01-22-2011, 09:51 PM
My 1996 Saturn was "totaled" last June. I was rear ended and pushed into the SUV's hitching post in front of me. The hood was pushed in from the top. The rear bumper was pushed in with the muffler unhooking from the body.
Damage was $3400 so the insurance "totaled" it. A body shop said he could repair the damage for $4000.
I did most of the maintenance over the years and it was in good mechanical shape. Since it was only body damage, I bought the car back for $120 and had it smog and safety certified. I decided to leave the body damage and am driving it to/from work. I used the $3400 for a down payment on a weekend/backup car.
Damage was $3400 so the insurance "totaled" it. A body shop said he could repair the damage for $4000.
I did most of the maintenance over the years and it was in good mechanical shape. Since it was only body damage, I bought the car back for $120 and had it smog and safety certified. I decided to leave the body damage and am driving it to/from work. I used the $3400 for a down payment on a weekend/backup car.