Paul Taylor

"It was a dark and stormy night..." The start of a bad non-fiction story.

Last month I went off-road in my 928, causing damage to both cosmetics and likely suspension and undercarriage. Mostly avoiding a deer I left the pavement and went beyond the road's shoulder and guardrail into a rock strewn runoff. The rocks drop from an escarpment and are jagged and large, ranging from a shoebox to a small microwave oven. In other words, big enough to cause some damage. The speed at which I made impact was between 35-40 mph. The damage may not be serious enough that the car is totaled, in which case the car will come back to me. I'll have to make some decisions, and am looking for guidance.

Hagerty had the car sent to a Co-part location and an appraiser was able to access only the body damage; there was no lift available. The assessment was limited to a RF fender, bumper trim, R-door and lower front valance, paint and two new tires. No mention of damage to the two right side phone-dial rims (they would have taken a pounding). Total amount: $2,300. After reviewing this limited information, I convinced Hagerty that the car would have to undergo further inspection of the underside. The exhaust was dragging at mid-section, and I suspect the underside is a mess after hitting the rocks. On the advice of a friend the car is going to Eksten's in Rochester, a well-established Porsche shop for this second inspection.

Knowing the car would be tied up for a time, I replaced it. I really don't want the 928 back and having to sell it with the record of it being in an accident. If not totaled and the car comes back to me, it would seem I have some choices. 1.) fix only the damaged areas and sell it; 2.) fix the damaged areas, repaint the whole car and repair all of the deficient areas (described below) and then sell it; or 3.) sell in its present condition as a project.

The car is a Euro 928 from 1981. Originally well equipped - dogleg five speed, no sunroof and no rub strips, the rear "Euro" foglight denotes its first market. I bought it in November 2018 from a dishonest seller on BAT. Upon receiving the car many deficiencies were found. But, it has been a good driver quality car despite this. Prior to the accident the transmission had worn first and second gear syncros, inoperable A/C, some common electrical gremlins and unknown total mileage. The odometer is frozen at 90,000 kilometers and based on records it stopped many, many years ago. But the engine is very strong - easily the fastest of three early 928's I have driven. Paint had been resprayed in the original Winerot red metallic but poorly applied and now bubbling around the windows. The transmission's present condition works in warm weather but stiff and difficult shifting as the weather got colder. Second gear starts are no problem. Manageable as the fluids warmed but not marketable in this condition. Inside, the dash is cracked, and all of the carpet needs to be changed out. Most of the black vinyl is very tired due to sun and age, and resistant to improvement by the products I have tried. The seats are euro cloth inserts and excellent.

I have no doubt that Hagerty will pay for any damaged wheels, suspension, engine mounts, etc. They have been excellent to work with.

If I do the minimal repairs for which I will be compensated, I still will have a branded history and unknown accurate mileage affecting resale, and I do want the car gone. If I do all of the things listed above and return the car to original glory, still the accident history. It might make a great weekend or club track car for someone.

The market for early, low mileage 928's seems strong. I'll be out of pocket for stripping and painting the car ($8,000-12,000), A/C ($1,500 to $2,000), transmission work ($4,000-5,000) and interior work ($2,000 - $3,000). Other electrical work $1,000; do the timing belt, and a few thousand contingency.

I'll have more accurate numbers as Eksten's completes its review. I'll post pictures in a few days. I'd appreciate any input and opinions for those who review this post.

Shark2626

The car doesn’t sound like a gorgeous condition keeper, pre accident. No offense intended. That being said, it should be easy to total it, the damage just needs to be about 80% of the replacement value. You really don’t have enough information to determine that. Based on your description of the car I would push to have it totaled and walk away if possible,. But you may have too much in it to be able to do that.

Regarding potentially having a history of an accident on its CarFax report after this, that would occur only if a police report was written regarding the accident or if the Porsche dealer you’re sending it to reports it to CarFax (or whatever dealer or repair shop you use to do the repairs reports it, not all dealerships do that). If that happens but you plan to keep the car, it shouldn’t really bother you. And it probably won’t bother a potential next owner in the future as the car will just be what it is at that point, good or bad. Regardless, if you ask Haggarty to compensate you for the depreciation the car now has as an “accident car” they will give you something along the lines of 15-20% of its value, just make the request.

Insurance companies know what they are doing, go with their recommendations it will be fine.

Petza914

If you end up getting it back, I'd say part it out. If the engine isn't leaky and it's strong, a good Euro motor ahould be worth good money. From the description of the accident, I don't see how it can only have the cursor damage they say it does and would bet there's a fair amount of suspension and floor pan damage as well.

Really hard to tell without at least some photos.

rg0115

What ever you do, get it out of Copart as soon as you can. They handle cars like crap and will lift them with a forklift not giving a crap if you want to save the car or not. Best of luck. Show some pictures, but sounds like you might want to look for a new one unless there is sentimental value and you don't care about the resell value.

Christopher Zach

Sell on Ebay as is. You'll never get the money you put into fixing it, let someone who cares about it buy it and fix.

And it sounds like an accident to me. Hiding that is a bit on the dishonest side, it is what it is, and it happened.

C531XHO

I had an 81 euro AT. Loved it. Given the availability of cars stateside I would say get out of that one and find another IMHO

cdk4219

Yes probably has more damage from moving around with the long forks than the trip off road. Every car from copart is crushed And dented underneath

SteveG

Ahhhh.

Shark2626 must be an agent. JUST KIDDING.

The other statement that makes me cringe is:

Geo55

Really sorry to hear of your misfortune. Probably heartbreaking. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Landseer

Ditto, sorry your car was damaged.

Spare no film in getting pictures including rockers and underside.

Is the car a Euro or Euro S? Engine serial number picture could unlock that bit of value to you.

checkmate1996

Sorry about this accident.Always heartbreaking. Please post pictures so we can provide better feedback. thanks.