[s-cars] Rearended

[Abe Berman]

Tom

Yes, I still have the car.  I plan on giving it a nice detailing this
weekend, but honestly it is in pretty great shape to begin with (for a 1995
car not garaged).

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

a

On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 7:13 PM, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:

> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>