Hello everyone,

Well, teach me to ask questions that ought not be asked. Last Friday, I asked if anyone knew if the airbags would still deploy in the event of an accident (the answer, in my case, no). Sure enough, Sunday, another gentleman, driving a big red truck, either really overshot a RH turn or else lost control while changing lanes, and plowed into the front of my wagon:





Fortunately, he was insured, and they've accepted liability. However, the cost/fix ratio is going to be unfavorable and I'm waiting to hear what they're going to offer me to total it out and/or buy it back. The car drove fine home, nothing seemed off mechanically, steering was fine (rack was going to be coming up for replacement soon, but I digress), rad (somehow) wasn't punctured, no leaks, etc.

KBB private party gives the estimate of ~$2700 for the age, options and mileage. Anyone have any experience on the buyback part of things? Price I should expect / argue for? Should I just let it go and find somethinge else (sadly, few good 240s available at any one time up here in Alaska)

There's an '84 wagon and a '90 sedan currently on craigslist locally for a bit of spare change. The '84 is in "good", though unknown condition and the 90 likely has a blown head gasket. If the rest of my car is structurally sound, how hard would it be to swap the front clip off of either onto mine? Would it be easier to drop the engine off of mine into the sedan? Unfortunately, the place I'm staying has a rule against junk cars, which makes some of this difficult, but I might be able to swing something with the neighbors, and I know they have the requisite hoists and the like. I'm guessing that I can get known good parts off of the car to at least equal the cost of buying it back - amm, 933 ecu, turbo sways and bushings, front end A-arms with good bushings, relays, seat heaters, 3rd row seat, sensors, etc... sigh. All so frustrating.

Any thoughts or advice?

Zach
Anchorage, Alaska
'90 245 on life support and an '06 Pontiac G6 rental