my951killsimports

Driving home a few nights ago, a drunk driver blasted through a redlight and smacked my right rear quarter panel REALLY hard. Hit it so hard the rear bumper came halfway off, and the left quarter panel has dents in it. Weird as hell. Well, it wouldnt go into 1st or 2nd gear either. Should i have the car be totaled and try and buy it back for parts? Anyone have any experiences like this with these cars?

Jeremy Martin

I'm glad to hear you're okay... i'm not sure of your car's year, but the car probably books for 6-7k; 3/4 of that in damage will mean it can be totaled. I would definitly do that... I 100% gaurantee your frame is bent. it's unfortunate, and you'll have to get more money together to get another 944 in great condition. tough call.

one more thing; considering the other driver was drunk and completly at fault (i'm assuming his BAC was taken at the scene and he was arrested), you may be able to sue him in civil court for damages beyond the book value (if you can establish the car would have been worth more then the book value, you might be able to get the difference in the collectable value and the book value). talk to a civil lawyer for a half hour to see what options you have in your state.

IceShark

This guy has civil liability however his insurance company will stand up, defend him if required and pay the damages up to the policy limits. So if you go settling with his insurance company you would be settling the underlying cause of action against the drunk driver. So don't go settle too quick thinking you are going to go file an additional civil suit against the driver. The fact that the driver has some criminal problems from this event shouldn't matter all that much to your civil property damage outside of putting him squarely behind the 8 ball as far as liability.

Why do you think people carry insurance? To cover the civil liability not to give the other party a couple bites at the apple on damages.

Besides, you want the insurance company to pay and not have some judgement against the drunk. By the time the State and insurance company get done with him he may be a little tight on cash flow.

2+2

Sorry to hear that. Also consider buying your totalled car from the insurance company to salvage parts...ie. engine if your engine is in good cond. Then you can get a high mile replacement 951 and transplant parts....good luck to you...I hate idiots who cause harm to others. Harm to themselves is ok...but to others...grrr! <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

my951killsimports

Thanks for the help. I am lucky, we were completely unhurt. The bad thing is that i have stuck about $2800 into the damn thing over the last 3 months (including tires). The right rear quarter is trashed. However, the engine runs wayyy strong. It was a low mile car (82kmiles), and I've seen some pulling $9000 on eBay with 60-70k miles. THink i can get the insurance company to use this? Because, they can give me book value, but as we all know, go try and find a nice one for that!! Hopefully I can get them to give me more than the book....or if not, Ill tell them i want the motor i just stuck 2 grand in!

mlwagar

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I would certainly try to do the salvage buy back if they total it. I've only been in the Denver/Golden area about 6 months, but have seen very few 951 or 952s running around the area. Having it for spare parts or transplanting the drive train into a high milage prospect would probably be the way to go IMHO. Best of luck.
Mark...

jim968

I'm no expert on this kind of thing, but I think I'd start by going to his insurance company and offering to take high book value (low miles car) _plus_ the value of all work done in the past three to six mongths (you've got receipts, right?)... this'd be maybe $10K total, or more. Then buy back the car or just the engine, depending on how you feel about undertaking a transplant to a high-miles body.

Glad you're OK...

Jim, "Owww! My neck! My neck! The pain! The pain! Doctor! Doctor! Lawyer! Lawyer!"

John..

It is alwys good to have your car's value documented by having it appraised by an approved person. In my case, I have my 1981 928 TT appraised at a value of $25,000, just in case something like this happens to me. My insurance company has the vehicle registered at that value and has agreed to pay that amout in the event the car is totalled or stolen. I have no way of ever finding replacement parts for any of the custom work that was done on the car.

I would have a good shop appraise the cars value (based on it being undamaged), and then look for similar cars for sale. Present this to the insurance company, and don't take no for an answer. If they give you a hard time, tell then you will be seeking legal action against them, then threaten them with having to supply you with a rental car, which you will LET SIT until you find a suitable replacement.

I was nice to an (unnamed) insurance company once, I won't be the same next time one of their clients smashes into my car. I have had good luck with my insurance company.

Remember, thier goal will be to get off for as little money as possible out of the deal.

The buyback might be able to be worked into the deal so you each come to a good agreement over what should be paid back to you.