[s-cars] Rearended

[Tom Green]

Add in all those upgrades when you are compiling your valuation, Abe.   
The car is in your control now, isn't it ?  I would be getting some  
estimates to repair from the place I want to repair it, and talk to  
them about how much you want to keep the vehicle-not to the point of  
accepting substandard repair work but perhaps sourcing some of the  
parts used yourself instead of them estimating new.  And, remember,  
the rear end body is an A6/S6, so many parts are not difficult to find  
and not expensive.

Make the car look as good as possible inside and out for the  
appraisers appointment.   Remember, it is a low-mileage vehicle so  
they should be expecting it to look good, and you want every extra  
dollar that condition can bring.   The cost of maintenance over the  
past year can't be added to the value directly, but it could affect  
the condition estimate.  The appraiser and the repair shop will be  
looking closely at the underneath for damage.  Usually a lot doesn't  
show unless you look underneath and in the spare well, and check the  
rear hatch closely.  Hopefully, this will be minimal so the repairs  
can be done within the limitations of the estimate.  If not, you want  
the best price for your car.

You might ask your insurance company for references for appraisers to  
get your own value on the car.  Give him the best comparable sales you  
have.  Some of the recently totaled avants could be useful as well.   
Don't hesitate to discard the low ball prices.

Tom '95 S6
          '95.5 S6 avant
Knoxville, TN

On October 1, 2010, at 4:04 PM,  "Bruce Mendel"  
<brucem105 at comcast.net> wrote:

> i'd shoot for $13K valuation, and make them decide to total based on  
> that number. if they total, you get check for $13K, and buy back car  
> cheap for parts.
>
> it'll require a fight. they will try to give you $4K, you then have  
> to find comparables, recent sales, your receipts for work and mods,  
> etc.
>
> if car is in great shape, get pro appraiser when time comes to look  
> at car and give pre-hit valuation. should be easy since only rear  
> ended, so rest of car should look good still.
>
> B
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Abe Berman
>  To: Bruce Mendel
>  Cc: s-car list
>  Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 3:59 PM
>  Subject: Re: [s-cars] Rearended
>
>
>  Bruce,
>
>  The avant has 112k on the clock.  It has an MTM 1+ chipset, Porsche  
> Big Reds and all-OEM HID conversion.  None of these were done  
> recently.
>
>  In the past year its had new tires, new front pads, new right front  
> control arm, new right front outer CV, new right front tie-rod  
> assembly, new OEM coolant overflow tank.  Approximate total of those  
> repairs (with receipts) $1,350.
>
>  To elaborate, the car is perfectly drivable and there is no way I  
> will not continue to drive it unless the insurance company pulls a  
> coup d'etat on me...
>
>  Abe