Pretty sure my car is totaled
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,767
From: Moore, OK
No. They can pick up the car without title or anything else. You just have to give them permission to come pick it up.
Zero chance I'm getting something with a CVT. Actually less than a zero chance.
Probably another 5.5 gen. I really don't want to have to make payments again and for what I will likely get for my car, I can get into another 5.5 gen with less miles than mine had on it and nothing out of pocket. We've had some pretty bad weather on and off the last 3 weeks so I haven't been working that much-winter is not the time for me to go into debt. If this happened in the summer it would have been a lot easier.
Dennis-the lawyer is only involved on the injury side of the claim. No chance I'm letting a lawyer get 1/3rd the value of my car.
If Farmers tries to lowball me on the value of my car, I'll take Nationwide's offer and Farmers will have to pay them back that amount and pay me my deductible.
Probably another 5.5 gen. I really don't want to have to make payments again and for what I will likely get for my car, I can get into another 5.5 gen with less miles than mine had on it and nothing out of pocket. We've had some pretty bad weather on and off the last 3 weeks so I haven't been working that much-winter is not the time for me to go into debt. If this happened in the summer it would have been a lot easier.
Dennis-the lawyer is only involved on the injury side of the claim. No chance I'm letting a lawyer get 1/3rd the value of my car.
If Farmers tries to lowball me on the value of my car, I'll take Nationwide's offer and Farmers will have to pay them back that amount and pay me my deductible.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
I'm with Allstate and I must say them went beyond the call of duty when my wife and child was hit in our 5.5 by some ppl high on drugs/under the influence of a controlled substance of some sort.....But I did really well in the fact that the idiots brushed/clipped the front end and sent her over a curb at 50-55 mph! Still them were ok, but I blame my wife somewhat for stopping for those idiots who were behind her and swerving back and forth so she stops, and panics instead of just hauling ***.....Don't let them low ball you....are you gonna part it out?
Dennis-they take the car to the storage yard they keep cars at, but they don't get the title until I get a check. I don't get how they looked at the car on Thursday and still haven't made an offer on it though.
You don't get to part out a totaled car unless you want to accept a check for a lot less than the original offer. When my Altima was totaled, they told me I could keep the car, but the check would be for $1600 less than what we had agreed on...
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Farmer's tried to lowball me, so I am taking Nationwide's (my insurance company) offer that is $700 or so more. Even less my deductible (which Farmers will have to pay to me), I get more than Farmer's was going to pay. The adjuster I talked to mentioned one of the cars I had looked at when she said how they determine value. I told her I had looked at the car and it had a decent sized dent in the passenger front door, the interior was filthy and it had 3 different brands of tires on it. Mine was in excellent shape, no dents prior to the accident, good tires (all the same brand) and the interior was mint. She agreed all that was true they they weren't budging on the offer...but it was just reported they are dropping $700 million for naming rights for a football stadium in LA that hasn't been build and doesn't yet have a team. Pretty obvious where their priorities are and what they spend their money on. 
I know after I had my accident just before Christmas, I expected my insurance company would write my car off. They were great to deal with, so I am really sorry to read that you are dealing with the low baler approach ... my estimates came back at $5,200 and they repaired mine.
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/l...view=slideshow
http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/l...view=slideshow
Years ago when my mint Taurus SHO was totalled my insurance man advised me to get an independent appraisal done on my car. Without the the appraisal they would just use average values not considering the condition of your car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Ghost_54-you must have pretty low mileage on your car for them to fix it with $5200 in damage. In my case, with at least $18,000 in damage, I don't think they would have fixed the car if it was totaled with 1 miles on it.
I hope to have my money by the middle of next week and into another (most likely) 5.5 gen by the end of the week.
I was going to point out Canadian exchange rates... but then I looked them up, and as of today they're spot-on equal to 1/10th of a penny. 
I'm surprised Ghost's car wasn't totaled, too. But on the upside, he now has the clearest, cleanest 5.5 gen headlights around!
I'm surprised Ghost's car wasn't totaled, too. But on the upside, he now has the clearest, cleanest 5.5 gen headlights around!
I'm glad you and your son survived this crazy accident. I remember checking out a few days ago the thread that you posted about a minor accident repair on autopia.
I hope everything works out well and I wish you and your son a speedy recovery.
I hope everything works out well and I wish you and your son a speedy recovery.
My insurance did take into the condition of the car, the other's guys insurance did not. That's why there is such a difference I guess.
Ghost_54-you must have pretty low mileage on your car for them to fix it with $5200 in damage. In my case, with at least $18,000 in damage, I don't think they would have fixed the car if it was totaled with 1 miles on it.
I hope to have my money by the middle of next week and into another (most likely) 5.5 gen by the end of the week.
Ghost_54-you must have pretty low mileage on your car for them to fix it with $5200 in damage. In my case, with at least $18,000 in damage, I don't think they would have fixed the car if it was totaled with 1 miles on it.
I hope to have my money by the middle of next week and into another (most likely) 5.5 gen by the end of the week.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Nationwide (my insurance) is giving me a reasonably fair price for the car considering the miles.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Nationwide (my insurance) is giving me a reasonably fair price for the car considering the miles.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Good thing the car did crumple, though. It sounds like there was a lot of energy absorbed that you didn't directly see. Your necks could really be messed up if the car was solid as a rock.
Nationwide (my insurance) is giving me a reasonably fair price for the car considering the miles.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Went out today to start the car for old time's sake (they will probably pick it up on Monday) and noticed the dash was cracked, the whole center stack was pushed over about 1/2" and the brake pedal somehow bent to the right (towards the impact) making it a tight fit between the brake pedal and the console. Glove box won't close and the blower motor ceased up when I turned it on. Floor under the passenger side front mat is buckled too. Just unreal how much damage done to the rest of the car from a front end impact.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 399
From: Illinois
Wow....Scott....Really am glad you guys are okay.....too bad the car is toast.....that is a total loss....the wheel is bent inward......I really hate stupid people that make the really dumb decision of drinking and then gambling with other peoples lives.....I am glad that B%#^H got what he deserved....
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Wow....Scott....Really am glad you guys are okay.....too bad the car is toast.....that is a total loss....the wheel is bent inward......I really hate stupid people that make the really dumb decision of drinking and then gambling with other peoples lives.....I am glad that B%#^H got what he deserved....
He is looking at 2 to 10 years in jail and more:
DWI, Third Offense (or greater): Third degree FELONY
Fine - A fine not to exceed $10,000.00.
Jail - Confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division (Penitentiary) for a term of not less than 2 years nor more than ten (10) years.
Deep lung air device - Deep lung air devices are generally ordered on all persons convicted of three or more DWI's both as conditions of bond and as conditions of any occupational or provisional licenses that may be awarded after conviction.
Community Service - Texas law mandates that a judge order not less than 160 hours nor more than 600 hours.
Suspension of license - A person convicted of DWI, Second may have their driving privilege suspended for not less than 180 days or more than two (2) years.
Other - A third conviction for DWI indicates a significant problem with alcohol to the Court or jury assessing punishment. Some type of rehabilitative treatment is therefore mandated in punishment if confinement in the penitentiary is to be avoided. In some cases an in-patient, incarceration program (Substance Abuse Felony Probation SAFP) is ordered. This program requires confinement in a State Facility for alcohol rehabilitation. After successful completion of the SAFP program, the person is then released and placed on probation for a term not to exceed ten (10) years. Another popular condition for habitual DWI offenders is a prescription for a drug named "Antabuse". This drug will make a person violently ill if any alcohol is consumed. The alcohol can be contained in mouthwash or marinated food and will still have the same effect on the user. If a person has any type of liver problems, this drug can cause liver failure and death.
Fine - A fine not to exceed $10,000.00.
Jail - Confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division (Penitentiary) for a term of not less than 2 years nor more than ten (10) years.
Deep lung air device - Deep lung air devices are generally ordered on all persons convicted of three or more DWI's both as conditions of bond and as conditions of any occupational or provisional licenses that may be awarded after conviction.
Community Service - Texas law mandates that a judge order not less than 160 hours nor more than 600 hours.
Suspension of license - A person convicted of DWI, Second may have their driving privilege suspended for not less than 180 days or more than two (2) years.
Other - A third conviction for DWI indicates a significant problem with alcohol to the Court or jury assessing punishment. Some type of rehabilitative treatment is therefore mandated in punishment if confinement in the penitentiary is to be avoided. In some cases an in-patient, incarceration program (Substance Abuse Felony Probation SAFP) is ordered. This program requires confinement in a State Facility for alcohol rehabilitation. After successful completion of the SAFP program, the person is then released and placed on probation for a term not to exceed ten (10) years. Another popular condition for habitual DWI offenders is a prescription for a drug named "Antabuse". This drug will make a person violently ill if any alcohol is consumed. The alcohol can be contained in mouthwash or marinated food and will still have the same effect on the user. If a person has any type of liver problems, this drug can cause liver failure and death.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Not much I can do when the car has minor hail damage (had it when I bought it) and 194,595 miles on it. The mileage is the real killer. On the other hand, I put 81,000 miles on the car and only lost $2800 or so in depreciation.
I haven't been on the org much lately but I'm glad you both walked away unharmed. We all take it for granted how well our cars protect us. I took a serious front end collision in my mustang in 06. I walked away unharmed except a scratch on my leg from the shifter but the car was annihilated. It was really scary to look at, I have no idea how I walked away unharmed.
On a lighter note I'm about to sell my car... if only I lived in texas...
On a lighter note I'm about to sell my car... if only I lived in texas...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 487
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I haven't been on the org much lately but I'm glad you both walked away unharmed. We all take it for granted how well our cars protect us. I took a serious front end collision in my mustang in 06. I walked away unharmed except a scratch on my leg from the shifter but the car was annihilated. It was really scary to look at, I have no idea how I walked away unharmed.
On a lighter note I'm about to sell my car... if only I lived in texas...
On a lighter note I'm about to sell my car... if only I lived in texas...
. This accident was at highway speeds I did manage to brake so I'm not sure the speed at impact since I blacked out for a while during/after impact... That car was ridiculously dangerous in the rain or snow...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 487
From: Baton Rouge, LA
edit : like avic said sorry for the hijack !
Last edited by crystalline; Feb 9, 2011 at 11:10 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 487
From: Baton Rouge, LA
oh wow. I was involved in a similar collision, the guy passed me in the shoulder lane going up an overpass, and was about to hit the guard rails, so he swerved and clipped me, and I went spinning in circles. I sent an accord down hill on one side, while the driver went down hill on the other side (in his Z71 Silverado) and he got away.
I have no remorse for people like this. They will get what they deserve, especially if I find them.
Scott, sorry to hijack your thread lol
I have no remorse for people like this. They will get what they deserve, especially if I find them.
Scott, sorry to hijack your thread lol
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Still no check to replace my car, but I have the rental through Monday. Hope to have a check by this weekend.
There was a similar accident to mine in the Dallas area last week, a drunk in a Tacoma blew through a red light and hit a Mustang. Drunk wasn't hurt but the driver of the Mustang was killed and his passenger seriously injured. Makes me realize just how lucky my son and I were.
There was a similar accident to mine in the Dallas area last week, a drunk in a Tacoma blew through a red light and hit a Mustang. Drunk wasn't hurt but the driver of the Mustang was killed and his passenger seriously injured. Makes me realize just how lucky my son and I were.
Man I remember your first few posts, glad to hear you are OK.
The other driver makes me so mad, he's a repeat offender, and not only is he still driving, he driving a killing machine!
In 2010, we had a rash of deadly DUI's here in WA State. Same story EVERY time: big SUV or 3/4ton+ truck annihilates a Echo, 86 Civic, 99 Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Rio, etc. These are the ones I recall. They were all fatalities, some multiple.The Camry was by my house, all 4 people died (a entire family) when they were struck by a DUI Excursion.
I can't understand why the gov't would allow people who have a DUI history register, own and drive these 6,000+ pound killing machines.
I had enough of the stories in 2010, I bought a 4x4 Titan 4 door. I want my family to have a chance against the idiots out there. I gave up commuting too, I ride the bus now. I LOVE my Maxima, it is very tough for a mid size car. My Maxima has been in 4 accidents since we've owned it and it's held up well. Unfortunately I have no doubt it wouldn't survive the typical DUI accident scenario.
The other driver makes me so mad, he's a repeat offender, and not only is he still driving, he driving a killing machine!
In 2010, we had a rash of deadly DUI's here in WA State. Same story EVERY time: big SUV or 3/4ton+ truck annihilates a Echo, 86 Civic, 99 Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Rio, etc. These are the ones I recall. They were all fatalities, some multiple.The Camry was by my house, all 4 people died (a entire family) when they were struck by a DUI Excursion.
I can't understand why the gov't would allow people who have a DUI history register, own and drive these 6,000+ pound killing machines.
I had enough of the stories in 2010, I bought a 4x4 Titan 4 door. I want my family to have a chance against the idiots out there. I gave up commuting too, I ride the bus now. I LOVE my Maxima, it is very tough for a mid size car. My Maxima has been in 4 accidents since we've owned it and it's held up well. Unfortunately I have no doubt it wouldn't survive the typical DUI accident scenario.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 69
From: Albuquerque, NM
What a beautiful Max. I'm sorry to hear about your crash man. But I'm glad to hear you guys are just a little bit bruised. I know the truck is quite higher but I find it quite remarkable that the wheel and tire looked like it got little to no damage. 
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Pretty obvious at the accident scene he was pretty blasted. The police report said he was arrested for DWI-felony repetition and his BAC was .216 which is nearly 3 times the legal limit of .08.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Can't get a reply, PM'ed the owner of the car here I am interested in the other day.
Found a 6 speed '02 with 150k miles on it, they want $5k for it, have to take a look at that one too. Miles aren't a huge deal if the car was properly maintained.
Found a 6 speed '02 with 150k miles on it, they want $5k for it, have to take a look at that one too. Miles aren't a huge deal if the car was properly maintained.
Then I'd jsut transfer all my current mods to the new car .. nahhh. 
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Hoping to get done working in time tomorrow so I can go look at it.
private sales/owners are better kept.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Looks gold in the pictures, maybe silver though, car has sun on it. A black leather interior is a plus. So is it being an SE. Test drove a GLE, felt somewhat soft.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,016
From: Arlington, TX
Enterprise swapped out the Malibu I had since it needed an oil change and neither of the 12v plugs worked (need my nav since I'm a mobile detailer) and gave me a brand new (only 16 miles on it) Kia Sorento. Not a bad looking crossover, but I figured it would be slow-rentals always get the base engine, which in this case is a 4 cylinder. Boy, was I wrong! 276 hp V6 with a 6 speed automatic with a manual shift mode. Really quick for a small SUV/crossover type vehicle. It will actually light the front tires up at a 10-15 mph roll! Weird sitting up high and the tires aren't really meant for handling (tall profile) but the acceleration is pretty good, really fat midrange like a VQ35. In a Kia. 