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KaptainKurt, on 11 February 2010 - 07:43 PM, said:
Im pumped that your getting your car back because i went through that sh*t minus another car. Mine was simply slid off the road. ....
This is why most insurance companies just total the car out. First of all, they have no idea how far the damage really goes which means they could pay to repair it and a year later you come back to them saying that there is a new probably that must have been missed during the accident repair. They want to be done with it; done with their liability. Second, there is always a chance that a shop will turn out like yours and the insurance companies don't want to have to deal with wasting extra time to make sure the job is done right. Third, it sounds like your shop REALLY sucked...so a reputable shop would have probably cost more which according to the insurance value for a 1998 S70 T-5 would be way more than it is worth.
How long ago did this happen with your car? It must have been a while ago since the current private party value of a 1998 S70 T-5 with 125K is between $2,700 - $3,600 and suggested retail value for excellent condition is about $5K. I am surprised they even paid you what they did and frankly am more surprised you fixed it. I love my car but even with all the aftermarket equipment I wouldn't fix it for much more than what it is worth and definitely not if there were even better cars around for sale for less than the bill the shop was going to stick me with. Couldn't you find 1998 S70 T-5s for cheaper than $5,300? I currently see between Binghamton, Ithaca and Elmira cars such as... several 2001-2004 S60 for around $6,000, a S40's for a bit less and S70 for $2K-$4K and that doesn't include the slightly higher cost dealer sales. Damn!!! your cars are dirt cheap. The same Volvos out here in the People's Gaypublic of Kommifornia would sell for at least 50% more. I need to start shopping in NY for my Volvos. Even with shipping fees it would be cheaper than the ones we buy out here...although I guess I will need to be aware of how much rust they might have on them.
I just discovered, through messing around on KBB.com that the 1997 850 is worth about $1K more than the 1998 S70 of comparable miles/condition/features. $1k might not seem like a big difference but it is when it is spanning the gap bewteen $2,700 and $3,700. I always assume that the new year of a car is always more valuable than is comparable predecesor but apparently with 850 and S70s that isn't the case, at least between 1997 and 1998. Interesting...
Well, anyway, congrats on getting to keep your car. I hope it works out for you. Although, now that I look at the numbers I am again surprised that they would pay you that much and not total the car out...Canadia insurance must have different titling rules.
Little bit of creaks coming from the dash, but I just have to adjust a few things and it should be fine. But omfg the glovebox is killing me...it rattles SOOO MUCH! It always has before the accident.
