Advice on almost totaled Passat GLX 4Motion

1- what does her insurance company say? 2-16K muat have been hit very hard? 3- A quality body shop should have no problems making it new again?

Take the money. A car with a possibly bent frame can be a problem from now on.

It's can be a hard decision but I think you overlooked something. What about a late model used one? Cheaper than new and if you get one with similar or less age/mileage than your current car you come out ahead. Just do a Carfax report before buying for peace of mind and for uncovering any blatant issues.

As for your current car, if it's $16K in damage because it ended up hit on every side (so the damage is all cosmetic and none structural), yeah it should be fine after the repair. But you can bet it'll need a near total respray and you want to make sure it's a quality job and in 5 years the paint isn't peeling or oxidizing or whatever.

If it's $16K because something is bent, then take the money and run in the direction of another late model used one. Structural damage is kinda risky. They might fix it OK or they might not and it's not worth the crapshoot.

Hope you here the magic words from your insurance company: "total loss"....

Sometimes you can do a little of both: get most of the value, but they let you keep the car in exchange for some salvage value. You fix it partially, and use that as your dented beater.

Note that if you want to replace the car, they should certainly give you enough to replace the car. The blue book value does not include sales tax or license transfer fees, etc. Plus it is normal to rent a car while this is being handled, and for the insurance to cover that within reason.

I don't know how reasonable insurance in your area is.

Thanks for responding, everyone.

- for the record, this is a wagon

- the damage is all around, but also to the structure (there is no "frame" - it's unibody) e.g., the right rear door doesn?t open any longer - there is no gap left between that door and the frame, and there is a 1/2 inch vertical offset; also, cover to spare tire sits 1/2" higher because underbody got pushed in

- it's been a week, they are still looking at the car, no final words, yet

- while I am new to this area, the shop comes well-recommended; it is quite large with 5 different locations in the immediate area

- not too much worried about a bent "frame", although there is no doubt that steel weakens when bent and reshaped like this

- I have contemplated a non-new model, yet younger than mine. Of course, I cannot "come out ahead" ? newer models will be substantially more than what the KBB is on mine. I am also thinking about less expensive alternatives (e.g., Subaru Legacy, or 1.8T instead of V6).

- not worried about the paint. If I go the route and have it fixed, I will already be down $2-3K because of reduced resale value after the hit. So, I would not resell this car, and the paint doesn't bother me much.

- Fixing it partially may be an option, but both bumpers must be replaced, lights, the rear right must be pulled out an inch or so, etc. It will take some time before I know with how "little" repair I could get away with. I doubt it will be less than 10 grand.

Which of the following items do you think I need to make sure/ bother the repair shop about that they double-check it so it will be fine: (car got pushed several feet forward in "Park", over a 5" concrete barrier, before hitting car parked in front)

- alignment

- suspension

- subframe

- drive train components (AWD; transmission, Park pin)

- engine

- front tires (concrete barrier left mark all the way down to rim)

- front alu wheels (visibly but only slightly dented at impact)

- motor mounts

- ???

Thanks so much for your advice.

transfixed wrote:

snip

JMHO but you should be able to rent a rental at their (other person's insurance co) expense. Find a vehicle exactly like yours, wagon, options, mileage, color if possible anywhere in the country. Have them buy it and get it to you!! Autotrader.com or Carmax.com may have something for you or maybe a local VW dealer can find one for you! Did you have an extended warranty on your vehicle? Remember taxes/transfer fees/plates/whatever other expenses involved..... Have them satisfy you on this too!

Watch that mileage too!!! One of them is right at 100K miles!!! 8^o

Good luck and sorry for your loss. Let your wrecked one go. :-(

later, dave (One out of many Daves)

With that amount of damage even the best body shop will probably come up short in making it completely whole again, and your car most likely will require repairs to systems other than the body as well (motor mounts, suspension, exhaust, etc.). Despite getting all of these things done, odds are that later on you will start noticing (or feeling) one problem after another. A restoration such as this is a real risk to your pocketbook, and the expenses could just continue. Cut your losses. Get rid of it.