repair center that's estimate is only $100 off you saving the vehicle. Tell them you have repair parts, like the front bumper, fender, etc. See if they will adjust the estimate down for these parts to bring you back in line with the necessary insurance figure, and then buy a couple parts out of pocket from a salvage yard to make it happen. Repair centers will work with you because they want to get paid.

The white elephant here is the deductible. Repair minus the deductible is what insurance pays. And there is a good chance once repairs begin, at a shop, there would be a supplemental request for additional expenses not seen initially. Insurance adjusters know this and when the repairs are already at 75% - - - write it off. For them it is about business.

Having gone through a similiar situation myself I may be able to offer you a little guidance- My car was rear-ended while it was parked, fought to increase my value as you are currently. Proof of purchases and anything bought new will only help-to an extent. What I mean by that is after arguing for literally every detail, in the end MY rate had gone up, to the exact amount that I had gotten my value at. Pretty twisted (not an insurance fan as I feel this is a MAJOR issue that needs to be addressed).
Onto my advice- I'd suggest letting them total the car out, at which point they will cut you a check for that amount-this means they now own the car so keep that in mind. You need to ask prior to agreeing how much it will cost you to then purchase the car back from them. Although at that point it will be a salvage title as it's been written off at a total loss. Meaning you will not be able to add full coverage later to this same car-at least not here in MI. If you are handy and think maybe it's something you can repair with a couple of friends then great, I would do it without hesitation as you've said there is literally not 1 single driveability issue as it is now. That value that they determined-wow I wouldn't hesitate as that is a great price, although I dont know the mileage/details of your car other than whats in your profile.
No matter what this situation your in is pretty rough, sorry about that. I'll have some spare front end parts I'd happily cut off to send your way as long as you cover shipping(these are coming from my donor 97). I'd try to get as much as possible like you are, don't forget to mention rental car fee's if its part of your policy. Ask them to prorate it if you've been going without one(they add the would-be cost of it if you had to rent one to your payout). Be very aware that they will try to get as much money as possible BACK after this incident. They are clever like that- logic is you wrecked so our risk goes up-read, "we're not making as much money off of you now". Should be illegal, but it's not. Go figure, either way good luck with it, looks like it was a really nice car.

The fact that they're valuing the car at over $5k is unbelievable. That is simply unheard of around me. Of course, paying for full coverage on a 20yr old car is also unheard of around me as well. We all have our sentimental attachments to our own dsms but it is only a 2g eclipse which are far more common to find shells. I would not think twice about taking the money and buying back the car, assuming your car is loaded with new parts throughout, then finding a 2g shell for about $1k and transfer everything to it. Hell, even with a new paint job you'll still make some money. Of course, as mentioned you're rates will go up, and I don't recommend getting full coverage unless you plan on having to do this again.

PlanZero said:

The fact that they're valuing the car at over $5k is unbelievable. That is simply unheard of around me. Of course, paying for full coverage on a 20yr old car is also unheard of around me as well. We all have our sentimental attachments to our own dsms but it is only a 2g eclipse which are far more common to find shells. I would not think twice about taking the money and buying back the car, assuming your car is loaded with new parts throughout, then finding a 2g shell for about $1k and transfer everything to it. Hell, even with a new paint job you'll still make some money. Of course, as mentioned you're rates will go up, and I don't recommend getting full coverage unless you plan on having to do this again.

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I do agree with Plan Zero that it's shocking they would consider giving you $6.8k for your car. You must have a somewhat low mile car. Most 2G's I find are would never recieve an offer such as that. Depending on what your deductible is, say $250, you could come out pretty good depending on how you play it if they do total it.

Any word from the insurance company?

Have them total it, cut u a check and u buy it back. With the extra money u get u can either use that for a build or buying another shell.

From the pics it doesn't look too bad. My pops owns a body shop and I've seen him fix some pretty beat up cars for less than 2k.

I swear I just saw a white fully restored gsx she'll for sale on here for 4500 with built Tranny and what ever parts they have laying around.

Maybe buy that she'll and transfer your parts.

Wow, 5k is surprising. For me, it would depend on how bad the frame is. And if there's rust on the car, what I had all into it. But just by the pictures. Id take the cash. And find another one.

If you drove your car home and there was no signs of mechanical damage or leaks, and if the car means that much to you (as it would most of us), cut off the front clip and do a tubed front chassis. This repairs the current damage and makes it lighter and stronger in the end. Time for a race build.

I too definitely hate to see a good dsm go like a gsx so I'm going to +1 the get the check and buy it back

In 2k8 my 1/4 panel got damaged in a parking lot,something fell off a building and hit it. Went after the parking lots insurance and spoke to my body shop which told me that the insurance company wanted to total my car. Guy at the shop said let them total the car and with that money I could buy it back and the body shop will fix it and that's what I did. I got paid about 5 k back then. Car was 13 years old. Gave the body shop the whole check they paid the insurance company and fixed the car. All also depends how much damage but talk to your body shop and see what they say. Heck I got to keep my car at least. Maybe if I had to do it again I perhaps would have took the $ and ran if I did not invest so much money into this thing.

My neighbor did the same thing with his 2002 Lexus ES300 car was parked and hit. He had full coverage , insurance company totaled the car,cut him a check , he bought the car had his body shop pay the insurance company and the body shop fixed the car. Looked like new.

I am torn I agree on the value end you got an amazing price back I asked about the same thing FULL COVERAGE before I tore it apart and they told me exactly what it would be worth even with all my parts and proof.. So but I would do as some say and buy it back and have a good body shop bang it out and set it right.. You said you drove it home with no wobble or shake.. No alignment issues? so I mean it just seems you bumped it pretty hard back some and just needs to be beat n pulled out or Cut off and weld new on.. Either way id keep it cause if my girl got hit unless she was Destroyed id do my best to get her up n running again.. TOO MUCH DAMN FUNNNNN!!! to give up on my girl.... But I hope what ever you decide that you can live with it cause the repairing is going to be a bit..