I am seriously bummed out. On my way home a couple of days ago, a woman in a pickup ran a stop sign and T-boned my 95 SE. I had just renewed the insurance last month and decided to drop the comprehensive because of the cars age and miles (130+K).

This has been a great car and was unusual among all I looked at when I bought it because of its color and options. I know I'll not likely find a reasonably priced replacement - so I'm considering my alternatives.

It is the burgundy color with a 5 speed (arghhhhhh - it was incredibly hard to locate a stick car!) and a sunroof.

The worst part of the story is that the woman (whose GMC pickup was also pretty badly damaged) managed to back out of the intersection about 100 ft, stop to run back and retrieve the front tag from the pile of parts laying in the street and drive away at high speed - eluding two witnesses who gave chase.

She probably was drunk and/or uninsured (which now carries an automatic $1000 fine here) and that is why she ran. The witnesses got the last 3 characters out of her 6-character license plate - so there's a good chance she will be arrested soon. Even if she is caught, I doubt she can pay for the damage - so I'm probably on my own.

Anyway, I towed the car over to a friend's shop last night to assess the damage and see if I should try to fix it. I have a sinking feeling that if I use new parts, the car will be totalled - so I am weighing my options - among them selling the car as a rebuildable.

Based on the damage - I'd like some opinions as to what I should advertise the car for. The damage is all on the driver's side.

Here's what I found:

* Bent front strut and scratched front wheel - no apparent damage to the strut tower, but the strut is bent so badly the tire contacts the spring. I just so happen to have 2 new struts and upper bearings/mount kits in my garage that would be sold with the car.
* ruined front fender
* ruined driver's front door - glass and power windows OK, though.
* badly dented rear door - again, glass and power window OK.
* dented quarter panel with quarter-sized tear in metal down where the mud flap mounts

The car has nearly new tires, plus an extra set of alloy wheels and tires for the winter. It also has both the Nissan stereo/cassette and a kenwood CD changer I added - not sure if the Kenwood would go with the car.

I'm thinking the car would be worth about 2500 as a builder. I will have my bodyman let me know what it would cost to fix it with both new and used parts - but I'm sure that the cost using new parts would total it.

Any thoughts on the value? Pros or cons on fixing it? I love this car, but have a sinking feeling that the practical solution would be to just sell it to someone who has the time to put it back together themselves.

 

dude that sucks...i dont know what you should do...

however, if you have to sell, id be very interested in the white gauges in the car...email me.

either way, i hope it all works out

 

I'm really sorry about your loss man, it just plain sucks. My suggestion is that it probably would be best to get a difernt car. just don't think the car will ever be the same again even if you do fix it. I love that ruby red color too...Sucks!!

Also check this out

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?threadid=132370


Almost the same car you had for sale.


Good luck man.

Kevin

 

Yeah man, sorry about your car. Where are you located? I'm in VA and mine sounds almost the same...'95 SE 5-speed, 138K miles, every option but automatic, aftermarket leather...it's for sale as Kevin mentioned. Would like to get in the upper 6K range, but moderately negotiable. See my add and email me if you're interested or want pics.

Alex

 

sorry to say that your cars salvage value isnt going to be too high($3K). You will be better off selling parts - manual tranny parts - u can get about 1300 alone.

 

if there is not frame damage fix it. from what you posted all you need is 2 door shells a fender and 1/4 paneel work. at full retail body shop prices they will probably try to write off the vehicle. you already have the suspension bits and you can get the whole front and rear doors from a slavage parts dealer complete with the internals for a good price. you just gotta shop around if it is worth it to you. try www.car-part.com