Buy back my salvage car or buy a used one with my total loss offer?

Question

I was in an accident where the front side of my Acura Integra was hit. The car runs fine. Of course the alignment is off. My insurance is offering a total loss for this vehicle. I found a decent place to fix this up. If I go with the buy back I would have a few extra $$ in my pocket. My question is should I buy something for their offer of 4k or buy back my Acura and just run it into the ground. I recently spent 3k fixing with new wheels, struts tune up etc. Please advise.

Answer 1

Your call here. I hate to have a wrecked car, since you have to worry about a bent frame or a uni-body that was twisted. Even if these are straightened, the metal is already stretched and will deform again, because they are not as strong as they were when new.

Answer 2

It doesn't look good to me. Generally, when you buy a car from someone, it's an "as is" deal. I think the courts will assume that you had ample opportunity to examine the car before making the purchase, and whatever the guy may or may not have said about its condition is your problem. It sounds harsh, but you can't expect the courts to be responsible for every bad purchase people make. If it was from a dealership, it might be a different story, though.

Answer 3

Most states will mark the title as "SALVAGE" when you receive it if they are communicating with the insurance company. This will eliminate (or complicate) any thoughts of resale and now it comes down to 2 plus 2. The $3,000 you spent on repairs plus your cost to buy it back. Bet you that you will have more repairs than you thought when you get it back. My suggestion is say bye to the old and hello to your next car. I was in the autobody repair business for years.

Answer 4

It is mostly a question of whether the Acura can be put into serviceable condition for the amount of money available. And you get to define "serviceable". Without real numbers, that's about all I can offer.

Answer 5

The estimate to repair your car utilized standard industry repair techniques. That's why it costed so much.

You can find a shop that will mask mouldings and handles instead of removing and re-installing them, that will save a bundle.

I have bought cars back and sometimes it's worth it, and sometimes it's not.
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Answer 6

i own a shop and that would be up to you ,i know if it was me i wouldn't want to drive the car again ,because once one has been wrecked,it never drives right again,but then again, if you want to do this its your choice on it,good luck with it.