I hate cars

It kind of reminds me of a friend of mine that was doing something he shouldn't be doing behind his GF's back. He hit a diesel at 55mph on the way over and 3 back surgeries later I don't think he's cheated again.

Turbocoop

iTrader: (3)

Damn that looks terrible, good thing it was the back instead of the front or you might be hurt pretty bad. I bet your neck isnt feeling too good. If you decide to part it out I got dibs on the headlights... Glad you made it out ok though, it coulda been a lot worse it looks like

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Like others have said John, get your neck and such checked out. I rear ended a guy going 35 mph when I was 16. My seatbelt didn't catch me and my air bag didn't go off, resulting in me going right into the steering wheel. Being a typical stubborn teenager I didn't get it checked out and said I was fine. Well here I am 5 years later with a sore back and neck if I turn a certain way or lay in a certain position while sleeping. No fun.

Woodscolby

Wow, sorry to see this. The TL is just a car, the important thing is that it kept you safe. Seeing this reminds me of what happened to my sister's IS250 November of last year. Her boyfriend was driving her car doing about 85 on a rural highway when he started messing with the radio. He looked up to see he was driving on the shoulder and did nothing to correct it. He then drifted into the center median, hit a bump, and rolled the car 5 times. The car kept them safe and they walked away with some minor scratches and a few trips the the chiropractor. The car was replaced but if something was to happen to them that not it's not like a bit of money could bring them back.

Souljah

Damn, thats nuts.
Nothing a little duck tape cant fix.

leedogg

I've...never seen a car rear ended by a tree before... definitely the trees fault, insurance should cover you on that.

flyromeo3

sometimes you need an experience like this to realize driving that fast in those conditions might bring on problems.

Souljah

That is correct.

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I feel no soreness whatsoever now. Just tired but that's from staying up too late, as always

Thanks a lot man!

I'll be over in a few minutes to rub it for you

It'll wax out, righ?

We shall see

That is very true. Definitely changes your driving style/habits. "life is a dance.. you learn as you go," right?




I would like to thank you all again for the positive comments The car is totaled and repair estimate is $13,500. Waiting on insurance to call back to throw me an offer. When my girlfriend wrecked her 97 3000GT with 172K miles last year, they totaled it and gave them $7,000 for the car which at the time was clean retail for it.

I've had a few people tell me I'll be lucky if I don't have to pay any out of pocket to pay the car off.. and others with Nationwide Insurance say they're very good and I definitely will not get shafted. I owe about $9,600 on the car and it had 108,944 miles when it went on the wrecker.

Anyone have any experience with Nationwide?

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I've heard that they are on your side

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

:gheylaugh: SLUT

TWiSDiT

iTrader: (4)

ouch....!
Sorry for the lost, glad youre okay and good luck with your next purchase!

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

bbplayer

iTrader: (1)

Wow. Good thing you are ok. If you would have hit that tree on your driver's side, you would have been @#$%ed. That TL is totaled for sure. You might want to buy it back from the insurance company though and part it out. There are probably lots of valuable parts that are ok (or at least appear to be).

nfnsquared

I heard they switched to NationPam but were still working on a new jingle....

$9600??

I think you'll be OK. From what I understand, they'll establish value by averaging the local prices of used cars of similar make, model adjusted for mileage and condition. In some (maybe all) states, they'll add tax to this figure.

Was that an 04 6MT w/ Navi? You'll take a hit for mileage but the car was in pristine condition...

If so I'm guessing around $11-$13K (includes added state tax) ????

Ask them to see the paperwork where they got their estimates of value...

Turbocoop

iTrader: (3)

start looking at similar TLs in the area and print out some of the ads of the ones with the highest prices. Then if they try to lowball you show them the ads and tell them hey, check this out douche bags- this is how much they are selling for, I want this much. I dont know how much in mods you have in the car, but dont let them throw all that good stuff in a junkyard with it...

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

It's an 05 non-nav, AT I've been keeping copies of everything to keep for my own records so whatever they offer me, I will definitely be looking at it on paper as oppose to hearing rambling over the phone





Like nfnsquared said, my adjuster stated they go by market value of the car. I got on autotrader.com and also cars.com; in a 300 mile radius in my area they vary from ~$15,000 for one with 108k miles to ~$11-12k for one with 145k+ miles. All 5AT. Of course none of them appeared to be as well-kept as my car is/was. And a "few" had Navi.

It's 15 til 6 PM now.. probably won't hear anything today

nfnsquared

Then I'd say $13-$15K (includes state tax).

You don't have to take the first figure they throw at you. If the figure is unacceptable, make them prove their figure is supported by the local auto sales. Good luck!

redzuan

That is what matter bro. Your saved in one pieces

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Thanks a lot redzuan!!


nfn, can I negotiate with them? Negotiation such as with a car dealership. I don't want to piss anyone off by trying to negotiate their "offer." I've never had to deal with this before so it's all new to me.

nfnsquared

Yes, in the sense of making them prove their figure is valid and that you would be able to purchase your same car with the amount of money they are offering to you. You've already done step one by looking up retail used car values in your area.

There are some good tips out there on how to deal with insurance companies. Here's one I Googled using the search phrase "establishing value of totaled car":

http://www.ehow.com/how_4762880_tota...e-company.html

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Damn man, awesome find! I'm going to print off several ads, all from dealers, assuming that's where Nationwide will retrieve the "market value" of the car. My adjuster knows that I know my shit, especially after explaining the parts on my car that I want back. I don't want to judge Nationwide as being shitty, until they attempt to screw me. I've only spoken with one person who carries Nationwide insurance and they had nothing but positive feedback for me . It makes a lot more sense knowing that the insurance company is supposed to give me enough money to turn right around and buy the exact same car.

Again, thanks a lot!

nfnsquared

Sure thing. I'd also print out an Edmunds.com used car appraisal. The figures you'll want are the "private sale" and the "dealer retail" values. That's where I got my figures from, and then added 7% tax:

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2005/acu...3/options.html

Select "Buy", select color, enter miles, select the condition, enter zip code, click "get pricing report"

bbplayer

iTrader: (1)

In my 2 accidents, the other insurance company just used the straight NADA value. There was no negotiating on the value of the car, only the accessories.

Also, in Tennessee, are you sure they pay the tax? In a few states, the insurance company simply gives you a notarized paper with the amount they paid, the DMV subtracts that from your new car price, and you don't pay tax on that amount.

racerock

Edmunds and KBB are worthless. If you read on their main page - they clearly state that their numbers are not based on any actual sales, and they are just starting points for negotiations. Their private part numbers are typically way low, I can't stand them when I sell a car - I always get people e-mailing and calling saying that "Edmonds says....." and I tell them to go find one with inspection and in my condition and go buy it.... Often times they are way low, other times way high, and it is also a seasonal thing...

What you are likely to find is what is posted just above -by bbplayer - the insurance company will use NADA - because they are based on actual transactions. They will normally pay only for factory options.

SOOOOO, look into buying it back and parting it out...

It is definately totalled. I'd say that center crumple zone was working overtime... Where did the spare end up?

Vietnastee

iTrader: (8)

Wow, I'm glad you're okay bro. I think you lucked out that the rear hit the tree instead of the front. I think it might have been worse if it was the side or the front.

nfnsquared

Would love to have you post the link for Edumnd's where they state this....

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Meh, according to Edmunds the car is worth $11,326. I'm still waiting to hear back from fucking insurance . My case got reassigned because my original adjuster is out of town this week on vacation, which I had no clue about until I heard is voicemail

My agent has a call in to the total loss department, so I guess she's waiting on a call from her. I'm starting to get somewhat frustrated as I was told Friday at 12 PM that I would hear back from them later that afternoon. Haven't heard shit today except the voicemail of my adjuster saying he is on vacation from Dec 6-13..

For the mean time, I picked this little jewel up Saturday for a beater and to haul my bike

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

mini truckin'

Majofo

Those clear turn signals are

nfnsquared

I figured it higher than that...What zip code and condition did you use? Which price category? (Should be private party or dealer retail, not trade in).

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

To hell with another car! MINITRUCKIN 4 LIFE SON

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

deantl

holy shit

mani

Dude ... just thank God your alive. By looking at those pics... I had an ugly feeling. Thanks to the rear end hitting the tree first. Glad to see you walking away. Take care

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I am very fortunate to have walked away from that. As of now, I have no signs of soreness on my body and I still cannot believe it happened, although the pictures tell me it did


I had a long talk just now with my agent on how they go about pricing a vehicle.. whether it be true or not, I feel somewhat reassured lol. I "should" hear from them tomorrow, according to my agent, and receive some numbers.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

That truck reminds me of

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

hey john,
dont get to buddy buddy with the mazda/mini truckin forums, k?

nfnsquared

hmmm....here's what I got, although I think your car would fall under "outstanding" for condition....Why is there such a difference in the mileage deduction???

WhiteBB2

iTrader: (1)

glad all is well!