1996 i30 is pretty crumpled up front.

Hood, passenger fender crumpled and pretty much most of the plastic and lights from front end were hanging or on the ground. Including bottom "bumper"





Ooph.

OK. This happened, Last evening. I have a swollen achilles tendon (separate issue, I wasn't driving) so I haven't even been out back to look her over yet.
I'm just staring at pics trying to figure out how much to piece back together Into a working vehicle for the girlfriend to continue driving to work and back.

While I will be using you all for a billion questions I'm sure (and feel free to fill this thread with any unsolicited ideas!)
The main issue before I get to the cosmetic and lights is this?:

The shifter is in, "Park" but actually car is in reverse.
Basically the shifter is off by a position.

Is this just a linkage cable needing adjustment? I Googled a bunch last night and found nothing about shifter being off a position.

I'm told car drives fine.. We will see.

Thanks guys, this is throwing a huge monkey wrench in our day to day life.

 

OK. As far as front end, fender support and radiator need to be straightened a bit to get anything from junkyard bolted on.

Worst issue I see for the cosmetics of front end is that the frame piece the bumper mounts to had all the bolt holes ripped out. Assuming I'm going to have to have some material welded on to attach front sash/plastic bumper.

I could roll without front bumper for a spell. Pretty common here in South Florida with import modders actually while they swap out and paint aftermarket parts.

Can grab a hood and fender from junkyard cheap. Probably just grab a new radiator though.

That all hinges on the transmission issue though. Trying to Google that some more now.

Radiator is trash although not leaking.

 

The shifter is connected with a cable. The levers where it connects on the trans may be bent. Could be a simple fix.

 

Just inspected damage a bit more. "frame" member is bent and touching the drive pulley...

Rural young boy me says get a tractor and pull it out!

Suburban me now says I'm screwed, it will cost too much to get it done at a body shop.

 

Frame shops can do quite a bit of good.

I had an accident in my 73 Volvo. It bent the frame.

A shop straightened things out for a few hundred.
Then I could bolt on replacement parts.

Buy a brand new radiator. You probably would have replaced your old one sooner or later.

 

After reading everything carefully, I'd suggest you get rid of it. But what do I know about that car's sentimental value to you? In all honesty, I spent more than ten thousand on my Max. And if it got in a collision like that, I'm done.

 

Think about it......For around $10K, you can easily find a 2010 Infinity G37X with 60K and under, that was maintained well and so on. Way more performance, handling, refinement, AWD, AND high on the reliable meter. And never in an accident!

Like an idiot, I kept dumping way too much in my 99 SE.

I really need to take myself out back and kick my own A$$ for being so STUPID!

That passenger side frame is twisted. Might go as far as the suspension crossmember. By the time you put a lot of money and time, only to hope it tracks properly just isn't worth it IMO. Hopefully, Insurance will total it and maybe let you buy it back cheap and part it out for some more deposit and move it on up!

 

I may have said this before in another/other threads and if that's the case feel free to ignore me, but I did, and continually to do, a cost of ownership analysis on mine ... '99 SE-L.

Not that the cost is really the issue for me as I love keeping old cars new (ish) and I'd likely keep mine even if the calculated cost creeps into the red.

But, here's my deal ...

I keep a running tally of costs for things that break unexpectedly, things that I break due to stupidity or ineptness, and I even include the cost of improvements and upgrades.

I don't include the cost of regular expected maintenance routines, maintenance fixes and fuel as those are things what any and every car owner has to cake care of and those items do not factor into what I consider an equivalent to a month car payment.

I've run this cost thing since my car has been paid for ... I bought it new in MAR 1999 and financed it for 48 months, so it's been paid off for 16 years.

With all of the repairs and upgrades and improvements I've done, so far my cost equates to a monthly car payment of about $34.00.

My point is, before you decide to ditch this car, provided you really do appreciate it, I'd do a similar cost analysis and make sure you won't be committing yourself to a $500.00/month car payment when fixing this one might result in a payment of about $42.00.

 

Car was only worth $1,000 before the accident.
I say buy another just like it for $1,000 if you are on a tight budget.
Part out the old one and recoup an easy $1,000 in parts.

Otherwise, buy the newest used car you can easily afford. It will have more safety and technological features than your 96 I30