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Hello,
We're broken hearted. Bought a '92 240 back in August for my daughter and son to learn to drive on. She has her licence three weeks and is actually a very good driver. Yesterday she was in traffic that slowed from 65 mph to 30 mph. She did, the Dodge Neon behind her did not and rammed the 240 from behind. Hard! The good news is that no one was hurt. After police were called and the paperwork was done, my daughter finished driving the 240 to school that morning. The accident was not her fault. The Neon's front end was conpletely destroyed.
The '92 has frame member damage on the rear passenger side. The bumper and body is pushed in about three or four inches. There are stress buckles and ripples along the floor of the trunk especially where the frame member is welded on. All along the side quarter panel there are bends and stress marks around the fuel inlet and over the wheel. The rear door opens and closes but the gap between the door and rear fender is now very narrow. The trunk lid appears OK. It opens and closes but has to be forced because the latch striker is no longer were it was. Driving the car to body shops today produced more stress marks in the rear quarter. The rear brakes have a mournful moan to them.
The car is (was) worth between $2250 to $2900 and is very clean, fun and dependable up to this point. 170,000 milels. I have an estimate to repair it for $3585 with used parts and good fit and finish.
A Volvo reconditioner shop said they could pull out the crunched frame and fender and fix me up with a used bumper, tailight and trim. It wouldn't be perfect but it would be cheaper. Maybe the insurance would even cover it.
A third shop says the car will never be as safe and I should just total it. My son got his permit two days ago.
Should I total it and move on or try to get it fixed somehow? I bought it as a safe car for my kids. Is that still possible?
Thank you,
Mark
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