Ok, So I've never wrecked a car until last week. It had been storming pretty bad outside but I promised a friend of mine I would say goodbye before she left the country for the rest of the summer. On the way home I came around a curve and there was a tree trunk across the entire road. I slammed on the brakes but it was too late, I hit the tree and went over it.

We got out and I saw there wasn't much damage to the body. The left fog light was smashed and so was some of the area around the left front side panel. I was only about a mile from home so I drove it home. I could only go about 5mph because it didn't want to go straight at all.

I took it to a shop and they said there's frame damage. They've given me and estimate of $2,500 to fix what they can tell is wrong with the car but that there could be more things wrong that they won't know until they start really getting in there. My car's blue book value is only around $3,500. BUT, I LOVE MY CAR. It's a 95 SE, 5-spd, black interior and granite pearl paint (both of which I really love), about 114,000 miles on it, and it has had no major problems. Leeloo (that's her name) and I have had a lot of good times together. I only had liability on my car so any repairs would be coming out of my pocket.

Now I'm trying to get an estimation of what a maximum price might be to repair my car but the shop isn't really cooperating with me in this regard. They keep saying they just don't know. I have found another max, this one a 1998, silver, 5-spd SE with 94,000 miles in excellet condition and the black interior I love. Silver is alright, but it's kinda boring when I compare it to my granite pearl. They want $7500 for it. I would like to hear the opinion of other max owners on this situation. What should I/would you do?

 

Time to let your old max go. Like the shop says, you won't quite know how much it will end up costing until they start tearing things down. You don't want to go down that path. Also, you never know if the car will be the same once it has been through an accident with more than cosmetic damage.

Cherish the memories you have with Leeloo (I can't believe I just wrote that) and move on to new things. Thats life. Cheers and I'm glad no one got hurt.

 

If the damage is over 60% of the value of your vehicle part it out. Lots of org'rs will buy the parts and buy yourself another. Frame and drive line damage is way worse than body part damage............... my 2cents

 

thats a bit too much. Let it go.

 

I won't spend that much money on it. see if u can sell it and get some $ for ur next max.

 

start the parting!...I need some parts .. is it black interior ?

 

just a random offer but ill buy everything needed for a 5 speed swap for a grand....

 

yes def go w/ the 98. how much have u done to ur 95? if u have sum parts, just transfer it to the 98 or sell it

 

I haven't done a lot of modding to my current maxima. I changed the deck and speakers as well as added a sirius tuner and antenna. I also have diamond clears. That's it really. I could transfer all of that to another 4th gen. easily.

The 98 I'm looking at has wood trim so I would definitely swap out the wood pieces for black pieces from my old max if I do decide to get it.

You're pretty far away Rockford but I'll keep you in mind if I do wind up parting out my 95.

EDIT: I also have tint on my 95. So that would go to waste. But to be honest I was not completely satisfied with the tint job. I never found a shop that would do the back in one piece.

 

yeah, if you've got frame damage, don't bother to fix it. its an extremely rare shop that can fix frame damage so the car tracks right.

 

Wow I'm surprise they only estimated $2500 minimum. When I crashed my parents 02 Grand Prix and got some frame damage...They declared it totalled! And secondly, why would you want wood dash trim? Even my mother hated it on the 97 GLE we tested and she's like 55!

 

I don't want the wood trim. I'm saying I would take that out of the new one and make it all black if I buy it.

 

I wrecked my maxima as well....

It was declared totaled and even if it wasnt we still wouldn't want to fix because there could be problems down the road with the frame and what not, so i got another 4th gen.

 

yeah I'd say move on, my old 300ZX had a very minor front impact, but it was enough to bend the frame just a bit. After changing out most of the front suspension, still never got the thing back to normal. Bent frame = nasty as hell.

Get the new max, and part your current one

 

I agree you better part it out and get a new maxima, because frame damage is pain in the ***, i just had one before believe me you dont want that

 

I would part it out. If it was me I would pull the engine and tranny, rebuild it with some better internals and boost...After the 98 is paid off that is. You should be able to get quite a bit for everything except the foglights!!

 

I am saddened by all these responses, as I am in the same boat as Sorgasm and Leeloo(although my car does not have a name....yet) My Max was declared totaled after a minor front impact that messed up the frame around the headlight. I bought it back from the insurance company, planning to fix it up. I had my mind set on getting back to normal and more, but you guys have filled my head with doubt! I'm so torn now =( I hope I dont end up with alignment problems or worse! I <3 my car so much

 

From the best movie in the world... TOPGUN

Let him go sir.... you've gotta let him go....

Move on.. pimp the shiz outta the new one. Silver is common but still nice.

Oh and I like the woodgrain you bums lol hahaha

 

i say 5th gen is the way to go....

i had a chance to get one with 35k for 16.5...today...but i don't think i should because school is starting soon

 

Yeah I start grad school in the fall and I don't think a 5th gen is going to be in the picture. If I did have more money I'd get this though http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...rdist=9#vdptop

 

it depends on how bad the frame damage is. This is correct tho, your car will never ride right. But why another 4th gen...why not at least a 5th gen?? How many shops have you brought it to?? i live by ny and i had one guy fix my 02 accord for i think $1100?? I hit the curb at about 15 mph because i was turning into my coldasack (however you spell it) and it was snowing. another shop quoted my damages to be $2600 +. Well, thats brooklyn for you..heh

 

Buy the new one and part the old... thats what I just did.


http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=415635

 

with frame damage the car will never be right again. if you love something, let it go.....

 

get rid of the 95 and get a 97+

 

im in love with my 95, it was the 957th 4th gen made! but i mean if i had a chance/reason to get a new 4th id def get a97+. looks more aggressive to me

 

mkay.. first off, as everyone else has said .. let go of "Leeloo"

second off definitly stay with a 4th gen... and lastly, i guess im the first to mention.. $7,500 sounds a little much to me for a 98 with 94,000? look around a bit..

- that is all . .

 

go w/ da 3.555555 instead

 

I dunno. Do you have the $7500 for the 98? Do you have the $3500 to fix the 95? It all depends on how much cash you have available I guess. I personally buy a car out right to avoid the extra costs. A loan will cost you more in the long run, not to mention the extra insurance the loan company expects you to keep on the car til it's all paid off. Hate making payments. Hate the feeling of knowing someone else holds the title to my car and can take it away in certain situations.

 

go with the frekan 3.55555555555