My beloved 1986 244 with only 59,000 miles in MINT condition was just hit while parked on a Chicago street. The drivers side front quarter panel was bashed in along with the front drivers side wheel (lots of suspension damage). My insurance company just informed me that (big suprise) that it is a total loss.

My question is, how much could I expect to get for it if I sold it for parts. Keep in mind that the rest of the car is MINT - no rust, runs perfect (super low miles - perfect trans), and has been babied and maticulously maintained by me.

Thanks.....

Pablo

Last year my '89 was smashed in the left front.
It needed a left fender, bumper, hood, and a host of other
front-end stuff (e.g. grille, headlight assbly, signal,...)
The insurance estimate was > $6500 so they totaled it.
The car had 225,000 miles but I bargained with them
for a $2000 settlement.


I bought an '87 for $100 and had it towed to a body shop
who cannibalized all the parts and did it for $1500 including
painting. I also had to get the steering joint replaced and
wheels aligned.

The car is as good as new.
--
-Cool Volvo- 1982 240 4 Spd OD w/ 238K, 1989 240 5 Spd w/ 227K. Past proud owner of 1966 122, 1968 144, 1970 145, 1972 144, 1980 245

Bummer.
I'm sorry for your loss.

Below not an answer to question you posed, but you could consider taking whatever money they give you and fix the car up - or get it fixed up.

My guess is, whatever amount they offer, that money spent restoring your current car may very well go further towards good transportation than the same money spent on any other vehicle. Whatever work you do yourself is less expensive of course, than paying a shop - but either way you may come out way ahead restoring your '86.

Front frame members should be replacable if damaged. Same for suspension and body parts. If the body side frame rails are damaged, that may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. But I'm only guessing on these specifics, really.
--
Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 850 mi/week commute. '89 245 #2 (wifemobile). '90 244 (spare, runs).

Accept the check and buy it back and fix it.

Got my 90 240 back for $115 from State Farm and did the repairs and drove it another 100K.

That car with those miles is worth at least $5500. I would not take a cent less. This can be verified by vairous Ebay auctions that have sold similar milage cars for upwards of $13000. Good luck, and it you threaten to sue them, you will be more likly to get what you want. It is there job to make sure that you are not at a loss from this. Basically, I would demand what ever the cost to find another 240 with that low of miles in mint condition.

Demanding settlements from your own insurer may not be as wise as doing the same with a responsible party with liability.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.

It may prove unwise to threaten or demand. In my opinion, you should NEGOTIATE the most favorable settlement. A shrewd consumer should be able to find a suitable replacement/donor vehicle and save some money by doing some or all of the parts swapping himself.

Yeah, I guess you are right. I would be nice first, but that car is worth more then the typical 86 240, and I have heard of too many times where insurance companys rip off the cousmor who suffored a loss. This really irates me in that people pay for insurance, and when they need it, they don't get what they payed for. Do a google search for East Side Swedish Motors in Portland Oregon, as they often have prices that are represent the real value of our bricks, instead of blue book.

Thanks - I will try it. Does anyone else have any suggestions for me on how to prove that my car is worth way more than blue book? I plan to print out completed acutions on eBay and print out classified ads. Any other ideas?

I guess I should have had it appraised at one time........

THANKS!!!

Suggestions?

If it's still sitting on the street and not in your driveway, this could be slightly harder; nevertheless you should make sure it's as clean and polished as you can get it for when they send out thier (your?) adjuster. Also as others have mentioned, arm yourself with print copies of ads and completed auctions.

Definitely negotiate with the adjuster. You want him on your side.

Case in point; my neighbour's dad recently pulled out of his driveway and into the front of my 245GL which was parked on the street at the time. I got an estimate but then the insurance wanted me to go to their bodyshop. So I did, but they could only estimate a repair cost that exceeded the 80% value (to them) of the car, which meant that they 'had' to write it off. I of course refused, so they sent an adjuster out and armed with reciepts, pointing out the upgrades and even showing him a photo of the old wagon at the VCOA Miami meet three years ago amongst all the other vintage p1800's and Amazon's etc. got him interested and on my side enough to get the most to repair it and keep the car. He also called the shop I had gotten an estimate from to verify they could fix it for that. So I got a check, kept the car, and pulled a new bumper from the PnP!

Maybe too much info here! But good luck with yours.

Good news...

My insurance company just called me back - they said due to the excellent condition and extremely low miles, they will be paying for the full repair!!!! YAHOOOOO!!!! I guess all those years of paying my premiums paid off. Now, I just hope the body shop can put it back together right...

Thanks for all the help. One more brick will be back on the road!!!!!