Just wondering if the Nada Guides blue book value is accurate for an 89 Firebird?

Low Retail: $2,386
Average: $4,686
High: 6,095

Someone backed their truck and ran over the hood of my 89 Firebird in a parking lot. It dented it in, and looks like the bumper got dented as well. Also, a metal piece for the bumper got damaged as well. I also have one of those $250 screamin chickens on the hood.

The good thing is I can still open and shut the hood. But I'm betting it is totalled as I can see an easy $3k+ in damages. I'll get some quotes next week though. It is probably the best kind of wreck in which the damage is just cosmetic so I can still keep driving it as I've put alot into keeping it running.

 

NADA value isnt bad if you know how to apply it. For example when they call for the value of car in "average" condition its not referring to the condition of your average firebird of that vintage more the condition of your average firebird of that year and type thats treated as a collector car as in not daily driven at least an amateur or older restoration or even a well maintained "survivor car" ect. So a daily driven firebird of that vintage in good shape would be considered for the "low" retail value however thats if its in good shape if its not than that value is subject to the cars actual condition. There are some other factors to take into account but again the NADA is a good general guideline. However how your insurance asses its value is a whole different story.

 

I don't know if their insurance will know this or not. But around 5 years ago, someone ran into my rear end. The only damage it did was put a small crack in the bumper and the hatch wouldn't close. Their insurance totalled it out and I bought it back. I ended up getting the hatch fixed so it would shut.

I think I'm gonna try for $2.5k and see what happens. I know you want to try and get as much as you can. Because you usually get screwed in the long run. As if it totals and you can't drive it. Then all money put into it to keep it well maintained goes down the drain and you have to start all over on another vehicle. Or if they fix the damage. Then your resale value is in the tank. I've put $1k into it in the last year fixing and replacing things. I'm just glad I can still drive it.