Catfood

My uncle ran into the back of another car in Portland traffic. Insurance company is offering 7k for the car. It is an 89 951S. It is in good condition apart from the damage. Airbags did not go of, but the fuel cutoff was activated during the wreck. He could not get it started after.

Any advice from members would be appreciated. I only have one photo of the car and have not seen it in person. Let me know what ya'll think. I can trailer it if I have to, otherwise I would try to drive it 300 miles from Portland, Oregon back to Washington state.

TIA
Catfood

Van

I don't know what you mean "fuel cutoff was activated"... I do not think the 951 (or 944) has such a provision.

If it doesn't start, it's likely due to damage to the ignition coil or distributor cap/rotor - both of which are directly behind the impact point.

V2Rocket

when i crashed a few years ago it was hard enough that it completely killed my battery (i think internal damage, no leaks or anything).

for the pictured car, the damage being like that might be a good thing, that corner isn't very strong/structural so it just collapsed rather than sending the impact further into the car.

easy check to see if its saveable is check how the doors/ sunroof/hatch open and close, if they work ok then the shell is *probably* straight. check the frame rails on either side of the engine for any bends or crumple spots.

BReif61

Regardless of if you can get it running or not, I (personally) would not be comfortable driving THAT car 300 miles. I vote that you trailer it.

Spidey944

+1

Catfood

Thanks for the input. I have a source for the body panels. Mostly I'm trying to decide if the car is worth 7k as it sits now.

alxdgr8

What's the buyback price? If you're asking if you should pay him $7k for the car and him not take the insurance buyout, then no it's not work $7k. Until you put it on a rack to check the frame straightness, assume it's a parts car.

lart951

Is it highly modded or just a stock 89?

Catfood

The car is all stock, just had a timing belt, water pump service as well.

porscharu

So you are just trying to avoid the salvage title by matching the insurance company's offer?

lart951

If the car is fixable and salvage title can be avoided yes is worth 7k since a turbo S will sell for more than double than that, but if salvage title 3k at the most

Catfood

Thank you for the advice. I would like to avoid the salvage title. I know If I fix it I will get back what I invest. I will ask about the door functionality and sunroof as well. Hate to see a car like this handed over to the insurance gremlins

morghen

Frames can be straigthened, there are shops with big jigs that can use laser measurement and jigs to put ANYTHING back where it should be. Cost is not excessive either as the whole process lasts for one day or so.

alxdgr8

Salvage title or not, I sure would hope any potential buyer would be informed of the accident. And if they knew about it, I don't think they'd be paying $14k+ for it.
If it needs framework, I don't think you could make money on this car if you bought it for $7k and fixed it. If you advertised it as being wrecked and fixed...

jeffrsmith

I think that Alex is spot on. Even once it is properly repaired, if the seller is totally honest and provides full disclosure, I don't think you will have much luck selling it for that much.