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Would you repair or replace an suv that needs "bodywork" from an accident?


sheryl
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Repair or replace damaged car?  

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  1. 1. Would you repair or replace suv that has "body work" needed from an accident?



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DD was in a slight fender bender the week before Christmas. As mentioned in an earlier thread she nor the other driver were hurt and for that we're most thankful!

Backstory:  DD inherited my Dad's car (my Dad passed away Aug. 2015).  DD enjoyed driving her "Papas" car - Saturn Vue 2006 with maybe 125K or more miles on it. 

 

Pros - she's familiar with the vehicle
           good size for her petite size
           no debt

           new tires and brakes (last year)

   

 

Cons - 125 K miles or it - maybe more

            AC has never worked that well and in NC you need it!

            rust on the underside b/c it came from Ohio (we were told by a mechanic that there would only be "about" 3 more years of 
                     driving left in it due to the rust)

            the whole suv "shifts" or "rocks" forward when stopping (we put on new brakes and tires last year.  also had it inspected and

                                   a mechanic checked out the shifting and said it was not a problem)

            left back passenger door does not open.  we think it's the older child safety latch that is locked and stuck
            

 

Estimate (which does NOT include AC, door, rust or rocking) is $3300.  The price is for the damage incurred from accident only.  The money to repair or replace will come from some of my Dad's money.

 

The 3 of us have our opinions.  What would you do?  Why? 

 

Thanks!

            

ETA:  the repair is NOT cosmetic only.  Repairs are needed to make it drivable again: radiator and other aspects.  It was towed to a body shop yesterday and the estimate is 3300k so perhaps there's more damage than meets the eye at first. 

            

Edited by sheryl
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Is the body work cosmetic or needed for functionality?    

 

If it is cosmetic only, I would not bother fixing it.  I'd just keep driving the car with dents, etc., till it died.  That's our typical practice with cars, anyway.  

 

You say "minor fender bender" yet it's $3300?   

 

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Is the body work cosmetic or needed for functionality?

 

If it is cosmetic only, I would not bother fixing it. I'd just keep driving the car with dents, etc., till it died. That's our typical practice with cars, anyway.

 

You say "minor fender bender" yet it's $3300?

I agree. I'd leave it alone and drive it until it died. Start saving money for a replacement.

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Sheryl,

 

I have had 3 Saturns over the years.  While I loved them, they no longer make them and it is hard to get *some* parts for them, so once you get to the point where you need parts that are no longer made, you are sunk.

 

For $3300, I would replace.   

 

My motto is, when it starts being more expensive to repair than blue book says I can get for it, it is time to replace.

 

And she will be doing a lot more driving next year won't she?  With CC, etc...???

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Sheryl,

 

I have had 3 Saturns over the years.  While I loved them, they no longer make them and it is hard to get *some* parts for them, so once you get to the point where you need parts that are no longer made, you are sunk.

 

For $3300, I would replace.   

 

My motto is, when it starts being more expensive to repair than blue book says I can get for it, it is time to replace.

 

And she will be doing a lot more driving next year won't she?  With CC, etc...???

 

Hi Dawn!  Yes, right.  I knew there was something else I wanted to say to the con and that was - the Saturn is no longer made.  Yes, CC is on the horizon and while it's worked to be down by a car it's going to quickly become more difficult. 

 

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ok, thanks. yes, it can not be driven. so it's functionality.

 

OK, you might want to update your OP to indicate that it's not just cosmetic bodywork.  

 

Actually I still can't answer the question.  Do you have a mechanic you trust?  I'd ask that person's opinion.  

 

We had some  major damage done to one of our cars by someone backing into it.  The car needed a new radiator, all new front lights, a new hood... the car is a 1997 Escort with about 120,000 miles on it at the time.  (This was about 3 years ago.)

Our mechanic looked at it first, and told us that it would be worth the money to fix it because the car was otherwise in good shape.  The person who hit the car was someone we knew, and he was ready to pay out of pocket for the damage, and a rental car while it was fixed.  So we did it.

 

Still driving that Escort 3 years later.  But, I wasn't paying the cost of the repairs, and our mechanic advised us, so it wasn't as big of a guessing game.  

 

ETA: I saw your update!

Edited by marbel
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I know there's only been a few people reply but this is confirmation.  DD and I think the car should be replaced.  DH wants to repair. Like Dawn mentioned, that too is my philosophy - it depends on value of car. 

 

FWIW, DD and I aren't looking for a "reason" to buy another vehicle.  DD loves driving her Papa's Saturn but it's time to replace, imo,  She remembers being so young that she "had" to sit in back while her Papa drove off (just the 2 of them) for a lunch out.  Then, she progressed to the front passenger side.  And now the driver's spot. GULP! 

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I know there's only been a few people reply but this is confirmation. DD and I think the car should be replaced. DH wants to repair. Like Dawn mentioned, that too is my philosophy - it depends on value of car.

 

FWIW, DD and I aren't looking for a "reason" to buy another vehicle. DD loves driving her Papa's Saturn but it's time to replace, imo, She remembers being so young that she "had" to sit in back while her Papa drove off (just the 2 of them) for a lunch out. Then, she progressed to the front passenger side. And now the driver's spot. GULP!

Aww, that's a sweet memory and it'd be hard to give the car up.

 

Can you find some potential replacement cars that are $3300 and show your dh? I think for $3-$4000 you can get something better than the Saturn. (Ds18 is still saving for a car, so I look periodically because the juggling is insane with 5 who are never going the same direction and 3 drivers and 2 cars).

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Hi Dawn!  Yes, right.  I knew there was something else I wanted to say to the con and that was - the Saturn is no longer made.  Yes, CC is on the horizon and while it's worked to be down by a car it's going to quickly become more difficult. 

 

 

Well, she could walk to the bus stop!   :lol:   She will love me for saying that!   :driving:

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Well, she could walk to the bus stop! :lol: She will love me for saying that! :driving:

LOL!!!😂

I just read her your reply and she chuckled. And, she enjoys you much!

 

However, the bus stop is just at the canon to the entrance! LOL!!!!!!

Edited by sheryl
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Replace. We have always driven "beater" cars, and we would never invest that kind of money in one. It's sad, and also hard to find cheap cars. But if you let people know you are looking, it really helps. There are people that would replace their own cars if they had an easy buyer. They just hate to trade them in or list them.

 

 

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Your Dh isn't unusual though. I work for a body shop and we had a man who had an older car. He hit a deer. Liability coverage only. The damage was about $4000. It was worth about 3k. He insisted on fixing it. My boss begged him not to. He even showed him how on Craig's list you could buy one like it, Undamaged, for about $3. Nothing doing. He insisted on fixing it.

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bumpers today are desigend to absorb energy in a crash to protect the occupants of the car.  there can be A LOT of damage they eye 'can't see' until the grill and bumper are removed.  - which is why, even with a "minor fender bender' - get the car checked.  (especially if it's the other guys fault.)

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OK, you might want to update your OP to indicate that it's not just cosmetic bodywork.  

 

Actually I still can't answer the question.  Do you have a mechanic you trust?  I'd ask that person's opinion.  

 

We had some  major damage done to one of our cars by someone backing into it.  The car needed a new radiator, all new front lights, a new hood... the car is a 1997 Escort with about 120,000 miles on it at the time.  (This was about 3 years ago.)

Our mechanic looked at it first, and told us that it would be worth the money to fix it because the car was otherwise in good shape.  The person who hit the car was someone we knew, and he was ready to pay out of pocket for the damage, and a rental car while it was fixed.  So we did it.

 

Still driving that Escort 3 years later.  But, I wasn't paying the cost of the repairs, and our mechanic advised us, so it wasn't as big of a guessing game.  

 

ETA: I saw your update!

 

I'd never ask a mechanic about anything more than superficial bodywork.  that's not what they do.  I have mechanics I trust. I also have a neighbor whose business is bodywork (he also has the equipment to straighten out the frame).  while I absolutely trust him, we usually go elsewhere becasue he's expensive.

good bodywork guys - will not give a complete estimate until they've taken off the bumper and really looked at what's underneath.  that affects the surface.

 

 

I know there's only been a few people reply but this is confirmation.  DD and I think the car should be replaced.  DH wants to repair. Like Dawn mentioned, that too is my philosophy - it depends on value of car. 

 

FWIW, DD and I aren't looking for a "reason" to buy another vehicle.  DD loves driving her Papa's Saturn but it's time to replace, imo,  She remembers being so young that she "had" to sit in back while her Papa drove off (just the 2 of them) for a lunch out.  Then, she progressed to the front passenger side.  And now the driver's spot. GULP! 

 

as well as looking up the kbb for the car, look it up for what it would be fixed?  which is not the same as how much it's worth if it had never been in an accident.

then look up craigslist for cars in your area, including within a 2 - 3 hours as sometimes it can be worth driving that far to get a deal on a car.   (we've had to be willing, as the last few cars have been "on the fly" - something got totaled and we didn't have the luxury of time.)

does your dh have any understanding of financials and cost/loss estimates?   if he's hanging on to this, it sounds like he's been way to nostalgic and is basing his decision on emotion, not logic.

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I'd never ask a mechanic about anything more than superficial bodywork.  that's not what they do.  I have mechanics I trust. I also have a neighbor whose business is bodywork (he also has the equipment to straighten out the frame).  while I absolutely trust him, we usually go elsewhere becasue he's expensive.

good bodywork guys - will not give a complete estimate until they've taken off the bumper and really looked at what's underneath.  that affects the surface.

 

 

<snip>

 

Right, but if the car is not driveable, there might be more than just bodywork involved.  Our mechanic also pointed us to a reliable body shop.   The mechanic can also look over the vehicle - the rust, etc. - as another way to determine if the car is worth fixing.  If the rust is going to kill it within a short time/# of miles anyway, there's her answer.

 

Just another option for her to follow if she wants help in determining whether or not to save the vehicle.  

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I'd put the money towards a newer used car. Find something with 30,000 miles or less.

 

That said, I am taking possession of my late Mom's 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe when it arrives here early next week - $850 to have it shipped from Calif to Illinois. BUT - it only has 47,000 miles on it. I expect to spend another thousand or two to get new tires and replace any old belts or hoses my trusted local mechanic deems in need of replacing due to age. But, again - 47,000 miles.

 

With the higher mileage on your squished 2006 car, I'd start looking for a replacement.

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For perspective, we just dropped $3K into a rebuilt transmission and stuff for the 1999 Ford Explorer my son drives.

 

Why? Car is low miles (under 100K) for its age, only 2 owners and the engine is good. We could sell this car today for $6k or a bit more because it has working 4-wheel drive. Replacement would be $8-10k. With the transmission repair, it is likely this car will run another five years.

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I'd put the money towards a newer used car. Find something with 30,000 miles or less. That said, I am taking possession of my late Mom's 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe when it arrives here early next week - $850 to have it shipped from Calif to Illinois. BUT - it only has 47,000 miles on it. I expect to spend another thousand or two to get new tires and replace any old belts or hoses my trusted local mechanic deems in need of replacing due to age. But, again - 47,000 miles. With the higher mileage on your squished 2006 car, I'd start looking for a replacement.

 

so are you buying newer cars that you can find one under 30K?

we've done a lot of used cars - around here, average mileage is 15k per year.

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